Lacerte vs ProSeries Tax
Two Intuit packages for preparers, each needing a Fast Path licence fee when returns are bought one at a time, each with a trial that cannot e-file or print, each with hosting. Lacerte is the bigger product: over 7,200 forms and 25,000 diagnostics. ProSeries uses forms-based entry, lists 1,000 or more diagnostics and has a lighter Basic edition. A hosting price appears only for Lacerte.
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Choose Lacerte ifyour work is multi-state or business-heavy, several preparers share the software, and you want the deeper form and diagnostic library, oil and gas depletion calculations included.
Choose ProSeries Tax ifyour firm is small, you like forms-style entry with one-click access to calculation details, and Intuit hosting as an option appeals to you.
Lacerte and ProSeries Tax side by side
| Lacerte | ProSeries Tax | |
|---|---|---|
| Our tax preparation software rank | #9 of 16 | #8 of 16 |
| Established in | United States | United States |
| List price, 2 November 2026 | Licence fee plus pay-per-return, or custom bundles. Hosting priced from $813, listed at $599 annually. No per-return amounts on the page we read. | Licence fee plus pay-per-return, or bundles. No per-return or hosting amounts on the page we read. |
| Free tier | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Self-hostable | — | — |
| Built for | Mid-size firms with complex multi-state returns and several preparers | Small preparer firms that like forms-based entry and want Intuit hosting |
| Not for | Solo preparers wanting the lowest entry cost or a household filer | Households filing alone or firms wanting cloud-first software |
Both are reviewed in full in our tax preparation software ranking: Lacerte and ProSeries Tax.
Where they differ
Lacerte 2 · ProSeries Tax 1 · open 2- 01
Depth of forms and checks
Lacerte names over 7,200 tax forms, 25,000 diagnostics, imports from 275 or more financial institutions and oil and gas depletion calculations. ProSeries names Fixed Asset Manager, Quick Employer Forms and 1,000 or more diagnostics. On paper, Lacerte's library is the bigger one for difficult or specialised returns.
Edge: Lacerte
- 02
Entry style
ProSeries describes entry by IRS-style forms, with calculation details one click away, and offers Professional and Basic products. Lacerte's pages put diagnostics and specialist features first. Someone who thinks in IRS forms gets the more direct match from ProSeries, though we tested neither.
Edge: ProSeries Tax
- 03
Cost structure
On both pages, buying returns one at a time requires the Fast Path licence fee, which bundles already include. Lacerte's custom plan covers bundles or unlimited individual and business returns, all states included. Neither page gave a per-return amount, so a low-volume firm cannot compare costs from the web.
Depends on the buyer
- 04
Hosting
Lacerte says hosting starts at $813 and is shown as $599 per year on its pricing page, powered by Rightworks. ProSeries says hosting gives access from anywhere, but gave no price on the page we read. For remote working, only Lacerte offers a figure to budget from.
Edge: Lacerte
- 05
Trial you can judge
Both trials suit new customers only and use tax year 2025. Desktop use cannot e-file or print, while hosted use saves nothing. Screens and workflow can be judged in either, a filed return cannot.
Depends on the buyer
When neither fits
Neither Intuit page gives published per-return prices or an unlimited multi-user price. Drake Tax shows package prices that include every state, and UltraTax CS is the quote-only choice for larger firms.
Lacerte or ProSeries Tax: questions
3 answersDo Lacerte and ProSeries both need an annual licence?
Yes. Both say the Fast Path licence fee is required for buying returns one by one, and that bundles include it.
Can I test either with a real return?
Not fully. Desktop trials cannot e-file or print, hosted trials do not save information, and only new customers qualify.
Which has the bigger diagnostic library?
Lacerte, with 25,000 diagnostics and 7,200 tax forms, against 1,000 or more diagnostics for ProSeries.
Sources
Checked 2 November 2026- Lacerte pricing: licence fee, custom plan, hosting figure, form and diagnostic counts, trial limits.
- Lacerte overview: hosting as a monthly add-on, Intuit Sign, KBA.
- ProSeries overview: forms-based entry, diagnostics count, Fixed Asset Manager, hosting without a price.