Saving & Spending Taxes

TaxAct vs. TurboTax vs. H&R Block [2026]: Prices + Plans

Between TaxAct, TurboTax, and H&R Block, you're going to get great tax software as a rule. But one of these will be better suited to your situation than the others, and their costs are very different.

By Christy Rakoczy

Edited by Lauren Graves

Updated Feb. 13, 2026

Add Us On Google

When it comes time to file and pay your taxes, there are a lot of tasks to complete. Whether you're figuring out your tax bracket or deciding whether you should itemize or claim the standard deduction, there's technical knowledge required at every step.

The good news is that the best tax software programs streamline the tax filing process by asking you a few simple questions and even auto-filling your forms for you. But there are lots of these programs out there, and picking which one to use is a challenge.

In this TaxAct vs. TurboTax vs. H&R Block, we'll give you our honest take on the advantages and shortcomings of each app to help you find the right tax prep software for you (and steer clear of the wrong one).

TaxAct vs. TurboTax vs. H&R Block

	TaxAct	TurboTax	H&R Block
Pricing	$0 - $109.99+	$0 - $209+	$0 - $85+
Key features	TaxAct offers real-time Refund Status to track how much your refund is TaxAct Alerts reveal audit risk or missed chances to save Maximum refund guarantee	An active online forum where you can ask community questions Free IRS audit support Maximum refund guarantee	Drag-and-drop last year's returns and import returns from competitors W-2 importing via photo Maximum refund guarantee
Mobile app	No	Yes	Yes
Support	Chat for Xpert Assist users Phone Screen sharing for Xpert Assist users	Chat Phone Screen Sharing	Chat Phone Screen sharing In-person

TurboTax, H&R Block, and TaxAct are all among the best tax software programs, offering several plans for different tax situations. Here are a few key differences between them:

TurboTax is well known for being the most intuitive, but its prices for paid services are higher than those of the other two.
Free-file is available with all three, but H&R Block lets you file more forms with its free option than its competitors.
Each app offers satisfaction guarantees, but only TaxAct will refund your costs if another software helps you score a larger refund. Under its accuracy guarantee, TaxAct may refund up to $100,000 if you lose out on tax savings due to a software error.

Because the programs are similar in many ways yet have important differences, you'll need to consider which features are most important to you to decide which program is the best fit.

Editor's note

Tax software platforms update their pricing often, especially in the months leading up to the tax filing deadline, and you might see different prices than we have listed here, depending on when you file. For a better chance of getting a discounted price, try to file early.

Full comparison of TaxAct, TurboTax, and H&R Block

TurboTax, TaxAct, and H&R Block differ in terms of price, ease of use, available support, product guarantees, and customer reviews. Here's what to consider.

Filing plan tiers

	Plans
TaxAct	Free: $0 for federal, $39.99 per state taxes Deluxe: Starting at $54.99 for federal taxes, $39.99 per state Premier: Starting at $94.99 for federal, $39.99 per state Self-employed: $109.99 for federal, $39.99 per state Xpert Assist: $25+
TurboTax	Free Edition: $0¹ <p><b>TurboTax Online: Important Details about Filing Form 1040 Returns with Limited Credits</b></p><p>A Form 1040 return with limited credits is one that's filed using IRS Form 1040 only (with the exception of the specific covered situations described below). Roughly 37% of taxpayers are eligible.</p><p>If you have a Form 1040 return and are claiming limited credits only, you can file for free yourself with TurboTax Free Edition, or you can file with TurboTax Full Service at the listed price.</p><p><b>Situations covered (assuming no added tax complexity):</b></p><ul><li>W-2 income</li><li>Interest or dividends (1099-INT/1099-DIV) that don’t require filing a Schedule B</li><li>IRS standard deduction</li><li>Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)</li><li>Child Tax Credit (CTC)</li><li>Student loan interest deduction</li></ul><p><b>Situations not covered:</b></p><p></p><ul><li>Itemized deductions claimed on Schedule A</li><li>Unemployment income reported on a 1099-G</li><li>Business or 1099-NEC income</li><li>Stock sales (including crypto investments)</li><li>Rental property income</li><li>Credits, deductions and income reported on other forms or schedules </li></ul><p></p> (~37% of taxpayers qualify. Form 1040 and limited credits only.) Premium: Starting at $139 for federal, $39 per state Expert Assist Basic: Starting at $79 for federal, $59 per state Expert Assist Premium: Starting at $209 for federal, $69 per state Expert Full Service: Starting at $89 for federal, $49 per state; price varies based on your tax situation (price includes W-2 and 1040)
H&R Block	Free Online: $0 for federal, $0 per state Deluxe Online: Starting at $35 for federal, $37 per state Premium Online: Starting at $70 for federal, $37 per state Self-Employed Online: Starting at $85 for federal, $37 per state File with a pro: Starting at $89, plus an additional fee per state

Prices

Good, better, best: TurboTax, TaxAct, H&R Block

If you're working on how to manage your money and paying the lowest price is your focus, consider H&R Block or TaxAct. Both programs are less expensive than TurboTax.

