There are many different tax software programs to choose from during the 2025 tax season. Two that land near the top of our editors' picks for the best tax software are well-established names in the industry: H&R Block and TurboTax.
Overview of H&R Block and TurboTax
TurboTax pioneered tax preparation software. H&R Block has long been known for providing in-person tax preparation services and has roughly 9,000 brick-and-mortar locations throughout the U.S. Today, both offer online tax software, downloadable software, and two levels of tax assistance.
Key Features of H&R Block
You might choose H&R Block if you want a premium experience for a lower price. H&R Block's DIY filing options are less expensive than TurboTax's, and the company edged out TurboTax in our overall ratings.
While TurboTax offers an engaging user experience, H&R Block's online tax interface is more straightforward, cleaner, and less distracting. For crypto investors who use the CoinTracker platform to log transactions, importing that data into H&R Block takes just a few clicks.
- Seamless data entry when you upload tax documents (PDF or photo of paper document)
- Interface is modern and easy to navigate
- Instructions are clear and helpful
- Company doesn't try to upsell you while preparing a return
- Ability to save your spot and return later
- Offices in all 50 states where tax professionals can prepare your return in person or virtually
- Cost
- $0 option does not include itemized deductions
- $0 plan does not offer on-demand chat or phone support
H&R Block has something for everyone, whether you're filing online yourself, looking for expert advice, or want to hand it off to a professional. While it doesn't offer the lowest prices you'll find for tax software, the quality of the overall user experience can justify the higher cost.
H&R Block- File your own taxes
- Step-by-step guidance
- Add expert tax help any time
- Real time results
H&R Block's online interface is stripped down, compared with TurboTax. However, it will collect all the information you need without a lot of fuss and upselling. There are fewer questions and options to choose from up front in H&R Block's online filing portal, but always an option to get more information if you need it. The company, which previously relied on foot traffic and appointments at its physical offices, has developed an excellent DIY tax-filing platform.
Key Features of TurboTax
You might prefer TurboTax if you use QuickBooks or Credit Karma. Credit Karma members and QuickBooks Online customers can prepare and file their taxes for 2024 through TurboTax within the Credit Karma and QuickBooks Online product experiences, using the personal and financial data already present in those products.
$0 for Free Edition (~37% of filers qualify. Form 1040 and no schedules except for Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Student Loan Interest), $39 to $69 for Deluxe, $89 to $129 for Premium
- Can be good for relatively complex tax situations that may require help navigating deductions and forms
- Offers step-by-step guidance
- Ability to upgrade for instant access to an expert
- Not all users will qualify for a $0 filing option
- Most expensive option for many tax situations
- No brick-and-mortar locations to meet with a tax pro
TurboTax is among the most expensive options for filing taxes online, but offers a high-quality user interface and access to experts. It's especially valuable for self-employed filers who use QuickBooks integration.
TurboTax Tax Software- Tell TurboTax about your life and it will guide you step by step. Jumpstart your taxes with last year’s info.
- Snap a photo of your W-2 or 1099-NEC and TurboTax will put your info in the right places.
- CompleteCheck™ scans your return so you can be confident it’s 100% accurate.
- You won’t pay for TurboTax until it’s time to file and you’re fully satisfied.
- TurboTax is committed to getting you your maximum refund, guaranteed.
H&R Block vs. TurboTax: Pricing Comparison
Free Editions: What's Included?
Both H&R Block and TurboTax offer free tax filing with no income limits for qualified taxpayers.
The TurboTax Free Edition is available to filers with W-2 income, qualified retirement distributions, and limited 1099 interest and dividends. People with unemployment income, stock sales (including cryptocurrency), income from rental properties, and self-employment income won't qualify.
Also, it only allows claiming of the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit, and the student loan interest deduction.
The H&R Block Free Edition is available to filers who have W-2 income, qualified retirement distributions, unemployment income, or limited 1099 interest and dividends.
Both the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit can be claimed with this plan, as well as the education credits and student loan interest deduction — which is more than TurboTax's free version covers. You can't itemize deductions, but that's typical of both tax providers' free plans.
