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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

TurboTax vs TaxSlayer

TurboTax 4.8★ · Free + IAP 75
Winner TurboTax
TaxSlayer 4.8★ · Free to download 60

TaxSlayer is a more affordable option that many users find easy to use, but it struggles with significant technical issues and poor customer support, making TurboTax a more reliable choice despite its higher cost.

Full reviews: TurboTax · TaxSlayer

TaxSlayer offers a lower-cost alternative to TurboTax, with many users appreciating its straightforward interface. However, it is plagued by issues with printing and downloading returns, frequent app malfunctions, and unhelpful customer service, which can lead to frustration and unexpected charges.

Head to head

Ease of Use tieR5R10R14R19
TurboTax Reviews for TurboTax are not provided, but TaxSlayer users often compare its ease of use favorably to TurboTax, suggesting TurboTax is also generally easy to use.
TaxSlayer Many users find TaxSlayer to be straightforward and easy to use, especially for first-time filers R5R14. Some even say it's easier than TurboTax . However, a significant number of users find it complicated, hard to navigate, or report issues that make the process difficult, such as not being able to go to specific lines on forms R10R19.
Reliability and Performance edge: TurboTaxR1R6R10R12
TurboTax No specific reviews on TurboTax's reliability are provided, but TaxSlayer users who switch back often cite TurboTax's availability and functionality R19.
TaxSlayer TaxSlayer suffers from significant reliability and performance issues. Users frequently report being unable to access, download, or print their tax returns R1R6R10R12. The app is also reported to crash, freeze, or load slowly, requiring multiple restarts or log-ins R6. Some users are locked out of their accounts .
Pricing and Value tieR3R4R7R8
TurboTax TurboTax is perceived as more expensive by TaxSlayer users who switch for cost savings R8.
TaxSlayer TaxSlayer is often chosen for its perceived affordability, with some users stating it's significantly cheaper than TurboTax R8. However, many users report being unexpectedly upcharged or finding the 'free' offer misleading R4R7R22. State returns and amendments can incur substantial fees, like $46 for a state return or $45 for an amendment R3R7R27. Some long-time users feel the price has increased significantly .
Features and Functionality edge: TurboTaxR1R5R6R10
TurboTax TurboTax is noted for features like W2 picture import, which TaxSlayer lacks .
TaxSlayer TaxSlayer is praised for its basic tax filing capabilities R5. However, it lacks some advanced features or conveniences found in other services, such as W2 photo import or the ability to easily navigate specific lines on forms R10. The inability to download or print returns is a major functional drawback R1R6R10R12.
Customer Support edge: TurboTaxR4R44R45R51
TurboTax TurboTax customer service is described as 'awesome' by a user frustrated with TaxSlayer's support R51.
TaxSlayer Customer service for TaxSlayer is widely criticized as unhelpful or non-existent R4R45R51. Users report unanswered emails, sarcastic agents, and being told to use a web browser instead of the app for issues R45R51. One positive review mentions $20 for additional help was worthwhile, with questions answered within 20 minutes R44.
Pick TurboTax if

Pick TurboTax if you prioritize reliability, comprehensive features like W2 photo import, and responsive customer support, and are willing to pay a higher price for a smoother experience R19R51.

Pick TaxSlayer if

Pick TaxSlayer if you are looking for a potentially lower-cost option for simple tax situations and are comfortable with a less feature-rich experience, provided you are aware of potential hidden fees and technical glitches R8R5R14.

Evidence note: The evidence for TurboTax is limited as only TaxSlayer reviews were provided. Comparisons are based on how TaxSlayer users perceive TurboTax or what they mention as missing features compared to TurboTax. The free vs. paid asymmetry is noted, as TaxSlayer's negative reviews often stem from unexpected charges despite advertised 'free' options.

