TaxBuddy vs ClearTax vs Tax2Win: Which Platform Offers the Best Value in 2025?
- Bhavika Rajput
- 5 hours ago
- 8 min read
Choosing the right income tax filing platform in 2025 hinges on how well each service handles pricing, complex income scenarios, automation, and post-filing support. As India's tax system becomes more digital and regulation-heavy, the gap between basic and advanced filing platforms is widening. Platforms like TaxBuddy, ClearTax, and Tax2Win now cater to different needs—from simple salaried returns to multifaceted profiles involving F&O, crypto, and global income. TaxBuddy, with its integrated AI tools and bundled CA support, continues to stand out in the expert-assisted segment. For Indian taxpayers in FY 2024-25, TaxBuddy provides the best value, especially for those with complex returns or post-filing support needs. With AI-driven import tools, expert-assisted plans, and bundled notice handling, it’s the most complete solution. ClearTax suits simple returns but gets expensive with expert support. Tax2Win serves budget-conscious users, but falls short on crypto, F&O, and CA integrations.
Table of Contents
Pricing Comparison: TaxBuddy vs ClearTax vs Tax2Win
Pricing remains a decisive factor for many taxpayers, but it's not just about the cheapest plan—it’s about the value packed in. Each platform uses tiered pricing, depending on income type, complexity, and whether you opt for self-filing or CA-assisted services. Here’s a breakdown:
Filing Scenario / Income Type | TaxBuddy (INR) | ClearTax (INR) | Tax2Win (INR) |
Self-Filing (Salaried) | 699 | 199 to 999 (DIY) | 499 (DIY) |
Expert-Assisted Salary Filing | 999 | 1,999+ | 799+ |
Multiple House Properties | 799 | 638 to 2,129 | 999+ |
Business / Professional Income | 1,599 (Self) | 199 to 2,129 (Self); 4,999 (Expert) | 999+ (Assisted) |
Capital Gains | 1,999 (Self) | 788 to 1,274 (Self); 3,499 (Expert) | 1,499+ (Assisted) |
F&O Income | 2,999 (Self) | Not Available | Not Available |
Crypto Income | 2,999 (Self); 4,499 (Expert) | Not Available | Not Available |
NRI / Foreign Income | 4,499 (Expert) | Not Publicly Available | Not Publicly Available |
ClearTax and Tax2Win keep base prices lower for DIY returns, but fees rise significantly with professional help. TaxBuddy’s plans, while slightly higher on self-filing, include more bundled benefits and transparent post-filing coverage.
Features Breakdown: Who Offers More for Your Money?
Filing a tax return isn't just about submitting a form—it’s about reconciling AIS data, pre-filled statements, broker reports, and deductions. TaxBuddy delivers on this end-to-end journey with automation and clarity. It supports advanced income types, automated data fetching, refund monitoring, and free post-filing support. ClearTax’s strengths lie in its investor calculators, but crypto and F&O filings are unsupported. Tax2Win sticks to the basics and is effective for single-source income but lacks advanced income support.
Feature | TaxBuddy | ClearTax | Tax2Win |
AI Auto-Fill (Form 16 + Others) | Yes (bank, broker, crypto) | Basic (Form 16) | Basic (Form 16) |
Crypto & F&O Income Support | Yes | No | No |
Post-Filing Notice Handling | Free | Paid Add-On | Paid, Limited |
Mobile App | Full-featured | Partial | Basic |
GST, TDS, Business Filing | Yes | Yes | Yes |
CA Assistance | Across Plans | Only in higher plans | Yes |
TaxBuddy’s advantage lies in integrating all these features into core plans, whereas competitors often charge extra or restrict features to high-end users.
Platform Support: AI Automation, Mobile Apps, and CA Access
In a digital tax era, users expect automation to simplify filings. TaxBuddy uses AI to auto-import salary slips, bank interest data, mutual fund redemptions, broker contracts, and crypto exchange summaries. The CA-assisted plans go a step further by validating every entry. The TaxBuddy mobile app isn’t a watered-down version—it offers filing, refund tracking, secure document storage, and live chat with tax experts. ClearTax’s mobile experience, while visually polished, focuses more on viewing data than filing. Tax2Win’s mobile presence is basic and lacks major features.
CA access is critical during high-value or multi-source filings. TaxBuddy ensures availability across plans. ClearTax limits it to premium tiers. Tax2Win’s CA model varies with price and availability.
