TaxAct vs CloudTax

TaxAct8.8Visit CloudTax8.5Visit

Higher score TaxAct #3 in Personal Tax Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit TaxAct

vs

CloudTax #6 in Personal Tax Software 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit CloudTax

• TaxAct fits best

  Multi-device US filing with assistance

• CloudTax fits best

  Canadian filers wanting expert help

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Side by side

Feature	TaxAct 8.8/10 Visit ↗	CloudTax 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.8	8.5
Ranking	#3 in Personal Tax Software	#6 in Personal Tax Software
Best for	Multi-device US filing with assistance	Canadian filers wanting expert help
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	$44.99 one-time	$39/yr
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile	Cloud, Mobile
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android	Web, iOS, Android
Support	Phone, Live chat, Docs	Email, Live chat, Phone, Docs
Compliance	2FA	SOC 2, 2FA
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features TaxAct 4/4 · CloudTax 4/4
Self-employment support	✓	✓
Investment income	✓	✓
Rental income	✓	✓
Audit support	✓	✓
Specs
State filing	Paid_add_on	Included
Mobile access	Web_and_mobile	Web_and_mobile
Our review
Pros	Supports investment, crypto, rental, and self-employment returns Works across web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android Offers uploads, cross-device saving, expert help, and Audit Defense	Free DIY filing with CRA slip import and AI document scanning Supports provincial forms, NETFILE, rental, investment, and business income Offers expert review, full preparation, and audit protection options
Cons	State filing is an additional charge Important return types require paid plans Live expert assistance is an add-on	Audit protection is limited to selected paid plans Specialist support for rentals, foreign income, and crypto starts at paid tiers CloudTax Free has provincial and territorial availability exclusions
Our verdict	TaxAct is US tax preparation software for individuals, self-employed filers, and small businesses. It provides guided federal and state return preparation through web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, with support for standard returns,… Read the review →	CloudTax is Canadian personal tax software for individuals filing T1 returns online. It combines guided DIY preparation with CRA Auto-Fill and slip import, AI-powered document and slip scanning, provincial tax forms, and NETFILE submission… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• TaxAct — where it wins

  • Supports investment, crypto, rental, and self-employment returns
  • Works across web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
  • Offers uploads, cross-device saving, expert help, and Audit Defense

  Where it doesn't

  • State filing is an additional charge
  • Important return types require paid plans
  • Live expert assistance is an add-on

• CloudTax — where it wins

  • Free DIY filing with CRA slip import and AI document scanning
  • Supports provincial forms, NETFILE, rental, investment, and business income
  • Offers expert review, full preparation, and audit protection options

  Where it doesn't

  • Audit protection is limited to selected paid plans
  • Specialist support for rentals, foreign income, and crypto starts at paid tiers
  • CloudTax Free has provincial and territorial availability exclusions

• TaxAct8.8/10 · Free plan

  A broad US tax filing option with free entry, paid coverage, and expert help.

  Visit TaxActFull verdict →
• CloudTax8.5/10 · Free plan

  A flexible Canadian tax service spanning free DIY filing, expert review, and full preparation.

  Visit CloudTaxFull verdict →