Keeping your PC running at its optimum is not easy. The more you use it, the more data it accumulates. Windows gathers files as you install software, but doesn’t always delete them. Background apps interfere with the performance of foreground apps, unwanted preinstalled software runs without you knowing, and various accumulated clutter – personal and collected while browsing – also has an impact.

Whether you’re using a Windows PC or laptop, a tool like Iolo System Mechanic is a good solution. 

Iolo is a California-based company, founded in 1998, that has developed a collection of PC security and maintenance tools. Iolo System Mechanic (and its variants) is among the most popular. 

We’ve assessed this software by looking at factors like price, features, usability, customer support, and how it stacks up against competing tools.

Iolo system mechanic: Plans and pricing

Three versions of Iolo System Mechanic are available, each at different price points and with an expanding focus and feature set as the price increases.

Iolo System Mechanic includes ActiveCare and DeepClean features, and 24/7 support, all for $39.95.

With Iolo System Mechanic Pro, you also get antivirus software with Real-Time Protection, System Shield, and Malware Killer. This costs $54.95.

Finally, there is the Iolo System Mechanic Ultimate Defense option. With this package, add Privacy and Password Manager tools to everything found in the other selections, totaling $63.94.

Note that all three options are essentially 1-year licenses, with annual auto-renewal.

A free trial of Iolo System Mechanic is available, which includes the ActiveCare and DeepClean options.

Payment is via credit card or PayPal, and Iolo System Mechanic has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Iola system mechanic: Features

Iolo System Mechanic boasts several features to help you keep your PC tuned and optimized. However, note that we found the user interface lacked natural intuition, with features hidden behind a non-obvious drop-down menu.

The Performance section of the tool is free to use in the trial version, whereas the Privacy, AntiVirus, and Password Manager tools are only available by upgrading the software. 

Deepclean

Included in the Iolo System Mechanic is a cleanup tool that is designed to handle network, browser, operating system, registry, security, and RAM issues. These are grouped under the Deepclean heading in the Performance section and can be worked through, one task at a time.

One feature of this we found particularly useful was the NetBooster for dealing with issues with the PC’s network setup. In this case, the software detected some particularly concerning issues, such as the TCP keep-alive setting and NetBIOS release.

Elsewhere, Iolo System Mechanic can detect and handle 50 different types of junk data and scans your PC relatively quickly. Other tools include a speed booster, which should increase RAM availability and CPU speed. Hard drive checking tools are also included for ensuring smooth gaming and media production.

Repair issues and remove bloatware

Iolo System Mechanic has an ActiveCare feature that can handle 30,000 different issues, aiming to keep your PC fast and performance stable. Meanwhile, the startup programs tool will help you find software that is running without your knowledge – those apps and services that launch with Windows but you don’t know about. Think cloud drives, gaming services, and even weather apps – you can delay when these applications run.

System requirements

Iolo System Mechanic is intended for Windows 11 and will also run on Windows versions 7 to 10. On older systems, ensure your hardware has at least 512MB of RAM (2GB is optimal) and 100MB of hard disk space available.

After installing the software, you will need to submit your email address to access the free trial.

Iola system mechanic: Interface and in use

The user interface is clear, uncluttered, and easy to navigate using the icons. However, it’s a bit annoying that one of the constant recommendations is to upgrade to System Mechanic Ultimate Defense—this also appears on the paid-for version of the software.

Downloading the trial version from iolo's website was fast, and installation only took a few minutes. One unexpected feature of the installation was a popup asking if I wanted to download and use Opera as my default internet browser as an optional offer from iolo.

Iolo system mechanic: Support

While Iolo System Mechanic has enough features to ensure your PC performance gets a boost, there may be occasions when you need help. This might be with the software, or with your subscription. 

Iolo maintains a good support page, which greets you with a pleasant “How can we help?” message and search box. There is also a telephone number for 24/7 premium support, although this requires an active license.

On top of this, a knowledge base answers questions on various Iolo-related issues, and there is a dedicated section dealing with Iolo System Mechanics.

Iolo has built a good reputation for customer service and has accumulated a 4.2 score on Trustpilot.

Iola system mechanic: Competition

Plenty of tools are currently on the market that are designed to get the best performance from a Windows PC. They include CCleaner, Ashampoo WinOptimizer, Nero TuneItUp PRO, and AVG TuneUp. How does Iolo System Mechanic compare with these tools?

The most obvious difference is the price. Even the cheapest Iolo System Mechanic option is more expensive than some of these tools. Keeping in mind that CCleaner has a popular free version, you would need a good reason for choosing a paid tool that does the same job. Avoiding this means opting for one of the more expensive Iolo System Mechanic variants if you’re planning to justify an outlay.

While the software is perfectly good at cleaning up PCs and delivering a boost to performance, its price when compared to competing tools offering the same basic functionality is a disadvantage.

Iola system mechanic: Final verdict

Although we were really impressed by the NetBooster feature, overall Iolo System Mechanic is a pretty standard collection of PC optimization tools. There is little else in this collection to set it apart from the competition unless you’re prepared to pay an extra $15. That’s where the password manager, privacy, and anti-virus tools are activated, but they’re not necessary to use the software effectively.

Then there is the issue with the user interface, which feels as though a menu has been moved for design reasons rather than usability. This, and the need to submit an email address to use a trial (very few similar tools require this) count against the suite.

Overall, Iolo System Mechanic cannot offer a decent alternative to CCleaner and the other competition.

• We've also highlighted the best system utilities and repair software

Automattic Jetpack is a well-known WordPress plugin suite that boosts the functionality and performance of websites present on WordPress. It was developed by Automattic, a company behind WordPress.com and also a major contributor to the brand’s open-source project. 

It offers multiple features in different domains including security, performance optimization, site management, and content creation. While Jetpack offers many features for free, it also has several premium tiers that provide advanced features and dedicated support. 

But is it really worth your time and money? In this review, we will be using this tool and breaking down the A to Z of this popular WordPress plugin. So, let’s get started.

• Want to try Jetpack SEO? Check out the website here

Automattic Jetpack: Plans and pricing

Here’s a list of different packages offered by Jetpack to improve the security, performance, and marketing capabilities of WordPress sites.

1. Security and Backup Solutions

Security Package: At an introductory price of $9.95/month (then $19.95/month), this plan includes VaultPress Backup with 10GB storage, Scan for continuous protection, and Akismet Anti-spam to filter out spam from comments and forms.

VaultPress Backup is available separately for $4.95/month in the first year (then $9.95/month), offering real-time cloud backups and easy one-click restores.

Scan is also offered as a standalone option at $4.95/month initially (then $9.95/month), providing WAF and automatic malware scanning for continuous site protection.

2. Performance and Growth Tools

Complete Bundle: Priced at $24.95/month for the first year (then $49.95/month), this comprehensive package includes the entire Jetpack suite, enhancing site security, performance, and business growth tools.

