How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Rankite is independent; if a vendor ever pays for a featured spot, that listing is clearly labeled Partner.
Key takeaways
- UltraTax CS and Lacerte suit larger firms with complex returns; both use custom or quoted pricing and deep form coverage across entities.
- ProConnect Tax is the cleanest cloud option in the Intuit family, with pay-per-return plans and bundles for growing firms.
- Drake Tax and TaxSlayer Pro give smaller practices the lowest entry costs: Drake Tax Online starts at $299.99 a year, and both offer free trials.
- CCH Axcess Tax and ATX cover firms already in the Wolters Kluwer orbit; Tax Essentials packages start near $2,814 a year and ATX starts near $939.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 UltraTax CS | Mid-size and large firms with complex, multi-entity clients | See website (custom pricing by users, returns and states) | No |
 Lacerte Tax | Firms preparing high volumes of complex returns | See website (pay-per-return pricing and bundled plans) | Free trial |
 ProConnect Tax | Cloud-first firms that want books-to-tax in one place | See website (pay-per-return and Plus/Advanced bundles) | Free trial (3 free returns) |
 ProSeries Tax | Small firms that prefer working directly on tax forms | See website (pay-per-return and bundled plans) | Free trial |
 Drake Tax | Firms that want strong software at the lowest realistic price | From $299.99/year (Drake Tax Online, first user) | Free trial |
 TaxAct Professional | Independent preparers and small firms on a budget | See website (unlimited, low-volume and pay-per-return plans) | Free trial |
 CCH Axcess Tax | Firms standardizing on the Wolters Kluwer cloud platform | From $2,814/year (Tax Essentials 100, new customers) | No |
 ATX | Small firms that prefer installed, on-premise software | From $939/year (vendor store) | Free trial |
 TaxSlayer Pro | Seasonal preparers and first-time tax businesses | See website (Pro Classic all-inclusive plans) | Free trial |
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Starting priceSee website (custom pricing by users, returns and states)
Free planNo
UltraTax CS has been a fixture in mid-size CPA firms for decades. It handles the full range of federal, state and local programs, and its data-sharing design means client information entered once flows across linked returns, which reviewers consistently credit with real time savings during busy season. Diagnostics run as you work, flagging missing values before filing.
The tradeoff is cost and commitment. Pricing is quoted per firm based on users, return volume and states, so you negotiate rather than click to buy. It also sits inside the CS Professional Suite ecosystem, which is powerful if you adopt it fully and expensive if you only need the tax module. Firms with dedicated IT support get the most from it.
What we like- Deep form coverage including 1040, 1120, 1065, 1041 and 990
- Data sharing across returns cuts re-entry
- Integrates with the full CS Professional Suite
Watch out for- Custom-quoted pricing makes budgeting opaque
- Desktop heritage means heavier IT demands than pure cloud tools
Starting priceSee website (pay-per-return pricing and bundled plans)
Free planFree trial
Lacerte is Intuit's heavyweight for firms that file complex individual and business returns at volume. The diagnostic engine is one of the strongest in the category, and the built-in Intuit Tax Advisor turns return data into client tax plans, which helps firms sell advisory work. Hosting is available from $599 a year for firms that want remote access to the desktop product.
What firms should weigh is the buying experience. Detailed pricing is not published, so expect a conversation with sales. The input-based workflow is efficient once learned, but new staff coming from forms-based tools need training time. For established firms with complicated clients, Lacerte remains a safe, proven pick.
What we like- 25,000+ diagnostics and 7,200+ forms cover edge cases
- Optional hosting adds cloud access
- Intuit Tax Advisor built in
Watch out for- Pricing pages push you toward a sales call
- Desktop core can feel dated next to cloud-native tools
Starting priceSee website (pay-per-return and Plus/Advanced bundles)
Free planFree trial (3 free returns)
ProConnect Tax is Intuit's answer to firms that never want to manage a server again. It runs fully in the browser, pulls data directly from QuickBooks Online, and offers both pay-per-return pricing and Plus and Advanced bundles for firms filing individual and business returns. New firms can start with three free returns, which makes switching seasons less risky.
The honest limitation is depth. For straightforward to moderately complex returns it is excellent, but firms with highly unusual entities or state situations sometimes find Lacerte's desktop engine more flexible. Integration with Intuit Accountant Suite is the real draw: books, tax and advisory insights in one workflow.
What we like- True cloud software with no installs
- Direct QuickBooks Online integration
- Unlimited states and support included
Watch out for- New customers only on some promos
- Less customization than Lacerte for unusual situations
Starting priceSee website (pay-per-return and bundled plans)
Free planFree trial
ProSeries is the third leg of Intuit's pro lineup and the friendliest for preparers who think in forms rather than input screens. It covers the common federal and state forms including 1040, 1041, 1120, 1120-S and 1065, with pay-per-return pricing for firms whose volume spikes in spring and quiets down after. Free data conversion eases migration.
