The UFile Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about UFile in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
UFile
The Insider’s Guide
Canadian tax software, online or for Windows, free to start
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among accounting and invoicing tools, read from UFile’s own pages.
Made by Thomson Reuters · checked Nov 13, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from UFile’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on UFile’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 13, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.6
GPA, above 94 of the 127 other accounting and invoicing tools we grade
UFile is Thomson Reuters tax software for Canadian personal returns, sold as an online edition, a Windows edition and a professional edition. You can prepare a return for free and pay only when you print or NETFILE it. The online edition also comes in a Premium tier with priority support.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about UFile, taken from its own pages and our grades.
A web app and Windows program where you enter your figures, and no store rating on record.
- 1
Best for Canadian personal returns, online or on Windows
UFile is Canadian tax software, online or for Windows, and it is free to prepare and free to NETFILE for simple returns.
- 2
What it costs
Paid plans start at $20.95 (UFile Online); Windows edition from $26.99.
- 3
There is a free plan
Free to prepare, and free to NETFILE for simple returns (one T4 or a government pension, standard credits only), first-time filers, post-secondary students and total family income under $20,000.
- 4
It runs on 2 platforms
Web and Windows.
- 5
Auto-fill my return
Downloads tax information from most CRA slips into the return.
- 6
NETFILE certified
Returns can be filed electronically with the CRA and Revenu Québec.
- 7
Triple guarantee
UFile advertises guarantees of accuracy, satisfaction and the best tax result.
- 8
A 2.6 GPA, above 94 of 127
That is against the other accounting and invoicing tools we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Keep it
The plain part of UFile you could make: calculator and forms. What surrounds it you could not. The 2 things listed below take a company, not a weekend.
UFile at a glance
- Pricing
- Free plan, from $20.95 (UFile Online); Windows edition from $26.99
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- Web, Windows
- Made by
- Thomson Reuters
- Category
- Accounting & Invoicing
- Our grade
- 2.6 GPA, good
The report card
Best for Canadian personal returns, online or on Windows
UFile is Canadian tax software, online or for Windows, and it is free to prepare and free to NETFILE for simple returns. Paid editions start at $20.95 per return, and the page does not state the basis of that price.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | B | UFile Online starts at $20.95 and the Windows edition at $26.99 per return, which is a year's cost under the category's $20-a-month middle. |
| Free plan and trial | B | Free to prepare, and free to NETFILE for simple returns, first-time filers, students and family income under $20,000, which some people can live on. |
| Features | B | Auto-fill, NETFILE, free phone and email support and online storage do the whole job of a Canadian personal return. |
| Ease of use | C | A web app and Windows program where you enter your figures, and no store rating on record. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | Browser and Windows only, with no integrations listed. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who UFile is for
- Fits if you have a simple Canadian return and want to file free
- Works for students and people with family income under $20,000
Who it is not for
- Tight if your return is not simple, as the free route needs one T4 or a government pension and standard credits
- Watch out: the pages show 'starting at' prices only, and the final price and basis are not published
- Watch out: the Windows edition has no online storage
- Not for you if you prepare returns for others or for corporations, as UFile PRO and UFileT2 are separate products with no prices
Good to know
Good for
- Canadians with self-employment, investment or rental income
- Simple filers and students who may qualify to file free
- People who prefer a desktop edition that keeps data local
Worth knowing
- The pages show only 'starting at' prices ($20.95, $26.99, $32.95); the final price and its basis are not published on the pages read.
- The Windows edition is Windows only and has no online storage; the online edition works in any browser.
- Free filing for students uses a code from the Canadian Federation of Students, and the low-income route applies under $20,000 total family income.
- UFile PRO, for tax preparers, and UFileT2 for corporations are separate products with no prices on the pages read.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$20.95
To start. There is a free plan too
UFile has a free plan. Paid plans start at $20.95 (UFile Online); Windows edition from $26.99.
UFile Online
$20.95
starting at, per tax return; basis not stated on the page
Start for free and pay only when ready to NETFILE; free email and telephone support.
UFile Premium
$32.95
starting at, per tax return; basis not stated on the page
Online edition plus priority email, telephone and chat support and exclusive benefits.
UFile Windows
$26.99
starting at, per tax return; basis not stated on the page
Installed on Windows 11; data stays on your computer; no online storage.
The free plan
Free to prepare, and free to NETFILE for simple returns (one T4 or a government pension, standard credits only), first-time filers, post-secondary students and total family income under $20,000.
Read from ufile.ca on Nov 13, 2026.
Ways to pay less
Education
Free for post-secondary students
Under an arrangement with the Canadian Federation of Students, eligible post-secondary students can print or NETFILE free.
Stated on ufile.caOther savings
Free for simple and low-income returns
Returns with one T4 or a government pension, first-time filers and families with income under $20,000 file free.
Stated on ufile.ca
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
2
Places it runs: Web and Windows
Canadian tax software, online or for Windows, free to start. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: forms, calculator.