Boost Package: For those focused on site speed and SEO, the Boost package is available at $9.95/month initially (then $19.95/month), designed to accelerate website performance without developer intervention.

3. Content Creation and Management

AI Subscription: For $8.33/month (billed annually), this plan offers advanced AI tools to streamline content creation.

Creator Plan: At $9.95/month for the first year (then $19.95/month), it equips users with tools for audience building, expansion, and monetization.

Social Subscription: Starts free for the first month, then $14.95/month, simplifying content distribution across social media platforms.

4. Additional Tools and Services

VideoPress: Offers ad-free video hosting for $4.95/month initially (then $9.95/month), enhancing multimedia content on your site.

Search: Priced at $8.25/month (billed yearly), it improves site search capabilities for instant results.

CRM Entrepreneur: At $17/month (billed yearly), this tool aids in building better customer relationships and business growth.

Stats: For $8.33/month (billed yearly), it provides advanced statistics for deeper insights into site performance.

All plans include a 14-day money-back guarantee and the option to start with a free version of Jetpack for exploring basic features before committing to a paid plan.

Automattic Jetpack: Features

1. Security

Automattic Jetpack offers a range of features to improve the security of your websites. Here are the best of them:

VaultPress Backup: VaultPress is like a digital time capsule that provides both real-time and scheduled backups for your website. It goes beyond saving your content by backing up everything on your site, including posts, pages, comments, and media files. This cloud-based service ensures that the data is safe even outside of the hosting environment. Its one-click restore feature quickly brings back the site's integrity after any accidental data loss. Plus, real-time backup ensures that sites with frequent updates are fully protected, capturing each change as it occurs. VaultPress is more than just a backup tool - it also helps with restoration and migration, making site management easy and secure.

Scan: Jetpack’s Scan guards the website as it performs daily scans to detect malware and vulnerabilities. What sets it apart from ordinary scanners is its proactive alerts and automatic threat resolution, providing not only detection but also remediation. By integrating with your dashboard, this tool enables the users to take immediate action, minimizing the risk of prolonged exposure to threats. Its efficiency lies in its accuracy and automation, relieving one of the administrative tasks of site maintenance.

Akismet Anti-spam: Akismet uses advanced algorithms to filter out spam comments and form submissions, protecting the website's credibility. With its vast global spam database, Akismet can accurately detect spam and adapt to new spam tactics. This tool not only keeps your site clean but also enhances user experience by ensuring high-quality interactions in your online community.

2. Performance

Jetpack’s USP lies in boosting your site’s performance with its intuitive features. Let’s have a detailed look at them.

Site Search: The website search feature utilizes Elasticsearch to enhance how users look for information on your site. It's fast, accurate, and customizable to meet your preferences, helping visitors locate desired content more efficiently.

Boost: Jetpack Boost makes the process of optimizing your site's performance simple and makes it faster without any advanced technical knowledge. By focusing on ‘Core Web Vitals’, which are factors that Google considers important for user experience, it improves your site's search rankings and user satisfaction. On top of it, with its actionable insights, this tool provides guidance on refining a site's performance, making technical optimization accessible to everyone.

VideoPress: VideoPress ensures that your viewers can fully focus on your content by providing ad-free hosting. It focuses on speed and compatibility with various devices, ensuring excellent playback quality on all platforms. With VideoPress, your website offers an enhanced multimedia experience, captivating users with high-definition content without compromising site performance.

3. Growth

We were also impressed by Jetpack's growth tools that have been specifically created to enhance the reach, engagement, and content strategy.

AI Assistant: While testing, we found the AI Assistant quite helpful as it provides suggestions and improvements to enhance your storytelling. This tool helps you in creating content by generating ideas and refining drafts. It is a valuable resource for bloggers, marketers, and content creators who are looking for inspiration.

Stats: As the name suggests, it gives detailed data about your website's traffic, visitor actions, and content success. Using simple metrics and up-to-date information, Jetpack Stats assists in customizing your content plan to suit your audience's interests, improving engagement and visibility. It simplifies analytics, allowing site owners of any expertise level to use data-driven strategies for growth.

Social: Jetpack Social simplifies the task of sharing your content on various social platforms, allowing you to reach a wider audience with less effort. By scheduling your posts to go live at the best possible time, it boosts visibility and encourages more interaction. Additionally, Jetpack Social seamlessly connects your website with social media, making your work more efficient and improving your online presence.

4. Management

Here's how Jetpack guarantees the smooth functioning and management of your website.

Jetpack Manage: With this feature, you can easily handle updates, backups, security checks, and performance optimizations for all your sites. The user-friendly interface of Jetpack Manage simplifies even the most complex management tasks, allowing the user to maintain the health and security of their sites effortlessly. Using Jetpack Manage, site administrators can greatly enhance their efficiency and minimize the burden of managing multiple WordPress installations.

Mobile App: Jetpack’s app allows you to effortlessly monitor your site's activity, share content, and reply to comments from anywhere. It sends you instant notifications, keeps you informed about the site's status, and helps you to take necessary actions. Jetpack's commitment to offer accessibility to site administrators is evident in this app, which offers them all the essential tools at their disposal. Although the app seems to be a little boring when it comes to its interface, it delivers a good use case and can be pretty helpful for people who stay away from their laptops frequently.

Automattic Jetpack: Interface and in-use

Jetpack's SEO interface is clean and simple, housed within the Jetpack settings tab of your WordPress dashboard. Features are split into logical tabs (like Sitemaps and Sharing), with most tools activated or deactivated by simple toggles. While Jetpack covers the basics well, there is very little room for extensive customization options. 

Once installed, most features just require activation and perhaps a quick verification through your preferred search engine's webmaster tools. Plus, Jetpack SEO largely functions invisibly in the background, apart from the ability to add custom meta descriptions directly within the WordPress post editor. During our tests, we loved Jetpack SEO's ease of use, making it great for those wanting basic SEO functionality without complexity. However, we quickly outgrew the limited options, particularly when it came to customizing elements like title tags.

Automattic Jetpack: Support

Jetpack comes with a detailed knowledge base that’s open to all users. It can be used to browse for free resources on how to make the best use of the plugin. There’s even an active community forum where fellow users and customer support can help you figure out the solution to any problems you might encounter along the way. 

Priority support is only available to paid subscribers. It allows you to contact Jetpack’s support team directly. While this can result in a speedier resolution for websites with advanced needs, most users will find the free support offered via the knowledge base and community forum to be more than sufficient. 

Automattic Jetpack: The competition

There aren’t any single plugins that offer the same wealth of features that come with Jetpack. That said, Jetpack is known to cause bloating, a side effect of using heavy-duty plugins that causes your website to slow down. Various plugins offer one or more of the features that come with Jetpack. Used together, these plugins can offer the same functionality without slowing down your website.

