--- title: "Drake Tax Reviews 2026. Verified Reviews, Pros & Cons | Capterra" description: "Is Drake Tax the right Tax Preparation solution for you? Explore 116 verified user reviews from people in industries like yours to make a confident choice." source_url: "https://www.capterra.com/p/176133/Drake-Tax/reviews/" page_type: "reviews" language: "en" publication_date: "2026-10-19" --- Drake Tax 3.8 (116) [View alternatives](https://www.capterra.com/p/176133/Drake-Tax/alternatives/) Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team. [Learn more](https://www.capterra.com/our-story/) * * * Last updated October 19th, 2026 # Reviews of Drake Tax Ease of use 3.8 Customer Service 3.8 ## Pros and Cons in Reviews BC Bernie C CEOAccounting, 2 - 10 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “We have been using this software for over a decade and it has worked flawlessly. When we have issues, we contact Drake’s support and they respond very quickly with a resolution.“ March 24, 2025 RD Rena D Payroll Manager TaxAccounting, 2 - 10 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “Needing to attach certain forms with the return does not work.“ April 8, 2026 JD Joy D Tax PreparerAccounting, 2 - 10 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “The software is reliable and they have several options available so it’s affordable for the solo practitioner or a team!“ September 22, 2025 PN Paul N Tax DirectorAccounting, 11 - 50 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “The online self help features were very poor making it difficult to know how to fix certain instances without many years of working on Drake.“ February 20, 2025 BC Bernie C CEOAccounting, 2 - 10 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “Our overall experience with Drake Tax has been wonderful. Once you get past the huge learning curve of the many options and “outdated” interface the software is an immensely powerful tool.“ March 24, 2025 RD Rena D Payroll Manager TaxAccounting, 2 - 10 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “The option to import assets did not work well for me. “ April 8, 2026 MS Mitchell S OwnerAccounting, Self-employedUsed the software for: 1-2 years. “Definitely recommended as a cost saving alternative to the bigger products, although you probably need a little more tax knowledge to make sure you have the right information reported.“ July 16, 2025 KK Kevin K AdminAccounting, 2 - 10 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “Poor customer service, policies that keep you waiting for phone calls that never come.“ February 4, 2025 ## Showing most helpful reviews Showing 1-25 of 116 Reviews Sort by: Most Helpful Rating Company Size Reviewer's Role Length of Use Frequency of Use Wray R. PRESIDENT Accounting Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Best value for tax preparation software and you cannot beat the customer service" May 18, 2021 5.0 We love it. The people who say it is not a complete or accurate product are most likely just not as knowledgeable about tax preparation. We did some fairly complex returns to compare our previous software the Drake and Drake actually was more accurate than our former software. Drake does not however offer the same level of diagnostics and guidance for input as the other software. That is not a problem if you understand tax forms, but could be a challenge for someone who depends on the software to guide them. Pros The price and customer service. The software works so much better than prior tax preparation options we have used and it is 1/2 to 1/3 the price. Cons The software is not designed for inexperienced tax preparers. All of our staff are experienced preparers, but I would be hesitant to throw a new person into a complex return with Drake as it does not do much hand holding like many of the other more expensive platforms. Review Source RD Rena D. Payroll Manager Tax Accounting Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Drake-Love It" April 8, 2026 5.0 I honestly love using Drake Tax, I have used this tax software for almost 10 years now and I am happy with it everytime. Pros Drake Tax is a financially friendly professional tax software. It is easy to use, and you can store your documents in there document app. Cons The option to import assets did not work well for me. Needing to attach certain forms with the return does not work. Review Source PM Paul M. President Accounting Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Mixed reviews" August 7, 2026 2.0 The tax software is decent, the tax portal is poor, and customer service is terrible. You would think after buying a new company they would treat their long time customers better. Pros Over the years Drake has been a great company until 2025, when they were purchased by another company. The 2025 software had more bugs than usual and took longer for the updates to come out. But I was will to see how thinks played out. Cons I did not renew my portal when I renewed my tax software, but they charged me anyway. So, I called to cancel the portal, and they walked me through canceling everything. A day later, they called and said I can't cancel; because I agreed to automatically renew. Since they would not refund my $350. I let them know I would write this review. But they did not care. Review Source JD Joy D. Tax Preparer Accounting Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Drake is THE tax software" September 22, 2025 5.0 I will never use any other software as long as Drake Tax is available. The offer an all in one program. Customer service is always helpful and the software is accurate and reliable. Pros I have used Drake tax for over 20 years! They are simply the best! The software is reliable and they have several options available so it’s affordable for the solo practitioner or a team! Cons Price increase has been hard to manage.i realize the added security and constant updates require top notch programmers. Review Source MS Mitchell S. Owner Accounting Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Drake