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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
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H&R Block Tax Prep alternatives

H&R Block Tax Prep users often seek alternatives due to unexpected charges, navigation issues, and unreliable support. Alternatives like TurboTax and TaxSlayer offer different pricing models and user experiences, while Keeper and TaxCaddy cater to specific tax situations.

Why users look for alternatives to H&R Block Tax Prep

The alternatives

TurboTax
4.8★ · 938,281 ratings · Free

TurboTax is often seen as a direct competitor to H&R Block, with some users switching to it for perceived better value or to avoid issues experienced with H&R Block R19R28R34R38. While some users praise its historical convenience due to tax history , others report similar issues to H&R Block, including unexpected charges for deluxe options they didn't select R59R61, high prices R62, and problems with customer support or 'expert advice' R62.

Better for: Users who are switching from H&R Block due to specific pricing or feature issues and are willing to try a different major provider, but should be cautious about potential hidden costs and support quality R19R28R34R38.

Head-to-head: H&R Block Tax Prep vs TurboTax
MyBlock
4.6★ · 57,839 ratings · Free

MyBlock is another H&R Block product, but reviews indicate it shares many of the same frustrations as the main H&R Block Tax Prep app. Users report issues with links not working, inability to print returns from the app, and being forced to a web browser for basic functions R65R67R69. There are also complaints about high costs , deceptive behavior , and difficulties with specific features like the Emerald Card . Some users had positive experiences with in-person tax agents linked to H&R Block R71.

Better for: Users who specifically need to interact with an H&R Block tax professional in person, as some praise the service from individual agents R71. However, the app itself appears to have significant functional limitations R65R67R69.

Head-to-head: H&R Block Tax Prep vs MyBlock
TaxSlayer
4.8★ · 20,576 ratings · Free

TaxSlayer is described by some users as being set up similarly to TurboTax but at a lower cost . Many find it straightforward and easy to use, especially for first-time filers R83. However, a significant drawback is the difficulty users experience in accessing, downloading, or printing their tax returns and documents R79R84R88R90. There are also reports of unexpected upcharges for state returns or higher-priced options R81R82.

Better for: Users looking for a potentially cheaper alternative to TurboTax or H&R Block for filing, especially if they have a straightforward tax situation and are comfortable with potential issues in accessing or printing documents after filing R83.

Head-to-head: H&R Block Tax Prep vs TaxSlayer
Keeper
4.8★ · 12,787 ratings · Free

Keeper is highly recommended by self-employed individuals and small business owners, particularly photographers, for tracking deductibles and expenses, making tax filing easier R94R102R104. Users praise its ease of use and simple process . However, there are serious concerns about its pricing, with reports of initial charges increasing unexpectedly R96, and issues with customer support being unresponsive or unhelpful . Some users also report connectivity problems with bank cards and a mandatory phone number requirement for account creation .

Better for: Self-employed individuals, freelancers, and small business owners, such as photographers, who need help tracking expenses and deductions throughout the year, provided they are aware of potential pricing changes and limited customer support R94R102R104.

Head-to-head: H&R Block Tax Prep vs Keeper
TaxCaddy
4.5★ · 8,562 ratings · Free

TaxCaddy is primarily a platform for organizing and securely sharing tax documents with an accountant R108. Users find it helpful for organizing documents and appreciate its confidential and encrypted nature . However, the app is frequently described as buggy, not intuitive, and difficult to use, with issues like uploaded material vanishing, problems with 'smart links,' and difficulties connecting with financial institutions due to multi-factor authentication R107R109R110.

Better for: Individuals whose accountants specifically request them to use TaxCaddy for document organization and secure sharing, as it serves as a communication platform R108. Users should be prepared for potential technical difficulties and a less intuitive interface R107R109R110.

Head-to-head: H&R Block Tax Prep vs TaxCaddy
Stick with H&R Block Tax Prep if

You have a simple tax situation and find H&R Block's step-by-step guidance easy to follow . Some users appreciate the option to keep things secure and online from year to year R3 and find the AI tool and search function for forms helpful R3.