Jetpack SEO, being a search engine optimization module, is rivaled by Yoast SEO, All in One SEO, and SEOPress—just to name a few. These plugins offer more advanced SEO features at a fraction of the cost. For example, they both also come with keyword research functionalities that help you see how well your blog post or website page is optimized for search engines.

Automattic Jetpack: Final verdict

Wrapping up, it's clear that Jetpack's standout feature is its simplicity; it's so easy to navigate that virtually anyone can use it, no matter their tech expertise. The pricing is pretty flexible too, which is great because it means there's likely a plan that fits just about any budget. Now, it's not all sunshine and rainbows—some of its features don't quite stack up against other SEO tools out there, and if you're watching your pennies, the price tag might make you pause. But all things considered, for folks and businesses looking to give their WordPress SEO a boost, Jetpack's still a solid bet. 

• We've also highlighted the best SEO tools

Whitepages is a well-known online directory service that provides contact information for individuals and businesses. It boasts the largest database of resident contact information in the United States. Founded in 1997, Whitepages has established itself as a leading provider of online directory services, fraud screening, background checks, and identity verification.

The website allows users to search for people using their name, phone number, or address. Additionally, Whitepages offers a reverse phone lookup feature that enables users to identify the owner of a specific phone number. Beyond its directory services, Whitepages provides a range of other services, including background checks and identity verification.

Here’s a look at Whitepages to give you a better idea of whether you should use it.

• Want to try Whitepages? Check out the website here

Whitepages has proven to be extremely valuable during the coronavirus pandemic due to its extensive databases of information. However, the online service is useful for many other reasons as well. It offers features such as scam and fraud ratings, along with search statistics. Whitepages contains contact information for over 275 million people and continues to expand its database.

Whitepages: Pricing

Whitepages offers a tiered pricing structure that starts with free, limited searches providing basic contact information. For those interested in more extensive data and the ability to conduct higher volumes of searches, various premium subscription plans are available. Plans like Premium Contact Info and Premium Business provide access to complete contact details, including all associated phone numbers and addresses, as well as features like contact saving and exporting.

The business-oriented plan, Premium Business Enterprise, comes with additional tools such as batch searching and access to property data, along with a significantly higher monthly search allowance. In addition to subscription services, Whitepages offers individual background reports for a one-time fee, which can include in-depth information such as public records, criminal records, and property records.

Occasionally, Whitepages offers trial memberships for a nominal fee, allowing temporary access to premium features. It’s important to note that Whitepages' pricing and plan details are subject to change, and their services primarily focus on data from the U.S. Therefore, it’s advisable to consult their official website for the most current and accurate pricing information and to carefully review the terms and conditions before committing to a paid service, as customer feedback often highlights potential issues with subscriptions and billing.

As of now, the Premium Contact Info package is priced at $5.99 per month, while the Premium Business plan starts at $9.99 per month, depending on the number of monthly lookups you anticipate. The Premium Business Enterprise package begins at $109.99 for 500 lookups, and separate background checks are available for $11.99 each.

Whitepages: features

Whitepages is a comprehensive online resource designed to assist users in locating individuals, identifying unknown callers, and obtaining detailed background information. One of its standout features is the people search function, which enables users to search for individuals using a variety of criteria such as name, phone number, address, or email. This feature not only provides basic contact details but also reveals relatives, associated individuals, and even historical addresses, making it easier to connect with long-lost friends or family members.

For those puzzled by unfamiliar numbers, the reverse phone lookup feature is invaluable. It identifies unknown callers by displaying their name, address, and other pertinent details associated with the number, helping users avoid scams or unwanted calls.

In terms of background checks, Whitepages offers robust reporting options that include comprehensive details such as criminal records, arrest histories, property ownership information, and other public records. This makes it a useful tool for individuals looking to vet potential partners or calm concerns about new acquaintances or employees.

Another useful tool provided by Whitepages is the reverse email lookup, which allows users to trace the sender of an email back to their identity. This can be particularly useful for identifying potentially spam emails or verifying the legitimacy of a contact.

For businesses, Whitepages extends its services to include identity verification and fraud screening. These tools are critical in helping businesses confirm the identities of sales leads, ensuring that the data collected through forms is genuine and helping prevent fraud, thereby safeguarding company resources.

With these diverse offerings, Whitepages stands out as a go-to platform for anyone seeking to enhance their knowledge of individuals and protect themselves from various risks associated with unknown contacts.

Whitepages: performance

The Whitepages website offers up a very speedy experience. At its most basic level you simply enter your search criteria into the dialog box and start your search. You’ll need to enter some basic information, such as names, possible location and so on in order to improve the odds of getting a correct return on your search. Considering how much data the Whitepages databases hold though the way it scans through this info and returns results is very good indeed.

Whitepages: ease of use

Customers of Whitepages can choose from using the online browser-based experience or opt for the Whitepages app. The latter is basically a tweaked version of the web edition, which lets users view current contact information.

Whitepages has aimed this primarily at people who want to get in touch with people quickly, or find out who’s calling them. The app experience, much like the desktop edition, is pretty straightforward as all you’re really doing is tapping into the might of the Whitepages information databases.

The Reverse Phone Lookup is a useful app for quick and easy phone number searches, serving as a convenient supplement to Whitepages. Although it is only available on iOS, it allows users to efficiently find information on phone numbers. If you identify a person and want to access a more detailed report, Whitepages provides the option to do so.

Additionally, we discovered that using this method gives you the choice to select an Enhanced Background Report. This report includes an instant background check and access to up-to-date criminal records.

White pages: support

If you need assistance while using this online service, Whitepages offers a preferred online Help Center as a starting point. The Help Center features a knowledge base that includes frequently asked questions (FAQs) and guidance specifically for Premium users, as well as support for customers accessing Whitepages on mobile devices. Additionally, if you have more complex questions that aren’t addressed in the knowledge base, or if you have inquiries about your account or billing procedures, there is an option to submit a request for further assistance.

White pages: final verdict

Whitepages continues to provide various valuable services, supported by substantial data that enhances its online experience and associated apps. However, this data comes from diverse sources, including phone companies and public records, raising concerns about the level of privacy individuals can and should expect.

Fortunately, Whitepages addresses this issue by allowing users to remove their information from the company’s database or correct and update any inaccuracies.

Overall, Whitepages leaves us with mixed feelings. It is a valuable tool serving a specific purpose, similar to general web searches and social media platforms. Nonetheless, how comfortable individuals feel about their personal information being so readily accessible varies. This does not deter people from using platforms like Facebook.

• We've also highlighted the best identity theft protection services

Zoom established itself as one of the best video conferencing options on the market, to the extent that a Google Search lands you several articles about it becoming so popular that it’s now used as a verb, thanks partly to its huge success during the pandemic

To date, Zoom now hosts over 300 million daily meeting participants and has added a ton of features to cement its place among the best video conferencing and best VoIP services for most businesses. 