Auto-fill, NETFILE, free phone and email support and online storage do the whole job of a Canadian personal return.
- Auto-fill my return
- Downloads tax information from most CRA slips into the return.
- NETFILE certified
- Returns can be filed electronically with the CRA and Revenu Québec.
- Triple guarantee
- UFile advertises guarantees of accuracy, satisfaction and the best tax result.
- Free filing for some
- Simple returns, first-time filers, students and low-income families can file at no charge, as the file-for-free page describes.
- Online storage
- The online edition stores and lets you access a return for 9 years; the Windows edition keeps data on your computer.
- Free phone and email support
- Telephone support is included at no extra charge, with Premium adding priority and chat.
Where it runs
- Web
- Windows
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
UFile is made by Thomson Reuters.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
94/127
Other accounting and invoicing tools it is graded above
UFile's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 94 of the 127 other accounting and invoicing tools we grade, and level with 14.
It stands best on free plan and trial (B, above 93 of 127) and worst on platforms and integrations (C, above 2).
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 128 accounting and invoicing tools we grade, cut by the letter each got. UFile’s own letter is outlined.
- BValue for moneyAbove 89 of 127
- BFree plan and trialAbove 93 of 127
- BFeaturesAbove 86 of 127
- CEase of useAbove 6 of 127
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 2 of 127
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
The plain part of UFile you could make: calculator and forms. What surrounds it you could not. The 2 things listed below take a company, not a weekend.
It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 2.6 is higher than 94 of the 127 other accounting and invoicing tools we grade.
What you could make
- Calculator and forms: an app builder makes these well.
What you could not
- A real app for Windows. Something home-made would be a web page.
- The depth: we grade its features B, which means it covers the whole job.
What this rests on. UFile’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
StudioTax, Wealthsimple Tax, TurboTax and TaxAct
The 4 tools UFile is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 3.0GPA
StudioTax
Free plan · from $17.50/yr
Canadian personal tax software for desktop and mobile.
- Only UFile lists a web app.
- Only StudioTax lists macOS, iOS and Android apps.
- 3.0GPA
Wealthsimple Tax
Free plan · from $40/yr
Canadian personal tax filing with a pay-what-you-want basic plan.
- Only UFile lists a Windows app.
- 2.8GPA
TurboTax
Free plan · from $84/yr
US personal and business tax filing, self-serve or with an expert.
- Only UFile lists a Windows app.
- Only TurboTax lists an iOS app.
- UFile also covers forms.
- 2.4GPA
TaxAct
Free plan · from $44.99/yr
Online and downloadable tax filing for individuals and businesses.
- Only UFile lists a Windows app.
- UFile also covers forms.
- TaxAct also covers documents.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
12
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is UFile free?
UFile has a free plan. Free to prepare, and free to NETFILE for simple returns (one T4 or a government pension, standard credits only), first-time filers, post-secondary students and total family income under $20,000.
How much does UFile cost?
UFile lists 3 plans. UFile Online: $20.95 starting at, per tax return; basis not stated on the page.
What platforms does UFile work on?
UFile is available on Web and Windows.
Does UFile offer any discounts?
UFile publicly lists the following: Free for post-secondary students; Free for simple and low-income returns.
Does UFile have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. UFile is listed for Web and Windows.
Does UFile have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. UFile is listed for Web and Windows.
Is UFile open source?
UFile is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 13, 2026.
Does UFile have a student discount?
Free for post-secondary students. Under an arrangement with the Canadian Federation of Students, eligible post-secondary students can print or NETFILE free.
Who makes UFile?
UFile is made by Thomson Reuters.
What are the alternatives to UFile?
The closest alternatives to UFile in our directory are StudioTax, Wealthsimple Tax, TurboTax and TaxAct.
How does UFile compare with other accounting and invoicing tools?
UFile's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 94 of the 127 other accounting and invoicing tools we grade, and level with 14.
Could I make my own version of UFile?
The plain part of UFile you could make: calculator and forms. What surrounds it you could not.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from UFile’s own pages on Nov 13, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 13, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from UFile's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Thomson Reuters. Prices change, so check ufile.ca before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
7,721
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
7,721
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- UFile, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/ufile
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "UFile: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/ufile
Know someone choosing between accounting and invoicing tools?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/ufile/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded accounting and invoicing tools after UFile, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Accounting & Invoicing Insider's GuideEvery one of the 129 accounting and invoicing tools we grade, compared
- Zoho Invoice Insider's GuideFree invoicing app from Zoho for freelancers and small businesses3.6 GPA
- Zoho Books Insider's GuideOnline accounting from Zoho, with a free plan and six paid tiers3.4 GPA
- Cash App Taxes Insider's GuideFree federal and state tax filing inside Cash App3.2 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what UFile’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. UFile is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Thomson Reuters. Prices and plans change: check ufile.ca before you buy.