The 2026 tax season will be a bit different from previous years. With a significant increase in tax fraud, shifts in tax brackets, and changes in tax laws, taxpayers will need a reliable tax filing service to avoid fraud and ensure their taxes are filed correctly. Many taxpayers have used TurboTax or H&R Block in the past and wonder if those are still the best options for tax season 2026. Or, perhaps there is a better H&R Block or TurboTax alternative? We turn to trustworthy reviews from real customers to help you decide which one is best suited for you. This article is a detailed evaluation and comparison between TurboTax and H&R Block. Key Insights Key tax changes, such as higher income thresholds for the various tax brackets, increases in standard deductions, and annual inflation adjustments, among others, will affect filing this year. According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) division, over $4.5 billion was lost to tax fraud in 2025, a staggering 111.8% increase from 2024. Therefore, it is critical for customers to understand how tax scams work and choose a reputable tax filing service to ensure smart tax planning and filing. For customers considering TurboTax and H&R Block, pricing, features, and support options differ between the two filing services, as discussed in the rest of the article. TurboTax vs H&R Block: Pros and Cons Based on User Reviews Company Rating* 1.5⭐⭐ 2.0 ⭐⭐ Number of reviews 1.7k 4.6k Issues Resolved 8 46 User Recommendations 8% 37% Pros Tax advisors History of good service Easy to use Online software Cons Unhelpful customer support and long response times Reliability Billing errors Difficulty reaching a human representative and AI support loops High prices Misleading information When it comes to TurboTax vs H&R Block, both companies have a long history of assisting taxpayers when it’s time to file their income taxes. TurboTax was the first tax software for consumers looking to file taxes with digital assistance. The software progressed from assisting with printable forms to full online filing. H&R Block has a long history of assisting customers with in-person tax filing using their own proprietary software. H&R Block still has its in-person storefronts for those looking for someone to help file taxes, but it also has released software to help individuals file their own taxes online. Currently, both companies offer: Online tax filing options. Tax software versions for different needs. Downloadable and online tax. Various stages of assistance with tax preparation. However, many of the negative TurboTax reviews are centered on customers who felt the software would be free based on TurboTax ads, but then realized filing their own individual taxes would cost more than they expected. Some reviewers also share frustrations with the company’s customer service. H&R Block reviews on PissedConsumer tell a similar story, with many customers being surprised by the price. Some customers also complained about errors in the software or incorrect tax obligations using the service. Many of the complaints centered on customer service as well. Despite many H&R Block complaints and a 1.6 rating, H&R Block is among the top alternatives to TurboTax, but the pros and cons of both tax systems speak for themselves. Features Comparison of H&R Block and TurboTax H&R Block and TurboTax both will help you file taxes, but the software isn’t identical. Tax filing options Both TurboTax and H&R Block offer a range of tax filing options to meet the needs of a wide customer base. The filing options range from simple tax returns to more complex filings involving investments, itemized deductions, rental property taxes, business tax returns, and self-employment taxes. However, customer reviews indicate that the tax filing process is not always smooth for users of both TurboTax and H&R Block. For example, in one H&R Block review, a customer complained that her taxes were filed incorrectly: Tax professional filed wrong taxes on 2023, she has submitted a child tax credit plus me a a head of household, even though she was informed my ex husband claimed my child… On the other hand, in review #7092879, a TurboTax customer’s account froze immediately after signing in, so they could not continue filing their taxes. …After initial download of pervious years tax information the page is frozen and cannot continue… Facing similar issues, but the customer service is unhelpful? Talk to a PissedConsumer Club expert for personalized guidance toward issue resolution and helpful tips. Talk to an expert Integration with financial products Both TurboTax and H&R Block have some features to streamline tax time if you already use certain financial products. H&R Block tax software works smoothly with the CoinTracker platform. If you use CoinTracker for cryptocurrency, the two systems work together seamlessly with just a few clicks. TurboTax, on the other hand, is an Intuit product, which makes it a natural addition to QuickBooks or Credit Karma. If you use QuickBooks or Credit Karma to create a budget or track expenses, you can easily file your taxes in TurboTax without having to do much more than log in since all personal and small business financial data is transferred easily between the various software options. Source: ttlc.intuit.com Importing financial data Both