New features like direct messaging, HD audio and video, built-in collaboration tools, an AI companion, and more have taken the app to the next level, as we'll discover in more detail later on.

• Sign up to Zoom

In this Zoom review, we go over several aspects of the software, including its plans and pricing, main features, customer support, and security, to help you determine whether it’s right for you.

We'll also take a look at its competitors in the VoIP space, like RingCentral, 8x8, GoTo Connect, and Aircall. TechRadar Pro recommends that businesses every size check out all of the options to make the most informed choice. 

• How we test, review and rate on TechRadar

Zoom: Plans and pricing

Zoom offers four plans, and the pricing per plan is for a single license. To host meetings simultaneously, you’ll need more than one license, so bear that in mind. 

The free plan (or Basic plan) offers up to 100 participants, but has a 40-minute time limit on group meetings. One-to-one meetings, however, are unlimited. 

Compared with other paid video conferencing suites, being able to communicate with so many people at once for no cost is great, but there are plenty of free alternatives like FaceTime for personal users and Google Meet for personal and business users, which are a little less limiting.

The Pro plan costs $149.90 (or £119) per year, and gives you the ability to host 100 participants, stream on social media, 5GB of cloud storage for recordings (up from 1GB previously), and real-time transcription. There’s also support for three whiteboards, which is great for collaboration, however they must be under 25MB.

The Business plan removes the limits on whiteboards and offers greater control for companies with regards to branding and single sign-on (SSO), which is usually the reserve of more expensive plans. Business costs $199 (or £159) per user per year, but at least 10 users are required for this type of membership.

On the high end, Business Plus doubles the recording storage to 10GB and adds Zoom Phone integration with unlimited regional calling for $250 (or £185) per user per year, something only a select few businesses might need. 

Some businesses will prefer to pay for their subscriptions on a monthly basis, which is available on all plans, however the 17% saving for annual commitments is sadly lost. The above plans come under the Zoom One family. 

Zoom also offers subscriptions for its Phone, Events & Webinars, Rooms, Contact Center, and new Whiteboard.

• How to use Zoom

Zoom: Features

Zoom is a powerhouse of features, supporting HD video and audio calling, social media streaming, screen sharing, integration with essential apps, and much more. Let’s look at some of the most important. 

All of Zoom’s plans enable you to record meetings locally, and there’s cloud recording on all the paid plans, with the Enterprise plan offering unlimited cloud storage (though you’ll need to get in touch with the sales department for a quote). Because all other plans come with a fairly limited space for storing video recordings, we think you’ll be better off in most cases paying for cloud storage elsewhere and exporting your files to that provider.

Audio transcription is available on the higher plans. This feature transcribes the audio of cloud-recorded meeting files and saves it, so you can focus on the meeting rather than worry about note-taking. You can also display the transcript in a video, like captions.

Live audio transcription, which creates a real-time transcript of the audio while the meeting is ongoing, has also been rolled out across all plans including the free tier, however language support is pretty limited. When it launched, it only supported English, however in due course plenty of other languages will likely be added.

Zoom was one of the first companies to bring virtual backgrounds to the spotlight, and although it cannot be credited to be the first, it deserves credit for the scope available. Users can pick pictures and videos of their own, or from Zoom’s small library, as well as use a less intrusive background blur.

Zoom suppresses distracting background noises to give you a focused experience. You can adjust the noise cancellation depending on your environment. On the low setting, it’ll suppress faint background noises. On the high setting, it’ll clear louder sounds, like keyboard typing or a dog barking. Much like RingCentral’s AI background noise cancellation feature, and indeed sound-cancelling headphones like AirPods Pro, the technology is still fairly new and does not claim to fully cancel out sounds. With background and sound blurring, Zoom does do a respectable job at highlighting its subject.

With the advanced plans, you can use the admin portal to track meetings and participants, receive usage insights, and manage all your company’s users on one account for simplified billing. 

Zoom: User interface

Zoom has a neat, uniform interface on both the mobile and desktop app. The home screen has four large icons to fulfill all your meeting needs: New Meeting, Join, Schedule, and Share Screen. You can use Zoom on the browser, but it lacks some features like meeting recording. Downloading the desktop client takes a few minutes and doesn’t have any restrictions. 

With a strong internet connection, audio and video relaying were smooth. Zoom’s latest version is well optimized and used around 15–20% CPU on a 2.20 GHz 4-Core Intel Core i7 device. This is a tremendous upgrade, considering the application used around 50% CPU in 2020 on devices with similar specs. On a Mac with an M1 chip, CPU usage still seemed to be at around 50% on our latest tests, which is disappointing considering the improvements that have been seen elsewhere.

Zoom: Support

Support is limited with Zoom’s free plan: you only have access to the Help Center, which has easy-to-follow video tutorials and guides. There is also a simple chatbot that connects you to the relevant resources. 

Pro plan users enjoy better support, with live chat and ticketing, while those on the Business and Enterprise plans can also avail of phone support.

A support ticket’s response time depends on its priority grade. Urgent tickets receive a response in one hour and high priority tickets receive a response in four hours. The normal and low priority tickets get a response within 24 hours. All the advanced plans have 24/7 support across phone, chat, and web, even on public holidays.

Zoom: Security

Zoom’s security has improved considerably since 2020. Meetings are secured with Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) 256, which is practically unbreakable by brute computing force. With AES-256, a one-time encryption key is created and managed on Zoom’s servers for every session. But this means the keys can be compromised if Zoom comes under a cybersecurity attack. 

To provide enhanced protection, Zoom has launched end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for both free and paid accounts, and users can opt to enable or disable this feature. With E2EE turned on, the encrypted keys are created on the participants’ machines, so only they have access to them. This data can’t be accessed by anyone else, including Zoom. However, activating E2EE disables features like streaming and cloud recording. 

Zoom: The competition

There are many video conferencing applications with incredible features, but the best software for you will meet your needs perfectly. 

Google Meet, for instance, doesn’t have advanced features like Zoom, but it’s better optimized for smaller teams. As part of Google Workspace, it integrates excellently with other Google applications, like Calendar and Docs. Then there’s Teams from rival company Microsoft, which offers a desktop and mobile app with similar video and chat functionalities, with the benefit of further integration with the company’s other products like OneDrive.

When it comes to security, Webex’s default settings enhance data privacy, so customers aren’t responsible for securing their accounts. Similarly, Lifesize’s meetings are end-to-end encrypted by default. With Zoom, you have to adjust your security settings yourself to avail of additional protection. If security is paramount for you, then Webex and Lifesize won’t disappoint. 

Zoom: Final verdict

Zoom is packed with great features and has a clean, user-friendly interface. It has optimized its performance to improve quality and reduce system load, and now offers end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for its meetings. Although Zoom’s default settings don’t bolster account security and privacy, it makes up for this with its advanced features and ease of use. 

