Novat ‑ Tax Exempt vs Tax Rex ‑ Sales Tax Automationfor Shopify (2026)
Novat ‑ Tax Exempt and Tax Rex ‑ Sales Tax Automation address entirely different tax-related needs for Shopify merchants. Novat focuses on VAT exemption for eligible customers, primarily targeting merchants selling to businesses or organizations entitled to VAT relief. It offers features for validating VAT numbers, customizable tax exemption forms, and manual exemption management. Tax Rex, in contrast, concentrates on US sales tax compliance. It caters to merchants selling in the US, providing automated sales tax reports, filing assistance, and economic nexus monitoring, streamlining the often complex process of US state sales tax compliance. The most striking differences lie in their target geographies and tax types. Novat handles Value Added Tax (VAT), common in Europe and other regions, while Tax Rex deals with US state sales tax. The apps also differ significantly in user reception. Tax Rex boasts a perfect 5-star rating with a substantial number of reviews (91), indicating strong user satisfaction. Novat, conversely, has a low rating (1.7/5) based on only two reviews, suggesting potential issues with the app's functionality, user experience, or customer support. This disparity in ratings and review volume is a crucial factor to consider when choosing between the two.
At a Glance
Novat ‑ Tax Exempt
2 reviews
Tax Rex ‑ Sales Tax Automation
91 reviews
Detailed Overview
Novat ‑ Tax Exempt
A complete tax exemption system for merchants to remove VAT for tax exempted customers.
Key Features
- Allow customers to submit customizable tax form to claim VAT exemption
- Automatically grant tax exemption based on customers' EU VAT number.
- Allow only specific customers by tags to submit tax form
- Manually tax exempt specific customers by tags
- Email notification for both customer and admin to tax exemptions efficiently
Tax Rex ‑ Sales Tax Automation
US State Sales Tax return Reports & Automated Filing for your store. Easy, Accurate & Time Saving!!!
Key Features
- Timely Autofile: Ensure on-time tax return filings while you focus on business
- Accurate Tax Reports: Precise sales tax reports tailored to state's requirements
- Economic Nexus Alerts: Stay informed on new state nexus thresholds
- Effortless State Registration: Simplified new state registration for compliance
- Ability to Ignore orders imported from Marketplaces like Amazon, Ebay, etc
Feature Comparison
| Rating | 1.7/5 | 5/5 |
Rating Novat ‑ Tax Exempt1.7/5 Tax Rex ‑ Sales Tax Automation5/5 | ||
| Reviews | 2 | 91 |
Reviews Novat ‑ Tax Exempt2 Tax Rex ‑ Sales Tax Automation91 | ||
| Tax Type | VAT Exemption | US Sales Tax |
Tax Type Novat ‑ Tax ExemptVAT Exemption Tax Rex ‑ Sales Tax AutomationUS Sales Tax | ||
| Target Region | Primarily Europe (VAT) | United States |
Target Region Novat ‑ Tax ExemptPrimarily Europe (VAT) Tax Rex ‑ Sales Tax AutomationUnited States | ||
| Key Functionality | VAT number validation, tax exemption form submission | Automated tax reports, filing, nexus alerts |
Key Functionality Novat ‑ Tax ExemptVAT number validation, tax exemption form submission Tax Rex ‑ Sales Tax AutomationAutomated tax reports, filing, nexus alerts | ||
| Primary User | Merchants selling to VAT-exempt customers | Merchants selling in the US |
Primary User Novat ‑ Tax ExemptMerchants selling to VAT-exempt customers Tax Rex ‑ Sales Tax AutomationMerchants selling in the US | ||
| Automation Level | Partial (form submission, some validation) | High (reporting, filing automation) |
Automation Level Novat ‑ Tax ExemptPartial (form submission, some validation) Tax Rex ‑ Sales Tax AutomationHigh (reporting, filing automation) | ||
| Value Proposition | Simplify VAT exemption for eligible customers | Streamline US sales tax compliance and avoid penalties |
Value Proposition Novat ‑ Tax ExemptSimplify VAT exemption for eligible customers Tax Rex ‑ Sales Tax AutomationStreamline US sales tax compliance and avoid penalties | ||
Our Verdict
The choice between Novat ‑ Tax Exempt and Tax Rex ‑ Sales Tax Automation is straightforward and depends entirely on the type of tax you need to manage. If your business requires VAT exemption management for eligible customers, Novat is the relevant app, although its low rating and limited reviews warrant caution and thorough investigation. Consider testing it carefully or seeking alternatives. On the other hand, if you are selling in the US and need help with sales tax compliance, Tax Rex is the clear winner, given its strong user rating and focus on US sales tax reporting and filing.
Because of its low rating, merchants considering Novat should thoroughly research its features, read recent reviews (if any), and potentially contact the developer to address concerns about its reliability and functionality before committing to it. Tax Rex appears to be the more robust and well-received solution for its target use case of US sales tax automation.
Common Questions
Which app is easier to use?
Based on the available data, it's difficult to definitively say which app is easier to use. However, Tax Rex's higher rating and larger number of reviews suggest a potentially more user-friendly experience compared to Novat, which has a low rating and limited feedback.
Does Novat ‑ Tax Exempt handle US sales tax?
No, Novat ‑ Tax Exempt is designed for VAT (Value Added Tax) exemption and does not handle US sales tax. Tax Rex ‑ Sales Tax Automation is the app designed for US sales tax.
Does Tax Rex ‑ Sales Tax Automation handle VAT?
No, Tax Rex ‑ Sales Tax Automation focuses specifically on US sales tax and doesn't address VAT. Novat is focused on VAT.
Which app has better customer support?
The data doesn't directly provide information about customer support quality. However, a higher rating and larger review count often correlate with better customer support, suggesting that Tax Rex might have a more responsive and helpful support team. Thoroughly explore both apps' help documentation.
Which app is more cost-effective?
The provided information does not include pricing details for either app. Cost-effectiveness would depend on the specific pricing plans offered and the features included, as well as how well each app meets your business needs. Check both app store listings for price points.
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