Instead

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Score6.5

Rank#13 of 33

PriceFree

Free planYes

Free trialYes

Runs onWeb

Summary

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 used only when a task is started; the credit estimate is shown beforehand. Users can review the agent’s work before filing. Google Drive, OneDrive, and Box are listed as 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. It lists federal and state e-file and prior-year import. The free Instead Platform plan is 0.00 USD per 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 price dependent on volume and usage; purchased credits are valid for 12 months. The company lists US-based and 24/7 customer support, with email responses within 24 business hours, and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

Who it is for

Instead is presented for CPA firms, tax preparers, corporate tax teams, family offices, businesses, and high net worth individuals. It may suit teams that need support across the listed return types and want to review work before filing.

What is good

Free platform includes unlimited users and entities
Users choose when workflows run
Credit estimates appear before a workflow starts
Live integrations include Google Drive, OneDrive, and Box
Supports federal and state e-file

What to know first

Agent pricing depends on volume and usage
Purchased credits are valid for 12 months
Dropbox and several other integrations are coming soon

Verdict

Instead covers research through filing for several listed return types, with review before filing and a free platform tier. Consider its per-credit Agent pricing and credit expiry when deciding whether it fits your tax workflow.

Instead plans and pricing

All plans

Instead Platform Free Unlimited users · Unlimited entities · Unlimited e-file and print file · Multi-entity support · Collaborators and viewers instead.com · 3 Oct 2026

Instead Agent Not published Pay per credit; credit pricing depends on volume and usage; credits are valid for 12 months from purchase. Tax research · Document extraction · Memos, plans, and deliverables · Workflows and return preparation · Filing is free instead.com · 3 Oct 2026

Compared on AI tax software

Free plan: Yesinstead.com

Facts

Product: Instead describes itself as an AI agent for tax research, planning, preparation, filing, and defense.instead.com · 3 Oct 2026
Audience: The product is presented for CPA firms, tax preparers, corporate tax teams, family offices, businesses, and high net worth individuals.instead.com · 3 Oct 2026
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.instead.com · 3 Oct 2026
Agent control: Users choose which workflows to run, and the agent consumes credits only when they initiate a task.instead.com · 3 Oct 2026
Review before filing: The pricing page says users can review the agent's work before filing.instead.com · 3 Oct 2026
Integrations: Google Drive, OneDrive, and Box are listed as live integrations with two-way sync, version tracking, and automatic folder mapping.instead.com · 3 Oct 2026
Planned integrations: Dropbox, TaxDome, Karbon, Canopy, Xero, QuickBooks Online, Bloomberg Tax, Plaid, and SmartVault are shown as coming soon.instead.com · 3 Oct 2026
E-filing: Instead says it is IRS-approved and supports filing in 48 or more state jurisdictions, with local filing supported.instead.com · 3 Oct 2026
Security certification: The maker's careers page states that Instead is SOC 2 Type II certified.instead.com · 3 Oct 2026
Support: Instead lists US-based customer support and 24/7 support, and says email receives a response within 24 business hours.instead.com · 3 Oct 2026
Credit estimate: The pricing FAQ says the credit estimate is shown before a workflow runs.instead.com · 3 Oct 2026
Planned entity types: The pricing FAQ says estate tax 706, gift tax 709, and exempt organization 990 support are planned.instead.com · 3 Oct 2026