Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

H&R Block Tax Prep vs TurboTax

H&R Block Tax Prep 4.8★ · Free to download 75
Winner H&R Block Tax Prep
TurboTax 4.8★ · Free + IAP 40

H&R Block Tax Prep is generally preferred for its perceived value and ease of use, especially for simpler tax situations, while TurboTax faces significant backlash over its pricing and deceptive practices.

Full reviews: H&R Block Tax Prep · TurboTax

H&R Block Tax Prep is favored for its user-friendly interface and clearer pricing, with many users finding it easy to navigate and complete their taxes. TurboTax, despite its long-standing reputation, is currently receiving strong negative feedback regarding its pricing, hidden fees, and aggressive upsells, leading many users to seek alternatives.

Head to head

Ease of Use edge: H&R Block Tax PrepR2R5R11R14
H&R Block Tax Prep Many H&R Block users find the app simple, easy to understand, and stress-free, guiding them step-by-step through the process R5R11. However, some recent reviews mention navigation issues, difficulty going back to edit, or the app forcing users to a web browser R2R14.
TurboTax TurboTax users historically found it easy to use , but recent reviews indicate a decline, with complaints about buggy software, slow performance, and repetitive questions . Some users also report difficulties with specific forms or features .
Pricing and Value edge: H&R Block Tax PrepR1R8R12R15
H&R Block Tax Prep H&R Block is praised by some for offering free filing options and being more transparent with costs, even if some paid features are required for specific situations R8R12R15. However, other users express frustration with unexpected charges, forced upgrades for certain forms like HSA, or state filing no longer being free R1R19.
TurboTax TurboTax faces overwhelming criticism for its pricing, with numerous users calling it a 'scam' and 'greedy' . Users report being forced into paid upgrades, hidden fees, and high costs (up to $400) even for simple returns, often after being led to believe it would be free R61R75R76R80.
Reliability and Performance tieR3R4R6R7
H&R Block Tax Prep H&R Block users report issues such as session expiration leading to lost work, server overloads preventing timely filing, forms not loading, and data not syncing between the app and desktop or previous years R3R4R6R7. Some also mention the app adding incorrect deductions or failing to recognize certain addresses R9.
TurboTax TurboTax also has reliability issues, with users reporting buggy software, forms not working correctly, and issues with e-filing . There are also reports of incorrect calculations leading to IRS rejections or reduced refunds and accounts being lost or returns not being finished .
Customer Support edge: H&R Block Tax PrepR1R4R26R34
H&R Block Tax Prep H&R Block's support receives mixed reviews, with some finding the AI chat useless and phone support difficult to reach or unhelpful R1R4R34. There are also instances of support issues leading to account problems or loss of data R26.
TurboTax TurboTax's support is a major pain point, with users reporting long wait times R63, ineffective assistance, being transferred multiple times, and support agents unable to fix issues R64. Many users complain that support is only available after paying for upgrades .
Features tieR3R4R9R12
H&R Block Tax Prep H&R Block offers features like secure online storage, an AI tool, and a search function for forms R3. Some users appreciate the ability to import data from previous years R12. However, there are complaints about limitations, such as not recognizing Puerto Rico as a US address or issues with specific forms like SSA-1099 or foreign tax paid R4R9.
TurboTax TurboTax offers features like W-2 photo import, though some users report it not working . The app is generally comprehensive for various tax situations . However, users report issues with specific forms or deductions not being handled correctly, such as claiming head of household or specific contributions .
Pick H&R Block Tax Prep if

You are looking for a tax preparation app that is generally easy to use, especially for simpler tax situations, and want clearer pricing upfront R5R11R15. You might also pick H&R Block if you've had negative experiences with TurboTax's pricing and customer service .

Pick TurboTax if

You have historically used TurboTax for its comprehensive features and found it reliable, and your tax situation is straightforward enough to avoid the paid upgrades that many users complain about .

Evidence note: The evidence for TurboTax is heavily skewed negative, with a disproportionate number of recent reviews focusing on pricing and customer service issues. H&R Block also has negative reviews, but they are less concentrated on predatory pricing and more on technical glitches or specific feature limitations.

