Amid a crowded field, H&R Block and TurboTax are two popular and respected e-filing tax options. Both deliver a cost-effective way to get your taxes done quickly and correctly, maximizing your return.
There are, however, core differences between TurboTax vs. H&R Block. There isn’t one program that’s better than the other so much as each one is suited to different needs and different tax situations.
This review article will compare both providers side by side, comparing features, prices, customer service, and other information you need to determine which option is best for you.
About H&R Block
Founded by the Bloch brothers in Kansas City, Missouri in 1955, H&R Block has been a hugely familiar name in tax preparation services for decades. Traditionally a brick-and-mortar operation, with locations in strip malls and pop-up locations throughout the country, H&R Block has evolved over the years and now offers many e-filing products.
H&R Block offers digital tax filers a range of options to complete their taxes online in a simple, straightforward process. This includes a free federal return and state return for simple tax returns. Approximately 55% of filers qualify for the free edition, which covers Form 1040 and no schedules except Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Student Loan Interest, and Retirement Plan Distributions.
And for tax returns that are a bit more complicated, H&R Block offers more deluxe DIY tax filing options as well as full-service support. H&R Block users can access professional, in-person assistance across over 10,000 locations nationwide. In-person filing starts at $89.
Keep Reading: H&R Block Review
About TurboTax
The tax software company, TurboTax, is a leader in its industry. With its intuitive and conversational design, TurboTax is popular with novice and seasoned taxpayers alike.
TurboTax Free Edition ($0 Federal + $0 State + $0 To File) is available for those filing simple Form 1040 returns only (no schedules except as needed to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, student loan interest, and Schedule 1-A). ~37% of taxpayers qualify.
For more complicated returns and users who want a more white-glove experience, TurboTax has premium (paid) options for assisted or full-service support — including the option to have a tax expert do your taxes for you.
Founded in 1984, TurboTax has decades of industry expertise and enjoys popularity with business and consumer users of Intuit-brand products like YNAB (You Need A Budget), QuickBooks, and Credit Karma.
Keep Reading: TurboTax Review
TurboTax vs. H&R Block: Pricing
In terms of pricing, both H&R Block and TurboTax offer free editions for federal tax returns and state returns which work for most simple tax situations.
However, as tax situations become more complex — with small business earnings, cryptocurrency, and itemized deductions — the pricing structure diverges.
- H&R Block: Pricing is designed to be competitive and accommodate filers of different income levels and with different tax needs. They provide four (4) core DIY e-filing options, including a free version for filers with straightforward tax situations (~55% of filers qualify). Paid online DIY plans range from $35 to $85 for federal returns, and state returns are $37 per state. In-person filing at H&R Block offices starts at $89. Online Assist packages (with tax pro support) range from $70 to $195.
- TurboTax: TurboTax ties its pricing to the level of service filers are seeking. It offers three-tiered pricing for individuals who want to do it themselves, those who want some expert advice (Live Assisted), and those who want TurboTax to do all of the tax prep for them (Full Service). Filers with straightforward returns can file for free (~37% qualify). DIY paid support ranges from $39 to $89 for federal returns, Live Assisted ranges from $89 to $219, and Full Service starts at $129 and varies by complexity. State filings are free with Free Edition or cost $59-$69 per state for paid plans.
Pricing also reflects the level of support offered, including audit defense, customer service, and return guarantees.
TurboTax vs. H&R Block: Features
Both TurboTax and H&R Block offer a line-up of features to make the tax filing process as simple and stress-free as possible.
H&R Block Features
- Audit Support: H&R Block offers free in-person audit support to all online filers, which includes hands-on advice and assistance with audit preparation. For more comprehensive coverage, Worry-Free Audit Support is available as an add-on service for $19.99, providing start-to-finish tax support and representation by an enrolled agent before the IRS.
- AI Tax Assist: New for 2025, AI Tax Assist is included with all paid online plans at no extra charge. This feature provides expert-backed guidance, round-the-clock support, and helps identify refund-boosting deductions and credits.
- Tax Professional Support: H&R Block offers access to tax professionals (CPAs, EAs, and other licensed tax pros) online or at any of their 10,000+ physical H&R Block offices nationwide. With paid online plans, you get unlimited live chat with tax experts at no additional charge.
- Refund Options: You can receive your refund by direct deposit to your checking or savings account, check in the mail, Spruce, or on an H&R Block Emerald Prepaid Mastercard. Filers can get their federal income tax refund up to six (6) days early if they select Spruce.
- Accuracy Guarantee: H&R Block offers a No Surprise Guarantee and will reimburse up to $10,000 for any penalties or interest resulting from calculation errors. There’s also a Maximum Refund Guarantee — if you find a bigger refund using the same information elsewhere, H&R Block will refund your software cost.