Zoom is perfect for businesses with rigorous video conferencing needs. But if you only require simple features, then a quick setup web app, like Google Meet, will be more convenient. With a 60-minute limit on meetings and features like screen share, whiteboard, and virtual background, Meet’s free plan is perfect for basic use.

• Sign up to Zoom

Patriot is an online solution for handling both accounting and payroll tasks. It’s ideally suited to small business owners thanks in particular to its highly praised support, which can help provide ongoing help and also assist your business in configuring the system to work in the first place.

The company itself has been around for over three decades, so it clearly has plenty of experience on both the accounting and payroll fronts.

Patriot now counts 65,000+ customers on its books, having facilitated over $19 billion in payroll processing. It also boasts of an average time for customers to run payroll of less than three minutes – a testament to its ease of use.

• Want to try Patriot? Check out the website here

The real bonus with Patriot, however, is that it seems to have retained its original roots feel, with a keenness on providing a great level of customer service and support.

Adding to that ongoing appeal is Patriot’s easy-to-use design and a user interface that aims to provide business owners with an affordable accounting solution that’s reasonably stress-free too.

Patriot Accounting and Payroll: Plans and pricing

Patriot continues to offer consistent pricing across its product portfolio, which allows business owners to choose from the package that suits their needs the best.

Currently, there are two routes you can take – accounting or payroll software. Each has two different tiers.

Accounting Basic ($20/month) offers unlimited customers, invoices, vendors and payments, as well as income and expense tracking and more.

Accounting Premium ($30/month) adds support for estimates, recurring invoices, invoice reminders and receipt management, so it’s a much more rounded option for not a lot more.

The payroll service also offers affordable plans, starting with Basic Payroll ($17/month plus $4/worker), with unlimited payrolls, a free employee portal and other features.

Full Service Payroll ($37/month plus $5/worker) adds federal, state and local tax filing and some more filing tools.

If you want to add Time & Attendance tracking to either of these, it’s $6 per month plus $2 per employee on top of your bill. HR Software costs $6/month plus $6 per worker.

Although it could be perceived as a pain to have multiple add-ons, we’d much rather have the option of picking and choosing the exact parameters we need rather than paying through the roof for unrequired features.

Better still, Patriot regularly runs deals and has 30-day free trials. At the time of writing, there’s a 50% off for three months promotion.

Patriot Accounting and Payroll: Features

Despite its value appeal Patriot still comes armed with plenty of features, with some of the key options outlined below.

In terms of payroll processing, Patriot can handle both W-2 employees and 1099 contractors, with support for unlimited payroll runs per month. It’ll also help with federal, state and local tax filings.

When it comes to time and attendance, Patriot’s got you covered with an optional add-on for tracking hours, overtime etc and so on. HR teams can also add on compliance, employee files and permissions so that they can integrate a bit better with the finance department.

On the employee side, there’s a portal for accessing pay checks and updating personal information.

Integrations are pretty thin on the ground, but you can sync with QuickBooks for exporting payroll entries. This is probably because Patriot prefers you to use its own tools across the board rather than piecing together different software.

The whole system is mobile-friendly too, which makes it convenient for people on the go.

Users report that Patriot runs like a dream, which is hardly surprising given that the company has been plying its wares for so long. Given that the service handles a lot of data, particularly when it comes to employee details, Patriot also goes to great pains to remind us that security is its number one priority.

Data is encrypted, audited annually and the company also adheres to all federal privacy, anti-fraud and security laws.

Users tend to rate Patriot highly for its tax calculating tools, but note that while automatic updates to tax tables help reduce the chance of an error, multistate work could add further cost and complexity.

Patriot Accounting and Payroll: Ease of use

Setting up any accounting or payroll product for the first time can be daunting, so Patriot gains praise for its ability to get you started and keep things ticking over further down the line.

The company has done a great job in making improvements to the usability of the software, especially now that it has implemented a beefy setup wizard that can help new users get up and running faster.

If you’ve got employees to think about and want to be sure that information input into the system is correct and where it should be then this wizard is a real bonus.

Of course, setting things up is always going to be the hardest part of the process due to the need for adding employee data for the first time. However, Patriot has really come up trumps with the latest incarnation of its package.

Once you’re in, the dashboard feels easy to navigate as are the employee and contractor portals, which encourage some degree of self-service to take some of the pressure off HR teams.

There’s also a mobile app for employees to handle certain features, but naturally, it’s nowhere near as feature-packed as the desktop version, so admins are best off accessing Patriot in a more conventional manner.

Because the platform focuses on the essentials rather than a whole plethora of finance and HR-related tools, it’s pretty easy to get your head around. That, of course, comes as the cost of some lost functionality, but you’ll only really notice this if your business has pretty demanding needs.

Patriot Accounting and Payroll: Support

The level of support that comes with the Patriot experience is what seems to drive many of its customers to keep using the online accounting and payroll service.

Knowing that you’ve got people who can talk you through the various processes, features and functions is a valuable asset and Patriot consistently secures positive results on this front.

It’s pretty easy to get in contact with the US-based team by phone, email or live chat, which is generally more than can be said about most of its rivals.

Many companies operate a ticket-based system, where users must file tickets and then wait for support, which is frustrating to say the least.

Free setup help is provided via the onboarding process, and there’s also plenty of documentation and tutorials on the knowledge base side of things.

It’s worth mentioning that, since Patriot is US-centered, customers operating outside of the US may struggle with support.

Patriot Accounting and Payroll: Final verdict

Patriot is an excellent software option for business users searching for a duo of solutions on the accounting and payroll front.

The company has had a long time to perfect its formula, and while it continues to make improvements including within the user interface, the core tools inside this package come very recommended.

We found the pricing to be very competitive, especially for small businesses, and for those customers it does most of the basics very well.

In addition, having team members on hand to smooth the transition into using it makes Patriot very appealing.

Overall then, this is an accounting and payroll package that should be investigated, especially if you're looking for the extra benefit of that hands-on, real-time support.

If you need multistate support, things get pricier, and international customers are poorly catered-for, so in these cases, it could be worth considering a different HR platform.

• We've also highlighted the best accounting software

SoFi is a San Francisco-based company that first came to prominence for refinancing student loans. Founded a decade ago, the personal finance firm now boasts a user base of more than one million users.

The company’s investment platform, SoFi Invest, allows members to invest in a range of products, including stocks and equity-traded funds (ETFs). The platform, which is currently available only to US residents, is popular among traders especially because of its $0 fee for stock trading.

In September 2019, SoFi also added the ability to trade cryptocurrencies, specifically Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Ethereum Classic, and Litecoin. The platform uses Coinbase to handle all crypto transactions on behalf of its users.

Fees

SoFi extends some of the same benefits to its crypto trades that it does to users of its traditional investment products. For instance, it requires no account minimums. However, the minimum order size for purchasing crypto is $10, while on the other end of the spectrum, SoFi users can purchase a maximum of $50,000 worth of crypto per day. 

