Avalara: Solutions, Pricing & Competitors

When it comes to managing sales tax compliance, Avalara is a widely recognized name in the industry. Whether you’re an e-commerce startup or a large-scale retailer, understanding Avalara’s offerings and how they compare with competitors like Kintsugi is crucial. In this blog, we’ll dive into Avalara’s role in sales tax, its various integrations, customer support, pricing models, and identify alternatives that could better fit your business needs. We’ll also explore how Kintsugi makes sales tax automation seamlessly efficient and cost-effective.

Understanding Avalara’s Offerings and Integrations

Avalara HQ is in Seattle, Washington, and the business has been operating since 2004. Avalara has established itself as a leader in sales tax automation with its comprehensive suite of products and services. The Avalara logo is synonymous with reliable tax compliance solutions, and users often integrate Avalara into platforms like Shopify for enhanced functionality. The Avalara Shopify integration is a popular choice, allowing businesses to automate their tax calculations and returns effortlessly.

Avalara’s Economic Nexus and Avatax Pricing

Economic nexus laws have added a layer of complexity to sales tax compliance. Avalara’s solutions, like Avatax, help businesses navigate these challenges. Understanding Avatax pricing is crucial, as the cost can vary significantly based on transaction volume and service level.

However, many Avalara customers complained about its alleged questionable pricing. Several shared their reviews online claiming that Avalara upgraded their plans without prior notice, leading them to pay more than what they thought.

Avalara has poor ratings on Yelp, receiving only 1.2 stars on average from 159 reviews it received. Eden C. from Denver said Avalara was the "worst company ever" because it was free when she installed the software, but her plan was auto-upgraded and she was billed $897 despite her business being closed. She had been reaching out to Avalara for a refund, but they were reportedly telling her they could not give her a refund.

Robert Q from Wendell, NC, said they canceled their subscription, but Avalara still charged them $9827.96. The company reportedly promised a refund but did not deliver. At one point, Avalara said they already issued a refund to their credit card, but he did not receive it. Robert called Avalara a "scam business" and a "fraud."

On the other hand, Kintsugi’s transparent pricing remains straightforward, charging just $100/month without annual commitments. This flexible pricing model caters to businesses of different sizes, ensuring they only pay for what they need.

Avalara Customer Support

Efficient customer support is essential for businesses relying heavily on software like Avalara. Avalara’s customer support has received mixed reviews, with some users praising the assistance and others noting long wait times.

Avalara has better ratings on G2, with 4 out of 5 stars. It received nearly 600 reviews, but many were unsatisfied with the customer support. According to them, the support could have been more responsive and helpful.

One verified Avalara user claimed it has the "worst customer service, worst sales process ever, worst whole experience ever." The sales team allegedly tried to oversell the product and even offered a premium support package, which they found to be "rubbish and useless."

Avalara's Integration

Although Avalara is a popular sales tax software, many have raised issues with its integration process. Tom A., another verified Avalara user, said Avalara was a "horrible product" and offered "horrible service." According to him, they encountered issues with QBO integration after QuickBooks rolled out an update and it ended up with them using three times the usage they expected, so they were charged more.

Another user said Avalara's Netsuite integrator was "incredibly expensive" when it should have been offered free. Kintsugi offers no-code and seamless integration without customers paying more for it.

Exploring Avalara Alternatives

While Avalara is a prominent choice, several Avalara competitors have carved a niche, each offering unique capabilities. Among these are Vertex and Kintsugi. 

However, the latter stands out for its innovative approach to automating sales tax. Kintsugi not only simplifies tax management but also provides a comprehensive product platform that integrates seamlessly with existing systems and it receives better ratings than Avalara online.

Top Avalara Alternative: Why Consider Kintsugi?

For those exploring Avalara alternatives, Kintsugi emerges as a formidable option. It offers an efficient platform to manage sales tax without the complexities and higher price points associated with traditional providers. Kintsugi's integration also supports QuickBooks online, Shopify, BigCommerce, Stripe, NetSuite and more.

Kintsugi Has Better Support

Kintsugi is a popular sales tax automation software among Shopify merchants, receiving 5-star ratings from everyone who uses the platform and shares their reviews about our service.

Among the things they love about Kintsugi is the responsive and knowledgeable customer support. Unlike Avalara, Kintsugi users feel supported whenever they have questions or concerns about the platform, so they love our service and support.

Kintsugi Offers Seamless Product Integrations

Kintsugi excels in providing robust support through its product integrations, ensuring that users can seamlessly connect with other software platforms. This ease of integration is complemented by Kintsugi’s reliable customer support, available to guide you through any sales tax challenges.

Kintsugi Intelligence Revolutionizes Sales Tax Automation

Kintsugi Intelligence offers a comprehensive product platform that not only automates tax compliance but does so in an intuitive, user-friendly manner. The competitive pricing and lack of annual commitment make it an attractive choice for businesses looking to optimize their tax compliance process.

Table of Comparison: Avalara vs. Kintsugi

Feature	Avalara	Kintsugi
Pricing	Varies; contingent on usage	$100/month flat rate
Economic Nexus Solutions	Yes	Yes
Shopify Integration	Yes	Yes
Customer Support	Mixed reviews	Highly rated
Flexibility and Integration	Moderate	High

Final Thoughts

Navigating the intricacies of sales tax compliance can be daunting, but choosing the right partner can make a world of difference. While Avalara is a seasoned player, emerging options like Kintsugi offer businesses a fresh, efficient, and budget-friendly approach to automating sales tax. Whether you’re looking for robust product integrations or need a partner with a flexible pricing model, Kintsugi should be on your radar.

For more information on maximizing your sales tax compliance, explore what Kintsugi has to offer today. You can book a demo now or sign up for free.