Cleartax vs Quicko vs TaxBuddy: Which Platform Wins in 2025?
- Nimisha Panda
- 2 days ago
- 8 min read
Choosing the right ITR filing platform in 2025 requires understanding which service aligns with specific taxpayer needs. Cleartax, Quicko, and TaxBuddy each offer unique advantages for salaried individuals, freelancers, investors, and businesses under Indian tax laws. Features such as AI automation, expert assistance, mobile usability, and post-filing support vary across platforms, making it important to compare their strengths and limitations. TaxBuddy, in particular, stands out for combining AI-driven automation with dedicated expert support and a mobile-first interface, catering to both simple and complex filings efficiently.
When evaluating Cleartax, Quicko, and TaxBuddy, the winner depends on the type of user. Cleartax excels with comprehensive DIY tools and robust expert support, Quicko suits startups and mid-market taxpayers with specialized filing needs, and TaxBuddy offers seamless AI-powered automation, mobile convenience, and dedicated CA assistance. For those prioritizing speed, automation, and on-the-go filing, TaxBuddy delivers a streamlined, accurate, and secure experience that simplifies compliance while providing expert guidance.
Table of Contents
Cleartax: Comprehensive DIY and Expert Support
Cleartax is one of the most widely used tax filing platforms in India, catering to both individual taxpayers and businesses. The platform offers a blend of DIY (Do-It-Yourself) tools and expert-assisted filing options. For salaried employees and simple ITRs, users can leverage the DIY module, which includes pre-filled forms, step-by-step guidance, automated error checks, and easy upload of Form 16 and other supporting documents. For more complex filings, including capital gains, business income, or crypto transactions, Cleartax provides expert-assisted services where a qualified tax professional reviews, corrects, and files the return on the user’s behalf. Additionally, Cleartax allows tracking of refunds and provides notifications for pending tax liabilities, making it a versatile option for taxpayers who want flexibility between self-filing and professional guidance.
Quicko: Ideal for Startups and Mid-Market Taxpayers
Quicko specializes in tax filing solutions for startups, freelancers, and mid-market businesses. The platform provides automated filing for income tax, GST, and compliance reporting. Quicko’s interface is particularly beneficial for small business owners and entrepreneurs, offering modules to track investments, generate TDS certificates, reconcile invoices, and prepare financial statements for audit purposes. Its cloud-based approach allows real-time collaboration with accountants, making it convenient for teams that require multiple users to manage filings. The platform is especially designed to handle complex scenarios such as multi-state GST compliance, advanced TDS deductions, and foreign income reporting, which makes it an ideal choice for startups and growing enterprises.
TaxBuddy: AI-Driven Automation with Expert Assistance
TaxBuddy stands out for its AI-driven approach to ITR filing. The platform combines automation with expert support, making the filing process faster, accurate, and error-free. TaxBuddy automatically extracts information from Form 16, AIS (Annual Information Statement), and other documents, pre-fills the ITR forms, and highlights missing details or discrepancies. Users can choose between self-filing, with AI guidance, or expert-assisted plans where a tax professional reviews and submits the ITR on their behalf. TaxBuddy’s AI ensures that deductions, exemptions, and credits are optimally applied according to the user’s profile, reducing errors and maximizing potential tax savings. It is particularly useful for complex tax scenarios involving capital gains, crypto transactions, or multiple sources of income.
Feature Comparison Table: Cleartax vs Quicko vs TaxBuddy
Feature | Cleartax | Quicko | TaxBuddy |
DIY Filing | Yes, comprehensive | Limited | Yes, AI-guided |
Expert Assistance | Available | Available | Available, AI-assisted |
Capital Gains & Investments | Supported | Supported | Supported with automated optimization |
Crypto Filing | Limited | Advanced | Advanced, automated |
GST & TDS Compliance | Basic for individuals, advanced for businesses | Advanced, suitable for startups | Advanced, AI-driven accuracy |
Refund Tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes, real-time notifications |
Automation | Moderate | Moderate | High, AI-driven |
Mobile App | Available | Limited | Highly functional, user-friendly |
Security & Privacy | Standard | Standard | High, encrypted and compliant |
Pricing | ₹3,499+ for assisted plans | ₹2,500–₹3,000+ for business | ₹2,999/year for assisted plan |
Pricing and Value Analysis of the Three Platforms
Cleartax’s pricing starts at ₹3,499 per year for expert-assisted returns, making it a reliable choice for standard filings but slightly expensive for frequent or complex filings. Quicko offers competitive pricing for startups and SMEs, ranging between ₹2,500–₹3,000 per filing, including business compliance modules. TaxBuddy, priced at ₹2,999 per year for the assisted plan, offers strong value, especially due to its AI-driven automation, real-time error checking, and seamless handling of capital gains and crypto. While all three platforms provide essential filing services, TaxBuddy combines affordability with advanced automation and expert support, giving it a notable edge for users with complex financial situations.
