CrossLink vs UltimateTax
CrossLink
crosslinktax.comUltimateTax
ultimatetax.comSide by side
| Figure | CrossLink | UltimateTax |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | $15.67/mo |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 3 | 4 |
| Spec score · Small Business Tax Software | 8.1 (#9) | 7.8 (#12) |
| Desktop requirement | CrossLink Desktop lists Windows 11 as its operating system requirement, and some peripheral features may not work on Windows 11 Home edition. | The desktop 1040 products are installed software for Windows 11. |
| Founded | 1989 | 2006 |
| Support | CrossLink lists technical support and personalized onboarding with its products, and says its support is available in English and Spanish. | Packages include year-round support, and the company describes its support service as available 365 days a year. |
Plans
CrossLink
- CrossLink BusinessPriced on request
- CrossLink 1040Priced on request
- CrossLink Franchise or Service BureauPriced on request
UltimateTax
- Online 1040$188 a year
- Desktop 1040$288 a year
- 1040 Pay per return$388 a year
- 1040 + Corporate$488 a year
In their own words
CrossLink
CrossLink is professional tax software for preparers, from individual practices to multi-office firms. CrossLink 1040 is designed for individual returns, while CrossLink Business supports corporate and business returns and requires an active CrossLink 1040 license. The product lists federal and state e-file, unlimited federal and state returns, 4,300 federal and state forms and schedules, and hundreds of return verifications. Agent Intelligence can extract information from uploaded IDs and specified tax forms into returns, and provides guidance for forms being prepared in over 12 languages. TaxPass supports client document sharing through a mobile experience, and Remote Signature enables remote signing. TextLink Plus supports unlimited texts linked to each client's return. Integrations include Zapier, PayJunction, bank products, TheTaxBook WebLibrary, and accounting or bookkeeping tools. CrossLink lists technical support and personalized onboarding; support is available in English and Spanish, but does not provide legal or tax advice. CrossLink 1040 costs what you agree with the maker, and CrossLink Business costs what you agree with the maker. A free trial is available.
UltimateTax
UltimateTax provides professional tax preparation software for preparers handling individual 1040 and corporate returns. Online 1040 runs in a browser and supports unlimited 1040 filings; the pricing comparison lists compatibility with Mac, Windows, Chromebook, and Linux. Desktop 1040 products are installed software for Windows 11. The corporate desktop product lists forms including 1040, 1041, 1120C, 1120S, 1065, 706, 709, and 990. Listed preparation tools include interview mode, prior-year carry-forward, e-signatures, diagnostics, and context-sensitive help. Every subscription includes ProClient for managing client documents. UltimateTax lists EPS Financial, Santa Barbara TPG, and Refund Advantage as bank product providers, and says its support team provides free data import from previous tax software. Online 1040 stores data in an online database with regular automatic backups. Plans include year-round support, and an EFIN is required to file with the packages. Online 1040 costs $188 a year; other listed plans range from 288.00 USD to $488 a year.