@psa188 good summary by @xmasbaby0 - desktop has more functionality in particular forms mode if need to dive into details of the forms this can be invaluable, and can be cheaper if you have a more involved return with a lot of forms. Not sure all the cost comparisons but the s/w is usually discounted via retailers like Amazon around Jan/Feb; for the Premier version plus $25 state e-file fee I usually pay around $100 to do my taxes.
For 2025 I believe they are doing away with the 'basic' desktop version which probably most overlapped with basic functionality that can just as well be done online, so if considering desktop check the functionality for Deluxe and Premier based on your situation. We'll see in a few weeks when they release the 2025 version.
The only disadvantage for most folks of the desktop version is you have to download and install software to your machine, and keep up with latest OS and H/W requirements for those. For some folks having s/w and tax data locally and not dependent on an online service is actually a strong preference and advantage. For 2025 tax year as it stands you will need to be on Windows 11 or Mac OS 14 or above - and check other system requirements before purchasing.
