UltraTax CS vs Lacerte
UltraTax CS comes from Thomson Reuters and is priced by quote, depending on users, returns and states worked in; its page shows no figure and no trial. Lacerte, from Intuit, shows a pay-per-return plan, a custom bundle plan, a hosting price and a trial for new customers. The real gap is how much a buyer can find out before talking to sales. UltraTax CS sits within a wider firm suite, while Lacerte quotes its scale in forms and diagnostics.
Sebastiaan SmitsFounderVendors can pay for more visibility on this website, for example a higher place in a ranking or more room on a page. Commercial relationships can also affect which products we feature and how prominently. Every vendor link is marked the same, whatever the arrangement behind it. How that works.
Choose UltraTax CS ifyou run a larger firm that already uses other Thomson Reuters CS Professional Suite products and expects to negotiate a quote.
Choose Lacerte ifyou want plan structure, hosting cost and a trial visible before any sales call, and you need a large library of forms and diagnostics.
UltraTax CS and Lacerte side by side
| UltraTax CS | Lacerte | |
|---|---|---|
| Our tax preparation software rank | #10 of 16 | #9 of 16 |
| Established in | Not stated by the vendor | United States |
| List price, 2 November 2026 | Quote per organisation, based on users, returns and states; no price or trial on the page we read | Fast Path licence with pay-per-return, or custom bundles; add-on hosting from $813 (shown at $599 a year) |
| Free tier | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Self-hostable | — | — |
| Built for | Larger firms already using other Thomson Reuters CS Professional Suite products | Mid-size firms with complex multi-state returns and several preparers |
| Not for | Small firms wanting a visible price or households filing alone | Solo preparers wanting the lowest entry cost or a household filer |
Both are reviewed in full in our tax preparation software ranking: UltraTax CS and Lacerte.
Where they differ
UltraTax CS 1 · Lacerte 3 · open 1- 01
What you can learn before a sales call
UltraTax CS shows no price or trial and asks visitors to contact a representative. Lacerte displays a pay-per-return plan, a custom bundle plan, a hosting price and a trial. A buyer can check far more alone with Lacerte.
Edge: Lacerte
- 02
How the bill is built
UltraTax CS bases its price on user count, tax returns, and the states and jurisdictions served. For Lacerte, per-return buying needs the Fast Path licence fee, and bundles include it. Neither page gives a per-return figure. One price follows your footprint, the other your volume.
Depends on the buyer
- 03
Return types and state coverage
UltraTax CS names 1040, 1041, 1120, 1120C, 1120S, 706, 709, 990 and 5500 returns, over 371 state and local e-file returns, and a state allocation grid for Schedule C or K-1 income. Lacerte names a library of more than 7,200 forms, 25,000 diagnostics and a bundle with every state included. Both are broad, but UltraTax CS spells out its return types more clearly.
Edge: UltraTax CS
- 04
Hosting and remote work
Lacerte sells hosting as a separate add-on, from $813 and shown at $599 per year. The UltraTax CS page we read does not mention hosting, so remote access must be asked about. Lacerte takes this round by naming a cost.
Edge: Lacerte
- 05
Ecosystem and stated origin
UltraTax CS is part of the Thomson Reuters CS Professional Suite and e-files through CS Connect; its product page names no country. Lacerte belongs to Intuit's accountant range, with Intuit Sign and a client portal, and the pack lists the United States. On origin, Lacerte is clearer.
Edge: Lacerte
When neither fits
A small firm that wants visible prices will find neither an easy start. Drake Tax lists package prices that cover every state, and ProSeries Tax is Intuit's lighter forms-based alternative.
UltraTax CS or Lacerte: questions
3 answersDoes UltraTax CS publish a price?
No. Its page calls pricing custom, driven by users, returns and the states and jurisdictions you work in.
Can I trial Lacerte?
Yes, if you are a new customer. The trial runs on tax year 2025 data, and desktop use gives no e-filing or printing. No trial appears on the UltraTax CS page we read.
Which one lists hosting?
Lacerte does, as an add-on from $813 shown at $599 per year. The UltraTax CS page we read is silent on hosting.
Sources
Checked 2 November 2026- UltraTax CS product page: quote basis, return types, 371 state and local e-file returns, CS Connect, allocation grid, missing price and trial, no stated country.
- Lacerte pricing: plans, hosting cost, form and diagnostic counts, trial terms.
- Lacerte overview: Intuit Sign, Intuit Link client portal, KBA.