TurboTax vs H&R Block vs TaxAct vs FreeTaxUSA (2025): Honest Comparison

Quick Verdict: Which Tax Software Is Best for You?

Choosing the right tax software can save you hours of frustration — and potentially hundreds of dollars. We tested all four of the most popular online tax filing platforms so you don’t have to. Here’s the short version:

• Best overall: TurboTax — most guided experience, best for complex returns
• Best value with expert help: H&R Block — solid interface, unlimited expert chat included in paid plans
• Best budget pick: TaxAct — cheaper than TurboTax with similar features
• Best free filing: FreeTaxUSA — genuinely free federal for everyone, even complex returns

2025 Tax Software Pricing Comparison

Prices below are for federal filing. State returns are always extra (except where noted).

Prices shown are standard rates for the 2025 tax year. All four platforms let you start for free — you pay only when you file.

TurboTax (2025) — Full Review

Best For: First-time filers and anyone who wants the most guided experience

TurboTax is the best-known tax software in the U.S. and consistently earns its reputation. The interface is the most polished of the four, walking you through every section with plain-English questions rather than IRS jargon. If you have a complex return — investments, crypto, rental property, or self-employment income — TurboTax gives you the most confidence that nothing is being missed.

Plans & Pricing

• Free Edition — $0: Simple W-2 income, standard deduction, basic credits only. Very limited — most people get upsold.
• Deluxe — $59 + $64/state: Itemized deductions, mortgage interest, charitable donations, student loan interest. Best for homeowners.
• Premium — from $79 + $64/state: Investments, stocks, crypto, rental income, HSA contributions.
• Self-Employed — from $139 + $64/state: Schedule C, freelance and 1099-NEC income, business deductions, home office deduction.

Key Features

• ✅ Snap & auto-import W-2s and 1099s from a photo
• ✅ Import prior year returns from TurboTax or competitors
• ✅ Live Expert Assist — on-demand tax expert help included free with paid plans
• ✅ Expert Full Service option — a dedicated CPA or EA does your entire return
• ✅ Audit Support Guarantee
• ✅ 100% accuracy guarantee — pays IRS penalties if their calculation is wrong
• ✅ Maximum refund guarantee
• ❌ Most expensive of the four platforms
• ❌ Free tier is extremely limited — most people will need to upgrade
• ❌ State filing at $64 is the most expensive of the group

Bottom line: TurboTax is worth paying for if you value a guided, hand-held experience or have a truly complex return. If you’re comfortable filing your own taxes, you can get the same accuracy for less elsewhere.

H&R Block (2025) — Full Review

Best For: People who want expert backup at a slightly lower price than TurboTax

H&R Block is the only major tax software company that also operates physical offices nationwide — over 60,000 locations. That real-world presence gives it a credibility edge, and its online software is excellent. The interface is clean, easy to follow, and all paid plans include unlimited live chat with a tax expert. Its free tier is also one of the best available, including free state filing — something TurboTax doesn’t offer.

Plans & Pricing

• Free Online — $0 federal + $0 state: Simple W-2 returns, Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Credit, student loan interest, retirement distributions. Approximately 52% of filers qualify.
• Deluxe — $65 + $49/state: Itemized deductions, mortgage interest, HSA contributions, tax credits.
• Premium — $105 + $49/state: Investments, stocks, rental income, cryptocurrency.
• Self-Employed — $130 + $49/state: Schedule C, freelance and 1099 income, business deductions, gig work.

Key Features

• ✅ Unlimited expert live chat included with all paid plans
• ✅ AI Tax Assist for instant answers to tax questions
• ✅ W-2 and 1099 import via photo or upload
• ✅ Import prior year returns from TurboTax, TaxAct, or H&R Block
• ✅ Tax Pro Review add-on — a real CPA reviews before you file
• ✅ 100% accuracy guarantee and maximum refund guarantee
• ✅ Option to visit a physical office if you need in-person help
• ✅ Free state filing with Free Online tier
• ❌ State filing fee ($49) is higher than FreeTaxUSA and TaxAct
• ❌ Interface slightly less polished than TurboTax

Bottom line: H&R Block is the best value if you want expert help included. The combination of a solid interface, unlimited expert chat, free state filing on the free tier, and slightly lower prices than TurboTax makes it an easy recommendation for most filers.

