Head to head
Drake Tax or TaxAct Professional for a solo preparer?
Short answer
TaxAct Professional is the better start for a solo preparer with an uncertain season, thanks to a free evaluation edition and small bundles. Drake Tax is the better long-term engine for a preparer filing many business returns, with support included and list prices from $2,375 for Drake Tax Pro in tax year 2026.
By the BestTaxSoftware.com editorial team. Updated . Prices checked on vendor sites that day.
Where do TaxAct Professional and Drake Tax differ most?
Both offer a pay-per-return path. Drake’s includes 10 individual returns in the base price. TaxAct adds 20- and 40-return bundles between pay-per-return and unlimited.
TaxAct’s client portals are built on Drake Portals technology, per TaxAct, and sold as a separate subscription. Drake sells portals and e-sign in its $599 Practice Essentials Bundle.
How do they compare criterion by criterion?
| Measure | TaxAct Professional | Drake Tax |
|---|---|---|
| Time to first case | 9 | 7 |
| Learning curve | 9 | 7 |
| Cost at one user | 8 | 6 |
| Revenue per case enabled | 6 | 7 |
| Automation depth | 4 | 5 |
| IRS record handling | 2 | 3 |
| Client experience | 5 | 6 |
| Yearly, one user | Not published | $2,375 |
| Prepares and e-files returns | Yes | Yes |
| Pulls IRS transcripts under your authorization | No | No |
| Points to a resolution path (IA, CNC, OIC) | No | No |
| Builds collection-case packages (433, 656, 9465) | No | No |
| Client-facing portal or app | Partly | Partly |
| Signatures inside the product | Yes | Partly |
| Month-to-month option | Not confirmed | No |
| Price shown on vendor site | No | Yes |
Higher raw score in each row is shown in bold green.
When should you choose TaxAct Professional?
- This is your first or second season
- Your volume is under 40 returns
- You want to practice before paying
When should you choose Drake Tax?
- You file a full season of business returns
- You want phone, email, and chat support included
- You are comfortable with an annual license
Questions practitioners ask
- Is Drake harder to learn than TaxAct?
- Drake’s forms-based entry suits preparers who know the forms. TaxAct’s interview flow is gentler for new preparers.
- Can I try either free?
- TaxAct Professional offers a free Evaluation Edition that cannot e-file. Check Drake’s site for its current demo.
Sources: TaxAct and Drake Software pricing and product pages, checked November 14, 2026.