The product shows its age in places. It is desktop software first, with cloud access only through optional hosting, and it does not include Intuit Tax Advisor like Lacerte and ProConnect do. Solo practitioners and small partnerships that want an affordable Intuit option without the Lacerte price tag will find it a comfortable fit.
What we like- Forms-based entry feels familiar to experienced preparers
- Pay-per-return option suits seasonal volume
- Data conversion from other software included
Watch out for- Desktop-first with hosting as an add-on
- Lacks the built-in advisory tools of its siblings
Starting priceFrom $299.99/year (Drake Tax Online, first user)
Free planFree trial
Drake has built a loyal following by doing the basics well at honest prices. Drake Tax Online starts at $299.99 a year for the first user with returns billed individually, while Drake Tax 1040 and Drake Tax Pro packages start at $2,325 and $3,145 a year respectively for the 2026 tax year. Pricing is published openly, which is rare in this category.
The software is fast and covers more than 6,000 federal and state forms, and support has a genuinely strong reputation among preparers. The look and feel are functional rather than polished, and you will not find the deep advisory or research integrations of the Thomson Reuters and Wolters Kluwer suites. For cost-conscious firms, the value is hard to argue with.
What we like- Published pricing with no sales call needed
- Pay-per-return and unlimited options
- Famously responsive US-based support
Watch out for- Interface is utilitarian rather than modern
- Fewer practice-management integrations than the big suites
#6
TaxAct Professional
Best for: Independent preparers and small firms on a budget
Visit taxact.com
Starting priceSee website (unlimited, low-volume and pay-per-return plans)
Free planFree trial
TaxAct Professional targets the long tail of the market: independent preparers and small firms that file anywhere from a handful of returns to a few hundred. The tiered structure, with unlimited bundles, low-volume bundles of 20 or 40 returns, and pay-per-return, lets you match the plan to your season. Bank products let clients deduct prep fees from refunds, which helps cash flow.
The tradeoff is ceiling. Firms with complicated partnership, corporate or fiduciary work may outgrow it, and published pricing is thin, so you will talk to sales. For straightforward 1040 practices and seasonal preparers, it is one of the most affordable credible options available.
What we like- Flexible plans including 20- and 40-return bundles
- Bank products for refund-based fees
- No credit card needed to try
Watch out for- Pricing requires a quote
- Fewer advanced entity features than enterprise tools
Starting priceFrom $2,814/year (Tax Essentials 100, new customers)
Free planNo
CCH Axcess Tax is Wolters Kluwer's flagship cloud tax platform, and it is designed as part of a whole-firm system: tax, document management, workflow, billing and client collaboration share one database. The Essentials packages give smaller firms, with four or fewer tax professionals, a lower entry point starting near $2,814 a year for 100 authorizations. Larger firms buy the full Axcess platform on custom terms.
The honest catch is ecosystem gravity. Axcess shines when you use the modules together; buying just the tax module leaves value on the table. Firms already on CCH research or ProSystem fx products will find migration natural. Firms shopping purely on tax-prep price will find cheaper options elsewhere on this list.
What we like- Fully cloud-native with no servers to maintain
- Integrated document, workflow and practice modules
- Strong diagnostics and e-file management
Watch out for- Best value requires committing to the wider Axcess ecosystem
- Published entry pricing is for new customers only
Starting priceFrom $939/year (vendor store)
Free planFree trial
ATX is the veteran of small-firm tax software, now part of Wolters Kluwer. It runs on your own machines, which appeals to firms that want control over their data and do not want to depend on a browser connection. The form library covers more than 6,000 federal, state and local forms, and the vendor store lists packages starting at $939 a year. A free trial is available with no expiration on the trial account.
The desktop model is both the appeal and the limitation. You handle installation, backups and updates, and the interface reflects its long history. But for experienced preparers who like seeing the actual forms as they work, ATX remains comfortable and dependable, with unlimited support from dedicated managers.
What we like- Forms-based interface mirrors actual tax forms
- One of the largest form libraries in the category
- Trial does not expire
Watch out for- On-premise model adds IT responsibility
- Interface and workflows feel dated next to cloud tools
Starting priceSee website (Pro Classic all-inclusive plans)
Free planFree trial
TaxSlayer Pro grew out of a family tax preparation business, and it shows in the product's focus on working preparers. Pro Classic is all-inclusive: federal, state and local returns, free unlimited filing, all states included, and unlimited support. Cloud and desktop versions exist, and bank products let clients pay fees from refunds.
