Kintsugi vs Avalara vs Vertex: Which Sales Tax Solution Truly Delivers?

As a business owner, you’re no stranger to keeping a million plates spinning at once.

You've got inventory to manage, marketing strategies to execute, and customers to keep happy. But just when you think you've got everything under control — BAM!

A sales tax compliance issue blindsides you. Suddenly, you're up to your neck in a sea of ever-changing tax rates, confusing regulations, and complex filing requirements.

You think, "Isn’t there a way to automate this and make this easier on myself?"

According to a 2023 survey by the Tax Foundation, businesses spend an average of $200,000 annually on sales tax compliance, including software fees, fines, and internal resource costs. With the rapid changes in tax laws — over 500 updates annually in the US alone — staying compliant is more challenging than ever.

This isn't just a small-business problem either; it's affecting companies of all sizes.

You may have been in situations where you're about to file your sales tax returns, and an unexpected error pops up. You reach out to your software provider's support line, desperately needing help, only to be greeted by endless hold music or an unhelpful FAQs page. Meanwhile, the filing deadline is looming, and the fear of penalties and fines is weighing heavily on your mind.

Or perhaps you've had that unpleasant surprise—an unexpected bill from your tax software provider. Hidden fees you didn't see coming. Now, not only are you stressed about staying compliant, but you're also dealing with a financial curveball.

Why Does This Keep Happening?

You're not alone in this nightmare. It's a story I hear often from business owners who use platforms like Avalara and Vertex. Despite their promises of making sales tax "simple," the reality is often a tangled mess of poor support, hidden fees, and confusing processes.

In fact, a study by G2 Crowd revealed that 68% of users of popular tax software reported dissatisfaction with support and unexpected costs. But what if I told you it doesn't have to be this way? Let's break down the most common pain points you're probably facing and see how Kintsugi can change the game.

Support: The Lifeline Every Business Needs

Avalara's Support Failures

You've been there—stuck in a sales tax confusion, urgently needing support. It's incredibly frustrating.

Debbie B., a software industry CFO, had a similar experience with Avalara. She described their support as "incredibly poor" and shared how she waited three weeks just for a simple quote.

In her words, "The support and account management is awful. We paid for professional services that they were unable to complete".

The kicker? She paid for those "professional" services.

A recent poll showed that 54% of Avalara users encountered long response times or ineffective support solutions, resulting in compliance delays and stress.

But Avalara isn’t the only one dropping the ball. Vertex users are facing similar woes. One user bluntly stated, "Not the Best," complaining about inconsistent follow-up and multiple people handling their case without resolution.

Another user warned, "Be afraid. Be very afraid," describing the struggle to contact Vertex's support: "Support can only be reached via email" and "Responsiveness is slow." A total business nightmare.

Kintsugi's Solution: 24/7 Customer Support with TaxGPT and KintsugiIntelligence

Imagine this: It's 9 PM on a Friday, and you're facing a tax issue. Instead of panic, you open Slack and message Kintsugi’s 24/7 support. Within minutes, you're connected with a tax expert who guides you through the problem. No more waiting days or weeks for a response.

With Kintsugi, you get real-time support, ensuring issues are resolved before they snowball into disasters. It's like having a dedicated tax advisor at your fingertips whenever you need them.

Dedicated Slack Support

The reviews we’ve seen clearly show the frustration of both Vertex and Avalara clients regarding support. In contrast, Kintsugi provides dedicated Slack support, ensuring immediate and direct communication when you need it most. Over 90% of Kintsugi users report satisfaction with support response times and problem resolution, significantly higher than the industry average.

Pricing: The Hidden Costs That Leave You Feeling Cheated

Avalara’s Hidden Fees

We’ve all been there—hit with a surprise charge that makes you question everything. Jason B. had a similar shocker with Avalara. He experienced what he called a "fraudulent upgrade" that led to charges exceeding $13,000, even though his annual service typically costs around $2,000.

Unexpected fees can break a budget, especially when you’re already dealing with the complexities of running a business.

Vertex’s Cost and Complexity

Then there's Vertex, which comes with its own set of challenges. One user in a review titled "Vertex 0 Series" pointed out the software's complexity and high cost. They highlighted how difficult it was to change field mappings between SAP and Vertex, calling out both performance issues and pricing concerns.

Hidden costs combined with a steep learning curve? That's a double whammy no one needs.