Tax is perfect for soloprenuers" July 16, 2025 5.0 Customer service has been helpful and the team is willing to work to find the solution, product delivers on what it's trying to do. Definitely recommended as a cost saving alternative to the bigger products, although you probably need a little more tax knowledge to make sure you have the right information reported. Pros Super inexpensive product that is ideal for solopreneurs and those doing taxes on the side when they are starting out. Pretty easy to get comfortable with the product quickly. Cons It lacks some of the more robust features that can be helpful if you have a large team, but it's not really trying for that market. Review Source Michael H. Accounting and Tax Manager Accounting Used the software for: 2+ years ### "No vote if you don't use Rightworks." February 6, 2026 1.0 It has been good until 2026 when we found out that Drake will not support their software unless you are a Rightworks client or have it installed on your local computer/server. We use a local cloud provider that has always worked for us using Drake without issues until trying to install Drake 25. It keeps crashing if we are able to get in, and now, it won't let us open it at all. No help from Drake in this matter because they are driving people to use Rightworks. Pros We have used Drake since 2013. I was always impressed with the ease of use and the customer support call-ins. That is, until this year. Cons Up until this year, my only con was the online support was lacking. I couldn't always find answers in their knowledge base articles. Switched from [Taxprep](https://www.capterra.com/p/185193/Taxprep/) We switched from TaxWise, it wasn't one of the choices. I was not here when the firm switched to Drake in 2013. I assume it was for ease of use. Review Source LG Leo G. Owner Accounting Used the software for: 2+ years ### "You get what you pay for" June 17, 2025 3.0 It's great for straightforward personal returns but horrible for businesses or anything that's more involved, such as international forms. Pros The main good thing about Drake software is it's very low price point. At times it makes you wonder how they're able to afford it. Cons Clumsy navigation and lack of consistency, especially with the state returns. Lots of times you need to jump up and down the different tabs that are hidden within other tabs in order to find a missing checkbox. Switched from [Lacerte Tax](https://www.capterra.com/p/249726/Lacerte-Tax/) The price of Drake Software is probably the only reason why people are using it. It helps new tax businesses enter the market because other programs are significantly more expensive Review Source IT Ion T. CEO Accounting Used the software for: 2+ years ### "they raised the cost by 23.10%" April 21, 2026 1.0 I am OK to deal with occasional (but painful) software hang-ups, but I hope they rethink this approach, because it’s pushing long‑time users away. No company should ever increase their prices 23%+ year-over-year. Pros Works as it should most of the time. It can be an efficient platform if used properly. Just need to be gently so it does not hang up, as it tends to do that. Cons The latest 23.10% price increase is disappointing. Year‑over‑year hikes of this size don’t reflect the value delivered, especially when many features remain unchanged. It feels like the company is prioritizing revenue over long‑term customer relationships. Review Source RK Rayid K. Accountant Accounting Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Used to be so much better" January 30, 2026 1.0 This software is horrible compared to what it used to be. I've been using it since 2012. Drake was sold 3 years ago and it's gotten MUCH WORSE since then. This year is the worst, by far. I've spent countless hours with support and they don't help. I will not be renewing it for next year. My advice is STAY AWAY! Pros Nothing anymore. Cost is reasonable, but it's not worth the hassle you will have. Most positive reviews are from years ago. Cons The software used to be good. Now it is junk. Most positive reviews are from years ago. It is frustrating to deal with now. Customer since 2012 but this is my last year with them. Review Source MP Marie P. Tax Preparer Accounting Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Great when it works, horrid when it doesn't " July 1, 2025 3.0 When it works great. However, by getting a different person each time if you have an issue, I have gotten conflicting advice. I am still a Drake client but going forward I will not default to suggestions from sales automatically. Pros When Drake works well, it is amazing. Customer service does pick up and can generally answer questions. Cons If you have a complex issue, you need to re-explain the issue. There is no relationship manager, if you have an issue you have to call, give the info again, wait for a call back etc. While Drake works well generally, I suggest ensuring you ask a lot of questions before listening to sales to proceed. Also, ask your sales rep if they will advocate if there is an issue. Review Source BC Bernie C. CEO Accounting Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Drake Tax is a powerful and useful tax preparation software" March 24, 2025 5.0 Our overall experience with Drake Tax has been wonderful. Once you get past the huge learning curve of the many options and “outdated” interface the software is an immensely powerful tool. The ability for the software to update clients from prior years is a particularly useful feature and saves us a lot of time. We have been using this software for over a decade and it has worked flawlessly. When we have issues, we contact Drake’s support and they respond very quickly with a resolution. Pros \- Great customer service - Local installation instead of cloud based - Updating client profiles imports return information from prior year - Filing amended returns is quick and easy Cons \- User interface has a large learning curve Review Source GD Greg D. Partner