Evidence note: MyBlock has limited unique reviews, and many of its issues mirror those of the main H&R Block Tax Prep app.

Frequently asked

Is H&R Block Tax Prep truly free?
While H&R Block Tax Prep advertises free filing, users report that the app often tries to upsell paid services, automatically forces users into deluxe options, or charges for state filing that was previously free, making it difficult to complete taxes without incurring costs R1R15R19R32.
Does H&R Block Tax Prep offer good customer support?
Many users describe H&R Block Tax Prep's customer support, including its AI chat assistant and automated phone options, as unhelpful, useless, or nonexistent, making it difficult to resolve issues R1R4R34R48.
Is TurboTax a cheaper alternative to H&R Block?
While some users switch to TurboTax seeking better value, many report that TurboTax also has high costs, unexpected charges for deluxe options (e.g., $119, $139, or even $350), and issues with 'free file' claims, similar to H&R Block R59R61R62R63.
Is Keeper good for self-employed individuals?
Yes, Keeper is highly recommended by self-employed individuals and small business owners, including photographers, for its ease in tracking deductibles and expenses, making tax filing simpler R94R102R104.
Can I print my tax returns from TaxSlayer?
Many TaxSlayer users report significant difficulties in accessing, downloading, or printing their tax returns and documents from the app, with the process often failing or looping R79R84R88R90.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R1] H&R Block Tax Prep 1/5 · US TRASH - No live support & NOW CHARGES: Always files with H&R Block but now it is forcing the deluxe option automatically without any way of changing . AI chat assistant is unhelpful and totally useless . The automated options when you call are ALSO useless ,’keeps telling you they don’t understand and when you get through it tells you the hours, which is still operational at the time of the call b
  2. [R19] H&R Block Tax Prep 1/5 · US If HSA you HAVE to get Deluxe and pay for State filing: I now have to buy the deluxe version just because I have HSA on my W2. And since I didn’t start with the Deluxe, I now have to pay for State filing! I am taking the standard deduction. No other special situations apply. They should allow you to buy Deluxe with free state filing while in the app!!! What a rip off! Turbo Tax next year!
  3. [R32] H&R Block Tax Prep 1/5 · US Scam: Tons of add ons for additional money. Some does not even allow you to progress without confirming the additional money. This company is a joke.
  4. [R38] H&R Block Tax Prep 1/5 · US Scam company, use TurboTax: H&R Block is a scam company, just use TurboTax and save yourself the time of switching over later. If you stick with H&R Block, you might get one year cheap for 50 bucks, but every additional year will be 50 extra dollars tacked on for absolutely nothing. I’m up to like 200 dollars for the same services that were 50 three years ago. This company is legitimately the w
  5. [R2] H&R Block Tax Prep 4/5 · US Navigation: My only quibble so far is that when you log out and then return to the app another day, the choice to pick up where I left off doesn’t take me to where I left off. It’s difficult to pick up at the place you stopped working the day before
  6. [R3] H&R Block Tax Prep 3/5 · US Good to Decent: I like the option to keep things secure and online from year to year. The AI tool and search function for forms is great. The issue I have is this year, for the first time, I was submitting on the last day. Their servers must have been overloaded and it pre enter me from filing my taxes on time. I kept getting errors and declined transactions through the website and app. They need
  7. [R4] H&R Block Tax Prep 2/5 · US Wicked Good.....maybe!: Easier to read than my 1099 Forms. The 1099-R form was available after contacting help by phone. But now am humg up on the Form SSA-1099, as it is not opening or loading...not able to work any further and almost complete! Guess another morning call is in order, except a prior commitment will likely delay that contact by one day. This year must be my simplest filing ever (ye
  8. [R6] H&R Block Tax Prep 3/5 · US Session Expired while entering data: While entering my many donations, the software said my session has ended and I lost all that work.
