Tax season is always a bit of a headache, but choosing the right tax software can make all the difference. For years, I used TurboTax because it was the most well-known option, and it seemed like the easiest choice for someone like me. Like many other W2 workers, my tax is not particularly complicated: the majority of incomes is on W2 and I have some 1099 forms from investments. TurboTax was easy enough to handle these for me. But for the 2025 tax season, I switched from TurboTax to FreeTaxUSA, and I’m here to share why.
Spoiler: It was all about the price, transparency, and frustrations with TurboTax’s upselling tactics.
1. The Price Difference Was Too Big to Ignore
Let’s start with the most obvious reason: cost. TurboTax has long been one of the most expensive tax software options out there, and for good reason— it’s polished, it’s user-friendly, and it’s trusted by millions of people. But when I compared the pricing for the 2025 tax season, I realized the price difference between TurboTax and FreeTaxUSA was just too steep.
While TurboTax offers a free version for simple returns, as soon as you need anything beyond the basics—like itemized deductions or certain forms—the price goes up fast. On the other hand, FreeTaxUSA offers a solid free plan for most people and charges a very reasonable fee for state filings and premium features. For someone looking to save a few bucks without sacrificing quality, FreeTaxUSA is the clear winner.
2. TurboTax’s Limited Access to Forms Before Paying
One of the things that bugged me the most about TurboTax was that you couldn’t even see how it was filling out your tax forms unless you upgraded to a paid version. This was frustrating, especially when I wanted to review my forms for accuracy and make sure everything was correct before filing.
With TurboTax’s online version, you essentially have to pay for the privilege of seeing the forms it’s generating for you. Sure, the software walks you through the questions and gives you guidance, but as someone who likes to review every detail of my taxes, this felt like a major roadblock. FreeTaxUSA, on the other hand, gives you the ability to access and review all the forms at no extra cost. Transparency is key for me when it comes to taxes, and FreeTaxUSA delivered exactly what I was looking for.
3. The Constant Upsell After Importing 1099-B Forms
Another issue I had with TurboTax was its constant push to upgrade to the premium version—especially when I imported a 1099-B form. For anyone who buys or sells stocks, getting a 1099-B is standard, and it’s usually a simple form to import. But as soon as I added it to my TurboTax return, I was bombarded with pop-ups telling me I needed to upgrade to the “Premium” version.
This felt like a cheap tactic, especially considering that managing investments and importing forms like 1099-Bs is a very common part of filing taxes. It just didn’t sit right with me that a basic feature was locked behind an upsell. FreeTaxUSA didn’t have any of that drama. It handled the 1099-B form without asking me to spend more money. Everything I needed was included in the basic package.
Conclusion: FreeTaxUSA is the Way to Go
In the end, the decision to switch from TurboTax to FreeTaxUSA came down to cost, transparency, and the frustration of dealing with constant upselling. While TurboTax has its merits, FreeTaxUSA offered everything I needed at a fraction of the price—and without the constant pressure to spend more.
For anyone considering making the switch or just looking for an alternative to the major tax software brands, I highly recommend giving FreeTaxUSA a try. It’s easy to use, doesn’t hide features behind paywalls, and is much more affordable. Plus, the peace of mind knowing that you’re not being nickel-and-dimed at every turn? That’s priceless.