It is best understood as a 1040-centric tool. Firms whose practice is mostly individual returns, including seasonal offices, will find it straightforward and affordable. Complex corporate and partnership practices should look at the enterprise options above. For new preparers, the guided resources for starting a tax business are a genuine differentiator.
What we like- All-inclusive Pro Classic with all states and free unlimited filing
- Bank products integrated
- Resources for new preparers
Watch out for- Pricing is not published
- Aimed at individual returns rather than complex business work
We started from the products that dominate professional tax prep: the Thomson Reuters, Intuit and Wolters Kluwer families, plus the independent vendors that preparers recommend on forums and review sites like G2 and Capterra. We verified each product is currently sold to firms in 2026, checked vendor pricing pages and official stores for published prices, and marked anything unpriced as "See website". We did not run returns through any of these tools, and tax-season pricing changes yearly, so confirm the current year's figures with the vendor before buying.
Choosing between pay-per-return and unlimited
Pay-per-return plans suit firms with uncertain or seasonal volume: you pay only for filed returns, which keeps fixed costs low. Unlimited plans win once your return count crosses the break-even point, which vendors usually set around several dozen returns. If you file both individual and business returns, check whether the unlimited plan covers both; some entry tiers are 1040-only, with business returns billed separately.
Cloud vs desktop: what actually changes
Cloud products like ProConnect Tax and CCH Axcess Tax remove servers, updates and backups from your to-do list, and staff can work from anywhere. Desktop products like Lacerte, ATX and Drake Tax give you local control and work offline, but you own the IT burden unless you pay for hosting. Data conversion is free from most vendors now, so switching costs are mostly about retraining staff during an already busy season.
Switching tax software without wrecking tax season
Convert in the off-season, never in January. Run last year's returns through the new software in parallel to validate calculations before you trust it with live clients. Confirm that your state modules, e-file credentials and bank product agreements transfer cleanly, and budget two to four weeks of reduced capacity while preparers learn the new workflow. Most vendors provide free conversion and onboarding help; use it.
Frequently asked questions
How much does professional tax software cost?
Published starting prices range from $299.99 a year for Drake Tax Online to about $2,814 a year for CCH Axcess Tax Essentials, with ATX from $939. Most enterprise products, including UltraTax CS, Lacerte and ProConnect Tax, quote per firm based on users, return volume and states, so expect to talk to sales for exact numbers.
Is pay-per-return cheaper than unlimited?
It depends on volume. Pay-per-return is cheaper if you file a few dozen returns or fewer; unlimited plans break even somewhere around 50 to 100 returns depending on the vendor. Firms with steady, predictable volume usually save with unlimited bundles that include all states.
Can I switch from one tax software to another mid-career?
Yes. Intuit, Drake, Thomson Reuters and Wolters Kluwer all offer free data conversion from competing products, and most provide onboarding assistance. The real cost is retraining: plan the switch for summer or fall, and run a parallel season on old and new software before going live.
Do these tools handle business returns as well as 1040s?
All nine support 1040 individual returns. Business coverage varies: UltraTax CS, Lacerte, Drake Tax Pro and CCH Axcess Tax handle 1120, 1120-S, 1065, 1041 and 990 work well. Entry-level tiers like Drake Tax 1040 and TaxSlayer Pro are 1040-focused, with business returns limited or billed extra.
Which tax software is best for a solo preparer?
Drake Tax Online at $299.99 a year and TaxAct Professional's low-volume bundles are the most affordable credible options. ProSeries and ATX suit solos who like forms-based work, while ProConnect Tax is the best fit if you want cloud access and QuickBooks integration without IT overhead.
Do any of these include client portals and e-signatures?
Most do now. Lacerte, ProConnect and ProSeries include Intuit Sign digital signatures, Drake offers Portals and E-Sign as add-ons, TaxAct Professional has integrated e-signatures, and CCH Axcess includes client collaboration and portal modules. Check whether your plan includes them or bills them separately.
Sources we checked (12)
- https://tax.thomsonreuters.com/us/en/cs-professional-suite/ultratax-cs
- https://proconnect.intuit.com/lacerte
- https://proconnect.intuit.com/lacerte/pricing
- https://proconnect.intuit.com/proseries
- https://accountants.intuit.com/tax-software/tax-online/
- https://www.drakesoftware.com
- https://www.drakesoftware.com/pricing/
- https://www.taxact.com/professional/
- https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/cch-axcess
- https://shoptax.wolterskluwer.com/en/software/tax-software.html
- https://engagetax.wolterskluwer.com/l/339101/2022-02-17/44twv3
- https://taxslayerpro.com
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has spent more than a decade helping SaaS and e-commerce brands grow through search. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.