  9. [R34] H&R Block Tax Prep 2/5 · US Not Happy: I needed to file for my son who has been using H&R Block for years! I needed help and talked texted with an agent. Guess it was too complicated for him and I literally didn’t receive any help! I’ll go to TurboTax! Sad!!
  10. [R48] H&R Block Tax Prep 1/5 · US Desktop vs App: The app does not sync with the desk top even when logging in under the same credentials. Customer service not helpful and basically nonexistent.
  11. [R9] H&R Block Tax Prep 3/5 · US Limited: The app does not recognize living at an address in Puerto Rico as living in the US. It asks me if I lived in the US making things very complicated. Also, tried using virtual pro and they want me to pay before letting me review the draft. Who does that?
  12. [R14] H&R Block Tax Prep 5/5 · US I don’t see a point to this app.: What’s the point of me downloading an app that is going to force me to open a web browser in order to finish my tax returns? Like if you’re going to make me sign into your website directly, then I should just go straight to your website. This app is pointless.
  13. [R28] H&R Block Tax Prep 1/5 · US Can’t add where foreign tax paid. So can’t finish.: Hello turbo tax!
  14. [R35] H&R Block Tax Prep 5/5 · US Solid app with ease of use: 2026 return was smooth. Only problem I ran into was deducting my daughter’s college tuition and fee. The app asked about my wife and me, but not my kids.
  15. [R10] H&R Block Tax Prep 1/5 · US Will not recommend: Garbage app from a garbage company. Selected to have my refund sent via check and they decided to try and send it to my bank account without my consent and said it’s my fault for not providing bank information when I requested a CHECK IN THE FIRST PLACE!
  16. [R15] H&R Block Tax Prep 3/5 · US They try to trick you but if you are careful, it is FREE: I had many ads for paid services populate while filing. You have to be careful and read before checking boxes and clicking next, they try to trick you but if you are careful, it will be free. I subtracted one star for sneaky antics and another star for terrible auto-fill… I would have been better off manually entering all data. They get
  17. [R16] H&R Block Tax Prep 1/5 · US Deceptive behaviour: You spend hours filling the forms and then they log you out and demand biometrics for you to access your forms. Phone, email, and any identifiable information is not enough. They also share your data with Google and Meta as per their privacy policy
  18. [R22] H&R Block Tax Prep 1/5 · US Scam artists: They are drifters and do everything they can to get money out of you
  19. [R65] MyBlock 2/5 · US Pseudo sincerity: You should know, they will overhype their app, keeping it up to date FOR security, etc, but even the most basic functions (e.g. changing your hone address), they force you to the browser to do so.
  20. [R67] MyBlock 3/5 · US Doesn’t fully work…: None of the “Learn more” links, or any other links for that matter, open up so you can actually read them. The “Print return” button at the end also doesn’t open. So…. You inevitably have to login to your laptop or login via a web browser outside of the app to download any paperwork. It filed successfully, so 3 stars. But it doesn’t work 100%
  21. [R69] MyBlock 4/5 · US Sucky Control Features: Still in progress of editing my taxes but cannot add other documents like going back to add 1099-DIV & 1095-C. The links are all dead or not available. Thumbs down! 👎
  22. [R71] MyBlock 5/5 · US Since 1996: Frida Cohan best Tax Agent at her job. She guide me and never let me down. Her staff is wonderful and love getting my taxes done every year with her. If you thinking about it!! Just do it with H&R Block it’s worth every penny.
  23. [R79] TaxSlayer 1/5 · US Can I say I’d rather clean toilets all day than do taxes: Forget about trying to access or print your taxes! Logged in 20 times App just trying to EXTRACT MY OWN INFORMATION!Guess you better just plan to get your own transcript from the IRS!
  24. [R81] TaxSlayer 3/5 · US Payment: I think $46.00 payment for a state return especially where I get zero money money back from the state and I’m 100% Disabled, I think is HORRIBLE!!!!!