TurboTax and H&R Block allow users to import and upload documents like W-2s, 1099s, previous tax returns, and some direct data transfers. Both also offer options to input the information manually. For small business owners and others who use QuickBooks financial software, the upload and import process is smoother and simpler with TurboTax because the two systems are fully integrated. Of course, technology doesn’t work all the time. In TurboTax review #5943992, a customer complained: I am trying to reaccess my 2019 tax return for download through the website I downloaded once before, but now I can not download again… H&R Block vs TurboTax: Support and Assistance Customers cite issues with customer support for both H&R Block and TurboTax. Support Options at H&R Block H&R Block customer service has only 1.5 stars out of 5 and only 8% of issues are resolved when 1.5K customers contact the company. If you need support with H&R Block, you have several options, including an AI chatbot for every version of the software beyond the free version and live tax professionals for every version of the software beyond free as well. You can also contact H&R Block customer service directly. Also, H&R Block has storefront locations where you can sit with an individual to file taxes together in person if you prefer full support. The company also offers Audit Support at an additional charge. With the software, you will have live representation if your H&R Block-prepared tax return is flagged for audit. In review #5602043, one customer noted that live customer service support is only available for H&R Block customers who are not using the free version of the software. A customer recently ran into trouble with their taxes and “called [H&R Block’s] customer service line and it said since I am using your free app I cannot get any help.” Support Options at TurboTax By comparison, TurboTax has 2 out of a possible 5 stars for customer service and 9% of the 61.2K phone calls resolved issues. TurboTax also has an AI chatbot for general tax questions as well as, a very large collection of tax resources, and a forum called TurboTax Support. Customers can contact TurboTax, or they may work directly with a tax expert if they purchase a more expensive Live Assisted tax package. TurboTax offers an Audit Support Center with two levels of protection. If you file any tax return below the Business level, audit support is included. You also have the option to pay for full audit representation if you purchase MAX Defend or PLUS, both Audit Defense options from TurboTax. One TurboTax customer described their tax filing experience as “an endurance test to see how many customer service calls it takes before you give up on getting your taxes done correctly. (Spoiler: Nearly 10. Hours wasted? 3.5…” Pricing and Plans: Which Tax-Filing Software Has the Best Deals TurboTax and H&R Block have similar pricing structures, offering both free and paid plans. For both companies, free plans are only available for straightforward returns, like simple W-2 income with limited deductions. Because eligibility for free plans is restricted, many filers must upgrade to a paid plan to meet their tax filing requirements. For everyone wondering whether H&R Block is cheaper than TurboTax, currently, the prices for paid plans are as follows: H&R Block TurboTax Deluxe $60 $69 Premium/Premier $100 $115 Self-Employed/Business $120 $130 The final cost of TurboTax or H&R Block services depends on the tax complexity and the level of support you choose. For a more detailed comparison of TurboTax and H&R Block's pricing plans, please see the summary section below. Deciding at Tax Time Below is a summary of how TurboTax vs H&R Block compare in regards to pricing, integration, and support options: Pricing: Both provide free plans for straightforward tax returns and various paid options for more complex filing needs. Integration: Both integrate smoothly with specific financial products and systems. For example, Coin Tracker integrates well with H&R Block, while TurboTax works seamlessly with QuickBooks or Credit Karma. Support & assistance: Unlike TurboTax, which offers customer support primarily online, H&R Block provides in-person help at its storefront locations, where taxpayers can visit for personalized assistance. Both platforms offer AI chatbots and live tax professional support for paid customers, along with detailed help centers for all users. So, which is the best tax filing service? TurboTax or H&R Block? Both have positives, and both have drawbacks. If you’re trying to decide is H&R Block is better than TurboTax for your tax situation, it may be worthwhile starting your taxes in both to see which is streamlined and which has the lower cost for what you need. After all, the best tax service for you ultimately needs to meet your unique needs. Have consumer insights into TurboTax or H&R Block? Why not share your experiences and write a review? Share your experience *Disclaimer: Ranking and statistics are based on our users’ review texts and Pissed Consumer posters’ reviews. Also, a company’s rating is calculated using a mathematical algorithm that evaluates the information in the profile, including users’ rating, the number of resolved issues, the number of company’s responses, etc. The algorithm is subject to change in the future.