H&R Block Online vs FreeTaxUSA

H&R Block Online9.0Visit FreeTaxUSA8.7Visit

Higher score H&R Block Online #2 in Personal Tax Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit H&R Block

vs

FreeTaxUSA #4 in Personal Tax Software 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit FreeTaxUSA

• H&R Block Online fits best

  US filers wanting guided expert support

• FreeTaxUSA fits best

  Low-cost comprehensive US filing

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Side by side

Feature	H&R Block Online 9.0/10 Visit ↗	FreeTaxUSA 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.0	8.7
Ranking	#2 in Personal Tax Software	#4 in Personal Tax Software
Best for	US filers wanting guided expert support	Low-cost comprehensive US filing
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	—	—
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile	Cloud
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	Web
Support	Live chat, Docs	Email, Live chat, Phone, Tickets, Community
Built for	Solo	Solo, Small business
Features H&R Block Online 4/4 · FreeTaxUSA 4/4
Self-employment support	✓	✓
Investment income	✓	✓
Rental income	✓	✓
Audit support	✓	✓
Specs
State filing	Paid_add_on	Paid_add_on
Mobile access	Web_and_mobile	Web_and_mobile
Our review
Pros	Free tier covers simple returns, W-2 income, and key tax credits Supports investment, rental, and self-employment reporting Combines AI assistance with live tax-professional help	Free federal filing includes self-employment, investments, crypto, and rentals Imports W-2s, 1099s, and competitor return PDFs Optional audit defense and tax-professional support are available
Cons	State filing is a paid add-on The free plan is limited to simple returns Advanced filing requires moving to a paid plan	State tax return preparation and e-file are paid add-ons Optional Deluxe, Pro, and audit services add to the cost Access is browser-based rather than through a native mobile app
Our verdict	H&R Block Online is a web-based tax preparation and filing service for U.S. individual taxpayers. Its Free Online plan is designed for simple returns, including W-2 and unemployment income, the Earned Income Tax Credit, and the Child Tax… Read the review →	FreeTaxUSA is an online tax preparation service for U.S. individual taxpayers who want to file federal returns through a web browser. Its free federal filing supports common and more complex situations, including self-employment and… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• H&R Block Online — where it wins

  • Free tier covers simple returns, W-2 income, and key tax credits
  • Supports investment, rental, and self-employment reporting
  • Combines AI assistance with live tax-professional help

  Where it doesn't

  • State filing is a paid add-on
  • The free plan is limited to simple returns
  • Advanced filing requires moving to a paid plan

• FreeTaxUSA — where it wins

  • Free federal filing includes self-employment, investments, crypto, and rentals
  • Imports W-2s, 1099s, and competitor return PDFs
  • Optional audit defense and tax-professional support are available

  Where it doesn't

  • State tax return preparation and e-file are paid add-ons
  • Optional Deluxe, Pro, and audit services add to the cost
  • Access is browser-based rather than through a native mobile app

• H&R Block Online9.0/10 · Free plan

  A flexible tax-filing service with free simple returns and guided expert help.

  Visit H&R BlockFull verdict →
• FreeTaxUSA8.7/10 · Free plan

  A broad, low-cost option for complex federal returns, with state filing priced separately.

  Visit FreeTaxUSAFull verdict →