Mobile App Usability and Convenience
All three platforms provide mobile applications, but the level of functionality differs. Cleartax offers a basic mobile interface for uploading documents and tracking filings. Quicko’s app is more business-oriented, allowing invoice management and collaboration features. TaxBuddy’s mobile app is highly intuitive, providing full functionality for both DIY and expert-assisted filing, real-time notifications, automated form pre-fill, and direct communication with tax experts. For users prioritizing convenience and on-the-go filing, TaxBuddy offers a seamless mobile experience that integrates AI guidance with professional support.
Support and Post-Filing Assistance
Cleartax and Quicko provide standard post-filing support, including status tracking, error notifications, and basic query resolution. TaxBuddy enhances this experience by offering personalized post-filing assistance, including follow-ups on notices, refund tracking, and guidance for revised returns. Users benefit from AI alerts for discrepancies or updates in tax laws, ensuring timely action and reduced compliance risk. This combination of automation and expert support positions TaxBuddy as a comprehensive solution for both first-time filers and complex cases.
Security, Privacy, and Data Handling
All three platforms implement encryption and secure protocols to protect user data. Cleartax and Quicko adhere to standard data security practices, ensuring documents and personal information are safely stored. TaxBuddy goes a step further with advanced encryption, AI-driven anomaly detection, and strict privacy policies, safeguarding sensitive financial data. Its platform is designed to meet regulatory compliance requirements, providing additional reassurance for users with multiple income sources or high-value investments.
Ease of Filing for Complex Tax Scenarios
Filing Income Tax Returns (ITR) can become complicated when a taxpayer’s portfolio includes multiple sources of income, investments, capital gains, or cryptocurrency transactions. While platforms like Cleartax efficiently handle standard ITRs for salaried individuals and straightforward investments, they may require manual intervention when dealing with complex scenarios. For example, calculating long-term capital gains from the sale of multiple stocks or mutual funds often needs careful reconciliation, and cryptocurrency transactions require additional reporting that may not be fully automated. Quicko, on the other hand, offers advanced modules designed to cater to businesses, startups, and freelancers with intricate reporting requirements. However, it often demands active management of multi-step compliance tasks, which can be time-consuming for individual investors. TaxBuddy addresses these complexities by providing AI-driven automation that intelligently pre-fills forms, verifies TDS entries, and reconciles capital gains, crypto transactions, and other investment income automatically. This approach enables users to file accurate returns without needing an in-depth understanding of every tax regulation, significantly reducing the likelihood of errors and saving time.
Which Platform is Best for Capital Gains, Crypto, and Investments?
When it comes to taxpayers managing capital gains, cryptocurrency holdings, and multiple investments, choosing the right platform is crucial for accuracy and efficiency. TaxBuddy emerges as the most streamlined solution in such cases. Its AI engine identifies all applicable exemptions, reconciles transactions across various sources automatically, and highlights any discrepancies before filing. This means that investors with diverse portfolios can confidently file their ITRs without worrying about manual calculations or missing exemptions. Cleartax, while effective for standard capital gains reporting, provides limited automation for cryptocurrency and requires users to enter and reconcile crypto transactions manually. Quicko performs well for startup founders, business owners, and professional tax reporting, but personal investment reporting, especially for capital gains and crypto, requires multiple manual inputs and careful verification. With TaxBuddy, the combination of AI-driven filing and optional expert review ensures that complex scenarios are handled accurately, returns are computed correctly, and filings are completed on time. For individuals with multifaceted income streams and investment portfolios, TaxBuddy offers the most reliable and efficient solution for hassle-free tax compliance.
