Choosing the right tax partner is no longer simply about who can do your calculations and filings on time. With increasingly complex tax landscapes and continually evolving regulations across multiple jurisdictions – the core question for cross-border compliance in 2026 is not ‘how much and when do we owe’ but ‘who carries the risk?’
Avalara is one of the most established names in tax automation, known for helping companies manage their tax compliance. It’s a widely used tax automation software, providing tools for audits, filing and compliance monitoring that are deeply embedded in enterprise stacks.
Outpost takes a fundamentally different approach.
Outpost isn’t just tax software – it’s a Tax of Record (ToR) solution that assumes full legal liability for indirect tax. We handle everything Avalara does – your audits, filings, compliance (but better) — plus, we shoulder the consequences if something goes wrong. Unlike any other solution on the market, if we mess up – we pay the penalties. That way, you can focus on growth, without the footing the bill for our mistakes, or being held back by operational drag.
The below breaks down the main differences between Outpost and Avalara, getting into the nitty gritty of our approach, so you can choose the solution that’s best placed to help you scale cross-border.
Tax Software vs Tax of Record
When comparing Avalara vs Outpost, the main distinguishable difference is the approach and model behind each solution, rather than a singular feature comparison.
Avalara
Avalara is an “old-school” tax compliance platform. It’s a powerful and comprehensive platform for providing tools for tax calculation, reporting, and return preparation, however execution and accountability for filings ultimately sit with you. You also remain legally liable, responsible for registrations and on the hook for penalties if filings are incorrect, late or challenged by tax authorities. In a nutshell: Avalara helps you manage tax — it does not remove the risk.
Outpost
Outpost is your legally liable Tax of Record. We don’t just enable compliance — we own it, end-to-end. We take on all of your registrations, calculations and automate filing, ensuring you stay up-to-date and compliant with local tax laws by monitoring compliance in real-time. If there’s an audit, a misinterpretation of local rules or a penalty, Outpost takes responsibility and pays the fines.
In a nutshell: Outpost automates all of your tax obligations and removes cross-border compliance risk.
Full Feature Comparison: Outpost vs Avalara
| Feature | Outpost | Avalara |
|---|---|---|
| Tax of Record (legal liability assumed) | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Audit liability & penalty coverage | ✅ Included | ❌ Customer liable |
| VAT, GST & Sales Tax calculations | ✅ Real-time | ✅ Real-time |
| Automated filing & remittance | ✅ End-to-end | ⚠️ Tools to support, customer accountable |
| Local tax registrations | ✅ Automated & fully handled | ⚠️ Assisted / customer-led |
| Ongoing compliance monitoring | ✅ Real-time nexus monitoring | ✅ Yes |
| PSP integrations | ✅ Completely PSP-agnostic | ❌ Limited / complex |
| App store & off-platform selling support | ✅ Native | ⚠️ Requires setup |
| Developer experience | ✅ Simple API / SDK | ⚠️ Enterprise-heavy |
| Onboarding speed | ✅ A few clicks | ❌ Lengthy, operationally heavy |
| Pricing model | ✅ One price with everything included, no hidden extras | ❌ $$$$ Modular feature & volume based pricing |
| Scaling into new markets | ✅ Turnkey | ❌ Operationally heavy |
| Set up fee | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| E-commerce platform integrations (Shopify etc) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
What sets Outpost Apart
We become your one stop shop for indirect tax – filing, audits and compliance sorted, whilst taking on full legal liability. We’re fully PSP agnostic, activated via a simple API in a couple of clicks. Oh, and we operate with one simple pricing model, meaning no hidden extras or modular add-ons.
Full legal liability If we mess it up, that’s on us. Transfer of liability is the defining difference between Outpost and Avalara. Where Avalara provides software and support, we deliver certainty, protection, and freedom to scale without risk.
End-to-end compliance execution
Avalara gives you tools, but you still coordinate registrations, filings, and local requirements. Outpost handles everything end to end, without ongoing operational oversight.
PSP-agnostic by design
Avalara integrations can be rigid and complex, only integrating with certain PSPs. Outpost works with any PSP globally, giving you flexibility to optimise payment providers, boost your local approval rates, and reduce fees across markets.
Transparent, predictable pricing
Avalara’s modular pricing scales with volume and is priced per regions. Outpost offers one simple price, with everything included — no hidden setup fees, no surprise extras.
Speedy setup
Outpost is designed for fast-moving SaaS, app, and D2C companies expanding internationally. No lengthy enterprise onboarding. No compliance bottlenecks.
Choose Avalara if you want tools to help manage tax
Avalara works well for companies that want assistance with their tax in way of tools and software – rather than fully automation or responsibility transfer.
With that in mind, Avalara may be the right choice for your business if:
- You already have an in-house tax team or external advisors managing compliance.
- You’re operating primarily in one region with limited cross-border complexity.
- You’re comfortable remaining legally liable for filings, audits, and penalties.
- You need a tax calculation engine to plug into an existing enterprise stack.
- You prefer established, legacy platforms with extensive documentation.
Choose Outpost if you never want to think about tax again
Outpost is built for high-growth companies looking for fast, secure scalability. Wherever you’re looking to sell, we’re already there – ready to get you registered, fully compliant and take on your legal liability for VAT from day dot.
Outpost is the right decision for your business if you’re scaling internationally and you:
- Don’t want to be dragged down with complex local tax or inter-state tax laws
- Want to completely remove tax risk, not just manage it
- Don’t want to hire expensive internal tax specialists for every new market
- Sell through multiple PSPs, app stores, or off-platform channels
- Value speed, simplicity, and predictable costs
- Want to focus leadership time on growth, not convoluted compliance or operations.
FAQs
What is Avalara tax software?
Avalara tax software is a cloud-based platform that helps businesses manage their tax, particularly for cross-border sales. It provides tools that help businesses to calculate, prepare returns and manage their ongoing tax compliance. It does not remove tax risk or compliance risk for scaling internationally.
What’s the difference between Avalara tax compliance and Outpost?
Both Avalara and Outpost monitor globally shifting tax compliance rules and regulations. Avalara provides tools for companies to monitor compliance, calculate and prepare returns, with legal liability and ultimate filing still being the held with the customer. Outpost automates all calculations, filings and remittence, in addition to taking on complete liability for compliance risk and paying any penalties that arise.
Is Outpost suitable for US sales tax as well as VAT?
Yes – Outpost covers VAT, GST, and sales tax across global markets. Wherever you want to sell, whatever you want to sell, Outpost can support you.
How quickly can I switch from Avalara to Outpost?
Today. Outpost is run through an API, meaning you can go live in a couple of clicks – not a couple of months. Tax and VAT registrations are all handled as part of onboarding, drastically reducing setup and onboarding time.
Ready to go global?
Let’s supercharge your growth in 2026. Book a demo with our team to discuss which market you’re taking by storm next. We can’t wait to see you there.