Tax Filing Experience: User Interface, Helpdesk & Refund Assistance
TaxBuddy’s user flow is designed for both novices and seasoned users. Its interface asks intuitive questions, auto-populates fields, and flags errors instantly. Help is available via live chat, phone, or email—with average response time under 30 minutes. Refund tracking is integrated into the dashboard, with real-time updates synced from the Income Tax Department’s systems.
ClearTax follows a more self-help oriented flow. While it has a sleek UI, most help is through automated chats or articles unless one opts for a premium plan. Refund tracking exists but is more passive. Tax2Win keeps things minimal but often lacks proactive alerts or comprehensive help guides.
Which Platform Supports F&O, Crypto & Business Income Filing?
TaxBuddy is the only platform offering comprehensive support for crypto income, stock market F&O, and professional income. These categories involve high reporting requirements—trades must be categorized, speculative vs non-speculative income must be calculated, and accurate turnover and balance sheets are required. TaxBuddy handles this with CA-led support and automated report ingestion.
ClearTax and Tax2Win do not offer official modules for crypto or F&O. Even business income returns are limited in scope and often push users toward third-party accountants.
Income Tax Filing Under the New Regime: Platform Readiness
The new tax regime eliminates most deductions but requires clarity on exemptions, HRA, standard deduction, and employer contributions. TaxBuddy’s systems are built to identify which regime yields better tax savings for the user. It uses smart comparisons and visual breakdowns to aid decision-making.
ClearTax supports new regime filings but often lacks the intelligence to guide users on regime switching based on individual profile. Tax2Win provides the basic options but does not explain implications or recommend optimal choices.
Post-Filing Support & Free Notice Assistance: A Game-Changer
Filing is just the first step—most users dread what comes after. A notice under Section 143(1) or 139(9) can be stressful. TaxBuddy includes free resolution for notices related to filings made on its platform. Their CA team assists with representations, replies, and documentation.
ClearTax and Tax2Win charge separately for post-filing notices, and availability depends on plan level and complexity. In many cases, resolution takes days, and users must re-explain details to new agents.
TaxBuddy’s ongoing support and lack of extra charges here is a significant differentiator.
Industry Mentions and Market Credibility in 2025
Media houses now track fintech closely. In 2025, Economic Times and CNBC TV18 featured TaxBuddy for its crypto filing features and intelligent auto-fill modules. Business Standard highlighted its bundled expert-led plans as a practical solution for evolving taxpayer needs.
ClearTax is also a choice for salaried and investor filings, supported by a large base and established ecosystem. Tax2Win is popular in Tier 2/3 regions due to its affordability, but its limited digital innovation affects broader traction.
Conclusion
TaxBuddy is more than a filing tool—it’s a complete tax compliance partner for FY 2024-25. It combines intelligent automation, fair pricing, and unmatched post-filing support. While ClearTax and Tax2Win each serve specific segments, only TaxBuddy caters effectively to India’s increasingly complex tax base.
For anyone looking for assistance in tax filing, it is highly recommended to download the TaxBuddy mobile app for a simplified, secure, and hassle-free experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Which platform offers the best value for complex income returns in 2025?
TaxBuddy provides the best value for individuals with complex income sources such as capital gains, business or professional income, F&O trading, crypto assets, or multiple house properties. The platform combines AI-driven form automation with dedicated CA support at competitive prices. Importantly, post-filing services such as notice handling under Sections 143(1) and 139(9) are included at no extra cost. In contrast, ClearTax and Tax2Win either do not support some of these income categories or charge additional fees for post-filing support and expert review.
Q2. How does the pricing of TaxBuddy compare with ClearTax and Tax2Win for salaried individuals?
TaxBuddy offers a flat rate of ₹699 for self-filing and ₹999 for expert-assisted filing for salaried individuals. ClearTax starts lower at ₹199 but only includes basic DIY tools; expert assistance begins at ₹1,999. Tax2Win’s basic DIY plan is ₹499, and CA-assisted filing starts at ₹799. While ClearTax and Tax2Win offer cheaper starting prices, their costs escalate significantly when expert help or post-filing support is needed. TaxBuddy’s all-inclusive approach makes it more cost-effective for salaried users needing both accuracy and assistance.
Q3. Which platform includes post-filing notice support by default?