Conclusion
When comparing Cleartax, Quicko, and TaxBuddy, each platform has strengths depending on user needs. Cleartax suits standard individual filings, Quicko is ideal for startups and mid-market taxpayers, and TaxBuddy excels in AI-driven automation, complex filings, and expert-assisted services. For anyone looking for a reliable, accurate, and seamless filing experience, it is highly recommended to use the TaxBuddy mobile app for a simplified, secure, and hassle-free experience.
FAQs
Q1. Does TaxBuddy offer both self-filing and expert-assisted plans for ITR filing, or only expert-assisted options? TaxBuddy provides flexible filing options to suit different taxpayer needs. You can choose DIY self-filing, which guides you step-by-step with pre-filled data, deduction prompts, and error-checking tools. Alternatively, expert-assisted filing lets a qualified tax professional handle your entire ITR, ensuring accuracy and compliance. This dual approach is ideal for both first-time filers and those with complex tax situations.
Q2. Which is the best site to file ITR? While several platforms offer online ITR filing, TaxBuddy stands out for its AI-driven error detection, seamless filing experience, and personalized support. Unlike generic tools, TaxBuddy combines automation with professional guidance, making it suitable for salaried individuals, freelancers, and businesses. Ease of use, accurate TDS integration, and post-filing assistance make it a top choice.
Q3. Where to file an income tax return? ITR can be filed on the official Income Tax Department portal (www.incometax.gov.in) or through trusted online platforms like TaxBuddy. Using a platform like TaxBuddy ensures pre-filled forms, automated TDS reconciliation, and expert support, reducing mistakes and saving time.
Q4. Can I file capital gains and crypto transactions using TaxBuddy? Yes. TaxBuddy supports capital gains from stocks, mutual funds, and property. Additionally, it handles crypto transactions, calculating gains/losses accurately while complying with the latest tax regulations. Expert-assisted plans ensure complex cases are filed without errors.
Q5. Does Quicko support multi-state GST and TDS filing for businesses? While Quicko provides some business tax services, TaxBuddy offers a more comprehensive solution for multi-state GST and TDS compliance. It allows businesses to manage returns, reconcile TDS, and track multi-state GST obligations within one unified platform.
Q6. How secure is my data on Cleartax, Quicko, or TaxBuddy? All three platforms claim data security, but TaxBuddy emphasizes encryption, secure cloud storage, and compliance with privacy standards. Data is stored safely, and access is limited to authorized professionals only. Regular system audits ensure confidentiality and protection against breaches.
Q7. Can I switch from DIY to expert-assisted filing on TaxBuddy mid-process? Yes. TaxBuddy allows seamless switching between DIY and expert-assisted filing. All entered data is preserved, so you don’t have to start over. An expert can immediately review your inputs and complete the filing, making it convenient if your situation becomes complex.
Q8. Do all three platforms provide mobile app support for filing ITR? TaxBuddy provides a dedicated mobile app for both DIY and expert-assisted users, enabling filing from anywhere. While Quicko and Cleartax also have apps, TaxBuddy emphasizes a smooth, AI-assisted experience with real-time guidance and secure document uploads on mobile devices.
Q9. Which platform is most suitable for freelancers and gig workers? TaxBuddy is ideal for freelancers and gig workers, offering automated TDS matching, professional guidance for variable income, and filing multiple ITR types. Its mobile app and AI-driven prompts simplify reporting income from platforms like Uber, Zomato, or freelance projects.
Q10. How does TaxBuddy handle post-filing notices or revised returns? TaxBuddy provides post-filing support, helping users respond to income tax notices, compute corrections, and file revised or updated returns if required. Expert-assisted plans include free guidance for notices related to discrepancies or errors, ensuring hassle-free compliance.
Q11. What is the cost difference between expert-assisted plans of Cleartax, Quicko, and TaxBuddy? For FY 2024-25: TaxBuddy’s expert-assisted plan for capital gains is ₹2,999, whereas Cleartax charges ₹3,499 for similar services. Quicko’s pricing is comparable to Cleartax. TaxBuddy offers all-inclusive support at a lower cost, providing better value with personalized guidance and post-filing assistance.
Q12. Is TaxBuddy’s AI capable of detecting errors before submission? Yes. TaxBuddy’s AI pre-checks ITR forms for errors, mismatch in TDS, unclaimed deductions, and missing documents. This reduces chances of rejections or notices and ensures error-free filing, whether you are using the DIY or expert-assisted plan.
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