H&R Block Online vs TaxAct

H&R Block Online9.0Visit TaxAct8.8Visit

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

TaxAct #3 in Personal Tax Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit TaxAct

• H&R Block Online fits best

  US filers wanting guided expert support

• TaxAct fits best

  Multi-device US filing with assistance

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Side by side

Feature	H&R Block Online 9.0/10 Visit ↗	TaxAct 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.0	8.8
Ranking	#2 in Personal Tax Software	#3 in Personal Tax Software
Best for	US filers wanting guided expert support	Multi-device US filing with assistance
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	—	$44.99 one-time
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support	Live chat, Docs	Phone, Live chat, Docs
Built for	Solo	Solo, Small business
Features H&R Block Online 4/4 · TaxAct 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	Supports investment, crypto, rental, and self-employment returns Works across web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android Offers uploads, cross-device saving, expert help, and Audit Defense
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 filing is an additional charge Important return types require paid plans Live expert assistance is an add-on
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 →	TaxAct is US tax preparation software for individuals, self-employed filers, and small businesses. It provides guided federal and state return preparation through web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, with support for standard returns,… 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

• TaxAct — where it wins

  • Supports investment, crypto, rental, and self-employment returns
  • Works across web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
  • Offers uploads, cross-device saving, expert help, and Audit Defense

  Where it doesn't

  • State filing is an additional charge
  • Important return types require paid plans
  • Live expert assistance is an add-on

• 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 →
• TaxAct8.8/10 · Free plan

  A broad US tax filing option with free entry, paid coverage, and expert help.

  Visit TaxActFull verdict →