Among the three, only TaxBuddy includes post-filing notice resolution—such as responses to notices under Section 139(9), 143(1), and 154—at no additional cost as part of its expert-assisted plans. This is particularly helpful for filers dealing with capital gains mismatches, AIS/26AS discrepancies, or wrong regime selections. ClearTax and Tax2Win either exclude this service or offer it as a paid add-on, potentially increasing the overall filing cost if a notice is received.
Q4. Does any platform support F&O or crypto income filing in 2025?
Yes, TaxBuddy supports both F&O (Futures & Options) and cryptocurrency income filing. It has dedicated plans that calculate turnover, speculative income, and crypto gains/losses with CA verification. ClearTax and Tax2Win currently lack dedicated features or plans for crypto or F&O filings, which means users need to rely on manual workarounds or third-party CAs. For investors and traders, TaxBuddy is the most suitable platform in 2025.
Q5. Which platform is best suited for freelancers or professionals with business income?
TaxBuddy offers comprehensive filing plans for freelancers and professionals under Section 44ADA or standard business income. It handles depreciation, expense deductions, and presumptive taxation effectively with expert review. ClearTax provides similar services but at a higher cost, especially for audit-related cases. Tax2Win also offers business income filing, but the process is more CA-dependent and lacks integrated automation and validation checks, making TaxBuddy a better choice for professionals.
Q6. Do all platforms offer CA-assisted ITR filing?
Yes, all three platforms offer expert-assisted ITR filing, but with differences. TaxBuddy integrates CA assistance into every expert plan by default, with transparent pricing and no hidden post-filing costs. ClearTax restricts CA help to its higher-tier plans, and users must pay separately for consultations or document reviews. Tax2Win does offer CA help, but the quality of assistance and inclusion of services such as GST, F&O, or capital gains computations depend on the specific plan chosen.
Q7. Which platform is better for taxpayers filing under the new tax regime in FY 2024-25?
All three platforms support new regime filing under Section 115BAC. However, TaxBuddy stands out by helping users choose the correct regime using AI-based calculators that simulate tax liability under both old and new regimes. This feature reduces the risk of misreporting and improves filing accuracy. ClearTax also provides regime comparison tools but reserves comprehensive planning features for higher-paid tiers. Tax2Win provides basic regime selection but lacks automated error alerts or personalized advice.
Q8. What makes TaxBuddy’s mobile app more advanced than others?
TaxBuddy’s mobile app is designed for full-cycle tax filing. It allows users to upload Form 16, track refund status, chat with assigned CAs, receive filing reminders, and view notices—all from a single dashboard. ClearTax’s app focuses more on DIY filing and lacks integrated post-filing support. Tax2Win’s app is more document-centric and does not offer end-to-end filing or dedicated expert chat. For users filing on the go or needing support throughout the year, TaxBuddy's app offers the most functionality.
Q9. Which platform provides better support for NRI tax returns?
TaxBuddy offers robust NRI support including foreign income declaration, double taxation avoidance (DTAA) claims, and NRO/NRE interest reporting. The platform guides NRIs through residential status determination and helps with relevant deductions such as 80TTA. ClearTax and Tax2Win allow NRI filing but do not offer dedicated plans or guided workflows. This makes TaxBuddy the preferred option for non-resident Indians filing from abroad.
Q10. Are pricing plans on these platforms inclusive of GST and hidden fees?
All three platforms list base prices exclusive of 18% GST. However, TaxBuddy’s plans are more transparent about what’s included—self-filing, expert review, document uploads, and notice handling. ClearTax and Tax2Win often promote lower starting prices but charge extra for essentials such as capital gains reporting, notice handling, or expert advice. Users should compare the total cost of ownership, not just base prices, when evaluating platform value.
Q11. How does ClearTax compare with TaxBuddy in terms of automation and intelligence?
ClearTax offers good tools for capital gains reporting and mutual fund data import. However, it lacks automation for crypto, F&O, and speculative income. TaxBuddy’s AI engine supports pre-fill matching with AIS and Form 26AS, real-time validation, and document parsing across various income types. Its system alerts users to regime mismatches, missing deductions, and potential notice triggers—features that are not available in standard ClearTax or Tax2Win plans.
Q12. Which platform offers the most responsive customer support during tax season?
TaxBuddy leads in support speed and quality, with responses typically under 30 minutes via phone, chat, or email. Each expert-assisted user is assigned a dedicated CA. ClearTax offers chat and email support but prioritizes higher-tier users. Tax2Win provides support through CA call-backs, but response times vary depending on plan type. For real-time help, TaxBuddy offers the most reliable and consistent experience during peak filing months.
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