SoFi charges a markup of 1.25% on every crypto transaction. That means when you purchase crypto, SoFi will automatically add the markup to the market price it receives from the exchange. It's also important to note that SoFi will only allow you to submit market order trades. 

When it comes to sales, the platform does have a few minimum restrictions. For instance, the minimum Bitcoin sale amount is 0.001 BTC. For Bitcoin Cash it is 0.01 BCH, for Ethereum 0.01 ETH, for Ethereum Classic 0.1 ETC and for Litecoin 0.1 LTC.

The platform also has an ongoing promotion whereby it will give you $10 in Bitcoin when you buy at least $10 worth of any cryptocurrency within seven days of registering with the platform.

Interface and ease of use

To get started with SoFi, you’ll first have to register with the service, which involves creating an account and sharing various details to establish that you are a legal US resident. This involves sharing details such as your physical address, contact details, Social Security Number and such. 

Remember that while you can explore the platform without completing the application form, you’ll need to divulge these details before you can buy, sell or trade cryptocurrencies. 

Once you’ve created the account you’ll first have to link your bank account. Once that’s done you can transfer funds to your account, but SoFi requires them to remain in the account for one business day before you can purchase crypto.

SoFi’s dashboard is fairly intuitive and easy to navigate. While it only allows you to trade the five cryptocurrencies mentioned earlier in the article, you can track the price movements of several popular altcoins too.

The platform also enables you to buy crypto by specifying the amount in USD instead of the crypto units. Also since SoFi places market orders, the crypto is bought and sold in real-time.

Note, however, that SoFi is a pure investment platform, which means you cannot transfer the crypto you’ve bought to an external wallet, nor can you use it for payments.

Security

SoFi claims that it secures all crypto holdings from fraud and theft. However, it doesn’t share more details about these mechanisms or if they come with certain limits.

It should be noted that SoFi relies on an external exchange to complete its crypto transactions. This happens to be Coinbase, which takes pride in its security and insurance cover. Furthermore, SoFi claims that it doesn’t share its user’s personal information with its crypto trading partners and custodians.

When it comes to SoFi Invest, the investment platform, the company claims it uses a number of tools to secure the holdings of its members, such as two-factor authentication and SSL encryption.

Support

The platform has a vast set of documentation to cater to its multitude of financial products. The SoFi Learn section will help users acquaint themselves with the various services offered by the platform. 

The information under the SoFi Learn section is designed to equip users with everything they need to know about a particular financial product. For instance, under Investing you’ll find educational material that covers everything from the basics of investing to helping you manage your money during a recession. 

You can use the search function to dig up articles related to any topics or financial instruments that interest you. A search for crypto brings up over 60 articles that cover various topics to help enhance your knowledge of cryptocurrencies.

For platform-specific help, you should head to support.sofi.com, which helps users get to grips with the various products and specific features of the platform. Again, a search for crypto will bring up about two dozen results that will familiarize you with everything you need to know about trading crypto on SoFi.

Besides the documentation, SoFi also offers online chat and phone support. It lists different phone numbers for its various products, along with their respective hours of operations.

Alternatives

Unlike typical cryptocurrency exchanges like Coinbase, SoFi is an investment-only platform. This means that any cryptocurrency you buy on the platform cannot be used as payment or transferred to someone else’s wallet. 

Furthermore, as we’ve said before, unlike other crypto exchanges like Coinbase, you’ll not be able to move any crypto in your SoFi Invest account to an external wallet. Being a closed system also means that you won't be able to move your existing crypto into the platform for trading. 

SoFi claims that having a closed system helps it better secure your crypto assets, though you should be aware of the limitations that come with it. 

Also, the only fiat currency SoFi can handle is the US dollar, seeing as it is only available to US residents. To help establish that you are a legal citizen of the country, SoFi will ask you to furnish various details. This is to be expected from all good crypto exchanges and trading platforms and in turn gets you federal protection and safeguards for your funds. 

Final verdict

SoFi isn’t a full-fledged crypto exchange, in fact, it relies on Coinbase for conducting crypto transactions on its behalf. It’s markup is higher than some of its peers, but the overall transaction is at par or probably cheaper than some alternatives since SoFi doesn’t charge any fees for many functions.

It’s because of this very reason that SoFi makes for an attractive option for trading crypto. As long as you know that you’ll not be able to move your crypto inside or outside your SoFi Invest account, the platform offers a cheap, and easy to use option for conventional traders looking to dabble in crypto.

SoFi is a San Francisco-based company that first came to prominence for refinancing student loans. Founded a decade ago, the personal finance firm now boasts a user base of more than one million users.

The company’s investment platform, SoFi Invest, allows members to invest in a range of products, including stocks and equity-traded funds (ETFs). The platform, which is currently available only to US residents, is popular among traders especially because of its $0 fee for stock trading.

In September 2019, SoFi also added the ability to trade cryptocurrencies, specifically Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Ethereum Classic, and Litecoin. The platform uses Coinbase to handle all crypto transactions on behalf of its users.

Fees

SoFi extends some of the same benefits to its crypto trades that it does to users of its traditional investment products. For instance, it requires no account minimums. However, the minimum order size for purchasing crypto is $10, while on the other end of the spectrum, SoFi users can purchase a maximum of $50,000 worth of crypto per day. 

SoFi charges a markup of 1.25% on every crypto transaction. That means when you purchase crypto, SoFi will automatically add the markup to the market price it receives from the exchange. It's also important to note that SoFi will only allow you to submit market order trades. 

When it comes to sales, the platform does have a few minimum restrictions. For instance, the minimum Bitcoin sale amount is 0.001 BTC. For Bitcoin Cash it is 0.01 BCH, for Ethereum 0.01 ETH, for Ethereum Classic 0.1 ETC and for Litecoin 0.1 LTC.

The platform also has an ongoing promotion whereby it will give you $10 in Bitcoin when you buy at least $10 worth of any cryptocurrency within seven days of registering with the platform.

Interface and ease of use

To get started with SoFi, you’ll first have to register with the service, which involves creating an account and sharing various details to establish that you are a legal US resident. This involves sharing details such as your physical address, contact details, Social Security Number and such. 

Remember that while you can explore the platform without completing the application form, you’ll need to divulge these details before you can buy, sell or trade cryptocurrencies. 

Once you’ve created the account you’ll first have to link your bank account. Once that’s done you can transfer funds to your account, but SoFi requires them to remain in the account for one business day before you can purchase crypto.

SoFi’s dashboard is fairly intuitive and easy to navigate. While it only allows you to trade the five cryptocurrencies mentioned earlier in the article, you can track the price movements of several popular altcoins too.

The platform also enables you to buy crypto by specifying the amount in USD instead of the crypto units. Also since SoFi places market orders, the crypto is bought and sold in real-time.

Note, however, that SoFi is a pure investment platform, which means you cannot transfer the crypto you’ve bought to an external wallet, nor can you use it for payments.