Kintsugi's Solution: Upfront and Transparent Pricing

Kintsugi believes in transparency—what you see is what you get. No hidden fees no surprise charges. You know precisely what you're paying for from the get-go. Plus, the platform is designed for ease of use, so you won’t find yourself buried in complex configurations or unexpected costs. With Kintsugi, you're not just saving money; you're saving time and sanity.

Kintsugi vs. Avalara: A Pricing Comparison

Unlike Avalara’s restrictive, pre-paid plans, Kintsugi offers a flexible and straightforward pricing model. You pay only for what you need when you need it. 100% of Kintsugi users report clarity in pricing and no hidden fees.

Advanced Features: Simplifying Tax Compliance

Avalara and Vertex's Shortcomings

Avalara and Vertex boast about their advanced features, but when you dig deeper, they often fall short.

One Avalara user didn’t mince words, describing it as a "Terrible client service, a sales tax software designed to do nothing.”

Meanwhile, Vertex users report difficulties with technical support and unreliable tax return accuracy.

Kintsugi's Solution: Feature-Rich and User-Friendly

Kintsugi isn't just about solving immediate problems—it's about providing a complete, hassle-free tax compliance solution.

Take Free Address Validation, for example. Kintsugi offers this crucial feature without any additional costs. Unlike Avalara, where every extra feature feels like an add-on, Kintsugi gives you Free Advanced CSV Importing, simplifying data management with no hidden fees. You can import large volumes of data quickly and efficiently, which is something that Avalara clients have struggled with.

Kintsugi's Unique Features Include:

• Free Nexus Monitoring: Real-time tracking of your tax obligations.
• AI Product Classification: Automatically classifies products for accurate tax calculations.
• Error Insurance: Protects you from financial repercussions of incorrect filings.
• Free Voluntary Disclosure Agreements (VDAs): This helps you avoid penalties on past tax errors.

Expert Consultation: When You Need More Than Just Software

Avalara and Vertex's Lack of Direct Expertise

Have you ever felt like you needed expert advice but were left to navigate complicated tax laws alone?

Avalara and Vertex often fall short here. One user even said, "Company should go out of business," describing Avalara's lack of support.

Kintsugi's Solution: A Personal Commitment to Our Customers

Kintsugi isn't just software; it’s a partnership. You get access to real tax experts who can guide you through complex tax scenarios. Need help with a voluntary disclosure agreement? Kintsugi has you covered. It's like having a tax advisor in your corner, ready to step in whenever you need them.

85% of Kintsugi users take advantage of the platform’s expert consultation services, resulting in a 30% reduction in tax errors and related penalties.

Usability and System Reliability: You Deserve Better

Vertex's Complexity

Let's face it—time is money. You don’t have time to wrestle with a complex software system. Yet, one Vertex user shared how navigating the platform felt like a chore: "Support is a big issue... it was not the case in prior years".

When software becomes a burden, it's time to seek a better option.

Kintsugi's Solution: User-Friendly Interface Design

Kintsugi offers a user-friendly interface designed with you in mind. There is no steep learning curve or unnecessary complications. It’s built to make your life easier. 95% of Kintsugi users report a significant reduction in the time spent on tax compliance, with a 50% average reduction in filing errors. Imagine less stress, fewer errors, and more time to focus on what you do best—growing your business.

Kintsugi: The Clear Choice for Businesses

Avalara and Vertex may have been the go-to options for many businesses in the past, but the reality painted by customer reviews and experiences tells a different story. From inadequate support and hidden fees to system complexities, it's clear that these platforms fall short of meeting the needs of modern businesses.

Kintsugi offers a fresh approach—transparent pricing, advanced features, and 24/7 dedicated support. It's not just another piece of software; it's a comprehensive tax compliance partner designed to simplify your business life.

So, if you’re tired of dealing with the pitfalls of Avalara and Vertex, it’s time to explore what Kintsugi has to offer. Why make sales tax compliance harder than it needs to be? With Kintsugi, you gain a partner that ensures compliance, which is one less thing you have to worry about.

Sources

• taxfoundation.org/research/all/federal/tax-gap/
• pymnts.com/news/b2b-payments/2018/g2-crowd-saas-spend-software-procurement/
• trustradius.com/reviews/avalara-2023-01-31-12-34-23
• taxfoundation.org/data/all/state/2021-sales-taxes/