Accounting Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Worst software Ever" February 12, 2025 1.0 The worst experience / product I’ve ever used. Pros Nothing, it is so bad. I can’t think of a single thing. Cons Setup has been a nightmare experience for us. We are way behind on tax season and their customer service is a joke. Wish we never signed up. Just pay a little more and get a legit tax software. Drake hasn’t changed since the 1990s. Review Source SH Sam H. Owner Accounting Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Look no further for tax software!" April 26, 2022 5.0 So glad I listened to a couple of colleagues when they recommended Drake Tax! Normally when you are using an expensive tax software, you spend more time looking at how to correct the diagnostics than you do to input the return. Not with Drake Tax. The exceptions and notes tell you exactly what screen to go to. Each error message can be handled within a few minutes. Making the overall tax process smooth and enjoyable. Pros This is one of the most all encompassing tax programs out there. Feature for feature - I see why a lot of firms use Drake. Easy to work with - move around - get right to the area you need - and if that is not enough - the help you get is unbelievable!!! bar none! I admit I had to call them a couple of times this busy season (since it was my first time to use it) and every call was answered by a person that easily answered my question within a couple of minutes. EVERY TIME! I don't think I was ever put on hold. The customer service is outstanding as the software is. It interfaced so easily with Tax Dome as well. Cons The only drawback I saw was that it was not in the cloud. It might be a possibility but I didn't have time to waste this season if you know what I mean. If it could have been in the cloud and synchronize with Tax Dome automatically - I would be in heaven. I have to worry that my laptop could be stolen and then I would be in terrible shape... Reason for choosing Drake Tax Ease of use, flexibility of the system working with TaxDome, thorough - covers all of the state tax filings that I needed to cover - Drake Tax has them all. You can't beat it. Review Source SV Sandra V. CPA Accounting Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Wouldn't Use Again " August 15, 2023 1.0 Started off working well but went downhill in the last few years. Too many updates as well. Pros I had used for 14 years. If you have simple returns to prepare, it might be OK. Otherwise, look elsewhere. Paying more money will save you time in the long run. Too many boxes to check, details to check. Cons Business returns had balance sheet errors, M1 errors, depreciation errors, errors on the sale of an asset. Review Source RR Romaine R. CPA Accounting Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Form 8825 is manual" June 29, 2023 2.0 Use to be very good. Had very good technical with quick answers in customer service. That has totally gone downhill in the last 2 years. People answering the phone have no experience doing returns nor experience with the software. The software has many missing holes and if you don't know what you are doing as a preparer you will be sending out incorrect tax returns and the reviews do not pick up errors and there is nothing that tells you that the allocation of days on Form 8825 is manual - MANUAL!? WHAT? Pros The fact that data does not carry from federal to state, Form 8825 is manual for allocation of rental days to personal days and does not tell you that (how many returns have been efiled wrong?), Hard to trouble shoot, easy for a return to be wrong if you don't know what you are doing. Cons Form 8825 - rental property should not be manual for allocation of personal to rental days!!! Review Source KO KENNETH O. PRINCIPAL Accounting Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Once you're up to speed it's a great cost effective product!" January 7, 2021 5.0 I've got 15 returns in progress at the moment (990, 1120S/H, 1040, 1041), and now know where to find the entry points for the data I need. When you calculate and view the return the program spits out notes on what is wrong and tells you how and where to fix things. You can print right to the portal so client communication is great. There are multi prepared, billing, and client management functionality I don't need and can't comment on. Once you're up the learning curve you are in an excellent cost effective tax return package! Pros I was a long time ATX user and do only a small number of returns yearly in my private practice. The yearly cost kept going up and up and my sales person was unresponsive to my cost concerns. Drake has an ATX conversion program which I tried on 2019 and it brought over some large asset lists correctly so I took the plunge. I also bought Drake's portal software and will end up spending less than half of what I spent on ATX without the ATX portal. There are lots of video tutorials and an nice set of help functionality. Usually I just played with entries until I got the tax form to be right and that was how I learned the program. The Support is GREAT. A real person answered the phone instantly(!), and they knew what they were doing. Cons I've used TaxSlayer, TurboTax, and ATX. ATX's big advantage is you can click on a form and go directly to the input screens and it is in general more user friendly. I learned Tax Slayer last year as an AARP Tax Aide Volunteer. With Drake there was a tougher learning curve than Tax Slayer to figure out where and how to enter data and how the program thinks with the override entries, but once you get the hang of things it becomes straight forward. There is a search bar at the bottom of the main screen which is often helpful pulling up the correct data entry screen. Reason for choosing Drake Tax ATX data import. Review Source WP WALTER P. Owner Accounting Used the software for: 2+ years ### "NOT FOR TAX PROFESSIONALS" April 11, 2019 2.0 Pros Costs; easy to update yearly; efiling is accurate and timely. Cons Tech support is hit or miss depending