Frequently asked

Is TaxSlayer truly free?
TaxSlayer offers a 'free' tier, but many users report being unexpectedly charged, sometimes up to $140-$178 for federal and state filing, due to vague explanations about tax credits or package requirements R4R22. State returns can cost around $46, and amendments $45 R3R27.
Can I print or download my tax returns from TaxSlayer?
Many TaxSlayer users report significant issues with printing or downloading their tax returns from the app, with the function often failing, circling indefinitely, or displaying blank screens R1R6R10R12. Some users found success downloading from the TaxSlayer website instead .
How does TaxSlayer's customer service compare to TurboTax?
TaxSlayer's customer service is frequently criticized for being unhelpful, unresponsive, or sarcastic, with users reporting unanswered emails and being directed to use a web browser for issues R4R45R51. In contrast, one user explicitly called TurboTax's customer service 'awesome' R51.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 60 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R5] TaxSlayer 5/5 · US Great App: So straightforward. Especially for a first-time user. Thank you
  2. [R10] TaxSlayer 1/5 · US Hard to navigate: Could not download or print returns for this year or previous years. Could not review return. Hope everything turns out ok You can’t go to a specified line , like line 20 on 1040. Wtf
  3. [R14] TaxSlayer 5/5 · US Great: Always easy
  4. [R19] TaxSlayer 1/5 · US So complicated: It is to complicated. Hardest tax software that I have ever used. I'll be going back to TurboTax next year.
  5. [R1] TaxSlayer 1/5 · US Can I say I’d rather clean toilets all day than do taxes: Forget about trying to access or print your taxes! Logged in 20 times App just trying to EXTRACT MY OWN INFORMATION!Guess you better just plan to get your own transcript from the IRS!
  6. [R6] TaxSlayer 3/5 · US Malfunction: There is something wrong with the app it won’t let me type anything update how come I can’t download my tax return to look at it
  7. [R12] TaxSlayer 3/5 · US File: I use TaxSlayer every year. But my complaint is I can never just download or print my documents. It just circles, no matter what device I’m on and then I have to close out app and log in again. Over and over with the same result.
  8. [R3] TaxSlayer 3/5 · US Payment: I think $46.00 payment for a state return especially where I get zero money money back from the state and I’m 100% Disabled, I think is HORRIBLE!!!!!
  9. [R4] TaxSlayer 1/5 · US Automatically Upcharged me: Charged me $140 dollars after I chose the $0 option does not make any sense and the customer service was no help in tracing the funds ! Not recommended
  10. [R7] TaxSlayer 1/5 · US tried charging me 150$ for state taxes: just tried again and its still over priced, the other app im using now costs 55$... it costs more than the actual taxes costs
  11. [R8] TaxSlayer 5/5 · US The New Turbo Tax: Set up identically to turbo tax, but 1/5 the cost. Will be using them moving forward!
  12. [R44] TaxSlayer 5/5 · US Additional help: The 20$ for additional help was well worth it. They answered my questions within 20 minutes.
  13. [R45] TaxSlayer 1/5 · US DO NOT USE: Do not use. Customer service is a joke and they tell you to use a web browser instead.
  14. [R51] TaxSlayer 1/5 · US Zero Customer Service: I have had 4 experiences with Taxpayers customer service. The first phone call I terminated after the girl who answered was hard to hear. I was nice, she became sarcastic. I cannot reset my password. Two emails unanswered. Lesson learned, Turbo Tax was awesome My taxes were not filed because of a matching soc security issue. Did research and others are having the same issue.
  15. [R22] TaxSlayer 1/5 · US Free offer very misleading 😡: Took time to fill out every form, ready to file. Read through the “free” tier requirements carefully before I began. Ready to file, expecting it to be free only to be required to pay $71 total for Fed+State. Vague explanation that one of my tax credits requires the Classic package. But I didn’t even have credits reported and it wouldn’t specify what exactly was the is
  16. [R27] TaxSlayer 3/5 · US Never filing with them again!: My first year not using TurboTax. Thought I’d give TaxSlayer a try and it was cool until I needed an amendment… there is a $45 charge! Do better.

Synthesized from 60 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store