A SmartVault alternative your clients don't have to log into
SmartVault is document management for accounting firms, and its tax-software integrations are hard to beat: returns file straight into the right client folder. Clients, though, have to activate an account and set a password before they can send anything. Intake skips that. Clients open a link, see their checklist and upload, and AI checks each document.
Feature comparison
Based on SmartVault's public pricing and feature pages, checked September 22, 2026.
| Intake | SmartVault | |
|---|---|---|
| Per-client document checklist | Yes | Yes |
| Clients upload without creating an account | Yes | No (guest account and password) |
| Automatic reminders until it's done | Yes | Yes |
| AI checks each upload is the right document | Yes | AI builds requests from last year's return |
| Fillable PDFs with e-signature | Yes | Accounting Unlimited plan |
| Collect a fee with the request | Stripe (1% platform fee) | Through SmartProposal |
| Appointment booking in the form | Yes | Not listed |
| Public REST API + webhooks | $19/mo plan and up | Yes |
| Works from Claude / ChatGPT (MCP) | $19/mo plan and up | Not listed |
| Your logo and colors | $19/mo plan and up | Yes |
| HIPAA BAA | On request | Markets HIPAA support |
| Free plan | Up to 10 clients | No |
| Paid plans from | $19/mo | $55/user/mo yearly, 3-user minimum |
SmartVault pricing
| Business Pro | $55/user/mo yearly, $75 monthly | 3-user minimum, branded portal, document requests |
| Accounting Pro | $65/user/mo yearly, $85 monthly | 2-user minimum, tax software integrations, SmartProposal |
| Accounting Unlimited | $85/user/mo yearly, $110 monthly | 2-user minimum, unlimited e-sign, PDF form filler |
| SmartRequestAI | $12.50 per return | Add-on |
Intake is free for up to 10 clients, $19/month for Professional (unlimited clients), or $49/month for Team with 3 seats. See Intake pricing.
When SmartVault is the better choice
- You want returns filed straight into client folders from Lacerte, UltraTax, Drake or CCH.
- You want unlimited storage and a firm-wide document system.
- You want organizers generated from last year's return.
- You want WISP and compliance vault templates.
When Intake is the better choice
- Clients stall at creating an account and password.
- You're solo and a 2 or 3 user minimum doesn't fit.
- You want AI to check each upload, not just build the request.
- You collect documents outside tax work too.
- You want to work from Claude or ChatGPT.
Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions? We've got answers.
Yes. SmartVault clients are guest users who activate an account and set a password. Intake clients open a secure link. No account.
Plans run $55 to $85 per user per month billed yearly, with a 2 or 3 user minimum, so about $110 to $165 a month at the smallest size. SmartRequestAI is $12.50 per return on top. Intake is free for 10 clients and $19/month for unlimited.
Not directly. Download a client's documents as a zip, or connect through the API and webhooks. If filing returns from Lacerte or UltraTax into client folders is what you need, SmartVault does that better.
Sources
- https://www.smartvault.com/pricing/
- https://help.smartvault.com/hc/en-us/articles/360050528554-Inviting-Your-Clients-to-Create-a-SmartVault-Guest-Account
- https://www.smartvault.com/product/smartrequest-ai/
- https://www.smartvault.com/product/smartproposal/
Something out of date? Tell us at [email protected] and we'll fix it. More comparisons.
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