  25. [R82] TaxSlayer 1/5 · US Automatically Upcharged me: Charged me $140 dollars after I chose the $0 option does not make any sense and the customer service was no help in tracing the funds ! Not recommended
  26. [R83] TaxSlayer 5/5 · US Great App: So straightforward. Especially for a first-time user. Thank you
  27. [R93] Keeper 1/5 · US A SCAM & FRAUD: Keeper Tax is a fraud. They offer you a 14-day free trial and then charge your account immediately and ignore emails. Avoid this scam of a company.
  28. [R94] Keeper 5/5 · US Great For Small Business: I’m so glad that I found Keeper! My tax pro was very knowledgeable and helpful with making sure what all they had to offer. I paid the yearly subscription which was way less expensive than going to someone locally. Now I am not afraid to do my taxes anymore!
  29. [R95] Keeper 3/5 · US Broken app: Can not enter manual transaction records
  30. [R96] Keeper 1/5 · US 300$ for what: it’s powered by ai and they want 300$ a year to use it??? that’s crazy.
  31. [R107] TaxCaddy 1/5 · US Horrible app: Terrible on an iPad. Absolutely awful.
  32. [R108] TaxCaddy 5/5 · US Phone optimized: Clear, communication platform
  33. [R109] TaxCaddy 3/5 · US Uploaded material lost before saved.: I was uploading multiple documents by photos and when updating the tax year, the uploaded material “vanished,” going to the bottom of my iPad screen. I am unable to retrieve it. Help!
  34. [R110] TaxCaddy 1/5 · US Awful Software: My financial advisor wants me to use this but so far it’s unusable. I can’t find a major institution like fidelity and the autofill passwords function doesn’t work. Very frustrating.
  35. [R59] TurboTax 1/5 · US Scam: I chose the free version but turbo tax picked the TurboTax Online Do It Yourself Premium 2025 which is an extra $139. Won’t let me switch because they claim I already paid but I haven’t even filed yet. Wouldn’t recommend to anyone.
  36. [R61] TurboTax 1/5 · US Not happy at all: I usually file with these guys every year. And every year there is an option to file free ad they advertise on tv. Well, this past year when I filed, I get an email saying that my bank will be charged $119.00 for a deluxe option that I never wanted and never selected. I’m moving on from these thieves. They are no better than the IRS. I learned my lesson. I just wanted let everyon
  37. [R62] TurboTax 1/5 · US No more. H&R Block is cheaper: It USED to be good. This year I had to buy the $350 tax package. $350!!! I’ve used turbo tax since the first year available For single use software!!!! Ive been rejected 3 times now. Their “expert advice” (yes I have unlimited help!) sits there asking me stupid questions for 30 minutes that have nothing todo with the problem
  38. [R63] TurboTax 1/5 · US Scammy: Don’t waste your time there’s better free tax filing programs and their ‘experts’ are scammers. I’d give no stars if I could. They charged me for a tax expert for a tax year I didn’t need and when they couldn’t get the payment they auto drafted from my savings account and now I am short for my rent money!! LITERALLY GO ANYWHERE ELSE. I’ll never use this service again. And can’t even reach
  39. [R102] Keeper 5/5 · US Best Experience: As a Photographer I’ve been using this app for years! I can say for a fact it’s the easiest experience I’ve ever had with both tracking my deductibles and filing my taxes. I highly recommend this app to everyone.
  40. [R104] Keeper 5/5 · US Amazing!: This app offers so much! Makes me feel safe and comfortable. Super easy to use and keeps track of all my expenses! 100/10 recommended!
  41. [R84] TaxSlayer 3/5 · US Malfunction: There is something wrong with the app it won’t let me type anything update how come I can’t download my tax return to look at it
  42. [R88] TaxSlayer 1/5 · US Hard to navigate: Could not download or print returns for this year or previous years. Could not review return. Hope everything turns out ok You can’t go to a specified line , like line 20 on 1040. Wtf
  43. [R90] TaxSlayer 3/5 · US File: I use TaxSlayer every year. But my complaint is I can never just download or print my documents. It just circles, no matter what device I’m on and then I have to close out app and log in again. Over and over with the same result.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store