- Overall User Experience: The H&R Block mobile app has a 4.8-star rating on iTunes and a 4.2-star rating on Google Play. The interface is user-friendly, though not quite as polished as TurboTax. The big advantage is the option for in-person support at thousands of locations.
TurboTax Features
- Audit Support: Available on all TurboTax returns, except Business CD/Download returns. Filers get a consultation meeting with a tax professional to prepare for any audit. TurboTax Free Edition customers are entitled to payment of $30 if audit support cannot be provided.
- Audit Defense: Gives you full representation by a licensed tax professional in case of an audit, including communicating with the IRS on your behalf. This is a paid, add-on service for your online filing, or it can be purchased separately with a TurboTax software filing.
- Refund Options: Variety of options including check in the mail, direct deposit, government savings bonds, Refund Advance (get up to $4,000 within minutes of IRS acceptance), or apply refund to next year’s taxes.
- Live Assisted & Full Service Options: With Live Assisted ($89-$219), get unlimited access to tax experts via one-way video, phone, or chat between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. Pacific time, seven days a week, plus an expert final review. With Full Service (starting at $129), a licensed expert (CPA, EA, or another tax professional) will do your entire tax return for you. You can even request the same pro for future years.
- User Experience: TurboTax offers taxpayers an outstanding, intuitive user experience with a conversational interface that walks you through every step. It boasts excellent app store reviews, with a 4.8-star rating on iTunes and a 4.6-star rating on Google Play.
- Accuracy Guarantee: TurboTax has a 100% accuracy pledge for all tax filing options, promising maximum refund guarantees, accurate tax liability calculations, and audit support. See terms of service for additional information.
- Affordability: Free option available for simple returns (~37% qualify). For more complex situations, DIY costs range from $39 to $89, which includes all the guidance and features you need to file confidently.
TurboTax vs. H&R Block: Customer Support
Both tax preparation software programs offer excellent customer support. Customer service is available all year round, although support hours are more limited outside of tax season.
H&R Block Customer Support
H&R Block offers the convenience of desktop software and digital technology with personalized in-person support.
- Email: H&R Block does not advertise a customer support email address, but redirects users to help articles and the company’s toll-free number. Users can email questions to hrblockanswers@hrblock.com; however, it may take two (2) days or more to receive a reply.
- Phone: Call H&R Block’s customer support line at 1-800-HRBLOCK (1-800-472-5625). Support is available weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CST during tax season.
- Office Visits: One of H&R Block’s strongest areas of customer support is the ability to visit any of their 10,000+ physical offices to get in-person help from tax professionals. This is a major advantage for those who prefer face-to-face assistance.
- Chat: During tax season, H&R Block provides live chat support with tax experts on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CST. With paid online plans, unlimited live chat is included at no extra charge.
- AI Tax Assist: New for 2025, AI Tax Assist is available 24/7 with all paid plans, providing instant answers to tax questions and guidance on maximizing your refund.
- Tax Support Resources: The H&R Block Resource Center is full of guides, tax tips, articles, videos, tax forms, tax calculators, and more. The resource hub is extensive enough to cover virtually any question about taxes and personal finance.
TurboTax Customer Support
TurboTax is known for providing excellent support to its users through both customer service and access to qualified tax professionals.
- Email: Send email to ttappfeedback@intuit.com or security@intuit.com.
- Phone: Call the Intuit (parent company) toll-free customer support number at 1-800-4INTUIT (1-800-446-8848).
- Video-Conferencing: Users with Live Assisted or Full Service plans have access to live video conferencing with their assigned tax professional. The video call is one-way (you see them, they see your screen only) and is not obligatory — you can chat or email instead.
- Chat: Live chat support is offered during the tax filing season. With Live Assisted plans, you get unlimited access to tax experts.
- TurboTax Support: Free resource hub helps users who complete their own taxes or who want more information about the filing process. Find articles, guides, videos, tips, and other resources that cover virtually every tax scenario.
- Community Forum: There’s a helpful online forum for Intuit TurboTax customers. Here, users can ask and find answers to questions about tax guidelines, business expenses, unemployment income, and other common scenarios.
Pros and Cons
H&R Block Pros and Cons
Pros
- Physical offices for in-person assistance: Huge network of 10,000+ branch locations making it easy to stop by and ask questions about your taxes or get professional in-person tax preparation (starting at $89).
- Free version is more comprehensive than TurboTax: H&R Block’s free filing version allows for a wider range of tax situations (~55% qualify vs. TurboTax’s ~37%), which enables more consumers to e-file online for free.
