Tax Software Comparison 2026 – Ramsey

For people with a relatively simple tax situation, using the right online tax software can make a world of difference when it comes to getting your taxes filed—without suffering too many headaches. Tax software has been around since the 1980s, and today it’s the go-to choice for millions of Americans. In fact, more than 150 million tax returns were e-filed using tax software in 2025 alone!¹

Online tax software is popular for a reason. It’s convenient, budget-friendly, and walks you through the filing process step by step—making it a solid option even if you’re filing taxes for the first time. On top of that, most software programs offer different versions or add-ons, so you can choose the level of support you need.

With so many options out there, it’s smart to compare features and costs before choosing a platform. The right software depends on your tax situation—and how much help you want along the way.

Let’s take a look at five of the most popular online tax software options (in no particular order) and see which one might be best for you.

2026 Tax Software

TurboTax

TurboTax is one of the most widely used tax software programs available. It’s part of the Intuit family, which also includes QuickBooks, Credit Karma and Mailchimp. If you use QuickBooks or Quicken to track your business or personal expenses, you can import your data directly into your tax return.

Like most tax software, TurboTax saves your information from past returns so you can roll over your data each year. It also offers upgraded versions with live chat from a tax expert—but those extras come at a cost.

Pricing depends on the version you use and even when you file—and it can change without notice. You may also see a lower current price next to a higher “anticipated” price. The bottom line? Affordability and transparency are definitely not TurboTax’s strong points, folks.

You can file for free only if your return is very simple. Once you move beyond a basic W-2 and Form 1040—like itemizing deductions, reporting mortgage interest, or earning 1099 income—you’ll need to upgrade. From there, the minimum cost is $79 for federal filing, plus $64 per state return.²

And here’s another red flag: TurboTax makes money by steering users toward loans and credit cards through its parent company, Intuit. (Remember, one of Intuit’s companies is Credit Karma.) If you owe money to the IRS, TurboTax will conveniently offer you a loan to help pay your bill.

Getting a refund? TurboTax will graciously let you pay for their service with a portion of your refund—for an additional $40 service fee!³

Here’s a breakdown of TurboTax’s online filing options, starting with its most basic package:

H&R Block

H&R Block has been helping people file taxes since 1955. Today, it offers both do-it-yourself online filing and in-person help at offices across the U.S. You can meet with a tax advisor to ask questions or drop off all your tax forms and let them take care of the rest—for a price, of course.

When it comes to its online tax software, H&R Block keeps things pretty simple. The platform is easy to navigate, avoids all the heavy tax jargon, and walks you through your return step by step. Where H&R Block really stands out is its free tier. Unlike many competitors, H&R Block’s free version can handle specialized things like student loan interest deductions and retirement income.

Still, keep in mind that the free version only works for relatively simple tax situations. If you’re self-employed, own a home or business, or earn income from rental properties or investments, you’ll likely need to upgrade to a paid plan.

And that’s where things get a little tricky. H&R Block’s pricing isn’t very transparent—and that’s a red flag for us. We pulled the prices below from their website on January 27, but we’ve seen different prices depending on promotions and even how you get to the product page. When pricing changes based on where you click, it raises real questions about how up-front the company is about what you’ll pay.

Let’s take a look at H&R Block’s tax software options, starting with the freebie tier:

Jackson Hewitt

Jackson Hewitt may not be as popular as TurboTax or H&R Block, but it’s still a name to be reckoned with in the tax prep game. Unlike most competitors, Jackson Hewitt offers just one package that covers all tax situations. It has a flat base fee of $25 for one federal return and unlimited state returns, which is like a breath of fresh air after trying to figure out TurboTax’s confusing mix of prices and fees.¹¹ 

Another thing that sets Jackson Hewitt apart is its network of physical locations—many of them inside Walmart stores. That makes it easy to get face-to-face help if you want it, but in-person services typically come with an extra cost.

That said, there are a couple of trade-offs. Jackson Hewitt doesn’t offer a free version, even for very basic returns. And while its software is pretty straightforward, paying less often means getting less support. If you have a complicated tax return and need expert guidance, it’s worth paying more for peace of mind.

And here’s the deal, folks: Like TurboTax, Jackson Hewitt has started promoting credit with tax refund loans, such as its Early Tax Refund Advance. While getting part of your refund early might sound appealing, these are still loans—with estimated APRs as high as 35.99%.¹² That’s called crazy land, guys and gals.

Here’s a recap of what you can expect from Jackson Hewitt’s 2026 software:

TaxAct

Another major player in the tax software game is TaxAct. It starts by walking you through a simple “Find Your Fit” questionnaire about your life and finances—things like marital status, dependents, homeownership, student loans and retirement income—to help steer you toward the right filing option.

TaxAct offers four different packages, including a free package for simple returns. Unlike some competitors, live help from a tax pro isn’t bundled into higher-priced tiers. Instead, TaxAct lets you add its optional live support feature, called Xpert Assist, to any package for an additional fee starting at $25.¹⁴ That à la carte approach can be appealing if you’re comfortable filing on your own and just want backup on standby.

TaxAct also provides several free planning tools—like tax checklists and income and self-employment tax calculators—to help you estimate your refund or tax bill before you file. Just keep in mind that hands-on help from a tax pro always costs extra, no matter which version you choose.

Here’s a look at TaxAct’s four personal tax software packages:

Ramsey SmartTax

Ramsey SmartTax is designed to make e-filing accurate, up to date and reliable—without the confusion or upsells you see with other tax software. It’s the only e-file tax return service Dave Ramsey recommends, and it’s easy to get started whether you’re filing taxes for the first time or switching from another provider.

Powered by TaxSlayer, Ramsey SmartTax gives you access to all major federal tax forms, deductions and credits at a clear, up-front price. There are no surprise fees and no charges just because your tax situation is more complicated. It offers two versions: Federal Classic and Federal Premium.

Federal Classic includes everything most people need to prepare, print and e-file a federal tax return with the IRS—at a lower, straightforward price. For $20 more, Federal Premium adds extra support and peace of mind, including priority technical help and additional protections.

And if you’re looking for ways to be more intentional with your finances, Ramsey SmartTax also offers a Federal Premium + EveryDollar version, which gives you access to EveryDollar for one year. EveryDollar is Ramsey’s easy-to-use budgeting app. It’s helped millions of people take control of their money by helping them create a monthly zero-based budget.

If you also need to file a state return, Ramsey SmartTax makes that simple too. The cost to file a state return is $49.95, whether you choose Federal Classic or Federal Premium.¹⁶ And if you start with Federal Classic and later decide you want extra support, you can upgrade to Federal Premium at any point during the process.

One of the biggest advantages of Ramsey SmartTax is what it doesn’t do. Your data isn’t used to sell you credit cards, and no attempts will be made to sell you an advance loan on your refund. There are no hidden fees and no forced upgrades—just clear pricing and a debt-free approach to filing your taxes.

Here’s a recap on Ramsey SmartTax’s two versions:

Check Out Ramsey SmartTax Today

Bottom line: We want you to win with money 24/7—and that includes tax time. That’s the main difference between Ramsey SmartTax and other tax software. Ramsey SmartTax is designed to keep you winning. When you e-file with Ramsey SmartTax, you know you’re getting a clear and affordable price, a reliable filing partner, and most importantly, a product that keeps your well-being and financial future in mind.

Don’t just file your taxes this year—file them the right way.