Not tax advice. Information here is general guidance. Tax laws change. Verify with the IRS or a licensed CPA for your specific situation.
FreeTaxUSA vs IRS Free File / Direct File: which antivirus should you choose?
Comparing FreeTaxUSA ($0.00/year first, $0.00 renewal) and IRS Free File / Direct File ($0.00/year first, $0.00 renewal). Detection rate, system impact, and bundled features compared.
| FreeTaxUSA | IRS Free File / Direct File | |
|---|---|---|
| First-year price | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Renewal price | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Devices | Web | Web |
| Malware detection | 0% | 0% |
| AV-TEST score | n/a | n/a |
| Ransomware protection | ✗ | ✗ |
| Firewall | ✗ | ✗ |
| VPN included | ✗ | ✗ |
| Password manager | ✗ | ✗ |
| Parental controls | ✗ | ✗ |
| Dark web monitoring | ✗ | ✗ |
| Identity theft protection | ✗ | ✗ |
| Cloud backup | ✗ | ✗ |
| Money-back days | 0 | 0 |
| Overall score | 5/5 | 5/5 |
FreeTaxUSA
FreeTaxUSA is the **honest free tax software**. Free federal forever, $14.99 state. No deceptive upsells. Best for confident self-filers with complex returns who don't need hand-holding. Saves $80-$150/year vs TurboTax.
Get FreeTaxUSA →IRS Free File / Direct File
IRS Free File and Direct File are the cheapest option for eligible filers. If your AGI is under $79K, you should use this before any paid software. Direct File (the IRS's own product) is expanding state-by-state and is even cleaner than Free File partners.
Get IRS Free File / Direct File →