on what person you get. I have dealt with clearly untrained support reps throughout the years. If you are a tax professional with a substantial number of clients, I would NOT recommend this software. Drake will not work with you at all regarding the default selections and the program is very limited when it comes to customizing it for a larger practice. Even when we point out obvious coding errors, many of them are never corrected despite repeated calls and emails to their support. Every year they seem to get worse. They really do not seem to care about the concerns and feedback of their customers. The only reason we have not changed from Drake is the investment in time it takes to change platforms. Moving thousands of clients requires a substantial investment of time even with the conversion softwares provided by other platforms. Maybe that is why Drake seems to care less for the concerns of their customers. Review Source AB Allan B. President Accounting Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Great with Admin and Support" November 24, 2021 5.0 We have used Drake for years. Would love to be able to take a full-view webinar of everything the program offers. With the exception of one tax season, they have been reliable and foremost - easy to administer. Pros Drake's people answer the phone within a few rings and speak Americanized English. Their admin function is best we have seen; fast and easy Cons This appears to be a DOS-based program modified for Windows use. We have used other tax software that allows you to input the info directly into the tax form, instead of hunting through a bunch of Dos-looking screens to find the place to input info. Also - amazingly, Drake does not offer Refund or Owed updates as you input info. The learning curve due to the various Dos screens add to the length of time to implement with a new user Reason for choosing Drake Tax Admin and support Review Source JH Joel H. Owner Financial Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Drake is so easy to learn and use" September 29, 2022 5.0 I have had it for over 3 years now. I have shopped for software but everything else is so expensive. Between the price, easy of use, and the customer support, I am not sure you can find a better deal. Pros Drake is easy to learn and use. The ramp-up time is so short. The customer support is so good and can walk you through just about anything. Cons There is nothing to dislike about this software. Alternatives considered [Intuit ProConnect Tax](https://www.capterra.com/p/249727/ProConnect-Tax/)[Lacerte Tax](https://www.capterra.com/p/249726/Lacerte-Tax/) Reason for choosing Drake Tax Drake was by far cheaper Review Source aR achol R. it specialist Computer Software Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Drake is great !!" November 5, 2018 5.0 Pros Drake is software is really so easy to use, I been working on this software for about 2.5 years now, the most I like about it, is that all the tax forms are included, very easy to navigate around the software, in the calc window its shows you almost everything , if the return is eligible for E-filing, all the errors that need to be clear, the fees, the refund or the balance due, if there are any notes before E-filing it will show you so that you can go check that, I can even Email the returns to the taxpayer, I can use the signature pad, if the return got rejected for any reason it shows you exactly what's wrong, in order for you to resolve and resubmit , I can even set limited access to other tax preparers and adjust all that ... Drake is great, so recommended Cons what I really need on the software to support the remote signature ,other than that all good. Review Source SD Shellie D. Tax accountant Accounting Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Ease of use with Drake Tax" September 7, 2022 5.0 Excellent. We have gone through several companies and it is by far the most user friendly. Pros I love how easy forms are to find use and fill out. Easily checking for errors and tracking past years returns. Cons Some help features could use more instructions. Reason for choosing Drake Tax Pricing and ease of use. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Staff Accountant Accounting Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Drake Software Review" October 3, 2018 5.0 Drake tax for its value was one of the easiest tax softwares to navigate. It heightened efficiency and is great all around. Pros The software itself is very easy to follow along with a tax return. Like things are located on each tab which allows for high efficiency. If there are any questions the customer support is very very helpful. Cons Needs to update items that carryforoward a little better Review Source CT Carolyn T. Owner Accounting Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Tax Preparation " March 27, 2023 5.0 Pros The customer service and ease of use of software. The customer service department is awesome and you do not have to wait more than 2 minutes to speak with an agent. Cons Secure File Pro-had an oversight with payment. When I did pay, it created a new portal that wrote over my existing portal. I lost 7 years of tax docs for client who uploaded directly in the portal.It would have been helpful if there was astern that this could occur before submitting payment. Review Source SZ Sireen Z. Tax assistant Accounting Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Easy and straightforward " November 22, 2021 5.0 Highly recommend Pros I like how simple it is to use Drake and to train new employees. It is a very straightforward software and simple to use. Cons Honestly this is a great softwares and I don’t have any negative feedback on it. Review Source JP Jeanie P. President Accounting Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Good product for the money" May 24, 2022 4.0 Pros Drake is very user-friendly & easy to learn Cons Some of the advanced tax prep/planning needs are not available or do not work very well Review Source Similar Products Featured