The Best Tax Prep Software of 2025

UltraTax CS ranked as the most used tax preparation software by CPAs. Of the CPA respondents, 22.6% used UltraTax CS, a significant jump over the No. 2 software, Lacerte.

What makes UltraTax CS stand out? It offers a full line of tax forms, including more complicated partnerships, estates, and trusts. Accountants also benefit from data-sharing tools and multistate tax return submissions for business returns.

Offered by Thomson Reuters, UltraTax CS integrates with partner services, including TaxCaddy and Onvio Firm Management, to streamline operations. Accountants can use TaxCaddy to collect documents and e-signatures from clients, like Onvio Firm Management uses a cloud-based platform for its accounting firm management tools.

Price is the largest downside for UltraTax CS. More than three in four users (76%) ranked price as their top dislike of UltraTax CS in the 2024 survey. Thomson Reuters provides custom pricing for its software based on the number of users, tax returns, and other factors.

Lacerte ranked No. 2 for CPAs in the 2024 survey, while garnering top numbers for its overall rating and e-filing ease. It also outscored the other six tax prep softwares for ease of handling multistate business returns. Further, ease of use ranked as the most liked feature for Lacerte, with 73% of CPAs surveyed complimenting its usability.

Offered by Intuit, the company behind TurboTax, Lacerte boasts many features. Accountants can turn to Intuit Tax Advisor to provide tax planning support, while the remote access features provide anytime, anywhere access.

Accountants can choose from several customizable options, depending on their needs, including software designed for established firms, those focused on remote work, and those that require scalability. Desktop pricing plans start at $489 and up, with a pay-per-return charge for 1040s. Intuit provides custom pricing for its cloud computing options that offer remote access and digital signatures.

Drake Tax held the No. 3 spot with just 0.1% fewer users than Lacerte. But it’s the clear choice for sole practitioners, with 30% of these accountants using Drake Tax. Price helps Drake Tax stand out for these accountants. While other major tax software can be expensive, the pricing, which starts at $350, stands out. In the survey, 85% of CPAs said that Drake Tax’s pricing was their most liked feature.

Accountants can benefit from features like the Drake Tax Planner, which analyzes tax scenarios to recommend filing options. Import, auto-fill, and data management tools make the tax preparation process seamless, while the tax software allows users to general multi-state returns without add-on modules.

Drake Tax offers both multi-user and single-user plans, with pricing tiers up to $2,500, which includes unlimited filing. While Drake Tax is Windows-based software, it does offer cloud hosting and web options that Mac users can access.

While several tax prep software programs offer free individual filing, fewer provide free filing for those with small business income. That makes FreeTaxUSA one of the best tax software options if you’re filing a Schedule C or Schedule K-1 to list business profits or income.

The price is the stand-out feature of FreeTaxUSA. For $8, small business owners can add a feature to live chat with tax specialists and file unlimited amended returns. FreeTaxUSA also guarantees your maximum refund and promises no upcharges even if you have a complex federal return.

This tax software is only available as a web-based service, not as a downloadable software or app. FreeTaxUSA reports a 4.8-star rating out of 5 on nearly 540,000 reviews, demonstrating many satisfied customers.

TurboTax is the big player when it comes to tax prep software, and that’s no different for small businesses. Novo, a fintech company focused on small businesses, crunched the numbers for over 4,600 small businesses in 2023, determining that more than half (57%) used TurboTax.

Whether your business is structured as a sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, or S-corp, TurboTax can help you file taxes. Pricing ranges from $209-$489 for assisted service or $399-$1,169 for full-service assistance. You’ll pay an additional charge for state tax filings.

TurboTax offers year-round tax support and a guarantee to maximize your credits and deductions. Small businesses also receive audit protection at no additional cost, including one-on-one audit support. During tax season, you can connect with business tax experts seven days a week from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

TaxAct is a more affordable alternative to TurboTax while offering similar features and customer support. It also ranked among the most popular options for small businesses in the Novo analysis. TaxAct can help small businesses maximize their deductions by checking for commonly claimed deductions taken by similar filers. Filers also benefit from an accuracy and maximum refund guarantee.

Small business owners can use TaxTutor Guidance to learn expert tips and strategies, including insights into tax law changes. TaxAct provides extensive tax preparation checklists customized for different forms, including 1041s, 1065s, and 1120s. You can complete your taxes online or download software.

Sole proprietors pay $100, while partnerships pay $150 and S-corps pay $165, with additional charges for filing state tax returns. You can add audit defense at an additional cost. TaxAct also offers bundles to pair business tax returns with individual 1040s.

Only in its second year, IRS Direct File already stands out as one of the best free tax software options for individuals. The IRS launched this service in 2024, when it was only available in 12 states, and for 2025 Direct File has expanded to 25 states.

If you’re eligible, Direct File is a fast, easy way to file your taxes directly with the IRS. However, you’ll need to live in a participating state, which includes California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, and Texas in 2025. You can’t use Direct File if you’ve got freelance or business income, or if you itemize deductions, but if you’re a W-2 employee or you always take the standard deduction, it’s a great option.

Direct File will also connect you with free state return filing tools if you need to file a state return.

It’s the second-most popular tax software, according to a 2024 CivicScience report. And H&R Block stands out for its variety of options. You can file online by yourself or with live expert help. Or you can file in person at an H&R Block location. The filing options also include dropping off your documents and then finishing the process online or in person.

You may qualify for free filing for simple returns, with online filing starting at $55 and expert support starting at $99. You’ll pay an additional fee to file state returns. H&R Block also offers a second look feature where they’ll review your last three tax returns to identify missed opportunities to maximize your refund.

Filers benefit from year-round tax planning and tips, and around 55% of filers qualify for H&R Block’s online free edition.

More than one in three U.S. taxpayers used TurboTax in 2024, according to a CivicScience survey. And TurboTax is the most popular option for a reason. It’s user-friendly, and you can file your taxes online, using downloaded software, or with the TurboTax app.

Intuit’s tax software comes with an accuracy and maximum refund guarantee. You can also use the refund estimator, tax bracket calculators, and W-4 withholding calculators for tax planning.

The TurboTax Free Edition offers free federal and state filing for Simple Form 1040 returns; an estimated 37% of tax filers qualify. If you don’t qualify, you’ll pay up to $129 to file your own taxes or up to $209 for tax filing with an expert review. Full-service tax filing starts at $119. You’ll pay an additional fee to file any state tax returns. Depending on the service you select, you may qualify for year-round expert support.