Nobody wants to think about taxes more than is necessary. If you want to file quickly and correctly, online tax software can help — and you may not even have to pay.
We evaluated eight tax-prep services for 2025, considering the quality and cost of their online tax software, to find the best offerings for all types of filers.
If saving money isn't your biggest concern, you might find that paying extra for expert help or full-service tax preparation is the best way to get your taxes done and a refund in your pocket.
Best Tax Software
- Best tax software overall: H&R Block Tax Software
- Best for self-employed and freelancers: TaxSlayer
Best free file option: Cash App Taxes
Featured Tax Software
Featured Tax SoftwareTurboTaxLearn moreOn TurboTax's website
Insider’s RatingFees$0 for Free Edition (~37% of filers qualify. Form 1040 and no schedules except for Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Student Loan Interest), $39 to $69 for Deluxe, $89 to $129 for Premium
Pros- Can be good for relatively complex tax situations that may require help navigating deductions and forms
- Offers step-by-step guidance
- Ability to upgrade for instant access to an expert
Cons- Not all users will qualify for a $0 filing option
- Most expensive option for many tax situations
- No brick-and-mortar locations to meet with a tax pro
Insider’s TakeTurboTax is among the most expensive options for filing taxes online, but offers a high-quality user interface and access to experts. It's especially valuable for self-employed filers who use QuickBooks integration.
TurboTax Tax SoftwareProduct Details- Tell TurboTax about your life and it will guide you step by step. Jumpstart your taxes with last year’s info.
- Snap a photo of your W-2 or 1099-NEC and TurboTax will put your info in the right places.
- CompleteCheck™ scans your return so you can be confident it’s 100% accurate.
- You won’t pay for TurboTax until it’s time to file and you’re fully satisfied.
- TurboTax is committed to getting you your maximum refund, guaranteed.
Featured Tax SoftwareTaxSlayerLearn moreOn TaxSlayer's website
Insider’s RatingFeesup to $52.95 for federal tax return and an additional $39.95 for state tax return
Pros- Strong option for self-employed filers
- Low price — comparable self-employed packages at H&R Block and TurboTax are more than 2x the cost
- All packages include phone and email support
- Self-employed package includes on-demand access to a tax professional
- Simple and clean interface
- Ability to set up reminders to pay estimated quarterly taxes throughout the year
- Filers with any type of tax situation who meet AGI limits can use the IRS Free File program to file a federal return, and maybe a state return, with TaxSlayer at no cost
Cons- Free version advertised on its website does not include earned income tax credit or child tax credit
- Interface isn't as intuitive as H&R Block or TurboTax
Insider’s TakeTaxSlayer is a good budget option for people who don't need a lot of assistance when filing their taxes and can be a great value for self-employed filers. However, the interface can be a bit clunky, and the free and lower-cost packages might not have all the features you need.
TaxSlayerProduct Details- Choose direct deposit for your refund and e-file your return to get your fastest refund possible.
- Everyone gets free, unlimited phone and email support. And if you need more help, we have you covered from Ask a Tax Pro to Audit Defense.
- Download free app for tax filing, resources, news, and tips at your fingertips.
- Guaranteed maximum refund
- 100% accuracy guaranteed
- Zero out-of-pocket fees
Featured Tax SoftwarePros- Seamless data entry when you upload tax documents (PDF or photo of paper document)
- Interface is modern and easy to navigate
- Instructions are clear and helpful
- Company doesn't try to upsell you while preparing a return
- Ability to save your spot and return later
- Offices in all 50 states where tax professionals can prepare your return in person or virtually
Cons- Cost
- $0 option does not include itemized deductions
- $0 plan does not offer on-demand chat or phone support
Insider’s TakeH&R Block has something for everyone, whether you're filing online yourself, looking for expert advice, or want to hand it off to a professional. While it doesn't offer the lowest prices you'll find for tax software, the quality of the overall user experience can justify the higher cost.
H&R BlockProduct Details- File your own taxes
- Step-by-step guidance
- Add expert tax help any time
- Real time results
H&R Block:Best Tax Software Overall
Key features:
- Costs range from $0 to $85 (+$37 state return fee)
- Free live expert and AI assistance included in every package
- Seamless data entry when you upload tax documents
- Robust free version
- Alternative filing options, including in-person, available
It's hard to go wrong with H&R Block. While the company has weathered controversy over its advertising practices, its current slate of tax-filing products are feature-rich, transparently priced, accessible, and easy to use.
