Avalara AvaTax vs CereTax
Avalara AvaTax
avalara.com
CereTax
ceretax.comSide by side
| Figure | Avalara AvaTax | CereTax |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $58.25/mo | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 9 | 1 |
| Spec score · Sales Tax Software | 8.5 (#4) | 7.3 (#14) |
| Spec score · Tax Engine Software | 8.6 (#5) | 7.2 (#18) |
| API | The AvaTax REST API supports tax calculation, document modification, and address validation; the page also describes custom integrations through the API. | The CereTax API is language-agnostic and provides real-time sales tax calculations for sales, purchases, and telecom transactions. |
| Implementation | Every customer gets access to a sandbox before going live, and the page says Avi, Avalara's AI implementation assistant, guides configuration. | CereTax says most implementations take 3–6 months. |
| Integrations | Avalara states it has more than 1,400 signed partner integrations and names Shopify, NetSuite, QuickBooks, Sage, Microsoft Dynamics 365, SAP, Adobe Commerce, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, Salesforce, and Oracle among them. | Listed integrations include NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and Finance & Operations, QuickBooks Online, Salesforce, BigCommerce, Stripe, and Rillet. |
| Purpose | AvaTax calculates tax in real time for sales and purchasing workflows across jurisdictions and tax types. | CereTax automates sales tax calculation, validation, and compliance for businesses handling complex transactions across multiple jurisdictions. |
| Security | Avalara says its global AvaTax platform has achieved SOC 2 Type 2 compliance. | CereTax says it uses encryption in transit and at rest and access controls; it advises customers to ask during evaluation for specific attestations such as SOC 2. |
| Support | Avalara describes support plans with Standard, Priority, and Enterprise options; stated initial response SLAs are 24 hours, 8 hours, and 1 hour respectively, and Enterprise Support is available 24/7. | CereTax describes support from sales tax professionals and provides a support email address in its knowledge base. |
Plans
Avalara AvaTax
- Core Compliance$79 a month
- Core Compliance + SST Services$69 a month
- CustomPriced on request
- Tax Calculation and Returns Compliance Package$699 a year
- Tax Calculation (AvaTax)Priced on request
- Core Compliance + SST Services Monthly$69 a month
- Core Compliance Monthly$79 a month
- Core Compliance + SST Services Annual$699 a year
- Core Compliance Annual$799 a year
In their own words
Avalara AvaTax
Avalara AvaTax calculates tax in real time for sales and purchasing workflows. It covers sales tax, consumer use tax, VAT, communications tax, occupancy and lodging tax, and excise tax, and supports automated return filing and tax registration. Address validation uses geospatial technology to match transactions to tax regions rather than relying on ZIP codes. AvaTax connects with ecommerce, ERP, accounting, sales, and purchasing systems, and its REST API supports calculation, document modification, and address validation. Product taxability codes, AI-assisted item classification, custom rules, exemption certificate management, and jurisdiction-specific tax research support tax decisions. Reporting includes dashboards, natural-language search, and audit-ready trails. The service is available through web and API, with integrations including Shopify, NetSuite, QuickBooks, SAP, and Salesforce. Core Compliance costs $79 per month; Core Compliance + SST Services costs $69 per month for qualifying sellers. Qualified sellers may receive state-funded services in up to 25 states. Pricing also varies by plan and transaction volume.
CereTax
CereTax automates sales tax calculation, validation, and compliance for businesses handling complex transactions across jurisdictions. Its language-agnostic API provides real-time calculations for sales, purchases, and telecom transactions, while the web platform supports related workflows. The process validates addresses and line-item taxability, applies rates and sourcing rules, produces invoice-ready output, aggregates transactions, and synchronizes results with billing or ERP systems. CereTax describes rooftop-level mapping and jurisdiction-specific calculations covering special district taxes, telecom levies, and utility surcharges. Configurable rules, line-level reporting, and documentation trails support audit review. Listed integrations include NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics 365, QuickBooks Online, Salesforce, BigCommerce, Stripe, and Rillet. The company says its API handles millions of calls without latency degradation. Security descriptions include encryption in transit and at rest and access controls. Most implementations take 3–6 months. Pricing is by custom quote and may depend on requests, transactions, or seats.