Find The Right Business and productivity

Quicken Deluxe 2010

Quicken 2010 is a solid finance package, especially for novices, but offers little that's substantively new.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows Vista, 400 MHz (Microsoft Windows XP), 1 GHz (Microsoft Windows Vista) 400 MHz, 1 GHz, 2x CD-ROM, XGA monitor, 400 MHz (Microsoft Windows XP), 1 GHz (Microsoft Windows Vista), 400 MHz, 1 GHz, Windows

Corel Home Office

Despite some compatibility setbacks, Corel Home Office suite is useful for creating documents. Its conscientious size, small-screen optimizations, and attractive price make it a good buy for a Netbook office suite, or for saving space by shedding advanced features.

Specs: 1 user, 1 GHz, USB drive, Mouse or tablet, 1 GHz

H&R Block TaxCut Premium Federal + State + E-file 2008 (1 User, Box Set, Download)

TaxCut 2008 is missing TurboTax's advanced importing engines and sophisticated tax tools, and it takes longer than TurboTax to fill out. However, its free session of live tax advice and free live audit support will win over taxpayers who value personalized customer service.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, Apple MacOS X 10.4 or later, 2x CD-ROM, SVGA monitor, MacOS, Windows, Safari 2.0, Internet Explorer 6.0 or later

TurboTax Deluxe 2008 (Federal + State)

TurboTax 2008 is the most expensive tax app on the market, but it's also fast, complete, and straightforward. If finishing quickly is your goal, the extra cost is worth it. If you anticipate wanting live help support, look into TaxCut.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, MacOS, Windows

Intuit QuickBooks Accounting Premier 2-User Edition 2009 (QuickBooks.com only)

Intuit QuickBooks Premier 2009 keeps the program's well-designed, intuitive interface, while adding a few new features. It's a worthy upgrade for people serious about online banking, and it remains the best accounting program for small business owners. However, Intuit should be more generous with customer support, particularly for setup issues.

Specs: 2 users, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later, 1.8 GHz (Microsoft Windows XP), 2 GHz (Microsoft Windows Vista) 1.8 GHz, 2 GHz, 4x CD-ROM, SVGA monitor, Internet connection, 1.8 GHz (Microsoft Windows XP), 2 GHz (Microsoft Windows Vista), 1.8 GHz, 2 GHz, Windows, Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0

Intuit QuickBooks Accounting Premier 3-User Edition 2009

Intuit QuickBooks Premier 2009 keeps the program's well-designed, intuitive interface, while adding a few new features. It's a worthy upgrade for people serious about online banking, and it remains the best accounting program for small business owners. However, Intuit should be more generous with customer support, particularly for setup issues.

Specs: 3 users, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later, 1.8 GHz (Microsoft Windows XP), 2 GHz (Microsoft Windows Vista) 1.8 GHz, 2 GHz, 4x CD-ROM, SVGA monitor, Internet connection, 1.8 GHz (Microsoft Windows XP), 2 GHz (Microsoft Windows Vista), 1.8 GHz, 2 GHz, Windows, Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0

Intuit QuickBooks Accounting Pro Edition 2009

Intuit QuickBooks Premier 2009 keeps the program's well-designed, intuitive interface, while adding a few new features. It's a worthy upgrade for people serious about online banking, and it remains the best accounting program for small business owners. However, Intuit should be more generous with customer support, particularly for setup issues.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later, 1.8 GHz (Microsoft Windows XP), 2 GHz (Microsoft Windows Vista) 1.8 GHz, 2 GHz, 4x CD-ROM, SVGA monitor, Internet connection, 1.8 GHz (Microsoft Windows XP), 2 GHz (Microsoft Windows Vista), 1.8 GHz, 2 GHz, Windows, Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0

Intuit QuickBooks Accounting Pro 3-User Edition 2009

Intuit QuickBooks Premier 2009 keeps the program's well-designed, intuitive interface, while adding a few new features. It's a worthy upgrade for people serious about online banking, and it remains the best accounting program for small business owners. However, Intuit should be more generous with customer support, particularly for setup issues.

Specs: 3 users, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later, 1.8 GHz (Microsoft Windows XP), 2 GHz (Microsoft Windows Vista) 1.8 GHz, 2 GHz, 4x CD-ROM, SVGA monitor, Internet connection, 1.8 GHz (Microsoft Windows XP), 2 GHz (Microsoft Windows Vista), 1.8 GHz, 2 GHz, Windows, Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0

Intuit QuickBooks Accounting Pro 2-User Edition 2009

Intuit QuickBooks Premier 2009 keeps the program's well-designed, intuitive interface, while adding a few new features. It's a worthy upgrade for people serious about online banking, and it remains the best accounting program for small business owners. However, Intuit should be more generous with customer support, particularly for setup issues.

