FreeTaxUSA vs TaxAct2026
FreeTaxUSA
Tax Software
Truly free federal tax filing for most filers with low-cost state returns.
TaxAct
Tax Software
Affordable online tax filing for individuals, freelancers, and small businesses.
Our Verdict
FreeTaxUSA has the pricing advantage with a free tier.
Choose FreeTaxUSA if…
teams at the freelancers and solo operators stage and budget-conscious buyers who want to start for free or at lower cost
Choose TaxAct if…
teams at the freelancers and solo operators stage and teams that need more power and don't mind paying for it
Side-by-Side Comparison
Green highlight = advantage on that metric.
| Feature | FreeTaxUSA | TaxAct |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Pricing model | Free | Paid |
| Starting price | Free | $30/mo |
| Free tier | ||
| Free trial | ||
| Ratings & Reviews | ||
| User rating | No reviews yet | No reviews yet |
| Features & Capabilities | ||
| Best for | freelancers and solo operators | freelancers and solo operators |
| Tracked features | 1 | 1 |
| Company | ||
| Founded | 2001 | 1998 |
| Verified listing | ||
Pricing
FreeTaxUSA
FreeTaxAct
PaidFreeTaxUSA
FreeTaxAct
$30/moFreeTaxUSA
TaxAct
FreeTaxUSA
TaxAct
Ratings & Reviews
FreeTaxUSA
No reviews yetTaxAct
No reviews yetFeatures & Capabilities
FreeTaxUSA
freelancers and solo operatorsTaxAct
freelancers and solo operatorsFreeTaxUSA
1TaxAct
1Company
FreeTaxUSA
2001TaxAct
1998FreeTaxUSA
TaxAct
Key Differences
FreeTaxUSA
Free✓
TaxAct
Paid
FreeTaxUSA
Free✓
TaxAct
$30/mo
FreeTaxUSA is best for…
Strengths
- Genuinely free federal filing
- Only $14.99 per state
- Covers most situations
- Simple interface
TaxAct is best for…
Strengths
- More affordable than TurboTax
- Covers all major situations
- Guaranteed maximum refund
- Step-by-step guidance
Pricing Comparison
FreeTaxUSA
Free
Federal filing free. State returns $14.99. Deluxe $7.99.
TaxAct
From $29.99/mo
Federal return from $29.99. State filing costs extra.
Pricing information is verified periodically. Visit each vendor's pricing page for current rates and plan details.
Feature Comparison
Both tools
- Tax Preparation
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the main difference between FreeTaxUSA and TaxAct?
- FreeTaxUSA has the pricing advantage with a free tier. Choose FreeTaxUSA if you need it for teams at the freelancers and solo operators stage and budget-conscious buyers who want to start for free or at lower cost. Choose TaxAct if you need it for teams at the freelancers and solo operators stage and teams that need more power and don't mind paying for it.
- Is FreeTaxUSA cheaper than TaxAct?
- FreeTaxUSA is free, making it the more affordable option. TaxAct starts at From $29.99/mo.
- Can I switch from FreeTaxUSA to TaxAct?
- Yes — most teams can migrate from FreeTaxUSA to TaxAct with a data export/import process. Check whether both tools support CSV or API data export before starting. It's advisable to run both tools in parallel for a short period to verify your data migrated correctly.