One other feature that's free with the online versions of TurboTax and H&R Block is e-file.
E-filing saves you a stamp and ensures that your return won't get lost in the mail. If you're getting a refund, selecting direct deposit when you e-file will help the IRS process your payment more quickly. Plus, e-filing ensures your information goes to the IRS exactly as you intended.
Paid Editions and Premium Services
Even when you consider discounts, H&R Block nearly always comes out cheaper than TurboTax for comparable products.
There are many reasons you might need to move up to a paid plan with TurboTax or H&R Block. The paid versions are, not surprisingly, easier to use. Besides, the free basic versions don't allow you to take some of the most common deductions or report certain types of income.
H&R Block and TurboTax both allow you to upload tax documents or snap a photo rather than manually entering the data, which can save you quite a bit of time if you have multiple W-2s and 1099s.
However, H&R Block's online software wins out on price in every category. Here are the base prices you would pay to file with different types of deductions and income:
| Income type or deduction | H&R Block Tax Software | TurboTax |
| Student loan interest deduction | Free — $0 | Free — $0 |
| Education credits | Free — $0 | Deluxe — $39 |
| Health savings account | Deluxe — $35 | Deluxe — $39 |
| Itemized deductions | Deluxe — $35 | Deluxe — $39 |
| Rental income | Premium — $65 | Premium — $79 |
| One state tax return | $37 | $39 |
Additional Costs for Add-ons
For Deluxe packages and higher, H&R Block's pricing includes access to AI Tax Assist, an AI chatbot, to help answer your general tax questions. You can also connect with a live tax professional over the phone for no extra cost. These features give it an edge over TurboTax, which prices expert assistance separately.
If you want an H&R Block tax pro to look over the return you prepped before submitting it, you'll pay a total of $55 for the Free version, $100 for Deluxe, $160 for Premium, and $180 for Self-Employed. State returns are $37, or $0 with the Free version.
TurboTax's new AI-powered Intuit Assist is available with every online package to answer your questions and help you understand how tax rules apply to your situation. If you want direct and unlimited access to human tax experts, you can upgrade to a Live Assisted package and pay an all-in total between $59 and $179 (plus state fees).
Ease of Use and User Experience
Interface and Navigation
Both providers' online platforms work the same on any computer, and you can even fill out your taxes on your phone with the TurboTax or H&R Block app.
The DIY TurboTax service walks you through all your possible tax deductions and income sources. For the nervous among us, the journey through the TurboTax universe feels reassuringly guided and knowledgeable. But to some people, TurboTax's guided tax journey can feel like a slog, with many questions that don't relate to your situation. Skipping around is no simple matter — you might have to hunt for the section you want to fill out next if you feel confident that you know your way around your taxes.
Compared to TurboTax, H&R Block's online interface is stripped down. However, it will collect all the information you need without a lot of fuss and upselling. There are fewer questions and options to choose from up front in H&R Block's online filing portal, but there is always an option to get more information if you need it. The company, which previously relied on foot traffic and appointments at its physical offices, has developed an excellent online tax-filing platform.
Filing Process and Support
Access to a tax expert is available with every package at H&R Block. But you might just find the online tax prep portal so easy to use that you don't need help from a human. The software will save your place if you need to take a break. You will need to enter your data in a specific order, however. There is less ability to skip things and come back to them than in TurboTax, and again, getting tax help from a human requires an upgrade.
Estimate Your Taxes
Customer Support Options and Resources
Support Channels for H&R Block
In previous years, H&R Block users had to upgrade to a more expensive online plan — or visit a local office — to get help from an expert. Now, every plan except the Free version includes access to a generative-AI chatbot and live tax professionals accessible from your account dashboard.
H&R Block lists a general phone number for customer support on its website, as well as support lines for specific products, including online filing and desktop software.
Support Channels for TurboTax
Every TurboTax package includes access to an AI tool for general tax questions. If you purchase a Live Assisted package, experts are available between the hours of 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. PT, beginning when the IRS starts accepting tax returns in mid-January until the federal filing deadline on April 15. In the off-seasons, experts are available from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT.
