Instead vs NTO Software
Instead
instead.comNTO Software
nationaltaxoffice.comSide by side
| Figure | Instead | NTO Software |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Spec score · Small Business Tax Software | 8.9 (#1) | 7.2 (#20) |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, California, United States | Greensboro, North Carolina, United States |
| Product | Instead describes itself as an AI agent for tax research, planning, preparation, filing, and defense. | NTO Desktop is a form-based desktop application for preparing individual and corporate business tax returns. |
| Support | Terms state that standard support may use in-product help, websites, chat, email, video, phone and online communities. | The company offers demos and lists support by phone at (844) 686-1040 and email at [email protected]. |
Plans
In their own words
Instead
Instead is a web-based AI agent for tax research, planning, preparation, filing, and defense. It lists support for individual 1040, C corporation 1120, S corporation 1120-S, partnership 1065, and trust and estate 1041 returns. Users choose which workflows to run, and credits are consumed only when they start a task; the credit estimate is shown beforehand. Users can review the agent’s work before filing. Google Drive, OneDrive, and Box are live integrations with two-way sync, version tracking, and automatic folder mapping. Instead says it is IRS-approved and supports e-filing in 48 or more state jurisdictions, as well as local filing. Federal and state e-file and prior-year import are listed. The free Instead Platform plan is free and includes unlimited users, entities, e-file and print file, multi-entity support, and collaborators and viewers. Instead Agent is billed per credit, with pricing dependent on volume and usage; purchased credits are valid for 12 months. The service lists a free trial, US-based customer support, and 24/7 support, with email responses within 24 business hours.
NTO Software
NTO Software has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.