Boast (boast.ai) helps businesses in Canada and the US claim R&D tax credits, including Canada's SR&ED program. It combines an AI platform that connects to payroll, accounting and project tools with in-house R&D tax specialists, offers audit support through its AuditShield program, and offers advances on SR&ED refunds through QuickFund. Its homepage says it is trusted by over 2,000 companies across North America.

Is there a flat-fee alternative to Boast?

Yes. Boast doesn't publish its fee model, so ask it directly. Among firms that do publish one, SRED.ca says it charges a flat fee billed monthly rather than a percentage of the refund, and ClearSRED quotes a flat fee in writing before work starts. Compare what each fee includes, especially CRA review support.

What is the best SR&ED software?

It depends on who you want to write the claim. Self-serve platforms such as GrantOps and SREDSimplify generate or help you draft the T661, and you or your accountant review and file. Full-service providers such as Boast pair software with specialists. If you want software speed but a human expert accountable for the result, choose a provider where a specialist reviews every claim.

Can AI write an SR&ED claim?

AI can draft project descriptions and organize evidence from commits, tickets and payroll records, which saves a lot of time. But the claim still has to describe real technological uncertainty and a systematic investigation, and you remain responsible for what you file. Have someone experienced in SR&ED review any AI draft against the CRA's eligibility test before you sign.

Do Boast alternatives help with CRA reviews?

Many do, but terms vary. Boast, Leyton and SRED.ca all describe audit or review support on their public sites. Self-serve platforms we reviewed focus on audit-ready documentation rather than representing you. Ask any provider whether support covers technical and financial reviews, proposal letters and objections, and whether it costs extra.

Which SR&ED providers help with pre-claim approval?

As of October 2026, none of the providers we reviewed publish a dedicated pre-claim approval (Form T1322) service on their websites, although Boast's blog says its specialists can help you navigate the process. ClearSRED prepares submission-ready T1322 applications; your authorized signing officer submits them through My Business Account.

Boast AI review and alternatives: comparing SR&ED providers in 2026

The main alternatives to Boast for SR&ED are self-serve AI platforms (such as GrantOps and SREDSimplify), traditional consultancies (such as Leyton), flat-fee firms (such as SRED.ca), your accountant, doing it yourself, and ClearSRED. They differ most in who writes the claim, whether a specialist reviews it, how fees work, and what happens if the CRA reviews it.

Information from each provider's public website as of October 2026; features change — check with the provider. ClearSRED is one of the options compared here, and we've tried to describe every provider fairly. We don't publish fee figures for anyone. ClearSRED is independent and not affiliated with the Canada Revenue Agency.

What is Boast AI, and what does it do well?

Boast is an R&D tax credit provider that pairs an AI platform with in-house specialists. On its SR&ED page it says in-house experts "prepare and validate your claim", and that it connects with payroll, project and finance systems.^[2] A 2022 Boast release lists integrations with payroll and accounting tools such as Gusto, ADP, QuickBooks and Xero, and project tracking through GitHub and Jira.^[3]

Its strengths are real. It has scale (its homepage says it is "trusted by over 2,000 companies across North America"), broad integrations, an audit program called AuditShield that says it will "defend you in an IRS or CRA audit", and QuickFund, which offers access to SR&ED refunds before the CRA pays them.^[1]^[2]^[4] In April 2026 it published an explainer on the CRA's new pre-claim approval process and offered to help clients navigate it.^[5]

Boast does not publish its fee model on the pages we reviewed. Companies look at alternatives for different reasons, such as wanting a published fee model, more control over the drafting, a smaller provider, or specific help with pre-claim approval.

What types of SR&ED provider are there?

There are six broad options. Each can be the right choice for a particular company.

AI-assisted full service (for example, Boast). Software gathers data from your systems and specialists prepare the claim and support you through a review.
Self-serve AI platforms (for example, GrantOps, SREDSimplify). The software generates or helps you draft the T661 narratives. GrantOps says it "auto-generates your T661, technical narratives, and audit-ready documentation", and its pricing page says you or your accountant review and file.^[6]^[7] SREDSimplify describes "evidence-first SR&ED drafting" in an IDE-style workspace: you upload evidence, it generates T661 narratives, and an expert review pass is optional.^[8]
Traditional consultancies (for example, Leyton, plus many boutique firms). Consultants interview your team, write the technical reports and analyze the financials. Leyton says its SR&ED team "prepares your file and represents you" if the CRA reviews the claim.^[9]
Flat-fee firms (for example, SRED.ca). SRED.ca says it charges "one flat monthly fee" instead of a percentage, with quarterly interviews, timesheets, a client portal, audit defence and a guarantee.^[10]^[11]
Your accountant. Many accounting firms prepare the financial side (Schedule 31 and the T661 expenditure parts), and some also write the technical descriptions. Scope and fees vary by firm.
Do it yourself. No licence is needed to prepare a claim. You write Form T661 using the CRA's guide, often with your accountant handling the numbers.^[12] See how to file an SR&ED claim.

