StudioTax vs TaxAct (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, StudioTax grades higher than TaxAct: 3.0 against 2.4 out of 4.0.
Checked Nov 12, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 · graded Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
StudioTax grades higher on value for money, ease of use and platforms. They get the same grade on the free plan and features.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
StudioTax
Canadian personal tax software for desktop and mobile
TaxAct
Online and downloadable tax filing for individuals and businesses
Which one is for you
Pick StudioTax if
- Fits if you file Canadian returns for your own household on a computer or phone
- Works for people under $20,000 of income who want to file free
Look elsewhere if
- Not for you if you prepare clients' returns, as CRA rules bar it and a separate Enterprise edition exists
- Watch out: the Mac version lists no Revenu Québec certification
- Tight if you file every year, as a new license is needed each tax year, per computer
- Watch out: licenses are refundable within 30 days only if not activated
Pick TaxAct if
- Fits if you have a simple return and want to file federal for free
- Works for self-employed filers who file once a year and want to pay by the return
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you have investment, rental or self-employment income and want to stay free, as the free edition excludes all three
- Tight if you file in a state, since returns cost $54.99 on Free and $64.99 on Self-Employed
- Watch out: Xpert Assist is $45 on the pricing cards but $60 in the FAQ
- Not for you if you want bookkeeping or invoicing, as it only prepares and e-files taxes
How we grade them
| 3.0GPAStudioTaxVery good | 2.4GPATaxActFair | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A$17.50 per tax year covers 10 returns on a computer, under a year of the category's middle subscription, and it is free for low incomes. | BBasic download is $44.99 a tax year and online starts at $59.99, with Self-Employed at $109.99. State returns add $54.99 to $64.99 each. |
| Free plan and trial | BFree for income under $20,000 and for residents of NT, YT and NU, but everyone else needs the $17.50 license before printing or filing. | BFree federal filing for simple Form 1040 returns, with the vendor saying about 40% of filers qualified. Investment income, itemised deductions, rental income and self-employment income are excluded. |
| Features | CNETFILE, ReFILE, linked returns and wide coverage do the job, but Mac has no Revenu Québec certification listed. | CIt prepares and files taxes, with business returns and expert help on top. A smaller job than bookkeeping, and it is not bookkeeping or invoicing software. |
| Ease of use | BA program you install and start with nothing to set up, and no store rating on record. | CNo store rating on record. A guided interview, but you still have to collect your own tax documents. |
| Platforms and integrations | BWindows, Mac, iOS and Android, with no integrations listed. | CWeb only on the listing, with no integrations on record. |
| Best for | Canadian personal returns on your own computer | filing a simple US federal return for free |
The GPA is the average of the five grades: an A is 4 points, an F is none. The full reasons are on each tool's page: StudioTax and TaxAct. How we grade
Price against what you get
StudioTax starts at $1.46 a month when paid by the year for each person and scores 2.7 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. TaxAct starts at $3.75 a month when paid by the year and scores 2.0.
StudioTax scores higher and starts $2.29 a month lower. Of the other accounting and invoicing tools on the chart, 1 scores higher than StudioTax for less, and 9 score higher than TaxAct for less.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
Where they differ
- StudioTax also covers forms.
- TaxAct also covers documents.
At a glance
| StudioTax | TaxAct | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free plan | Free plan |
| Starts at | $17.50 per tax year for a license covering 10 returns | $44.99 per tax year (download); online from $59.99, states extra |
| Free plan | Free for total income (line 15000) under $20,000 and for residents of NT, YT and NU; versions for 2019 and earlier are free. | Free edition: $0 federal filing for simple Form 1040 returns (W-2, unemployment and retirement income, common credits, dependents). The vendor says about 40% of filers qualified. State returns extra. |
| Free trial | None listed | None listed |
| Web | ||
| macOS | ||
| Windows | ||
| iOS | ||
| Android | ||
| Made by | BHOK IT Consulting | TaxAct |
| Price read from | studiotax.com | taxact.com |
| Checked | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 12, 2026 |
Worth knowing
StudioTax
- A new license is needed for every tax year; it is per computer, covers 10 returns, and the 2025 license also works for 2020 to 2024 versions.
- The Mac version does not have Revenu Québec certification listed; Windows, iOS and Android do.
- Tax preparers cannot use it for clients' returns under CRA rules; a separate Enterprise edition exists at studiotax.ca.
