Wealthsimple Tax vs TurboTax vs H&R Block 2026 | Best Tax Software
Updated
For most Canadians, tax software is the fastest, cheapest way to file — and the three biggest names are Wealthsimple Tax, TurboTax, and H&R Block. The practical difference comes down to how much hand-holding you want and how much you’re willing to pay for it. Wealthsimple Tax gives you every feature for $0, making it the default recommendation for the roughly 95 % of filers with straightforward T4 income, RRSP contributions, and standard credits. TurboTax’s interview-style Q&A justifies its $23–$60 + price tag mainly for nervous first-timers or those who want a live expert to review their return. H&R Block fills the niche for people who prefer an in-person conversation — though at $100–$300 + per visit, you’re paying more for comfort than accuracy. If your income tops $250 K or you have a corporate return, skip software entirely and hire an accountant.
Quick Comparison
Feature
Wealthsimple Tax
TurboTax
H&R Block
Price
Pay what you want ($0+)
$0-$50+
$0-$30+
NETFILE
Yes
Yes
Yes
Auto-fill (CRA)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Mobile app
Yes
Yes
Yes
RRSP/TFSA optimizer
Yes
Yes (paid tiers)
Limited
Self-employment
Yes
Yes ($50+ tier)
Yes ($30+ tier)
Rental income
Yes
Yes ($50+ tier)
Yes ($30+ tier)
Investments/capital gains
Yes
Yes
Yes
Expert review
No
Yes ($60+)
Yes (in-person or online)
Satisfaction
Very high
High
Moderate-High
Pricing Breakdown
Wealthsimple Tax
Tier
Price
Features
All features
Pay what you want ($0+)
Every feature included
Suggested contribution
$10-$20
Supports development
Priority support
Wealthsimple Premium members
Faster support response
TurboTax Canada
Tier
Price
Best For
Free
$0
Simple returns (T4 only, RRSP, donations)
Standard
~$23
T4, investments, basic deductions
Premier
~$40
Rental income, detailed investments
Self-Employed
~$50
Business income, expenses
Live Assist
~$60+
Expert review of your return
Full Service
~$100+
Expert prepares the whole return
H&R Block Canada
Tier
Price
Best For
Free (online)
$0
Simple returns
Deluxe
~$20
Employment income, deductions
Premium
~$30
Self-employment, rental income
In-person (office)
$100-$300+
Complex returns, in-person help
Tax Pro Review
~$80+
Expert reviews online return
Feature Comparison
Filing Experience
Feature
Wealthsimple Tax
TurboTax
H&R Block
Interface style
Form-based (fill in fields)
Interview-based (Q&A walkthrough)
Hybrid
CRA Auto-fill
Yes
Yes
Yes
Carry forward prior year
From most software
Yes (from TurboTax)
Yes (from H&R Block)
Multiple returns
Unlimited
Depends on tier (up to 8)
Depends on tier
Couple filing
Side-by-side optimization
Linked returns
Linked returns
Bilingual
English + French
English + French
English + French
Overall UX
Modern, clean
Polished, guided
Standard
Income Types Supported
Income Type
Wealthsimple Tax
TurboTax (Free)
TurboTax (Paid)
H&R Block
T4 (employment)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
T5 (investments)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
T3 (trusts)
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
T4A (pension/other)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Self-employment (T2125)
Yes
No
Yes ($50+)
Yes ($30+)
Rental income (T776)
Yes
No
Yes ($40+)
Yes ($30+)
Capital gains/losses
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Foreign income (T1135)
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Crypto transactions
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Deductions and Credits
Deduction/Credit
Wealthsimple Tax
TurboTax
H&R Block
RRSP optimization
Yes (shows optimal contribution)
Yes (paid tiers)
Basic
Medical expenses
Yes
Yes
Yes
Charitable donations
Yes
Yes
Yes
Moving expenses
Yes
Yes
Yes
Tuition (T2202)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Home office (T777)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Canada Training Credit
Yes
Yes
Yes
Disability Tax Credit
Yes
Yes
Yes
CCA (depreciation)
Yes
Yes (paid)
Yes (paid)
RRSP/TFSA/FHSA
Yes
Yes
Yes
Who Should Use Which
Choose Wealthsimple Tax If
Situation
Why
Any income level/complexity
All features are free
Self-employed
Free, handles T2125
Rental income
Free, handles T776
Students
Free, handles tuition credits
Comfortable filling in tax forms
Form-based interface
Want to save money
Best value = free
Most Canadians
It does what 95% of people need
Choose TurboTax If
Situation
Why
First time filing (nervous)
Interview format guides you step-by-step
Want expert review
Live Assist and Full Service options
Very complex situation
Comprehensive guidance
Prefer guided experience
Don’t want to interpret form fields
Already used TurboTax before
Easy carry-forward and familiarity
Choose H&R Block If
Situation
Why
Want in-person help
1,000+ offices across Canada
Complex return + want a human
In-person tax professionals
Senior/not comfortable online
Walk-in service available
Audit protection
Optional add-on
Moderate price sensitivity
Cheaper than TurboTax, more guidance than Wealthsimple
Choose an Accountant Instead
Situation
Why Software Isn’t Enough
Incorporated business
Corporate returns (T2) need professional
Complex tax planning
Multi-year strategy, income splitting
Non-resident/departure
International tax rules
CRA audit or reassessment
Need professional representation
Estate/trust returns
T3 returns can be complex
Over $250K income
Tax planning saves more than CPA costs
Accuracy and Error Checking
Feature
Wealthsimple Tax
TurboTax
H&R Block
Real-time error checking
Yes
Yes
Yes
Review before filing
Yes
Yes
Yes
Accuracy guarantee
No specific guarantee
100% accuracy guarantee
Accuracy guarantee
Will pay penalties if error?
No
Yes (on paid tiers)
Yes (on paid tiers)
Audit support
No
Basic (paid tiers)
Optional add-on
Other Free Options
Software
Price
Notes
Wealthsimple Tax
Pay what you want
Best free option
StudioTax
Free (desktop)
Reliable but dated interface
GenuTax
Free (Windows)
Solid alternative
NETFILE (CRA)
Free
Basic, no optimization
Community volunteer clinics
Free
For low-income, basic returns
Our Recommendation
Situation
Best Choice
Cost
Most Canadians
Wealthsimple Tax
$0
Nervous first-time filer
TurboTax Standard
$23
Want a human
H&R Block office
$100-$300
Self-employed (basic)
Wealthsimple Tax
$0
Self-employed (complex)
Accountant
$200-$500
Retirees (simple)
Wealthsimple Tax
$0
Very complex (business, foreign)
Accountant
$300-$1,000+
Bottom Line
Start with Wealthsimple Tax — it’s genuinely free, NETFILE-certified, and handles self-employment, rental income, and investments without up-charges. Switch to TurboTax only if you need guided walk-throughs you can’t get elsewhere, or to H&R Block if you want someone sitting across a desk from you. For anything involving a corporation, international tax, or a CRA dispute, no software replaces a qualified CPA.