TaxAct (2025) — Full Review

Best For: Budget-conscious filers with mid-complexity returns who don’t need hand-holding

TaxAct doesn’t get as much press as TurboTax or H&R Block, but it has been around since 1998 and has a loyal following for good reason. It offers nearly all the same features as its pricier competitors at a meaningfully lower cost — especially on state returns. If you’re comfortable navigating a tax return without as much guidance, TaxAct will save you real money.

Plans & Pricing

• Free — $0 + state additional: Simple W-2 income, standard deduction, basic credits. Limited to straightforward returns.
• Deluxe — $59.99 + $45/state: Itemized deductions, mortgage interest, HSA, student loan interest.
• Premier — $99.99 + $45/state: Investments, rental income, stocks, cryptocurrency, foreign income.
• Self-Employed — $109.99 + $45/state: Schedule C, freelance and gig income, business deductions.

Key Features

• ✅ Lower prices than TurboTax and H&R Block across the board
• ✅ Lowest state filing fee of the paid platforms ($45)
• ✅ Accuracy Guaranteed — refund + pays up to $100,000 for calculation errors
• ✅ Maximum refund guarantee
• ✅ W-2 and prior year return import
• ✅ Xpert Assist — expert help available as a paid add-on
• ❌ Interface is more text-heavy and less polished than TurboTax or H&R Block
• ❌ Expert chat not included by default — costs extra
• ❌ Mobile app experience weaker than competitors

Bottom line: TaxAct is the right pick if you want to save money compared to TurboTax or H&R Block without giving up important features. Particularly good value for investors and rental property owners who would pay a lot more elsewhere.

FreeTaxUSA (2025) — Full Review

Best For: Anyone comfortable filing their own taxes who wants to maximize savings

FreeTaxUSA is the hidden gem of tax software. While the other three platforms advertise “free” filing but really mean “free for simple W-2 returns only,” FreeTaxUSA makes federal filing completely free for everyone — including investors, self-employed filers, landlords, and gig workers. Federal is always $0, no matter how complex your return. The state fee of $15.99 is the lowest of any platform reviewed here.

Plans & Pricing

• Free — $0 federal + $15.99/state: Everything included — W-2, 1099, Schedule C, Schedule D (investments), Schedule E (rental income), self-employment. No upgrades required for any form type.
• Deluxe Support add-on — $7.99: Priority support, live chat with a tax professional, unlimited amended returns.
• Pro Support add-on — $64.99: Screen-share session with a tax pro who walks through your full return with you.

Key Features

• ✅ Genuinely free federal filing for all return types, no upsells
• ✅ Cheapest state filing of all four platforms ($15.99)
• ✅ W-2 and 1099 photo import
• ✅ 100% accuracy guarantee and maximum refund guarantee
• ✅ Free prior year return storage and rollover
• ✅ IRS-approved e-file provider — over 82 million returns filed
• ✅ Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars from 672,000+ verified reviews
• ❌ Interface is more basic and less guided than TurboTax
• ❌ No built-in live expert chat without paying for Deluxe Support ($7.99)
• ❌ No free state return

Bottom line: If you’re comfortable doing your own taxes and want to keep every dollar possible, FreeTaxUSA is hard to beat. Self-employed filers and investors who would pay $150–$200+ on TurboTax can file for free here.

Who Should Use Each Platform?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is TurboTax really worth the extra cost?

For first-time filers or people with genuinely complicated tax situations, yes. But if you’ve filed before and your situation is similar to last year, you’ll likely get the same result from TaxAct or FreeTaxUSA at a fraction of the price. The software doesn’t change what deductions you’re entitled to — that’s determined by tax law.

Can I really file all my taxes for free?

With FreeTaxUSA, yes — federal is free for everyone regardless of complexity. With TurboTax, H&R Block, and TaxAct, free tiers are limited to very simple returns. Anyone with itemized deductions, investments, or self-employment income will need to upgrade on those three platforms.

Which software gives the biggest refund?

Your refund is determined by tax law — the software doesn’t change what you’re owed. All four platforms guarantee maximum refund accuracy. The difference is in how well they surface deductions and credits you might miss on your own. TurboTax and H&R Block ask the most questions to uncover potential deductions; FreeTaxUSA is more self-directed.

Is it safe to file my taxes online?

Yes. All four platforms use bank-level encryption and are IRS-authorized e-file providers. E-filing is actually more secure than mailing a paper return — there’s no physical document that can be lost or intercepted in transit.

Before you file, make sure you’re claiming every deduction you’re entitled to. Use our free Tax Deduction Calculator to check which business, home, and medical deductions apply to your situation — it takes under 2 minutes.