Instead vs OpenTax
Instead
instead.comOpenTax
opentax.evokelab.aiSide by side
| Figure | Instead | OpenTax |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Spec score · AI Tax Software | 8.8 (#3) | 8.5 (#7) |
| Support | Terms state that standard support may use in-product help, websites, chat, email, video, phone and online communities. | The Trust Center directs users to report tax-accuracy issues through a GitHub issue. |
| Supported returns | The pricing page lists support for individual 1040, C corporation 1120, S corporation 1120-S, partnership 1065, and trust and estate 1041 returns. | The standalone documentation lists federal returns and 42 supported state returns, with federal and state computed together. |
| What it does | Instead is an AI tax platform that coordinates research, planning, preparation, filing and defense in one system. | OpenTax prepares individual U.S. tax returns with traceable calculations and IRS-ready PDF output. |
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.
OpenTax
OpenTax has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.