- Cheaper premium DIY services: H&R Block’s premium DIY filing services ($35-$85) are significantly cheaper than TurboTax’s comparable plans ($39-$219 for assisted options). State returns are also cheaper at $37 vs. $59-$69.
- Free audit support for all online filers: H&R Block guarantees free in-person audit support in the event the IRS flags your return for an audit, which provides peace of mind.
- AI Tax Assist included: New for 2025, AI-powered tax assistance is included with all paid plans at no extra charge, providing 24/7 guidance.
- Consistent state pricing: All state returns cost $37 regardless of plan level, making budgeting easier.
Cons
- Software interface is less polished: While the ease of use overall is good, it’s not as sleek or as intuitive as TurboTax. There’s a steeper learning curve, especially for first-time filers.
- Fewer high-end features in free version: While it covers more situations than TurboTax’s free tier, H&R Block’s free plan lacks some helpful features that come with paid plans.
- In-person support quality can vary: Experience and expertise of tax professionals can vary from office to office, which can lead to inconsistency in the quality of service you receive.
- Limited customer support hours: Phone and chat support is only available weekdays during business hours (7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CST), unlike TurboTax’s more extensive availability.
TurboTax Pros and Cons
Pros
- Highly intuitive and user-friendly platform: TurboTax is designed to streamline and simplify tax filing with a conversational interface, making it the easiest option for novices and experienced filers alike. Highest app ratings in the industry.
- Access to tax professionals via TurboTax Live: Connect to qualified tax experts (Live Assisted: $89-$219) for personalized advice with unlimited access during tax season, or have them do your entire return (Full Service: starting at $129).
- Excellent educational content and customer support: TurboTax has the most extensive online hub of tax information and resource articles, plus responsive customer support and a vibrant community forum.
- 24/7 support with Live Assisted: Unlike H&R Block’s limited hours, TurboTax Live Assisted offers expert access 7 days a week from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Pacific time.
- Refund Advance: Get up to $4,000 of your refund within minutes of IRS acceptance, providing faster access to your money than most competitors.
- Superior mobile experience: TurboTax’s mobile app is highly polished and allows you to complete your entire return from your phone seamlessly.
Cons
- More expensive: TurboTax’s paid-tier options ($39-$89 DIY, $89-$219 Assisted, $129+ Full Service) are significantly more expensive than H&R Block ($35-$85 DIY) and other competitors.
- More restrictive free version: TurboTax’s free version is limited to ~37% of filers compared to H&R Block’s ~55%, meaning more users will need to upgrade to a paid plan.
- Higher state filing fees: State returns cost $59-$69 per state with paid plans compared to H&R Block’s flat $37.
- No in-person option: TurboTax doesn’t offer the option to walk into a physical office for face-to-face help, which some taxpayers prefer.
- Pricing transparency: TurboTax doesn’t show exact pricing until you’re well into the filing process, which can be frustrating for budget-conscious users.
TurboTax vs. H&R Block: Which Is Best for You?
The choice between TurboTax and H&R Block boils down to your tax situation, budget, and personal preferences.
Choose H&R Block if:
- Budget is your top consideration and you want the most affordable option
- You qualify for the free version (~55% of filers) and want free federal and state filing
- You prefer having the option for in-person assistance at a physical office location
- You want consistent, lower state filing fees ($37 per state vs. $59-$69)
- You’re comfortable with a slightly less polished interface in exchange for lower costs
- You want AI Tax Assist included with paid plans at no extra charge
Choose TurboTax if:
- You want the most intuitive, user-friendly tax software with the highest ratings
- You prefer a conversational interface that walks you through every step
- You want access to tax experts on demand with unlimited help (Live Assisted plans)
- You want the option for full-service tax preparation where they do everything for you
- You have a complex tax situation and want comprehensive support and guidance
- You value extensive educational resources and an active community forum
- You want 24/7 access to support during tax season (vs. H&R Block’s limited hours)
- You’re willing to pay a premium for the best user experience
The Bottom Line: If budget is your primary concern and you qualify for free filing, H&R Block offers a more comprehensive free version (55% qualify vs. TurboTax’s 37%). H&R Block also wins on price for paid DIY plans ($35-$85 vs. $39-$89+) and offers in-person support at 10,000+ locations.
However, TurboTax delivers the superior user experience with the most intuitive interface, highest app ratings, and best educational resources. It’s worth the premium if you want white-glove service with expert assistance, full-service options, or simply the easiest tax filing experience available.
With either software program, American taxpayers can get their taxes done accurately, efficiently, and quickly — and for a fraction of what you would pay a CPA or traditional tax firm.