Best Tax Preparation Software in 2026
Updated
In short: TaxAct is ranked #1 of 26 as of 2 October 2026, ahead of TaxSlayer and H&R Block Online. The best-ranked option with a free plan is TaxSlayer. The lowest first paid tier on this page is TaxFreeway at $0.83/mo.
Tax preparation software can help you prepare and file returns across different filing situations. As you compare TaxAct, TaxSlayer, and H&R Block Online near the top of the ranking, check which filer types each supports and whether electronic filing is included. Rental income and self-employed support can matter when a return extends beyond standard income, while amended returns and state returns are separate points to verify. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing add cost context; compare those with the filing support you need, rather than treating a starting price as the whole picture. The ranking also includes FreeTaxUSA, TurboTax, Cash App Taxes, Wealthsimple Tax, and TurboTax Canada.
26 tax preparation software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
| # | Platform | Score | Why | From | Free plan | Paid from | Filer types | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  TaxAct | 7.4 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $44.99/mo | Yes | — | — | View |
| 2 | TaxSlayer | 7.3 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | — | — | — | View |
| 3 |  H&R Block Online | 7.3 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | — | View |
| 4 | FreeTaxUSA | 7.2 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | — | — | — | View |
| 5 | TurboTax | 7.2 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $79/mo | Yes | — | — | View |
| 6 |  Cash App Taxes | 6.7 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | — | View |
| 7 |  Wealthsimple Tax | 6.7 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | — | View |
| 8 |  TurboTax Canada | 6.7 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | — | View |
| 9 |  TaxFreeway | 6.7 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $0.83/mo | Yes | — | individual | View |
| 10 | ClearTax | 6.7 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | — | View |
| 11 |  StudioTax | 6.6 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | individual | View |
| 12 | TaxTron | 6.4 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | both | View |
| 13 | GoSimpleTax | 6.4 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | — | View |
| 14 |  WISO Steuer | 6.4 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | €3/mo | No | — | both | View |
| 15 | Drake Tax | 6.2 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | No | 379.99 /yr | both | View |
| 16 | Taxfix | 6.2 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | €3.33/mo | No | — | both | View |
| 17 | 1040.com | 6.1 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $34.99/mo | Yes | — | — | View |
| 18 | OnLine Taxes | 5.8 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $7.95/mo | Yes | — | — | View |
| 19 |  smartsteuer | 5.7 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | €3.33/mo | No | — | both | View |
| 20 |  TaxCalc | 5.4 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | £3.50/mo | No | — | — | View |
| 21 |  Jackson Hewitt Online | 5.1 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $25/mo | No | — | — | View |
| 22 | TaxSlayer Pro | 4.9 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | No | — | both | View |
| 23 | CrossLink | 4.8 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | No | — | both | View |
| 24 | LodgeiT | 4.7 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | No | — | both | View |
| 25 | Saral TaxOffice | 4.7 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | No | — | both | View |
Is your platform on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which tax preparation software is ranked first on Inferse?
TaxAct is ranked #1 of 26 with a score of 7.4. TaxSlayer is second and H&R Block Online third.
How many of these have a free plan?
11 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, TaxFreeway has the lowest first paid tier we found: $0.83/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes, open and connectable first: a public API, open-source code, the depth of its documentation and a free tier to try it on. Model lists are sorted by the figure in their title, exactly as each provider publishes it. Paid placements never change a rank.