TaxAct vs FreeTaxUSA

TaxAct8.8Visit FreeTaxUSA8.7Visit

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

vs

FreeTaxUSA #4 in Personal Tax Software 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit FreeTaxUSA

• TaxAct fits best

  Multi-device US filing with assistance

• FreeTaxUSA fits best

  Low-cost comprehensive US filing

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Side by side

Feature	TaxAct 8.8/10 Visit ↗	FreeTaxUSA 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.8	8.7
Ranking	#3 in Personal Tax Software	#4 in Personal Tax Software
Best for	Multi-device US filing with assistance	Low-cost comprehensive US filing
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	$44.99 one-time	—
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile	Cloud
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android	Web
Support	Phone, Live chat, Docs	Email, Live chat, Phone, Tickets, Community
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features TaxAct 4/4 · FreeTaxUSA 4/4
Self-employment support	✓	✓
Investment income	✓	✓
Rental income	✓	✓
Audit support	✓	✓
Specs
State filing	Paid_add_on	Paid_add_on
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 federal filing includes self-employment, investments, crypto, and rentals Imports W-2s, 1099s, and competitor return PDFs Optional audit defense and tax-professional support are available
Cons	State filing is an additional charge Important return types require paid plans Live expert assistance is an add-on	State tax return preparation and e-file are paid add-ons Optional Deluxe, Pro, and audit services add to the cost Access is browser-based rather than through a native mobile app
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 →	FreeTaxUSA is an online tax preparation service for U.S. individual taxpayers who want to file federal returns through a web browser. Its free federal filing supports common and more complex situations, including self-employment and… 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

• FreeTaxUSA — where it wins

  • Free federal filing includes self-employment, investments, crypto, and rentals
  • Imports W-2s, 1099s, and competitor return PDFs
  • Optional audit defense and tax-professional support are available

  Where it doesn't

  • State tax return preparation and e-file are paid add-ons
  • Optional Deluxe, Pro, and audit services add to the cost
  • Access is browser-based rather than through a native mobile app

• TaxAct8.8/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit TaxActFull verdict →
• FreeTaxUSA8.7/10 · Free plan

  A broad, low-cost option for complex federal returns, with state filing priced separately.

  Visit FreeTaxUSAFull verdict →