TaxAct Business vs Wave
Side-by-side from the Top 11 rankings of The 11 Best Tax Software for Small Businesses and 11 Best Accounting Software for Small Business 2026 (Reviewed & Ranked). Last verified June 16, 2026.
The short answer
TaxAct Business ranks higher on Top 11 (#3 vs #4) for Small business owners and freelancers filing taxes / Small business owners and bookkeepers choosing accounting software (QuickBooks alternatives). A budget-friendly powerhouse for formal business entities, trading some polish for a lower price point.
At a glance
| TaxAct Business | Wave | |
|---|---|---|
| Top 11 rank | #3 / The 11 Best Tax Software for Small Businesses | #4 / 11 Best Accounting Software for Small Business 2026 (Reviewed & Ranked) |
| Score (out of 9.4) | 8.8 | 8.6 |
| Best for | Best value for S-Corps & partnerships | Best free accounting software |
| Pricing | $$ ($125 to $250) | $ (Free, with paid add-ons) |
| HQ | Cedar Rapids, USA | Toronto, Canada |
| Founded | 1998 | 2010 |
TaxAct Business
A budget-friendly powerhouse for formal business entities, trading some polish for a lower price point.
www.taxact.com/for-businessSee full entry in The 11 Best Tax Software for Small Businesses
Wave
The best free accounting software for solopreneurs and micro-businesses with basic needs.
www.waveapps.com/See full entry in 11 Best Accounting Software for Small Business 2026 (Reviewed & Ranked)
Methodology and scoring weights live at /methodology. No vendor pays for placement — see about.