Jake Tech Lab

Updated October 2026 · 3 compared

The best tax software, ranked.

3 tax software compared across 3 head-to-heads.

Every matchup is scored round by round on what matters most: how many people qualify for free, who files federal free, what customers say on trustpilot, what it costs to start.

  1. 1TaxActTaxAct6.9
  2. 2H&R BlockH&R Block6.9
  3. 3TurboTaxTurboTax5.9

At a glance

Top rated6.9
TaxAct
TaxAct
See price
Jump to review ↓
Best for how many people qualify for free6.9
H&R Block
H&R Block
See price
Jump to review ↓
Best for who files federal free5.9
TurboTax
TurboTax
See price
Jump to review ↓

Top 3 tax software

Ranked by overall score

1TaxAct
Top rated

TaxAct

Pick TaxAct if you want TaxAct's edge on what customers say on trustpilot and how many people qualify for free.

How many people qualify for free
~40% of TaxAct filers qualified
Who files federal free
Simple returns only
What customers say on Trustpilot
4 out of 5
What it costs to start
$59.99 Deluxe (federal, per return)
    • $54.99 per state on Free, against $0 state on Free Edition
    • $64.99 per state (Deluxe), against Up to $64 per state (paid tiers)
    • ~40% of TaxAct filers qualified, against About 52% of filers qualify
    • $54.99 per state on Free, against $0 per state on Free Online
    2H&R Block
    Best for how many people qualify for free

    H&R Block

    Pick H&R Block if you want H&R Block's edge on how many people qualify for free and what it costs to start.

    How many people qualify for free
    About 52%
    Who files federal free
    Simple returns only
    What customers say on Trustpilot
    1.3 out of 5
    What it costs to start
    $65 Deluxe (federal, per return)
      • Included from Deluxe ($65), against Expert Assist Basic $59 (simple)
      • 1.3 out of 5, against 4 out of 5
      • $65 Deluxe (federal, per return), against $59.99 Deluxe (federal, per return)
      • $130 Self-Employed (federal), against $109.99 Self-Employed (federal)
      3TurboTax
      Best for who files federal free

      TurboTax

      Pick TurboTax if you want TurboTax's edge on getting a live tax expert.

      How many people qualify for free
      About 37%
      Who files federal free
      Simple returns only
      What customers say on Trustpilot
      1.2 out of 5
      What it costs to start
      $79 Deluxe (federal, per return)
        • About 37%, against About 52%
        • $79 Deluxe (federal, per return), against $65 Deluxe (federal, per return)
        • Up to $64 per state (paid tiers), against $49 per state (Deluxe)
        • $139 Premium (federal), against $130 Self-Employed (federal)

        Compare every spec

        Sort any column, tick products to go head-to-head · hover the edges or drag to see more

        best in column · tick up to 4 to compare
        1TaxActTaxActScore 6.9~40% of TaxAct filers qualifiedSimple returns only4 out of 5$59.99 Deluxe (federal, per return)$64.99 per state (Deluxe)$109.99 Self-Employed (federal)Xpert Assist from $45 (Free + expert)$54.99 per state on Free2–0100 %56 %
        2H&R BlockH&R BlockScore 6.9About 52%Simple returns only1.3 out of 5$65 Deluxe (federal, per return)$49 per state (Deluxe)$130 Self-Employed (federal)Included from Deluxe ($65)$0 per state on Free Online1–150 %50 %
        3TurboTaxTurboTaxScore 5.9About 37%Simple returns only1.2 out of 5$79 Deluxe (federal, per return)Up to $64 per state (paid tiers)$139 Premium (federal)Expert Assist Basic $59 (simple)$0 state on Free Edition0–20 %19 %

        Popular head-to-heads

        3 round-by-round comparisons — here are the top-ranked match-ups

        H&R BlockvsTaxActH&R Block vs TaxAct→TurboTaxvsTaxActTurboTax vs TaxAct→TurboTaxvsH&R BlockTurboTax vs H&R Block→
        Build your own comparison →

        How these are scored: our ranking method. We may earn a commission from links on this page — disclosure.