Best NTO Software Alternatives in 2026
The top NTO Software alternatives are TurboTax, H&R Block Online and TaxAct: 15 small business tax software our editors would look at instead of NTO Software, in our ranking order.
NTO Software: Broad entity coverage, e-filing, and document tools for tax offices without a free plan. Where it falls short: pro web and desktop have different workflows and feature sets.
Switching from NTO Software? For most small business tax software buyers the best NTO Software 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 an NTO Software Alternative
- Pro Web and Desktop have different workflows and feature sets
- Billing frequency is not stated with the listed plan prices
- No free plan is available
- 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 (NTO Software has none)
Visit TurboTax - Most included state returnsCCH ProSystem fx Tax8.4
50 returns
Visit CCH ProSystem fx Tax
All 15 NTO Software 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 NTO Software:
- Free plan
- Editor score 9.3 vs 7.1
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 NTO Software:
- Free plan
- Editor score 9.1 vs 7.1
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 NTO Software:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.8 vs 7.1
A broad tax filing option for self-employed filers, with state filing charged separately.
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit TaxAct -
Best forHigh-volume firms needing deep tax coverage
- Better than NTO Software:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 7.1
Deep tax coverage for high-volume firms, with a high annual license and per-return costs.
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Lacerte Tax -
Best forEstablished preparers needing broad return support
- Better than NTO Software:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 7.1
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
- Better than NTO Software:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 7.1
A broad tax preparation suite for firms managing complex multistate returns.
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit UltraTax CS -
Best forFirms needing all-state professional filing
- Better than NTO Software:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 7.1
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
- Better than NTO Software:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 7.1
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
- Better than NTO Software:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 7.1
Broad federal, state, and business tax coverage for professional preparers.
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Drake Tax -
Best forFirms needing extensive forms and research
- Better than NTO Software:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 7.1
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
- Better than NTO Software:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 7.1
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
- Better than NTO Software:
- Editor score 7.8 vs 7.1
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
- Better than NTO Software:
- Editor score 7.8 vs 7.1
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
- Better than NTO Software:
- Editor score 7.7 vs 7.1
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
- Better than NTO Software:
- Editor score 7.6 vs 7.1
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
NTO Software Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to NTO Software?
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 NTO Software?
Yes. TurboTax, H&R Block Online and TaxAct have a free plan or a free tier.
Why do people look for NTO Software alternatives?
Pro Web and Desktop have different workflows and feature sets; Billing frequency is not stated with the listed plan prices; No free plan is available.
Which NTO Software alternative has the most included state returns?
CCH ProSystem fx Tax, with 50 returns.
How do I switch from NTO Software?
Export your data from NTO Software (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 NTO Software.
How to Switch from NTO Software
- Export your data from NTO Software (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 NTO Software.
NTO Software vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | NTO Software | No | 7.1 | |
| 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 | Lacerte Tax | No | 8.7 | |
| 5 | ProSeries | No | $729/yr | 8.6 |
| 6 | UltraTax CS | 8.5 | ||
| 7 | CCH ProSystem fx Tax | 8.4 | ||
| 8 | TaxWise | No | 8.2 | |
| 9 | Drake Tax | No | $1,895/yr | 8.1 |
| 10 | ATX | No | 8.0 | |
| 11 | CrossLink | No | 7.9 | |
| 12 | CCH Axcess Practice | 7.8 | ||
| 13 | X.TAX Business Tax | $49/unit one-time | 7.8 | |
| 14 | TaxOwl Pro Business | No | 7.7 | |
| 15 | UltimateTax | No | 7.6 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update