Avalara vs FreeTaxUSA
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
Free federal tax filing.
The verdict
Both Avalara and FreeTaxUSA are credible tax tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Avalara — Sales tax automation.
Choose FreeTaxUSA if you'd rather have a lower starting price (free – $7.99 once), a free plan to start on and a higher overall rating (4.6/5). Free federal tax filing.
Avalara vs FreeTaxUSA: side by side
| Dimension | Avalara | FreeTaxUSA |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Custom | Free – $7.99 onceWinner |
| Free plan | No | YesWinner |
| Pricing model | Subscription | Freemium |
| Best for | Ecommerce, Smb, Enterprise | Individuals, Budget Filers |
| Platforms | Web, Api | Web |
| Rating | 4.0/5 | 4.6/5Winner |
Avalara key facts
- Vendor
- Avalara
- Pricing
- Subscription — Custom
- Free tier
- No
- Platforms
- Web, Api
- Best for
- Ecommerce, Smb, Enterprise
- Editor rating
- 4.0 / 5
- Founded
- 2004
- Headquarters
- Seattle, WA, USA
FreeTaxUSA key facts
- Vendor
- TaxHawk
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $7.99 once
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web
- Best for
- Individuals, Budget Filers
- Editor rating
- 4.6 / 5
- Founded
- 2001
- Headquarters
- Provo, UT, USA
Frequently asked questions
Is Avalara better than FreeTaxUSA?
Neither is universally better — FreeTaxUSA edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Avalara or FreeTaxUSA cheaper?
FreeTaxUSA is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free – $7.99 once. Avalara starts at custom; FreeTaxUSA starts at free – $7.99 once.
Can Avalara replace FreeTaxUSA?
Yes for most teams — both are tax tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.