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Software · head to head

Authorize.net vs Avalara

A

Authorize.net

Software

We help make it easy to get paid

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Avalara logo

Avalara

Software

Tax compliance done right

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Authorize.net all-in-One plan charges a $25 monthly gateway fee plus 2.9% + 30 cents per transaction on top of it; Avalara plans start at $699 per state per year, so multi-state sellers multiply that figure rather than paying one subscription

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Authorize.net and Avalara actually diverge.

Attributes where Authorize.net and Avalara differ
AttributeAuthorize.netAvalara
Starting priceOn request$29/month
PlatformsWebWeb, Api
FoundedUnknown2004

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Authorize.net

Nothing recorded that Avalara does not also cover.

Only in Avalara

  • Tax calculation
  • Returns filing
  • Exemption management
  • Document management
  • Real-time rates
  • QuickBooks
  • NetSuite
  • Shopify

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Authorize.net

No use cases recorded yet. See the Authorize.net review.

Avalara

  • Real-time sales tax calculation at checkoutnot Authorize.net
  • Multi-state and multi-jurisdiction tax determinationnot Authorize.net
  • VAT, lodging, communications and excise tax calculationnot Authorize.net
  • Feeding tax results into an ERP or ecommerce platform through the APInot Authorize.net

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Authorize.net

  • All-in-One plan charges a $25 monthly gateway fee plus 2.9% + 30 cents per transaction on top of it
  • eCheck processing carries its own $10 monthly minimum fee separate from the card processing charges

Avalara

  • Plans start at $699 per state per year, so multi-state sellers multiply that figure rather than paying one subscription
  • Billed by transaction, where one API call is one transaction, so cost tracks invoice volume
  • The free option is limited to the Streamlined Sales Tax programme, in up to 25 states and only for qualifying businesses

Pricing, plan by plan

Authorize.net

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Authorize.net review.

Avalara

$29/month
  • AvaTax$50/month
    • Tax calculation
    • Exemption certificates
    • Returns filing

Which should you pick?

Choose Authorize.net if

Nothing in the data separates Authorize.net from Avalara on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Authorize.net review

Choose Avalara if

  • You need tax calculation.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want returns filing.
Avalara review

Questions people ask

Is Authorize.net or Avalara better?
Neither clearly leads. Authorize.net starts at On request and Avalara at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Authorize.net or Avalara?
Authorize.net starts at On request and Avalara at $29/month.
Does Authorize.net or Avalara run on more platforms?
Authorize.net runs on Web. Avalara runs on Web, Api.
What can Authorize.net do that Avalara cannot?
Avalara covers Tax calculation, Returns filing, Exemption management, Document management.
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