TurboTax vs TaxAct

TurboTax9.3Visit TaxAct8.8Visit

Higher score TurboTax #1 in Personal Tax Software 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit TurboTax

vs

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

• TurboTax fits best

  US filers wanting broad guided support

• TaxAct fits best

  Multi-device US filing with assistance

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Side by side

Feature	TurboTax 9.3/10 Visit ↗	TaxAct 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	8.8
Ranking	#1 in Personal Tax Software	#3 in Personal Tax Software
Best for	US filers wanting broad guided support	Multi-device US filing with assistance
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	$79 one-time	$44.99 one-time
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support	Phone, Live chat	Phone, Live chat, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features TurboTax 4/4 · TaxAct 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	Free Edition includes simple Form 1040 federal and state filing Paid tiers cover self-employment, investments, crypto, and rental income Available on web, desktop, iOS, and Android with expert options	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
Cons	Paid online products charge extra for state filing Advanced support starts at $139 for the Premium tier Online prices can vary by tax situation, filing date, and add-ons	State filing is an additional charge Important return types require paid plans Live expert assistance is an add-on
Our verdict	TurboTax is Intuit’s personal tax preparation software for individuals filing US federal and state returns. It supports guided preparation, document import, upload, or photography, and AI-powered Intuit Assist guidance. The product is… Read the review →	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 →

Strengths and trade-offs

• TurboTax — where it wins

  • Free Edition includes simple Form 1040 federal and state filing
  • Paid tiers cover self-employment, investments, crypto, and rental income
  • Available on web, desktop, iOS, and Android with expert options

  Where it doesn't

  • Paid online products charge extra for state filing
  • Advanced support starts at $139 for the Premium tier
  • Online prices can vary by tax situation, filing date, and add-ons

• 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

• TurboTax9.3/10 · Free plan

  A broad US tax filing suite with free simple returns and paid expert support.

  Visit TurboTaxFull verdict →
• TaxAct8.8/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit TaxActFull verdict →