TaxAct vs TaxSlayer

TaxAct8.8Visit TTaxSlayer8.3Visit

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

vs

T TaxSlayer #8 in Personal Tax Software 8.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit TaxSlayer

• TaxAct fits best

  Multi-device US filing with assistance

• TaxSlayer fits best

  US filers needing mobile and live help

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature	TaxAct 8.8/10 Visit ↗	TTaxSlayer 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.8	8.3
Ranking	#3 in Personal Tax Software	#8 in Personal Tax Software
Best for	Multi-device US filing with assistance	US filers needing mobile and live help
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	$44.99 one-time	—
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, Phone, Live chat, Docs
Compliance	2FA	PCI DSS, 2FA
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features TaxAct 4/4 · TaxSlayer 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	Federal and state filing supports major IRS forms and income types Mobile access across web, iOS, and Android Higher tiers add live chat, tax-pro assistance, and priority support
Cons	State filing is an additional charge Important return types require paid plans Live expert assistance is an add-on	Simply Free is limited to qualifying simple tax situations State returns cost extra on paid tiers Premium support and tax-professional help require higher tiers
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 →	TaxSlayer is online tax preparation software for U.S. taxpayers who want to prepare and electronically file federal and state returns. Its plans cover simple returns as well as filing situations involving major IRS forms, self-employment,… 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

• TaxSlayer — where it wins

  • Federal and state filing supports major IRS forms and income types
  • Mobile access across web, iOS, and Android
  • Higher tiers add live chat, tax-pro assistance, and priority support

  Where it doesn't

  • Simply Free is limited to qualifying simple tax situations
  • State returns cost extra on paid tiers
  • Premium support and tax-professional help require higher tiers

• TaxAct8.8/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit TaxActFull verdict →
• TTaxSlayer8.3/10 · Free plan

  A broad tax-filing option with mobile access and live help on higher tiers.

  Visit TaxSlayerFull verdict →