VAT Direct
VAT Direct: A focused free option for UK VAT filing with spreadsheet mapping and cloud records. Ranked #16 of 26 in VAT Software by our editors (7.4/10); pricing: Free plan; best for UK businesses wanting free HMRC VAT filing.
At a glance
- Editor score7.4 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forUK businesses wanting free HMRC VAT filing
- Free planYes
- VAT calculationYes
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free VAT return submission to HMRC
- Spreadsheet, CSV and Open Banking data imports
- Supports flat-rate and partial-exemption VAT submissions
Where it doesn't
- Focused on UK Making Tax Digital rather than broad international VAT
- Premium services require contacting the vendor
- The basic service has a 500-transaction limit per period
Our verdict on VAT Direct
VAT Direct is a UK-focused Making Tax Digital service for VAT-registered businesses that need to submit VAT returns to HMRC. It is aimed at smaller businesses, while also supporting accountants, bookkeepers, agents and larger organisations requiring tailored services. The Basic service includes VAT return submission to HMRC, cloud digital records and a free VAT bridging service. Businesses can work with spreadsheet or CSV data through digital-link mapping, while the cloud cashbook maintains VAT and self-assessment records.
Its strongest fit is the combination of HMRC filing and flexible data intake. VAT Direct supports an MTD-enabled cloud cashbook, spreadsheet and CSV mapping, Open Banking bank-statement imports, and SAF-T report generation. It also covers Flat Rate Scheme and partial-exemption VAT submissions, giving it more scope than a basic bridging-only workflow. Two-factor authentication is included, and the platform is available through the web and API. These features make it suitable for businesses whose VAT records begin in spreadsheets or bank data rather than a dedicated accounting system.
The published plans show a free Basic service, while premium services are available by contacting Cirrostratus Exedra Ltd. The product's verified coverage is concentrated on UK MTD, so businesses needing broader international VAT compliance should choose a more internationally focused alternative. VAT Direct is a practical choice for UK businesses seeking free HMRC VAT filing with cloud records and several specialist submission options; it is less appropriate where international coverage or a wider compliance platform is the priority.
Your product? Our editors can test VAT Direct in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $99/mo →
VAT Direct pricing
All 1 VAT Direct plans and prices →
VAT Direct fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| VAT calculation | Yes |
| VAT return filing | Yes |
| VAT registration | Not verified |
| VAT jurisdictions | Not verified |
| Transaction limit | Not verified |
| E-invoicing support | Not verified |
| Deployment | Cloud |
| Platforms | Web |
| Compliance & security | 2FA |
| Support | Email, Phone, Docs |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 2 integrations: HMRC Making Tax Digital, Open Banking |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | vat.direct |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
VAT Direct integrations
VAT Direct lists 2 integrations on its own site.
- HMRC Making Tax Digital
- Open Banking
Alternatives to VAT Direct
- Comply by FintuaA broad enterprise VAT platform spanning calculation, filing, registration and audit control.9.4
- Avalara VAT ReportingA multi-jurisdiction VAT reporting system for large, structured tax operations.9.2
- Vertex VAT ComplianceA broad compliance platform for multinational VAT and GST reporting teams.9.0
See all VAT Direct alternatives →
Used VAT Direct? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used VAT Direct for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
VAT Direct is listed in our VAT Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/vat-direct/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/vat-direct.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update