Best Lacerte Tax Alternatives in 2026
The top Lacerte Tax alternatives are TurboTax, H&R Block Online and TaxAct: 15 small business tax software our editors would look at instead of Lacerte Tax, in our ranking order.
Lacerte Tax: Deep tax coverage for high-volume firms, with a high annual license and per-return costs. Where it falls short: $813 annual starting license before applicable per-return charges.
Switching from Lacerte Tax? For most small business tax software buyers the best Lacerte Tax alternative is TurboTax, built for individuals wanting guided small-business filing. CCH ProSystem fx Tax offers the most included state returns (50 returns).
Why People Look for a Lacerte Tax Alternative
- $813 annual starting license before applicable per-return charges
- Windows desktop software with single-user access on the annual license
- E-file availability varies by return and jurisdiction
- No free plan — 3 of the alternatives below have it
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallTurboTax9.3
Individuals wanting guided small-business filing
Visit TurboTax - Best free optionTurboTax9.3
Has a free plan (Lacerte Tax has none)
Visit TurboTax - Most included state returnsCCH ProSystem fx Tax8.4
50 returns
Visit CCH ProSystem fx Tax
All 15 Lacerte Tax Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forIndividuals wanting guided small-business filing
- Better than Lacerte Tax:
- Free plan
- Editor score 9.3 vs 8.7
A broad guided filing option with strong income support, but paid tiers and state add-ons raise cost.
9.3/10★★★★★Visit TurboTax -
Best forConsumers wanting guided help and mobile access
- Better than Lacerte Tax:
- Free plan
- Editor score 9.1 vs 8.7
A guided tax service with free simple returns, broader paid tiers, and web and mobile access.
9.1/10★★★★★Visit H&R Block -
Best forBudget-conscious self-employed filers
- Better than Lacerte Tax:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.8 vs 8.7
A broad tax filing option for self-employed filers, with state filing charged separately.
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit TaxAct -
Best forEstablished preparers needing broad return support
A broad desktop tax suite for established preparers, with annual pricing from $539.
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit ProSeries -
Best forProfessional firms handling complex multistate returns
A broad tax preparation suite for firms managing complex multistate returns.
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit UltraTax CS -
Best forFirms needing all-state professional filing
A broad professional tax system for firms handling complex, multistate filings.
- Bookkeeping imports
- Prior-year import
- State e-file
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Wolters Kluwer -
Best forProfessional preparers needing research tools
A professional tax suite with research, diagnostics, e-filing, and mobile intake.
- State e-file
- Federal e-file
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit TaxWise -
Best forSmall firms needing broad professional tax coverage
Broad federal, state, and business tax coverage for professional preparers.
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Drake Tax -
Best forFirms needing extensive forms and research
A forms-focused tax suite for firms handling complex federal, state, and local returns.
- State e-file
- Federal e-file
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit ATX -
Best forTax offices needing hosted and desktop delivery
A flexible desktop, online, and hosted tax platform for tax offices and service bureaus.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit CrossLink -
Best forTax practices needing billing operations
A strong billing and practice-management choice, but not a tax return preparation tool.
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit CCH Axcess -
Best forSmall businesses filing entity returns
A focused option for entity returns, with accounting imports and paid filing add-ons.
- Bookkeeping imports
- Prior-year import
- State e-file
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit X.TAX -
Best forSmall firms filing business entities
A broad business-return add-on for small practices that already use TaxOwl Pro.
- State e-file
- Federal e-file
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit TaxOwl Pro -
Best forMultiplatform professional tax practices
A broad professional tax suite for firms needing multistate filing and flexible access.
- Prior-year import
- State e-file
- Federal e-file
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit UltimateTax -
Best forLarge practices needing broad specialty returns
Broad return coverage and workflow tools, priced for established tax practices.
- Prior-year import
- State e-file
- Federal e-file
7.5/10★★★★☆Try MyTAXPrepOffice
Lacerte Tax Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Lacerte Tax?
TurboTax: #1 in our Small Business Tax Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.3 out of 10. A broad guided filing option with strong income support, but paid tiers and state add-ons raise cost.
Is there a free alternative to Lacerte Tax?
Yes. TurboTax, H&R Block Online and TaxAct have a free plan or a free tier.
Why do people look for Lacerte Tax alternatives?
$813 annual starting license before applicable per-return charges; Windows desktop software with single-user access on the annual license; E-file availability varies by return and jurisdiction.
Which Lacerte Tax alternative has the most included state returns?
CCH ProSystem fx Tax, with 50 returns.
How do I switch from Lacerte Tax?
Export your data from Lacerte Tax (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Lacerte Tax.
How to Switch from Lacerte Tax
- Export your data from Lacerte Tax (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Lacerte Tax.
Lacerte Tax vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Lacerte Tax | No | 8.7 | |
| 1 | TurboTax | Yes | $79 one-time | 9.3 |
| 2 | H&R Block Online | Yes | 9.1 | |
| 3 | TaxAct | Yes | $44.99 one-time | 8.8 |
| 4 | ProSeries | No | $729/yr | 8.6 |
| 5 | UltraTax CS | 8.5 | ||
| 6 | CCH ProSystem fx Tax | 8.4 | ||
| 7 | TaxWise | No | 8.2 | |
| 8 | Drake Tax | No | $1,895/yr | 8.1 |
| 9 | ATX | No | 8.0 | |
| 10 | CrossLink | No | 7.9 | |
| 11 | CCH Axcess Practice | 7.8 | ||
| 12 | X.TAX Business Tax | $49/unit one-time | 7.8 | |
| 13 | TaxOwl Pro Business | No | 7.7 | |
| 14 | UltimateTax | No | 7.6 | |
| 15 | MyTAXPrepOffice | No | $895/yr | 7.5 |
Head-to-Head
- Lacerte Tax vs TurboTax
- Lacerte Tax vs H&R Block Online
- Lacerte Tax vs TaxAct
- Lacerte Tax vs ProSeries
- Lacerte Tax vs UltraTax CS
- Lacerte Tax vs CCH ProSystem fx Tax
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update