TurboTax lists one general phone number for customer support on its website and a library of help articles.
Accuracy and Error-Checking Tools
Audit Support and Assistance
If you receive an audit letter from the IRS, you have the ability to get one-on-one help from a tax professional at TurboTax at no extra cost. However, the company and its experts cannot provide legal advice or represent you before the IRS.
H&R Block can advise customers on next steps if they receive an audit notice, but charges extra for Worry-Free Audit Support, which can help taxpayers prepare for an audit and provides audit representation.
Error-Checking Tools Comparison
TurboTax offers an accuracy guarantee for seven years from the filing date and says it will pay IRS and/or state penalties and interest charges related to underpayment of taxes due to calculation errors. If it's determined that you entered information improperly, the guarantee does not apply.
Individual filers are also guaranteed to receive their maximum refund with TurboTax. If you later file an amended return with identical information with another tax service and end up with a lower tax bill or higher refund, you can file a claim with TurboTax to have your preparation fees refunded.
H&R Block offers similar assurances. H&R Block's 100% accuracy guarantee ensures that its online products and downloadable software will calculate your taxes accurately. If there's an error that results in penalties or interest from the IRS or a state taxing authority, the company will reimburse your charges up to $10,000.
If you purchase an online package, you can pay extra for Tax Pro Review, where a professional looks over your return for errors or missed deductions, and makes suggestions where appropriate, before submitting it.
Who Should Use H&R Block vs. TurboTax?
Ideal Software for Simple Returns
H&R Block's Free Edition covers more for simple returns than TurboTax's, since it supports unemployment income and education credits. Both cover W-2 income, limited interest and dividend income, retirement distributions and allow claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit, the student loan interest deduction, and the standard deduction.
Best Choice for Self-Employed and Small Business Filers
Both tax software providers offer many benefits for people with self-employment income, including year-round tax planning tools. You won't have to enter your data manually, as 1099s can be uploaded or imported.
If you're a QuickBooks user, TurboTax is probably going to be the better choice, since the two platforms enjoy full integration. TurboTax's Premium plan covers all self-employment income and deductions for $79, plus state fees. Tax help is going to cost extra.
H&R Block's comparable plan costs $85, plus state fees, and gives you access to a tax pro via chat and phone.
Final Verdict: Which is Better for Tax Year 2024?
Key Takeaways for Each Tax Software
H&R Block is a good choice if you:
- Use CoinTracker for logging cryptocurrency transactions
- Anticipate needing expert help and don't want to pay extra for it
- Want the option to pay a tax pro to review your return
TurboTax is a good choice if you:
- Use QuickBooks or Credit Karma, which easily integrate with TurboTax
- Have a lot of deductions and plan to itemize
- May need professional help and don't mind paying extra for it
FAQs About TurboTax vs. H&R Block
H&R Block is slightly cheaper than TurboTax for comparable situations when filing online. Both companies' full-service tax preparation plans have the same starting price of $89.
Yes, H&R Block offers in-person tax support. H&R Block has a huge national footprint with about 9,000 office locations. Full-service tax preparation starts at $89.
Yes, you can file self-employment taxes with TurboTax's Premium edition. This allows you to report 1099 income and claim tax breaks such as the home office deduction.
H&R Block and TurboTax are both easy to use, with many user-friendly features such as document upload, tax return import, and a smooth question-and-answer process. If you use QuickBooks or Credit Karma, TurboTax is easier to use thanks to a smooth integration.
Both software providers offer levels of audit support. TurboTax's is included with every online package and pairs the filer with a professional to answer questions but does not offer IRS representation. H&R Block's Worry-Free Audit Support costs extra but does include IRS representation.
H&R Block's free edition is more robust than TurboTax's. In addition to W-2 income, retirement distributions, and limited interest and dividends, H&R Block's also supports unemployment income. When it comes to tax breaks, both support claiming the Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Credit, and student loan interest deduction, but H&R Block also supports the American Opportunity Credit and Lifetime Learning Credit.
