Best Tax Preparation Software in 2026
Updated
In short: WISO Steuer is ranked #1 of 34 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of 1040.com and TaxAct. The best-ranked option with a free plan is 1040.com. The lowest first paid tier on this page is TaxFreeway at $0.83/mo.
Tax preparation software needs can differ with the returns and filer circumstances you have to handle. Compare supported filer types, whether electronic filing is included, and coverage for state and amended returns. If relevant to your situation, check for rental income and self-employed support as well. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing add useful context when weighing filing capabilities and cost. WISO Steuer, 1040.com, and ClearTax are among the options shown. Start with the return details that apply to you, then use the listed criteria to compare which software appears to cover your preparation and filing needs.
34 tax preparation software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
Tax Preparation Software, ranked on how quickly a newcomer can get going. 20 of the 25 on this page can be tried for free.
- 1 WISO SteuerPaid from €3/mo
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 2 1040.comPaid from $34.99/mo
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 3 TaxActPaid from $44.99/mo
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 4 ClearTaxFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 5 H&R Block OnlineFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 6 StudioTaxFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 7 TaxFreewayPaid from $0.83/mo
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 8 TurboTaxPaid from $79/mo
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 9 smartsteuerPaid from €3.33/mo
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 10 TaxfixPaid from €3.33/mo
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 11 TaxTron
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 12 TurboTax CanadaFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 13 UFileFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 14 Drake TaxPaid from $25/mo
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 15 TaxSlayer ProPaid from $116.25/mo
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 16 Cash App TaxesFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: yes
- 17 OnLine TaxesPaid from $7.95/mo
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 18 ProConnect TaxPaid from $17.50/mo
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 19 TaxCalcPaid from £3.50/mo
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 20 TaxSlayerFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 21 Steuerbot
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 22 CCH Axcess Practice
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 23 GoSimpleTax
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 24 FreeTaxUSA
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 25 ONESOURCE Certificate Manager
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
Compare all 25 in a table
| # | Platform | Score | Free plan | From | Free plan | Paid from | Filer types | State returns |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | WISO Steuer | 8.0 | Free plan | €3/mo | No | — | both | — |
| 2 | 1040.com | 7.5 | Free plan | $34.99/mo | Yes | — | — | — |
| 3 | TaxAct | 7.2 | Free plan | $44.99/mo | Yes | — | — | — |
| 4 | ClearTax | 7.1 | Free plan | — | Yes | — | — | — |
| 5 | H&R Block Online | 7.1 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | — |
| 6 | StudioTax | 7.1 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | individual | Yes |
| 7 | TaxFreeway | 7.0 | No | $0.83/mo | Yes | — | individual | Yes |
| 8 | TurboTax | 7.0 | Free plan | $79/mo | Yes | — | — | — |
| 9 | smartsteuer | 6.9 | No | €3.33/mo | No | — | both | — |
| 10 | Taxfix | 6.9 | Free plan | €3.33/mo | No | — | both | — |
| 11 | TaxTron | 6.9 | No | — | Yes | — | both | Yes |
| 12 | TurboTax Canada | 6.9 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | — |
| 13 | UFile | 6.9 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | — |
| 14 | Drake Tax | 6.8 | No | $25/mo | No | 379.99 /yr | both | Yes |
| 15 | TaxSlayer Pro | 6.8 | No | $116.25/mo | No | — | both | Yes |
| 16 | Cash App Taxes | 6.7 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | — |
| 17 | OnLine Taxes | 6.7 | Free plan | $7.95/mo | Yes | — | — | — |
| 18 | ProConnect Tax | 6.7 | No | $17.50/mo | No | 813 /yr | both | Yes |
| 19 | TaxCalc | 6.7 | No | £3.50/mo | No | — | — | — |
| 20 | TaxSlayer | 6.7 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | — |
| 21 | Steuerbot | 6.5 | No | — | Yes | — | — | — |
| 22 | CCH Axcess Practice | 6.2 | No | — | — | — | — | — |
| 23 | GoSimpleTax | 6.2 | No | — | Yes | — | — | — |
| 24 | FreeTaxUSA | 6.1 | No | — | Yes | — | — | — |
| 25 | ONESOURCE Certificate Manager | 6.1 | No | — | — | — | both | Yes |
Is your platform on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored, and a sponsored row is labelled as paid.
Questions about this list
Which tax preparation software is ranked first on The Geeks Club?
WISO Steuer is ranked #1 of 34 with a score of 8.0. 1040.com is second and TaxAct third.
How many of these have a free plan?
13 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, TaxFreeway has the lowest first paid tier we found: $0.83/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on how quickly a newcomer can get going: documentation depth, a free tier or trial, and the platforms it runs on.