- Licenses are refundable within 30 days only if not activated.
TaxAct
- State returns are charged separately: $54.99 each on the Free edition and $64.99 each on Self-Employed.
- Free federal filing excludes investment income, itemized deductions, rental income and self-employment income.
- Xpert Assist is shown at $45 on the pricing cards but $60 in the page's FAQ.
- It prepares and e-files taxes only; it is not bookkeeping or invoicing software.
Key features
StudioTax
- Runs on your device
- The site says returns are saved on your own drive and no information leaves your computer.
- NETFILE and ReFILE
- Windows, Mac, iOS and Android versions carry CRA certification for NETFILE, ReFILE and Auto-fill my return.
- Wide coverage
- Covers simple returns through self-employment and rental income, with a restrictions page listing uncommon situations it does not handle.
- Linked returns
- Returns for couples can be linked and prepared together.
- One version
- A single edition has all features, with the CRA's maximum of 20 returns.
TaxAct
- Guided federal and state filing
- The online editions walk through a return step by step, import W-2 or 1099 data, and e-file with direct deposit.
- Free federal edition
- Simple Form 1040 returns with no attached forms or schedules can be filed federally at no cost; investment, rental and self-employed income need a paid edition.
- Business returns
- Editions exist for partnerships, S-corporations, C-corporations, sole proprietors, and estates and trusts, with uploaded forms such as Schedule K-1 sorted into the return.
- Xpert Assist
- An add-on that gives unlimited calls or chats with credentialed tax experts while you file, available on the consumer 1040 editions.
- Xpert Full Service
- Experts prepare and file the return for you, from $99 plus $69 for all states. The page said the service was at full capacity when read.
- Tax calculators
- The tax resources section offers an income tax calculator and other estimators for working out a refund or credits.
Plans
StudioTax
Free$0
For income under $20,000 (combined $40,000 for linked returns) and residents of the northern territories.
License$17.50
per tax year, for up to 10 returns, per computer
Needed before printing or filing; a second license covers 10 more returns, CRA allows 20 per computer.
TaxAct
Free (online)$0
Federal filing for simple returns with no forms or schedules attached. A state return is $54.99 each.
Basic (download)$44.99
per tax year, includes 5 federal e-files
Downloadable software; state returns are an additional charge. The download page does not state which operating systems it supports.
Deluxe (online)$59.99
per federal return
Adds home ownership, child and dependent care, and HSA contributions. State returns are extra.
Premier (online)$99.99
per federal return
Adds selling stocks or crypto, selling a home and rental income. State returns are extra.
Self-Employed (online)$109.99
per federal return
Adds contract, freelance, rideshare and sole-proprietor income. A state return is $64.99 each.
Business (online)$159.99
per return, Partnerships (Form 1065)
S-corporations (1120-S) and C-corporations (1120) are $169.99 each. State returns are extra.
Ways to pay less
StudioTax
- Other savings
Free for income under $20,000
Individuals with line 15000 income under $20,000 and residents of NT, YT and NU need no license.
TaxAct
No public discounts listed.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, StudioTax or TaxAct?
As of Nov 13, 2026, StudioTax starts at $17.50 per tax year for a license covering 10 returns, and TaxAct starts at $44.99 per tax year (download); online from $59.99, states extra. One is priced for each person and the other is not, so which costs less depends on how many of you use it.
Which has a free plan, StudioTax or TaxAct?
As of Nov 13, 2026, both StudioTax and TaxAct have a free plan.
Which platforms do StudioTax and TaxAct run on?
As of Nov 13, 2026, only StudioTax lists macOS, Windows, iOS and Android apps and only TaxAct lists a web app. A platform missing from a listing is one its maker's pages did not mention.
More comparisons
How this page was made
- The verdict at the top follows a fixed rule. When both tools are in the same category and either is in our top three for it, the verdict follows that ranking: the higher-placed tool is our pick. The top three weigh who each tool suits as well as its grades, so a pick can go against the GPA. Otherwise the page does not pick one and says which grades higher: the higher GPA first; on a tie, the one with a free plan, then the one that starts cheaper in dollars a month, counted the same way for both; if they are still level, what the choice depends on.
- The grades are our own, from each tool’s review or report card. The GPA is their average.
- Prices, plans and platforms come from each tool’s listing. The table above says where each price was read and when.
- The differences and the answers to the questions are worked out from those listings.