H&R Block's prices aren't the lowest you'll find for online tax software, but there is a free version that covers more situations than TurboTax and some others.
In general, the quality of the overall user experience coupled with access to a tax specialist with the purchase of any self-preparation plan (costs range from $35 to $85) make H&R Block a worthy investment. And it's one of the few companies operating storefronts if you want to work with a professional in person.
Read our H&R Block review
TaxSlayer: Best for Self-Employed and Freelancers
Key features:
- $52.95 for Self-Employed federal filing plan (+39.95 state return fee)
- Audit defense with enrolled agent representation for three years
- Avoid manual data entry with 1099 uploads and imports
- Includes access to IRS-certified tax pros via email and phone
TaxSlayer helps filers with self-employment income tackle taxes with relative ease. The company's Self-Employed plan is a standout offering for sole proprietors and single-member LLCs, in part because of its affordability.
For a fee that's around 30% cheaper than competitors, you'll unlock access to tax pros with self-employment expertise, year-round estimated tax payment reminders, and an exclusive self-employed tax guide. For freelancers, contractors, and gig workers with multiple sources of income, the ability to upload 1099s or import them from payroll providers is a gift.
Read our TaxSlayer review
Cash App Taxes: Best Free Filing Option
Key features:
- $0 federal and state filing
- Mobile-forward, sleek design
- Simple user experience
- W-2 upload for quick income data entry
While the IRS itself has a new, free tax-preparation program that reportedly saved filers $5.4 million in tax-prep fees last year, it's limited in scope for now. First, check if you qualify for that program. If not, Cash App Taxes is going to be your best bet for completely free filing.
Cash App Taxes is free for everyone — even for complex situations, like itemizing deductions and reporting crypto sales — and state returns are included. While full 1099 uploads are not yet supported, this year users who have sold bitcoin on Cash App (the platform's owner) can import those transactions directly.
A few situations are not covered by Cash App Taxes, such as multi-state filings, but enough people qualify to use the platform that it passes the value test.
A potential downside: There's no channel to get expert help if/when you need it. Cash App taxes is a completely self-directed platform, so it's best for someone with experience doing taxes or a very simple situation. If you want free federal filing (no restrictions) with the option to upgrade for expert help, check out FreeTaxUSA.
Read our Cash App Taxes review
Estimate Your Taxes
Key Features to Look for in Tax Software
Accuracy and Error-Checking Tools
Any tax software you use should have an accuracy guarantee. This means the provider assumes financial responsibility for any fees or penalties that you may be charged if the software made a calculation error that was not detected before your return was submitted to federal and state tax authorities.
Online tax software should be able to flag any missing or incomplete information before your return is submitted. In cases where it doesn't, the IRS may reject your return. Tax software should always help you identify the issue, or give you access to an expert who can, and resubmit your return promptly.
Customer Support Options
Whether you have a technical question about your account or you have a tax issue that requires expert input, you should be able to get a hold of someone with relative ease. Many companies have done away with phone support in favor of live chat functions — and in some cases artificial intelligence. Consider how you'd like to communicate with a customer service agent or a tax professional if an issue arises and choose a tax software that offers that option.
Importing and Integration Capabilities
A key feature among leading online tax software is the ability to pre-fill some of your information when you upload PDFs of your tax documents and prior-year tax returns, or import documents from payroll providers or financial companies. While you should always double-check that numbers were transferred correctly, this method of data entry can be a huge time-saver when you have multiple sources of income to report.
Tax Software Pricing: Which One Offers the Best Value
Free vs. Paid Tax Software: What's the Difference?
Most tax-prep services offer paid and free versions of their online tax software. The free versions tend to cover a limited number of situations, with requirements such as W-2 income only, no dependents, and education credits only.
If you need additional forms or schedules to itemize your deductions or report 1099 income, for example, you'll have to upgrade to a paid version of the software.
Most providers have two or three paid offerings, which are tailored to different types of filers, such as investors, homeowners, or freelancers. You typically won't need to choose a plan before getting started — most platforms ask you to create an account and answer a few questions about your situation in order to direct you to the plan that suits your needs.
The IRS's Direct File program, which debuted in 2024, gives simple filers who lived and worked in certain states access to free tax software. But people who itemize deductions or have income from the gig economy, a rental property, or a business they own don't qualify. If these apply to you, your alternatives are buying an online package from a software provider, hiring a professional tax preparer, or choosing an always-free tax software option such as Cash App Taxes or FreeTaxUSA.
