Head to head
TaxAct Professional or TaxSlayer Pro for a 1040 practice?
Short answer
TaxAct Professional is the better pick for a low-volume or new preparer who wants pay-per-return and a free evaluation edition. TaxSlayer Pro is the better pick for a refund-heavy 1040 practice that relies on bank products and wants unlimited 1040s and all states in every package.
By the BestTaxSoftware.com editorial team. Updated . Prices checked on vendor sites that day.
Where do TaxAct Professional and TaxSlayer Pro differ most?
Neither showed prices on the main page we reviewed. Get both quotes for your expected volume before deciding.
How do they compare criterion by criterion?
| Measure | TaxAct Professional | TaxSlayer Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Time to first case | 9 | 7 |
| Learning curve | 9 | 8 |
| Cost at one user | 8 | 7 |
| Revenue per case enabled | 6 | 6 |
| Automation depth | 4 | 4 |
| IRS record handling | 2 | 2 |
| Client experience | 5 | 5 |
| Yearly, one user | Not published | Not published |
| 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 | Yes |
| Signatures inside the product | Yes | Partly |
| Month-to-month option | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Price shown on vendor site | No | No |
Higher raw score in each row is shown in bold green.
When should you choose TaxAct Professional?
- Your volume is low or unpredictable
- You want to practice for free first
- You file some business returns
When should you choose TaxSlayer Pro?
- Most clients get refunds and pay fees from them
- You want a client mobile app (TaxesToGo)
- You want support in Spanish
Questions practitioners ask
- Which is better for bank products?
- TaxSlayer Pro, which integrates bank products so clients can pay fees from their refund.
- Do both include all states?
- TaxSlayer Pro lists all states in each package. Check TaxAct’s state options for your bundle.
Sources: TaxAct and TaxSlayer pricing and product pages, checked November 14, 2026.