Security

SoFi claims that it secures all crypto holdings from fraud and theft. However, it doesn’t share more details about these mechanisms or if they come with certain limits.

It should be noted that SoFi relies on an external exchange to complete its crypto transactions. This happens to be Coinbase, which takes pride in its security and insurance cover. Furthermore, SoFi claims that it doesn’t share its user’s personal information with its crypto trading partners and custodians.

When it comes to SoFi Invest, the investment platform, the company claims it uses a number of tools to secure the holdings of its members, such as two-factor authentication and SSL encryption.

Support

The platform has a vast set of documentation to cater to its multitude of financial products. The SoFi Learn section will help users acquaint themselves with the various services offered by the platform. 

The information under the SoFi Learn section is designed to equip users with everything they need to know about a particular financial product. For instance, under Investing you’ll find educational material that covers everything from the basics of investing to helping you manage your money during a recession. 

You can use the search function to dig up articles related to any topics or financial instruments that interest you. A search for crypto brings up over 60 articles that cover various topics to help enhance your knowledge of cryptocurrencies.

For platform-specific help, you should head to support.sofi.com, which helps users get to grips with the various products and specific features of the platform. Again, a search for crypto will bring up about two dozen results that will familiarize you with everything you need to know about trading crypto on SoFi.

Besides the documentation, SoFi also offers online chat and phone support. It lists different phone numbers for its various products, along with their respective hours of operations.

Alternatives

Unlike typical cryptocurrency exchanges like Coinbase, SoFi is an investment-only platform. This means that any cryptocurrency you buy on the platform cannot be used as payment or transferred to someone else’s wallet. 

Furthermore, as we’ve said before, unlike other crypto exchanges like Coinbase, you’ll not be able to move any crypto in your SoFi Invest account to an external wallet. Being a closed system also means that you won't be able to move your existing crypto into the platform for trading. 

SoFi claims that having a closed system helps it better secure your crypto assets, though you should be aware of the limitations that come with it. 

Also, the only fiat currency SoFi can handle is the US dollar, seeing as it is only available to US residents. To help establish that you are a legal citizen of the country, SoFi will ask you to furnish various details. This is to be expected from all good crypto exchanges and trading platforms and in turn gets you federal protection and safeguards for your funds. 

Final verdict

SoFi isn’t a full-fledged crypto exchange, in fact, it relies on Coinbase for conducting crypto transactions on its behalf. It’s markup is higher than some of its peers, but the overall transaction is at par or probably cheaper than some alternatives since SoFi doesn’t charge any fees for many functions.

It’s because of this very reason that SoFi makes for an attractive option for trading crypto. As long as you know that you’ll not be able to move your crypto inside or outside your SoFi Invest account, the platform offers a cheap, and easy to use option for conventional traders looking to dabble in crypto.

BambooHR has built up a solid reputation in the relatively short space of time the company has been going. The HR business was first launched back in 2008 by Ben Peterson and Ryan Sanders and continues today from its base in Utah.

BambooHR offers a cloud-based HR software solution, rather than outsourcing, that combines a great user interface with lots of practical tools for managing your workforce.

The company set out to build a simplified platform that works for HR teams and employees alike, and we think it’s nailed that brief.

The BambooHR package does a little bit of everything, which includes helping to onboard new employees, analyze people data and manage benefits all while helping to get the job done in a fresh and fun kind of way.

That’s not to detract from the potential of this package though as BambooHR has more than enough capability to help business of all shapes and sizes manage their HR workflow.

The only area we feel it fails to deliver on its promise of simplicity is in its pricing, because you’ll need to set aside a fair chunk of time to walk through the platform with a sales agent instead of being able to compare plan prices.

BambooHR: Plans and pricing

The amount of money you pay to enjoy using BambooHR basically depends on the number of employees you have working in your company.

You’ll therefore need to get in touch with the sales team to get a precise tailored quote to match your requirements as there is no obvious pricing that we could find.

This seems to be the way that many other rival companies are going, and it’s a shame to see this becoming the standard because it’s hard to compare them on surface-level without going deep down the customer acquisition route, which is timely.

At the time of writing, Core, Pro and Elite plans exist, and there are also some add-ons: Payroll, Benefits Administration, Time Tracking and Employer of Record (which is actually provided by Remote, another player in this space).

However, in the meantime it’s possible to try a live demo of the software, which expands to a seven-day trial if you think you want to spend time getting used to the features and functionality. The trial is a full working version and comes complete with sample data, so you don't need to spend time populating the package to see exactly how it works. This is a quick and easy way to see the potential of BambooHR.

BambooHR: Features

Bamboo offers a wide set of HRIS and HR features, including all the core essentials like employee records, document storage, custom reports and dashbords.

Once you’ve created an account and logged in to BambooHR all of the main features are clearly set out in the central dashboard area.

There are options that let you control the vital aspects of your workforce data, with the top menu offering instant access to My Info, People, Hiring, Reports and Files, all of which are pretty self-explanatory.

The main work area contains widgets with all of the main feature content, plus there’s direct access to crucial records such as vacation and time off for sickness.

In fact, BambooHR has a whole area for paid time off requests with a dedicated time-off calendar and accrual details.

BambooHR continues to have improvements made to its set of features, with an open API option allowing you to combine the package with other HR software services where needed.

There is also a BambooHR app marketplace too, that lets users explore other BambooHR-friendly software solutions that help compliment its capabilities. More than 150 partner integrations exist, according to the website.

Furthermore, the HR platform extends right to a worker’s first interaction with a company, with job posting, candidate tracking and offer letters all handled through the system, so you won’t need to setup them up later.

BambooHR: Ease of use

During our trial time using BambooHR we found that the SaaS solution performed impeccably, particularly considering it was quite well packed with plenty of sample data.

Logging in and getting started was fault free, and even the sign up was a doddle. Once into the main work area we found BambooHR to be everything it promised, with great functionality and no issues with managing records and adding, or deleting data either.

Overall, BambooHR really hits the spot with its solid performance.

There’s a really relaxed learning curve involved with picking up BambooHR, with a user interface based around its central dashboard that makes progress both quick and easy.

Despite its laid-back layout and menu options, BambooHR actually bristles with plenty of power tools, all designed to let you tackle human resources tools without the stress normally associated with this aspect of business admin.

BambooHR is very customizable too, with a settings area that lets you tweak all of the content tools.

Access levels, employee fields, approvals, apps, benefits, company directory, email alerts, employee satisfaction, hiring and holidays can all be tailored to suit your needs. It's even possible to drop in your own logo and set a colour scheme as needed.

Where the platform is widely recognized as being pretty intuitive, some note it can be harder to uncover some hidden features.

The mobile app is also less feature-rich, but this is a fair expectation from any similar software.

