BTCHub vs VAT Sense

BTCHub is cloud-based bridging software for accountants and businesses filing Making Tax Digital VAT returns with HMRC. It accepts Excel data and imports from bookkeeping systems, including CSV files, then validates return data and submits it in an MTD-compliant format. For Group VAT, it combines imports from multiple sources. Its dashboard displays clients, obligations, returns, payments, and receipts. Supported import routes include Excel, Sage, QuickBooks, Xero, VT, and CSV. Agents can complete HMRC authorisation online through BTCHub instead of using the former 64-8 form process. The product is listed for macOS, web, and Windows. The BTCHub annual licence costs £275 a year and covers HMRC MTD VAT filing, Group and consolidated VAT, and Excel and bookkeeping imports. Pricing is also available on request, with a 7-day trial. BTCSoftware advertises UK-based technical support, including phone support, at no extra charge; listed weekday hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, excluding public and bank holidays.

VAT Sense is a REST API for VAT number checks and tax-related data, intended for use in other services. It validates numbers against live records in the UK, EU, Australia, Norway, Switzerland, South Africa, and Brazil, and provides EU VAT rates plus VAT and GST rates from other countries. It also supplies country data, currency conversions to GBP and EUR using official HMRC and European Central Bank rates, and VAT-compliant invoicing information. A validation can include an official government consultation number when the requester provides its own VAT number. The API requires HTTPS and HTTP Basic Auth. VAT Sense says client-side CORS requests are not supported because they could expose account API keys, and says the service uses 256-bit SSL. Client libraries are available for Python, Node.js, PHP, Go, Ruby, C#/.NET, and Java; the documentation also links to Postman collections. General limits are 300 requests per minute, with UK VAT validation limited to 3 requests per second. A free plan is available, and the pricing note lists paid plans from $6.99/mo. Plan prices exclude VAT, and payment can be in GBP, USD, or EUR.