Methodology & Sources
Reviewed against primary IRS sources by Max on 2026-02-15. This is not tax advice — content covers software features and pricing only.
- TurboTax pricing page, verified 2026-02-15
- H&R Block pricing page, verified 2026-02-15
- FTC v. Intuit Inc., Docket No. 9408
turbotax vs hr block is the most-searched comparison in this market at 22,000 searches per month. Both are well-designed products. Both are overpriced for the median filer who has 1099 income. The comparison that actually matters — TurboTax vs FreeTaxUSA — is searched 8,100 times per month and almost never answered honestly on affiliate sites, because FreeTaxUSA pays $2-$5 per signup vs TurboTax’s $7-$25.
Tax laws change annually — verify current pricing and eligibility with each vendor before filing.
Price comparison (all-in, 1 state)
| Tier | TurboTax | H&R Block | Savings with H&R Block |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free (basic W-2) | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Deluxe (mortgage, simple itemizing) | $128 | $72 | $56 |
| Premium / Premier (investments, rental) | $168 | $92 | $76 |
| Self-Employed (Schedule C) | $188 | $122 | $66 |
| Live Assisted SE | $273 | comparable | varies |
H&R Block is cheaper at every paid tier. The question is whether TurboTax’s smoother experience is worth $56-$76 to you.
When TurboTax wins
Multi-state returns. TurboTax’s part-year resident allocation wizard handles the credit-for-taxes-paid-to-another-state calculation more smoothly than H&R Block. If you worked in New York and California in 2025, TurboTax reduces the friction.
High-volume crypto. TurboTax Premier’s API integration with CoinTracker and Koinly is the best in the consumer market. H&R Block handles crypto but with more manual steps.
Audit defense track record. Both offer audit support add-ons. TurboTax’s MAX Defense tier has broader coverage.
When H&R Block wins
Price. At every paid tier, H&R Block is $56-$76 cheaper than TurboTax for equivalent functionality. For most W-2 and moderately complex returns, the UX difference doesn’t justify the TurboTax premium.
Rental property (Schedule E). H&R Block Premium’s depreciation walk-through is clear and accurate at $92 all-in, vs TurboTax Premier at $168.
In-person fallback. H&R Block has 12,000+ physical locations. If you start online and something complex comes up, you can transition to an in-person appointment. TurboTax has no physical presence.
The honest answer for 1099 freelancers
Neither TurboTax nor H&R Block is the right answer for a 1099 freelancer with a single state and no investment income. FreeTaxUSA supports Schedule C at the free federal tier for $14.99 all-in. Both TurboTax ($188) and H&R Block ($122) are significantly more expensive for identical functionality and identical refund results.
Commission Disclosure (FTC 16 CFR 255)
TurboTax vs H&R Block: TurboTax: $7-$25 per signup. H&R Block: $5-$15 per signup.
Both products pay more commission than FreeTaxUSA. This comparison is structured around product merit, not commission rates.