Frequently asked

Is H&R Block Tax Prep truly free?
H&R Block Tax Prep offers free filing options, particularly for simple returns, but users need to be careful as the app does present ads for paid services and may require upgrades for certain forms like HSA or for state filing R8R15R19R47.
Why are so many people complaining about TurboTax's pricing?
Many users complain that TurboTax, despite advertising a free option, forces them into paid upgrades, charges hidden fees, and can cost upwards of $100-$400 even for simple tax situations, often without clear disclosure until the end of the process R61R75R76R80.
Which app has better customer support?
H&R Block's customer support, while not perfect, appears to be slightly better than TurboTax's, which is frequently criticized for long wait times, ineffective assistance, and only offering help after paid upgrades R1R34R63R64.

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. [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
  2. [R5] H&R Block Tax Prep 5/5 · US Simple: Easy to use and very easy to understand
  3. [R11] H&R Block Tax Prep 5/5 · US Fast, Easy, and Stress-Free Tax Filing Experience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ H&R Block Tax Prep made filing my taxes much easier than I expected. The app was simple to use, well organized, and guided me step by step through the entire process. I appreciated how clear the instructions were and how it helped me feel confident that everything was done correctly. It saved me time, reduced stress, and made tax season feel
  4. [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.
  5. [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
  6. [R8] H&R Block Tax Prep 5/5 · US 2025 Tax Filing: This app is awesome!! You can actually file for free or choose to get pro help and pay a low amount for help. Best tax filing app!! Makes taxes so much easier!!
  7. [R12] H&R Block Tax Prep 3/5 · US Free Filing and Easy Filing: Very easy to use online. Only took an hour or so for my simple retirement situation. I ponyed up the $34 to import data from last year to make it easier and hopefully more accurate. Thanks H&R!
  8. [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
  9. [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
  10. [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
  11. [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.
  12. [R7] H&R Block Tax Prep 1/5 · US The app totally tripped up…: …at the composite 1099 stage. So I feel like this was a waste of time. Going to try something else.
  13. [R26] H&R Block Tax Prep 1/5 · US Indifference: TOTALLY DISGUSTED!! I’ve been using H&R Block online for years. This is the first time I have decided to do a negative review. I hit the pro tax help button by mistake and it added an additional charge to my account. I tried to delete this and there is no way to delete it. This is not fair. I had to delete the entire record which removed the previous year’s information and now I have
  14. [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!!
  15. [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?
  16. [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!
  17. [R47] H&R Block Tax Prep 4/5 · US No free state?: Used this app for 2023 and 2024 and the State filing was free. For some reason they don’t include State free anymore so off to Turbo Tax I go.
  18. [R61] TurboTax 1/5 · US TOO EXPENSIVE!!!: H&R Block online is better!!! more of the forms that TurboTax charge are free on H&R Block. You don’t have to pay for filing unemployed income moving you from the free option to almost 100 bucks. Your better off going to an office and filing. Your getting ******* anyway, may as well have an actual person in the room.
  19. [R75] TurboTax 2/5 · US Scam-like Services (Be mindful investors): I used to have no problem using TurboTax, it was easy for me to file my own taxes. But if you find yourself getting caught up in clicking on assistance throughout your tax session you may find yourself getting charged extra for using TurboTax. I understand that you are utilizing a tool that is given to you and somewhere in the fine print that is the reaso
  20. [R76] TurboTax 1/5 · US Greedy asks for more money than a real CPA: Nothing about my return is complicated. Turbo tax hides ways to lower fees on purpose trying to get you to stay on higher price (it hides options that are lower price on purpose which is evil). Not only that they charge $40 extra on top of $300 just to direct deposit your refund. This company needs to go bankrupt under. Will never use turbo tax again in
  21. [R80] TurboTax 1/5 · US So disappointed: I’ve used TurboTax for years, and rarely have I felt so betrayed by a service I used to love. Unlike the past several years, where all I’ve had to do was pay my state return fee, I was forced to pay for a subscription despite my taxes becoming less complicated and I was forced to pay two hidden processing fee which was never disclosed until the end of the process. My TurboTax bill
  22. [R63] TurboTax 3/5 · US Inconvenience: I just accidentally hung up a call I was waiting over an hour and a half for, now I am back on line for an estimated hour and 45 minutes. Very frustrating.
  23. [R64] TurboTax 1/5 · US Ineffective support systems: I will not belabor the nightmare TurboTax put me through to correct a simple error that resulted in the IRS rejecting my taxes. An error created by the initial full service tax preparer. It took several hours over 4 days on the phone with half a dozen different people to complete a simple, trivial task. Needless to say, TurboTax clearly needs better customer relatio

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