Comparison
ProtestMax vs Ownwell
Same goal. Very different price.
Cost Comparison
What You Actually Pay
Ownwell charges 25-35% of your first-year savings. ProtestMax is $45 flat no matter how much you save.
| Tax Reduction | Ownwell Fee | ProtestMax Fee | You Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $250–$350 | $45 | $205–$305 |
| $2,000 | $500–$700 | $45 | $455–$655 |
| $5,000 | $1,250–$1,750 | $45 | $1,205–$1,705 |
| $10,000 | $2,500–$3,500 | $45 | $2,455–$3,455 |
Ownwell fees based on 25% (TX/IL/GA/WA) to 35% (CA/NY/FL) of first-year tax savings.
Feature by Feature
Full Comparison
| Feature | Ownwell | ProtestMax |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | 25-35% of savings | $45 flat |
| You keep | 65-75% of savings | 100% of savings |
| See evidence before paying | Yes (Grade A-F) | |
| Auto-enrollment | Yes (must opt out) | No recurring charges |
| Upfront cost | $0 | $45 |
| Who files | They file for you | You file (with pre-filled forms) |
| Hearing representation | Yes (full-service states) | No (hearing script included) |
| AI analysis | Yes (Claude + Gemini) | |
| States covered | 9 full-service + national DIY | All 50 states |
| Money-back guarantee | N/A (contingency) |
Honest Take
When Ownwell Makes Sense
- You want full-service and don't mind paying 25-35% of your savings for the convenience.
- You don't want to file any paperwork yourself, even if it's pre-filled.
- You need someone to represent you at the hearing in a full-service state.
- Your expected tax reduction is small (under ~$180), making Ownwell's contingency fee less than $45.
Best For Most Homeowners
When ProtestMax Makes Sense
- You want to keep 100% of your tax savings.
- Your expected reduction is over ~$180 (where ProtestMax becomes cheaper).
- You want to see your evidence grade (A-F) before paying anything.
- You don't want auto-enrollment surprises or recurring fees year after year.
- You're comfortable submitting pre-filled forms (takes ~10 minutes).
Frequently Asked Questions
Ownwell vs ProtestMax FAQ
Is Ownwell worth it?
It depends on your savings amount and willingness to DIY. If your tax reduction is small (under $180), Ownwell costs you nothing since it's contingency-based — but if you save $2,000 or more, you'll pay $500-$700 to Ownwell versus $45 with ProtestMax. For homeowners comfortable filing their own paperwork (which ProtestMax pre-fills for you), the savings are significant.
How much does Ownwell charge?
Ownwell charges 25% of your first-year tax savings in Texas, Illinois, Georgia, and Washington. In California, New York, and Florida, the fee is 35% of savings. There is no upfront cost — you only pay if they reduce your taxes. However, this contingency model means the more you save, the more you pay.
Can I cancel Ownwell auto-enrollment?
Yes, but you must opt out approximately two months before your county's protest deadline. If you miss the opt-out window, Ownwell will file on your behalf again and charge their contingency fee on any savings. ProtestMax has no auto-enrollment — each protest is a one-time $45 purchase.
Is ProtestMax as good as Ownwell?
They are different models. Ownwell is full-service: they file for you and can represent you at hearings. ProtestMax is AI-powered DIY: you get a complete evidence packet, pre-filled forms, and a hearing script, but you file and attend the hearing yourself. The tradeoff is cost — ProtestMax is $45 flat regardless of your savings, while Ownwell takes 25-35% of whatever you save.
Check Your Property Free
See your evidence grade before you decide. No credit card required. No auto-enrollment. Just honest data about whether your property taxes are too high.
Check My Property