H&R Block is an especially good deal if you have a simple return but want to claim the student loan interest deduction, as it is the only program that enables you to e-file for free while scoring these tax savings.

If you have multiple state tax returns to file, H&R Block could save you money as its state returns are free for simple returns. Plus, for more complicated returns, H&R Block charges less for state returns than TurboTax or TaxAct.

Ease of use

Good, better, best: TaxAct, H&R Block, TurboTax

All three programs are easy to use, as they all allow you to take pictures of W-2s, and each helps you identify deductions and credits by asking you questions about your life. But TurboTax is especially well-known for providing the most intuitive and user-friendly interface for tax filers. Some TaxAct users find it to provide a clunkier experience.

Customer support

Good, better, best: TaxAct, TurboTax, H&R Block

TurboTax, H&R Block, and TaxAct all provide chat support and assistance via phone. You can even share your screen to get help. However, TaxAct only provides chat support as part of its paid Xpert Assist add-on. TurboTax also offers Live plans for an additional fee if you want to connect with an expert in real-time and get a final expert review.

H&R Block also has in-person tax centers where you can get assistance. However, not all H&R Block tax experts are CPAs or enrolled agents. H&R Block does indicate that it provides ample training to tax professionals.

Customer reviews

Good, better, best: TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxAct

All three programs receive mixed customer reviews. On Trustpilot, TurboTax has a rating of 1.2 out of 5 stars, H&R Block has a rating of 1.3 stars, and TaxAct has a rating of 1.5 stars.

Some common complaints about TaxAct include software connection issues and price increases, yet many consumers had positive notes about its ease of use. TurboTax users frequently compliment the simplicity of using the software, but a few complain about login difficulties or are upset that free e-filing is so limited. H&R Block users reported that they were able to file more forms with cheaper programs using this software but that TurboTax offered better customer service.

Pros and cons

Here are some of the key advantages and disadvantages of each of the three software programs.

	Pros	Cons
TaxAct	The strongest refund guarantee Reasonable price	User interface has fewer bells and whistles
TurboTax	An extremely user-friendly interface There's a robust online community that answers questions	Prices are higher than the other programs The maximum refund guarantee is limited Free federal and state e-file is limited
H&R Block	You can claim the student loan deduction with the free version State filing fees are the cheapest of any program	It's not the cheapest program out there for federal filing

FAQs

What is the best online tax service to use?

The best online tax service depends on the specifics of your situation. If you want to file for the lowest cost and need to use a paid filing program to itemize deductions or claim investment income, TaxAct will likely cost you less.

H&R Block can be the most affordable if you're filing multiple state returns, and it also allows you to claim the student loan interest deduction with free e-file — other programs don't. TurboTax costs you more, but is widely viewed as the easiest of all programs to use.

Can TaxAct import TurboTax?

You can only import a prior year's tax returns from competitor products if you have a PDF copy of the return.

Why is my refund different?

Each tax program uses its own proprietary software to scan for deductions and credits. They also have their own approaches to asking you questions and soliciting answers.

Because of this, you may find your tax refund differs from one program to the next. Each program has a refund guarantee, though, and will refund what you paid for the program if another method provides a larger refund.

How much does it cost to file taxes with H&R Block?

The cost of filing taxes with H&R Block varies by program. It offers a free tax program if you have a simple income tax return. If you have a more complex tax situation, you'll pay upwards of $30, with self-employed taxpayers paying the most. H&R Block also charges a fee starting at $30 for each state return filed (except with the Free Online version).

Can tax professionals use TurboTax?

No, TurboTax is licensed for personal use only.

Is it better to do taxes online or in person?

Whether it's better to do taxes online or in person depends on your preferences. When you do taxes in person, you usually have to pay more for a tax preparer to complete your tax returns for you. But you get more assistance and have someone there to answer specific questions. This can be handy if your personal finance situation is more complex. For instance, if you're a homeowner with rental property or self-employment income, you may want to go this route.

When you do your own taxes online, you're ultimately filling out the tax forms yourself, though the programs ask questions and autofill some information to make it easier. They can also simplify certain things, like determining your tax bracket or figuring out whether it makes sense to claim the standard deduction or itemize. These programs can be more cost-effective and can help you avoid any tax mistakes.

You also have the option to pay for live help with TaxAct, TurboTax, and H&R Block. Although this comes at an added cost, it is often less than getting in-person help while still affording you the chance to get advice. So this can give you the best of both worlds during tax season.

Bottom line: TaxAct vs. TurboTax vs. H&R Block

Ultimately, if you're wondering how to file taxes, you can't go wrong with TaxAct, TurboTax, or H&R Block — especially given that each filing option provides guarantees. To determine the best tax software for you, see which one costs the least or provides the user interface you prefer, and you'll be well on your way to filing your returns efficiently and effectively.

Ask This Company to Pay Off Your Tax Debt

Easy Tax Relief Benefits

Eliminate your tax debt
Potentially reduce the amount you owe
Stop wage garnishments and bank levies
Communicates with the IRS on your behalf

Fill out this form to get started