BambooHR: Support

Once you’re logged into the BambooHR system there’s always help at hand thanks to support options over on the top of the program interface. In this region there’s a searchable knowledge base, which can point you towards topics that solve many queries.

Resources and learning materials include webinars, guides, tutorials and other self-service help.

It’s also possible to chat with the support team from here. In the same area is the option to submit a support request.

General support includes chat, email and telephone during business hours, and customer feedback is mostly positive on this front. Responsive and helpful agents walk them through solutions instead of just directing them to articles, so top marks there.

BambooHR: Final verdict

BambooHR is a great option for small to medium-sized business that have to tackle human resources chores and more besides. The way it’s been designed and laid out means that those humdrum everyday tasks associated with HR duties are made rather more palatable than normal.

It’s got oodles of cool tools nestling in amongst the vibrant user interface, with everything from benefits administration through to performance reviews covered and a whole lot more besides.

That appealing user experience is backed up with strong core features, good integrations and a helpful resource base.

The fact that you can test drive the package before committing makes it perfect for business owners who want to make doubly sure it’s going to be right for them before signing up.

You’ll need to contact the BambooHR sales team in order to get pricing, although this is based around the number of workers your business employs. BambooHR is certainly one of the easiest solutions of its type out there, with plenty of capacity to accommodate your business as it grows too.

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TaxAct, like all of the other tax filing software packages, has been updated over the years and is now better than ever. The online tax solution packs in several enhancements for this year with improved tools for speeding up the time it takes to complete tax returns. There are several options for individuals and professional business users too.

Another bonus with this package is that TaxAct aims to remain competitively priced for anyone filing a federal return, which is always going to be welcome news. There has also been the implementation of a live Tax Advice feature, which is offered as an optional add-on for all packages.

Being an online software solution it follows a similar path to others in the field including TaxSlayer, Jackson Hewitt Online, Credit Karma Tax and FreeTaxUSA, with a step-by-step series of screens that walk you through the hurdles for filing your taxes. 

• Want to try TaxAct? Check out the website here

TaxAct has done a sterling job of late too, with plenty of refinements that make the whole process as painless as is realistically possible. If you’re a novice user you’ll still be able to make solid progress in not much time, which is clearly a boon for those of us who procrastinate when it comes to tax return time. 

TaxAct: Pricing

As is the case with any tax filing software package, price is everything. Little wonder then that TaxAct has moved to make its pricing look more appealing in light of the competition, although package prices have actually increased. On top of that, the Premier and Self-Employed options don’t include live agent support from CPAs or other tax experts, although this will be tempered by the rollout of TaxAct’s Xpert Help service in due course. 

The TaxAct website gets you off to a great start in that it lets you select various scenarios such as if you have children, have retirement income and investments too. There are the more obvious considerations too, with the free W-2 jobholders edition (State included) proving ideal if you’ve got fairly basic requirements. The free version also covers filers with dependents and if you have college expenses or retirement income to declare. 

Next up, the Deluxe package costs $29.99 (+ state additional) delivers everything in the free edition plus more besides. It’s ideally suited to homeowners plus those with deductions, credits and adjustments to file. The Premier model comes in at $39.99 (+ state additional), which includes everything in Deluxe with added features for investments, rental property and prioritized support. Top of the tree is the Self-Employed package, which for $69.99 (+ state additional) adds on Deduction Maximizer and year-round tax resources. All options offer the ability to add a live Tax Advice feature.

TaxAct: Features

Changes have been implemented on the TaxAct feature front for 2021, with improved integration, better workflow and the capacity for importing data directly into the application. This is particularly useful in the case of 1099 forms, but the same goes for W-2’s and 1099-NEC’s too. As before, TaxAct still allows you to enter business income, rental/royalty income and, basically any other income that is relevant to completing your return in a timely and accurate fashion. 

However, while the basic edition is free and offers support for 1040 and retirement income with state returns being gratis, you’ll need to pay for the more powerful feature set editions. Getting the paid for version of TaxAct will arm you with more options, but it can be a little tricky to squeeze the best out of the system, particularly if your tax situation is less than pedestrian.

TaxAct: Ease of use

One of the criticisms of earlier incarnations of TaxAct was that the filing software was a little too hard to get your head around. However, the TaxAct developers have taken this on board and the latest edition has had some improvements made in terms of usability. Navigation is snappier, with less faff involved than with previous editions and users can pick through stages much more swiftly than the clunkier way things worked before. 

Boosting the user-friendly appeal is the way it is now easy to import forms, such as W-2, 1099 and 1099-NEC’s. Indeed, you can also add in tax returns from earlier years, which makes much lighter work of the overall filing process. Granted, TaxAct still can't be described as a doddle to navigate, and there are still some clunky aspects to the experience. Nevertheless, TaxAct is on the up in terms of ease of use.

While some of the questioning might prove a little more trying for the less confident, there is also a decent level of help along the way that allows you to master the nuances of TaxAct. Given that the design setup is basically screen after screen, TaxAct has done quite a nice job of making the process workmanlike but, dare we say it, quite good on the eyes too. 

Mention should also be made of the app version, which can work hand-in-hand with the desktop edition so you can switch between the two as and when time allows it. 

TaxAct: Support

Along with numerous other improvements, TaxAct has been spruced up in the support department too. Users should lookout for handy videos that offer pointers into getting the best from key areas of the tax filing software. In fact, TaxAct’s knowledge base area has definitely improved and its pro-level tips come in mighty handy as you work your way through the various stages.

Due to some of the clunkier areas of TaxAct we think that it’s entirely likely you’ll need to call upon the help that’s available within this package. That’s not to sell TaxAct short of course as it’s a potent performer but you might need assistance to get to the final return stage. 

Enter then the TaxAct Answer Center, which is a very comprehensive area of the site that has multiple topics that will answer many of your questions and queries. The other benefit with TaxAct is that it has a constant Help and Tools area over on the right side of the page while you work. 

Quick and easy access is therefore just a click away. Email support is available across the different editions, while phone support is also on hand towards the filing deadline, details of which can be found on the TaxAct website.

TaxAct: Final Verdict

TaxAct has had a much needed dust down and the designers have clearly been hard at work making improvements where needed for 2021. While we’re yet to see first hand what the Xpert Help option brings to the table, or indeed how much it’ll cost, the rest of the modifications to TaxAct have beefed up its appeal. 

While there’s clearly a ways to go in terms of the tax filing package as a whole, the overall feeling generated from the newest edition of TaxAct is a positive one. That said, it’s up against the low budget FreeTaxUSA and H&R Block at the other end of the spectrum, plus a host of other tax filing software inbetween.

Nevertheless, the interface and usability have both been tweaked to work better for a variety of different subscribers using it in 2021, so the benefits are clear to see. Plus, TaxAct has also been given a once over to bring it bang up to date in light of coronavirus and the resulting changes to legislation. Tax reforms can be difficult to keep up with, so it’s reassuring to know that the TaxAct team have that base covered.

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