Top Tax Software Comparison 2026: TurboTax vs H&R Block vs Keeper vs TaxSlayer

Feature & Details	Most Popular TurboTax ★ 4.8/5 $0 Fed Visit Site ➔	Best Value & Support H&R Block ★ 4.7/5 $0 Fed Visit Site ➔	Lowest Price Premium TaxSlayer ★ 4.5/5 $0 Fed Visit Site ➔	Price Lock Guarantee TaxAct ★ 4.6/5 $0 Fed Visit Site ➔	Best for 1099 & Gig Workers Keeper (Keeper.app) ★ 4.9/5 $16/mo Fed Visit Site ➔	Best Free Filing FreeTaxUSA ★ 4.8/5 $0 Fed Visit Site ➔	Best Accounting Tool QuickBooks Self-Employed ★ 4.6/5 $15/mo Fed Visit Site ➔
Starting Federal Price	$0	$0	$0	$0	$16/mo	$0	$15/mo
State Return Price	$0 - $64	$39.99	$39.95	$39.99	Included	$14.99	Bundled with TurboTax
Live CPA Assistance	TurboTax Live (On-Demand CPA)	Tax Pro Review & In-Office Assistance	Ask a Tax Pro (Included in Premium)	Xpert Assist Available	Assigned CPA & Dedicated Tax Assistant	Pro Support add-on available ($39.99)	TurboTax Live Bundle Available
IRS Audit Defense	Full Audit Representation Available	Worry-Free Audit Support Included	Audit Assistance Included in Ultimate	Audit Protection Available	Full IRS Audit Representation	Audit Defense available ($19.99)	Included with TurboTax Bundle
Best For	Complex Returns, Crypto, Investors & Guaranteed Max Refund	Filers who want online ease with in-person safety net	Confident filers seeking full features at half the price	Self-employed, freelancers & small LLC owners	Freelancers, Creators, Rideshare & Small Business Owners	Filers who want zero upsells on federal forms	Contractors needing year-round mileage & expense tracking
Top Advantages	✓ Industry-leading user interface ✓ Excellent phone/video CPA access ✓ Automated investment & crypto import	✓ Transparent tiered pricing ✓ Physical offices available if needed ✓ Intuitive step-by-step navigation	✓ Significantly cheaper than TurboTax/H&R Block ✓ Full 1099 & Schedule C coverage ✓ Free phone and email support	✓ Great tax calculation engine ✓ Clean reporting and depreciation schedules ✓ Solid self-employed suite	✓ Year-round passive write-off detection ✓ Never lose a receipt ✓ Specialized in 1099 & independent contractors	✓ Truly $0 federal return regardless of complexity ✓ Cheapest state return ($14.99) ✓ Honest, straightforward pricing	✓ Saves massive hours of tax prep ✓ Accurate quarterly tax vouchers (Form 1040-ES) ✓ Industry standard by Intuit
Things to Keep in Mind	— Higher tier pricing than competitors — Add-on fees for state filings	— State returns cost extra — Complex business returns require Deluxe or higher	— UI is slightly less polished — Guided deduction tool is more manual	— Fewer free filing scenarios — Customer support wait times peak in April	— Monthly subscription model — Not geared for pure W-2 filers	— Minimalist design — No mobile native app	— Ongoing monthly cost — Best when bundled with TurboTax
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