Vertex
Sovos
TaxJar
Anrok
Numeral
What is Avalara?
Avalara is a tax compliance platform that automates sales tax calculation (AvaTax), returns filing, exemption certificate management, registrations, cross-border duties and e-invoicing. Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, it integrates with 1,400+ ERP, e-commerce and accounting systems and serves more than 200,000 direct and indirect customers.
Avalara connects a business's transaction systems (ERP, e-commerce store, billing platform) to tax calculation, filing and reporting. Its core engine, AvaTax, determines the correct sales tax, VAT or GST at checkout or invoicing using address, product and customer data. Related products prepare and file returns, manage exemption certificates, handle registrations, calculate customs duties and submit e-invoices where governments require them.
The platform serves growing online sellers through to multinational, multi-entity enterprises. Its strength is the integration ecosystem: Avalara advertises 1,400+ signed partner integrations including NetSuite, SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, Shopify and QuickBooks. Customers still need to configure tax obligations, product tax codes and the scope of filing services they want.
In July 2026 Avalara launched Avalara Select, a plan with published per-state prices that bundles calculation, exemption management and managed filing for businesses under $50M in revenue. Larger and specialist deployments remain quote-based. Reviewers consistently praise the automation and integrations but report slow support, complex setup and billing surprises.
Key features
AvaTax real-time calculation
Calculates sales/use tax, VAT and GST at checkout or invoicing using address, product and customer data, via integrations or API.
Managed Returns
Prepares, files and remits sales tax returns and handles notices for the jurisdictions in your contract.
Exemption certificate management
Collects, validates and stores exemption and resale certificates so tax-exempt sales hold up in an audit.
Nexus monitoring
Tracks economic nexus thresholds in all 50 US states and alerts you when you may need to register.
Registrations and licenses
Handles state sales tax registrations ($403 per location) and business license research and applications.
Cross-border duties
Calculates customs duties and import taxes, assigns HS codes and screens trade restrictions for international shipments.
E-invoicing and live reporting
Converts and submits invoices in country-specific formats to meet government e-invoicing and real-time reporting mandates.
Avalara pricing
Since July 2026, Avalara publishes per-state pricing for businesses under $50M in annual revenue through Avalara Select, with about 15% off for annual billing. Larger, high-volume and international deployments are quoted. Vendr reports a median negotiated contract of $16,898/year across 761 purchases (range ~$3,750–$73,000). Ask what counts as a billable transaction, how many returns are included and what overages cost.
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Select: Core Compliance | $79/state/moor $799/state/yr | AvaTax calculation, Managed Returns, AvaTax Exemptions, 50-state nexus monitoring, integrations, audit readiness support |
| Select: Core + SST | $69/state/moor $699/state/yr | Core Compliance plus Streamlined Sales Tax services. Eligible sellers can get state-funded filing in up to 25 SST states |
| Custom | CustomMedian ~$17K/yr (Vendr) | High-volume, multi-entity, VAT/GST, e-invoicing, cross-border and advanced exemption management |
| Add-ons | From $119 | Sales tax registration $403/location; license guidance from $119 |
Free trial: 90-day free AvaTax developer trial (no credit card, rate-limited sandbox)
Pros & cons
Pros
- Largest integration ecosystem in sales tax (1,400+ connectors)
- Covers calculation, filing, exemptions, registrations and duties in one vendor
- Published per-state pricing since July 2026 makes small-business costs predictable
- Global VAT/GST and e-invoicing coverage for international expansion
Cons
- Support responsiveness is a recurring complaint in 2026 reviews
- Setup and configuration can be complex, especially with custom ERPs
- Reviewers report billing surprises, add-on costs and cancellation friction
- Per-state pricing adds up quickly for sellers with nexus in many states
Who is Avalara best for?
- Growing US e-commerce and multichannel sellers with nexus in several states
- Mid-market finance teams that want calculation, exemptions and filing tied into their ERP
- Multinationals with VAT/GST, cross-border duties or e-invoicing mandates
- Sellers eligible for Streamlined Sales Tax (SST) state-funded services
Coverage
Integrations
Notable customers
Frequently asked questions
How much does Avalara cost?
+
For businesses under $50M in revenue, Avalara Select Core Compliance costs $79 per state per month or $799 per state per year, and Core + SST is $69/state/month. Larger and international deployments are custom-quoted. Vendr reports a median contract of about $16,900/year.
Does Avalara file sales tax returns for me?
+
Yes. Managed Returns prepares, files and remits returns and is included in Avalara Select plans. Older or negotiated contracts may include a set number of returns with per-return charges beyond that, so check your order form.
Is there a free trial of Avalara?
+
Avalara offers a 90-day AvaTax trial with no credit card, aimed at developers and partners testing integrations. It is rate-limited and does not include managed filing.
Can Avalara be free through Streamlined Sales Tax?
+
Qualifying volunteer sellers can receive state-funded calculation, filing and remittance in up to 25 SST member states. Standard charges still apply in other states.
Does Avalara integrate with Shopify, NetSuite and QuickBooks?
+
Yes. Avalara has 1,400+ signed integrations including Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, NetSuite, SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, QuickBooks and Stripe. Confirm the connector is included in your plan.
Avalara vs TaxJar vs Anrok: which should I choose?
+
Avalara suits multi-channel and enterprise sellers that need broad integrations, exemptions and global coverage. TaxJar (owned by Stripe) is simpler for small e-commerce sellers. Anrok is built for SaaS and subscription businesses with usage-based billing.
Sources
Facts and pricing verified on October 19, 2026. Vendors change pricing often, so confirm with Avalara before buying. How we research