How to Choose the Best Tax Software for Your Needs
Factors for Individuals and Simple Returns
About 7 in 10 Americans qualify for free tax preparation, according to the IRS. People who only have income from a W-2 job and claim the standard deduction instead of itemizing can qualify as a "simple filer" and get federal and sometimes state tax preparation for free through online tax software providers.
At many providers, a simple return also includes claiming dependents and common tax credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit, the American Opportunity Tax Credit, or the Lifetime Learning Credit.
Factors for Complex Personal Returns
A complex tax return is one that requires inputting information from additional forms to report non-W-2 income, like from a side business or partnership; itemize deductions; claim business expenses; and report an inheritance or gift.
If any of these situations applies, you likely need to upgrade to a mid-tier tax software package that incorporates the relevant forms.
One of the most helpful features of online tax software for complex filers is document upload. This enables you to upload a PDF or a photo of the tax form you received from an employer or financial institution. The platform pulls the relevant information from those forms and enters them in the right boxes on your tax return, saving time and possible confusion about what numbers go where. Advanced platforms, including H&R Block, have a search function that allows you to find your tax forms online and import them directly from a payroll provider or financial company.
Expert help can be a big value-add for complex filers, too. Some tax software providers give you access to an expert via live chat or phone without charging extra. Others require a costly upgrade.
Ideal Features for Small Businesses and Self-Employed
Filers with self-employment or small-business income are going to pay more for online or in-person tax preparation because of the number of forms that need to be filed. But they should also get additional features for the added cost, from tax-planning tools to document import, that save time and keep them organized throughout the year.
Expert help can also be especially valuable for a new business owner or a self-employed filer who experienced a significant tax event. It's typically included with top-tier packages.
Small business filers should also get assurances that every deduction they qualify for is maximized, whether that's through the software's own deduction-finding tools or the option to upgrade to a tax pro review of their return before submitting.
Benefits of Using Tax Software vs. Hiring a Tax Professional
Time-Saving and Convenient
For simple filers with nothing more than W-2 income to report, online tax software is often a more convenient and cost-effective choice than hiring a tax professional. Unless you've experienced major life changes, such as a divorce or an interstate move, and want to discuss sensitive issues with a tax pro, online tax software is more than capable of meeting your filing needs.
Cost Comparison and Affordability
Tax software can typically meet the needs of even complex filers, such as small business owners, for a lower fee than hiring a professional. It's up to you how much time you want to spend on taxes and your budget.
Tax preparation fees can vary by location, the credentials of the professional, and their fee structure. Average fees among preparers who charge a minimum fee plus a complexity fee (the most common pricing method) is $345, according to an annual study conducted by the National Association of Tax Professionals. Online tax software is typically priced per form or schedule, with additional forms driving up costs, but the provider may also add a premium for access to an expert.
FAQs About Tax Software
One of the best tax software options for freelancers is TaxSlayer's Self-Employed package. It's around 30% cheaper than competitors, and you get access to tax pros with self-employment expertise, year-round estimated tax payment reminders, and an exclusive self-employed tax guide. Plus, tax forms can be uploaded to avoid manual data entry.
Tax software providers can handle many complex tax situations, such as foreign-earned income, partnership income, and business income. Oftentimes, the more you pay for an online filing package, the more features it will include to help make complicated filings easier.
Free tax software for filing taxes is just as reliable as paid options, particularly when offered by a trustworthy company. The IRS also offers free tax software for qualifying filers through its Direct File program.
The difference between paid and free tax software is the tax situations it supports. Free options from household names like H&R Block and TurboTax have restrictions on who can use them. If you don't qualify, you need to upgrade to a plan that includes the forms you need to file for certain types of income, deductions, or credits.
Some tax software providers offer audit support as part of your preparation fee, or for an additional fee. Support can range from helping you understand an IRS notice you receive in the mail to representing you before the state or federal tax authority if the accuracy of your return is questioned.
Online tax software providers use high-tech security and data encryption practices to safeguard sensitive information used in the preparation of tax returns.
Why You Should Trust Us: How We Rate Tax Software
We considered five factors to review and rate each platform, which you can see below. Each of these factors was rated on a five-point scale, and we calculated the weighted average to determine an overall editor's rating.
- Cost
- Value
- User experience
- Expert help
- Support
We also considered tax forms available in the various packages offered by each company, with an emphasis on free resources, and consulted outside experts to confirm the pros and cons of any of the services.
Read our full methodology for rating tax software.
