StudioTax vs TurboTax (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, StudioTax grades higher than TurboTax: 3.0 against 2.8 out of 4.0.
Checked Nov 13, 2026 · graded Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
StudioTax grades higher on value for money and ease of use. TurboTax grades higher on features. They get the same grade on the free plan and platforms.
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
TurboTax
US personal and business tax filing, self-serve or with an expert
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 TurboTax if
- Fits if your return is a simple Form 1040 and you don't want to pay
- Works for people who want an expert to check or file their return
Look elsewhere if
- Tight if you itemize or sell stock, as Free Edition excludes that
- Watch out: online prices aren't shown until you're filing
- Watch out: desktop state e-file is $25 a state, and each extra state download is $45
- Watch out: paying from your refund, early deposit and Audit Defense cost extra
- Not for you if you're outside the US, since it's US tax only
How we grade them
| 3.0GPAStudioTaxVery good | 2.8GPATurboTaxGood | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | BDesktop Deluxe is $84 a tax year, under a year of the $20 middle, but it's a yearly price and states cost extra. Online prices aren't published. |
| 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 Edition is $0 to file federal and state, and about 37% of filers qualify. Itemizing, 1099-NEC, stocks, crypto and rentals are out. |
| Features | CNETFILE, ReFILE, linked returns and wide coverage do the job, but Mac has no Revenu Québec certification listed. | BGuided filing, document import, expert help and refund options. Nothing in the core job of filing is missing. |
| Ease of use | BA program you install and start with nothing to set up, and no store rating on record. | CNo rating read. Guided, but you gather forms and documents first. |
| Platforms and integrations | BWindows, Mac, iOS and Android, with no integrations listed. | BWeb and iOS, plus downloadable desktop editions. No Android app listed. |
| Best for | Canadian personal returns on your own computer | US tax returns filed yourself |
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 TurboTax. 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. TurboTax starts at $7 a month when paid by the year and scores 2.7.
They score the same, and StudioTax starts $5.54 a month lower. Of the other accounting and invoicing tools on the chart, 1 scores higher than StudioTax for less, and 2 score higher than TurboTax 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.
At a glance
| StudioTax | TurboTax | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free plan | Free plan |
| Starts at | $17.50 per tax year for a license covering 10 returns | $84 per tax year (TurboTax Desktop Deluxe, state e-file 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, $0 state and $0 to file, for simple Form 1040 returns only (about 37% of filers qualify). |
| Free trial | None listed | None listed |
| Web | ||
| macOS | ||
| Windows | ||
| iOS | ||
| Android | ||
| Made by | BHOK IT Consulting | Intuit |
| Price read from | studiotax.com | turbotax.intuit.com |
| Checked | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 13, 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.
TurboTax
- Online prices are not published on the pages read; they depend on the forms and the service level, and are shown while filing.
- Free Edition excludes itemized deductions, 1099-NEC income, stock and crypto sales and rental income.
- Desktop state e-file costs $25 per personal state return, except New York and Washington, and Live Tax Advice is $60.
- Paying fees out of the refund, early deposit and Audit Defense ($45 to $60) cost extra.
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.
TurboTax
- Three ways to file
- Do It Yourself uses guided software, Expert Assist adds on-demand experts, and Expert Full Service has an expert prepare and file.
- Free Edition
- Simple Form 1040 returns file at $0 federal, $0 state and $0 to file; the page says roughly 37% of taxpayers qualify.
- Expert help
- Experts answer by phone, chat or one-way video and can see a read-only copy of the return, with SSNs masked.
- Document import
- Tax documents can be imported from employers and financial institutions, or photographed and uploaded.
- Guarantees
- The site lists a 100% accurate calculations guarantee, a maximum refund guarantee and audit support guidance.
- Refund options
- Refund Advance offers up to $4,000 as a loan at 0% APR and $0 loan fees, subject to approval; paid early deposit is also offered.
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.
TurboTax
Free Edition$0
Simple Form 1040 returns only: W-2 income, standard deduction, EITC, child tax credit and student loan interest.
Desktop Deluxe$84
per tax year, downloaded software
Listed at $84, marked down from $94; covers one state download, with each extra state at $45.
Desktop Premier$119
per tax year, downloaded software
Listed at $119, marked down from $129; one state download included, each extra state $45.
Desktop Home & Business$134
per tax year, downloaded software
Listed at $134, marked down from $144; one state download included, each extra state $45.
Desktop Business$194
per tax year, downloaded software
Listed at $194, marked down from $204; state downloads are $55 each.
Online paid tiersCustom
Do It Yourself, Expert Assist and Expert Full Service; the price depends on return complexity and is shown while filing.
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.
TurboTax
No public discounts listed.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, StudioTax or TurboTax?
As of Nov 13, 2026, StudioTax starts at $17.50 per tax year for a license covering 10 returns, and TurboTax starts at $84 per tax year (TurboTax Desktop Deluxe, state e-file 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 TurboTax?
As of Nov 13, 2026, both StudioTax and TurboTax have a free plan.
Which platforms do StudioTax and TurboTax run on?
As of Nov 13, 2026, only StudioTax lists macOS, Windows and Android apps and only TurboTax lists a web app. Both list an iOS 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.