Best Home Tax Shield Alternatives (2026)

Last updated: February 16, 2026

The best Home Tax Shield alternative depends on your priorities. For the lowest cost with professional evidence, AppealDesk provides evidence packets for $49 flat across all 50 states. For another full-service Texas option, Ownwell or Five Stone Tax Advisers offer similar hands-off experiences. For the most established firm, O'Connor has 50+ years of experience.

Rob Hartley·Updated February 16, 2026

Why People Look for Home Tax Shield Alternatives

Home Tax Shield's ~30% contingency fee adds up on larger reductions. A $3,000 annual savings means paying ~$900, while AppealDesk charges $49 flat regardless of savings.

Home Tax Shield only operates in Texas. Homeowners who move out of state or own property elsewhere need a service with broader coverage.

Some homeowners prefer understanding their protest and presenting their own case. Home Tax Shield handles everything behind the scenes without showing you the evidence.

Home Tax Shield Alternatives at a Glance

Service	Price	Coverage	Type	Best For
AppealDesk	$49 flat fee	All 50 states	DIY with professional evidence packet	Texas homeowners who want professional evidence at a fraction of the percentage-based cost
Five Stone Tax Advisers	Contingency (percentage)	Texas only	Full-service legal representation	Austin-area homeowners who want top-performing protest representation
Ownwell	25-35% of savings	9 states (including TX)	Full-service	Homeowners who want full-service with transparent published pricing
O'Connor & Associates	Percentage of savings	40+ states	Full-service	Homeowners who want the most established name in property tax protests
DIY (no service)	Free	Anywhere	Self-research	Homeowners with 15-40 hours to research their own protest evidence

1. AppealDesk

AppealDesk provides a professional evidence packet with comparable sales analysis, assessment ratio verification, a filing guide for your Texas county's appraisal district, and a cover letter — all for $49 flat. Unlike Home Tax Shield's ~30% fee, you keep 100% of your savings. Texas's online protest filing system makes self-filing easy: upload your evidence, submit, and you're done in 10-15 minutes. The trade-off: you attend any hearings yourself using the evidence packet and talking-point scripts.

See detailed AppealDesk vs Home Tax Shield comparison →

2. Five Stone Tax Advisers

Five Stone is a full-service tax advisory firm with particularly strong performance in the Austin market. Reddit community comparisons rank them among the top performers for property tax protests, sometimes outperforming both Ownwell and Home Tax Shield. Their fees may be higher, but users report the results justify the cost. They also offer income tax and tax planning services.

3. Ownwell

Ownwell provides a full-service protest experience similar to Home Tax Shield with 25-35% contingency pricing that's clearly published. They operate in 9 states including Texas and report an 85%+ success rate. If you liked Home Tax Shield's approach but want broader coverage or more transparent pricing, Ownwell is a direct alternative.

4. O'Connor & Associates

O'Connor (also known as Cut My Taxes) has been protesting property taxes since 1974. They cover all of Texas plus 40+ other states, with $190M saved for clients in 2024 alone. As the most established firm in the industry, they bring decades of relationships with appraisal districts and ARB panels.

5. DIY (no service)

Texas's property tax protest system is among the most homeowner-friendly in the country. Most appraisal districts offer online protest filing and even virtual informal hearings. You can research comparable sales through your county appraisal district website, file for free, and present your own case. Expect 15-40 hours of research time.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the cheapest alternative to Home Tax Shield?

DIY is free. AppealDesk is $49 flat. Both are significantly less than Home Tax Shield's ~30% contingency fee on most Texas reductions.

Which Home Tax Shield alternative works outside Texas?

AppealDesk covers all 50 states. O'Connor covers 40+ states. Ownwell covers 9 states. Home Tax Shield and Five Stone Tax are Texas only.

Is Five Stone Tax better than Home Tax Shield?

Reddit community discussions suggest Five Stone may deliver higher reductions in some Austin-area markets, but at higher fees. Both are reputable Texas options. AppealDesk costs $49 flat regardless.

Can I switch from Home Tax Shield to AppealDesk?

Yes. If you haven't signed a contract for the current tax year, you can use AppealDesk's $49 evidence packet instead and file your own protest. Check Home Tax Shield's terms if you have an existing agreement.

Does Ownwell charge less than Home Tax Shield?

Ownwell charges 25-35% of savings vs Home Tax Shield's ~30%. The rates are comparable, though Ownwell's published pricing makes comparison easier. AppealDesk's $49 flat fee is less than both.

Want a detailed head-to-head comparison? See AppealDesk vs Home Tax Shield →