Specs: 2 users, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later, 1.8 GHz (Microsoft Windows XP), 2 GHz (Microsoft Windows Vista) 1.8 GHz, 2 GHz, 4x CD-ROM, SVGA monitor, Internet connection, 1.8 GHz (Microsoft Windows XP), 2 GHz (Microsoft Windows Vista), 1.8 GHz, 2 GHz, Windows, Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0

Intuit QuickBooks Accounting Premier 2009 (and industry-specific editions)

Intuit QuickBooks Premier 2009 keeps the program's well-designed, intuitive interface, while adding a few new features. It's a worthy upgrade for people serious about online banking, and it remains the best accounting program for small business owners. However, Intuit should be more generous with customer support, particularly for setup issues.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later, 1.8 GHz (Microsoft Windows XP), 2 GHz (Microsoft Windows Vista) 1.8 GHz, 2 GHz, 4x CD-ROM, SVGA monitor, Internet connection, 1.8 GHz (Microsoft Windows XP), 2 GHz (Microsoft Windows Vista), 1.8 GHz, 2 GHz, Windows, Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0

Intuit QuickBooks Accounting Simple Start Edition 2009

Intuit QuickBooks Premier 2009 keeps the program's well-designed, intuitive interface, while adding a few new features. It's a worthy upgrade for people serious about online banking, and it remains the best accounting program for small business owners. However, Intuit should be more generous with customer support, particularly for setup issues.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows Vista, 500 MHz Intel Pentium II (Microsoft Windows XP), 1.2 GHz Intel Pentium III (Microsoft Windows Vista) 500 MHz, 1.2 GHz, SVGA monitor, Internet connection 56k, 500 MHz Intel Pentium II (Microsoft Windows XP), 1.2 GHz Intel Pentium III (Microsoft Windows Vista), 500 MHz, 1.2 GHz, Windows

Dragon Naturally Speaking 10 Professional

Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10 isn't perfect, but it's the best dictation software available. We don't find this upgrade necessary for the most basic dictation, although new features may benefit heavily accented English speakers and those who rely heavily on voice commands.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista SP1, Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later, Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4 or later, 1 GHz, 10, DVD-ROM, Speaker(s), Microphone, 16 bit sound card, Internet connection, 1 GHz, Windows, Internet Explorer 6.0 or later

Dragon Naturally Speaking 10 Standard

Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10 isn't perfect, but it's the best dictation software available. We don't find this upgrade necessary for the most basic dictation, although new features may benefit heavily accented English speakers and those who rely heavily on voice commands.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista SP1, Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later, Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4 or later, 1 GHz, 10, DVD-ROM, Speaker(s), Microphone, 16 bit sound card, Internet connection, 1 GHz, Windows, Internet Explorer 6.0 or later

Dragon Naturally Speaking 10 Preferred

Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10 isn't perfect, but it's the best dictation software available. We don't find this upgrade necessary for the most basic dictation, although new features may benefit heavily accented English speakers and those who rely heavily on voice commands.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista SP1, Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later, Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4 or later, 1 GHz, 10, DVD-ROM, Speaker(s), Microphone, 16 bit sound card, Internet connection, 1 GHz, Windows, Internet Explorer 6.0 or later

Corel WordPerfect X4

The Corel WordPerfect Office X4 suite best fits those who prefer traditional interfaces for word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations. We found the features rich, but the execution sometimes clumsy.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Vista Business, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition, 466 MHz, CD-ROM, SVGA monitor, Mouse or compatible device, 466 MHz, Windows, Internet Explorer 6.0 or later

TaxAct Ultimate Online 2007

The low price and strong technical support of TaxAct Deluxe Online 2007 make it a solid choice for bargain hunters with relatively simple finances, although Intuit TurboTax and H&R Block TaxCut include more investment, deduction, and audit tools.

TaxAct Deluxe Online 2007

The low price and strong technical support of TaxAct Deluxe Online 2007 make it a solid choice for bargain hunters with relatively simple finances, although Intuit TurboTax and H&R Block TaxCut include more investment, deduction, and audit tools.

TaxAct Standard Online 2007

The low price and strong technical support of TaxAct Deluxe Online 2007 make it a solid choice for bargain hunters with relatively simple finances, although Intuit TurboTax and H&R Block TaxCut include more investment, deduction, and audit tools.

H&R Block TaxCut Online Premium + e-file

H&R Block TaxCut Online is a relatively affordable and well-designed Web-based tax-preparation software, although we found TurboTax more thorough.

Specs: 1 user, License, Apple MacOS X 10.2, Apple MacOS X 10.3, Apple MacOS X 10.4, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows Vista, Printer, Speaker(s), Sound card, SVGA monitor, Internet connection, MacOS, Windows, Safari 1.3.2, Internet Explorer 6.0

H&R Block TaxCut Online Premium + State + E-file

H&R Block TaxCut Online is a relatively affordable and well-designed Web-based tax-preparation software, although we found TurboTax more thorough.

Specs: 1 user, License, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows Vista, Apple MacOS X 10.3.9 or later, MacOS, Windows, Safari 1.3.2, Internet Explorer 6.0