VAT Direct vs VAT Sense

VAT Direct provides software for submitting VAT and Self Assessment returns and accessing VAT information through the Exedra platform. Users can send VAT return data from spreadsheet-generated CSV files, keeping their existing accounting system for that process. Its online cashbook holds VAT and Self Assessment records and supports cash-basis or standard VAT accounting. Supported schemes include Flat Rate, retail and margin schemes, traditional and EC VAT, and the Domestic Reverse Charge; it also tracks CIS payments. Open Banking can load statements from multiple bank, cash, and credit-card accounts into the cashbook. An API offers bank statement and HMRC tax information after login and authorisation. The free digital-record service is limited to 500 transactions per period and requires cash-basis accounts. The site says data is processed in the UK, includes anti-fraud headers, and offers optional two-factor authentication by text message or a similar method. The cashbook does not currently handle FRC Taxonomies. The basic service is free; users must contact the provider for details about premium services.

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.