Taxes
Best Tax Software
Free tiers, self-employed support and audit protection compared.
Last updated April 2026 · Fact-checked by the Finance Trio research desk
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Our Top Pick
Editor's Choice
Best overall value
Highest user rating
At a glance
| Provider | Award | Rating | Pricing | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wealthsimple TaxWealthsimple · Canada | Best value (Canada) | 4.6 | Pay what you want (including $0) | |
| TurboTax CanadaIntuit · Canada | Most guidance (Canada) | 4.4 | Free–$99+ | |
| FreeTaxUSATaxHawk · US | Best value (US) | 4.5 | Federal free; state $14.99 | |
| TurboTaxIntuit · US | Most guidance (US) | 4.4 | Free–$129+ federal |
The picks in detail
- 4.6
Best value (Canada)
Wealthsimple Tax
Clean, NETFILE-certified filing with auto-fill from the CRA.
Pros
- Effectively free
- CRA auto-fill
- Handles self-employment
Cons
- Limited phone support
- No Quebec provincial experts on chat
- 4.4
Most guidance (Canada)
TurboTax Canada
The most hand-holding, with live expert help available.
Pros
- Step-by-step interview
- Expert review options
- Handles complex returns
Cons
- Upsells
- Pricey for self-employed
- 4.5
Best value (US)
FreeTaxUSA
Free federal filing for nearly every situation, including self-employment.
Pros
- Free federal even for complex returns
- Cheap state filing
- No upsell maze
Cons
- Plain interface
- Limited import options
- 4.4
Most guidance (US)
TurboTax
Best-in-class interview flow and live expert options.
Pros
- Excellent W-2/1099 import
- Live expert help
- Audit support tiers
Cons
- Expensive for investors/self-employed
- Aggressive upsells
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