How do SR&ED providers compare? (as of October 2026)

This table only records what each provider states publicly. Where a page doesn't say, we write "not stated publicly" or "not published" rather than guess.

Provider	Who drafts the claim	Human specialist review	Integrations / records used	CRA review support	Pre-claim approval (T1322) support	Fee model
Boast [2]	In-house experts, with an AI platform	Yes, in-house experts "prepare and validate"	Payroll, project and finance integrations; a 2022 release names QuickBooks, Xero, Gusto, ADP, GitHub and Jira [3]	Yes, AuditShield	Blog says its specialists can help; no dedicated service listed	Not published
GrantOps [7]	The platform generates the T661 and narratives	Not stated publicly; you or your accountant review	GitHub/GitLab, Jira, Asana, Linear, Slack, accounting tools and more	Audit-ready documentation; audit simulation on top plan; representation not stated	Not stated publicly	Subscription plus success fee
SREDSimplify [8]	The software generates T661 narratives from evidence you upload	Optional reviewer pass; who reviews is not stated publicly	Files and exports you upload; no integrations named	"Audit-friendly" output; representation not stated	Not stated publicly (offers a "quick pre-check")	Free start, paid upgrade
Leyton [9]	Leyton's technical and financial team	Yes	Not stated publicly	Yes, prepares and represents you	Not stated publicly	Not published
SRED.ca [10]	Its consultants, with quarterly interviews	Yes	Client portal, compliance journals and timesheets	Yes, audit defence included	Not stated publicly	Flat fee, billed monthly
Your accountant	Varies by firm	Varies	Your financial records	Varies	Varies	Usually hourly or fixed; ask
DIY	Your team	No, unless you hire one	Whatever you gather	You handle it	You apply yourself	Internal time
ClearSRED	AI drafts from your engineering records and an interview	Yes, an experienced SR&ED reviewer checks every claim	GitHub, Jira, docs, payroll and interview notes	Included	Yes, submission-ready T1322 applications	Flat fee agreed up front

Sources are listed by number at the end of this page. Information from each provider's public website as of October 2026; features change — check with the provider.

Want AI speed with a human reviewer and a known fee?

We draft from your own records, an SR&ED reviewer checks every claim, and we quote a flat fee in writing before work starts.

Which SR&ED provider is right for your situation?

Match the provider to your situation, not the other way round.

First-time claimant. You need help defining projects, time allocations and an overhead method. A provider with a human specialist (Boast, a consultancy, a flat-fee firm or ClearSRED) usually beats self-serve software. First-time claimants may also be selected for the CRA's First-Time Claimant Advisory Service.^[13] If cash is tight, a fee paid from the refund may suit you; if you want a known cost, choose a flat fee.
Large, multi-project claim. Scale and integrations matter. Providers that work at scale, such as Boast and the larger consultancies, may suit you, and a flat fee means your cost doesn't rise with the refund. Ask how many projects the scope covers.
Already under CRA review. Look for a provider that will prepare you for and attend the technical and financial reviews, not just hand over documents. See what to expect in an SR&ED review.
You want pre-claim approval. Since April 1, 2026, eligible companies can have the CRA evaluate whether planned work meets SR&ED requirements before claiming, using Form T1322.^[14]^[15] Few providers advertise a dedicated service for it, so ask directly. Read our pre-claim approval guide.
Strong in-house finance team. If your finance team and accountant can handle Schedule 31 and the expenditure parts, a self-serve platform or a narrower technical-writing engagement may be enough. Make sure someone experienced in SR&ED still reads the project descriptions.

What should you ask any Boast alternative?

Who writes the project descriptions, and who checks them before I sign?
Which records do you use, and how much engineering time will you need?
How is the fee set, and is it based on the amount claimed or the amount received?
Is CRA review support included, including proposal letters and objections?
Can you prepare a pre-claim approval application?
Does the contract cover more than one tax year, and do I keep the working papers if I leave?

Whoever you choose will be named in Part 9 of Form T661, with the billing arrangement. Our guide to SR&ED consultant fees explains each fee model and the terms to check.

Where does ClearSRED fit among Boast alternatives?

ClearSRED sits between self-serve software and a full consultancy. We use AI to draft your T661 project descriptions and Schedule 31 from your own engineering records (GitHub, Jira, design docs) plus a short interview, and an experienced SR&ED reviewer checks every claim before you see it. We also prepare submission-ready T1322 pre-claim approval applications.

We charge a flat fee agreed up front, not a percentage of your refund, and CRA review support is included. You review, sign and file; we don't file on your behalf. If funding advances or a year-round tracking portal matter most to you, Boast or a flat-fee firm with a client portal may suit you better. See how it works.