BTCHub vs VATlayer
BTCHub
btcsoftware.co.ukVATlayer
vatlayer.comSide by side
| Figure | BTCHub | VATlayer |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | £22.92/mo | $9.99/mo |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 8 |
| Spec score · VAT Software | 8.1 (#5) | 8.4 (#3) |
| Company | The product site identifies BTCSoftware Limited as the company and gives its registered address as Lyndale House, 24a High Street, Addlestone KT15 1TN. | VATlayer is built and maintained by APILayer, which its about page describes as a technology company based in Vienna, Austria. |
| Data sources | It accepts Excel data and imports from bookkeeping systems, including CSV files. | Requests use multiple data sources, including European Commission databases, with fallback validation across servers. |
| Headquarters | Addlestone, Surrey, England, UK | Vienna, Austria |
| Integrations | The maker lists Excel, Sage, QuickBooks, Xero, VT, and CSV imports among BTCHub’s integrations or supported import routes. | The maker presents the API as integrable anywhere through HTTP URL requests and does not publish named plug-in integrations on its product pages. |
| Intended users | The maker describes BTCHub as suitable for accountants, businesses, enterprise companies, and individuals handling VAT returns. | VATlayer describes itself as a VAT automation and validation tool for individuals, businesses, and merchants buying or selling goods in and around the EU. |
| Support | The maker advertises unlimited UK-based technical support at no extra charge, including phone support. | Paid subscriptions include unlimited and prioritized technical support; Platinum Support adds account management and priority bug review. |
| Validation | BTCHub validates VAT return data and submits it to HMRC in an MTD-compliant format. | The validate endpoint can check an EU VAT number and return company information in JSON. |
Plans
VATlayer
- FreeFree
- Free PlanFree
- Basic$9.99 a month
- Basic Plan$9.99 a month
- Professional$29.99 a month
- Professional Plan$29.99 a month
- Enterprise$99.99 a month
- Enterprise Plan$99.99 a month
In their own words
BTCHub
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.
VATlayer
VATlayer is a REST-based JSON API for checking EU VAT numbers, finding VAT rates, and calculating VAT-compliant prices. Its validation endpoint can return company information for a VAT number. The rate endpoint identifies a country from a two-letter code, a supplied IP address, or the client IP address. Price calculations can also work backward from an amount that already includes VAT. VAT information covers 28 EU member states and draws on multiple data sources, including European Commission databases. Results are provided in real time, with an average response time around 0.50 seconds. The API reports uptime around 99.9%, though public uptime statistics are not offered. The Free plan allows 100 requests per month for non-commercial use with limited functionality. Paid plans start at $9.99/mo and include commercial use. Usage notices arrive by email and dashboard at 75%, 90%, and 100% of the monthly allowance; overage fees apply after it is reached. Paid customers can access the API using 256-bit HTTPS encryption.