Side by side
FreeTaxUSA vs StudioTax
Both stand on tax preparation software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb
FreeTaxUSA offers free federal filing alongside broad income and deduction support. Check its limits on foreign income, nonresident returns and filer location, and account for state filing as a paid add-on.
Visit FreeTaxUSA Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+1
StudioTax covers several Canadian filing needs, including self-employment and rental income, with electronic and printed return options. Check platform and Quebec support, the return limits, and whether you qualify for the free plan before choosing it.
Visit StudioTaxThe facts
| FreeTaxUSA | StudioTax | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Android, iPhone, Web | Android, iPhone, Mac, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | See the plans | StudioTax 2025 license: C$17.50, paid once |
| Plans published | 5 | 2 |
| Maker | FreeTaxUSA | StudioTax |
| Website | freetaxusa.com | studiotax.com |
| On tax preparation software | #2 of 36 | #6 of 36 |
FreeTaxUSA: what it does well
- Federal filing is free for all tax situations.
- Supports over 350 credits and deductions.
- Imports W-2s, 1099s and prior-return PDFs.
- Includes free tax extension filing.
What to know first
- State filing is a paid add-on.
- Does not support Form 2555 foreign employment income.
- Does not support nonresident alien returns.
- Filers living outside the United States are unsupported.
StudioTax: what it does well
- Supports CRA NETFILE, ReFILE, and printed returns
- Handles self-employment and rental income
- Desktop software keeps returns on the computer
- Supports T1135 forms on Windows and Mac
What to know first
- Personal license covers up to 10 returns
- Imports only StudioTax returns
- Mac does not support Quebec provincial returns
- Mac version is English-only
Alternatives to FreeTaxUSA Alternatives to StudioTax The whole list