Best Synder Alternatives for EU VAT Compliance

Let’s face it – VAT in the EU isn’t just “tax.” It’s a whole circus.

Different rates for different products. Intra-EU sales. Domestic vs. international. Exemptions. And don’t even get me started on e-invoicing mandates and real-time reporting in France, Italy, or Poland.

Now imagine running an online shop across multiple platforms – Shopify, Amazon, Stripe – and trying to keep all your VAT ducks in a row. Yikes.

That’s where tools like Synder come in. Or at least, try to.

Synder does a great job syncing Stripe, PayPal, and Amazon with QuickBooks and Xero. But if you’re a European business trying to stay compliant with EU VAT regulations, especially in countries like France or Belgium, Synder starts to feel a bit… out of place.

So today, we’re diving deep into the best Synder alternatives for EU VAT compliance, tools that are built (or at least better adapted) to handle your multi-channel e-commerce chaos and keep you on the right side of the tax office.

Step 1. Understand what Synder is good at and where it falls flat

Before we look at alternatives, let’s acknowledge what Synder does right.

Why people like Synder:

• Clean UI and fast setup

• Supports Stripe, PayPal, Shopify, Amazon, Square, and more

• Real-time sync to Xero and QuickBooks

• Good for small US-based or global e-commerce businesses

• Affordable, with flexible pricing

But here’s the catch if you’re in the EU:

• VAT handling is generic. It doesn’t speak your country’s language (literally and legally).

• No support for country-specific rules (e.g., French TVA reporting, DSN exports).

• No compatibility with local accounting tools like Pennylane, Indy.fr, or Abby.

In short? It’s like bringing a Swiss army knife to a dinner party where the dress code is black tie. Great tool – wrong setting.

Step 2. Consider what you really need for EU VAT compliance

Let’s list what you actually need if you’re an e-commerce seller in the EU:

• Local VAT rules baked in (e.g., reduced rates, OSS/IOSS)

• Compatible with your local accounting software

• Clear audit trails

• Support for multiple marketplaces

• Preferably in your language

Synder can’t do all that.

So let’s explore the tools that can.

1. Acomim – For sellers in France and Belgium 🇫🇷 🇧🇪

Let’s kick things off with Acomim, built specifically for small businesses in France and French-speaking Belgium.

Unlike Synder, Acomim isn’t trying to be global. It’s going all in on local. And that’s exactly what makes it powerful.

What Acomim offers:

• Connects to Shopify, Amazon France/Belgium, Cdiscount, and Stripe

• Syncs with local accounting tools like Abby, Indy.fr, Pennylane

• Automates French and Belgian VAT reconciliation

• Exports reports in formats your local accountant understands

• Comes with a French interface (and English too)

Best part?

There’s a free tier if you sell under 50 items/month.

It’s perfect if you’re based in France or Belgium and need something tailored to local rules, not a global tool with bolt-on VAT fields.

Use if: You want hands-free, fully localised compliance with no Excel juggling.

2. Pennylane – The rising star of French accounting apps 🌟

Pennylane is a full accounting suite made in France. It’s gaining serious traction with startups and small businesses who want something prettier than Sage, but more local than Xero.

What Pennylane does:

• Automates bank reconciliation and invoice capture

• Tracks VAT (TVA) with local rules

• Lets you invite your accountant or team members

• Offers live support in French

• Integrates with e-commerce tools like Stripe and Shopify (but somewhat limited)

Where it lacks:

• Not a native e-commerce sync engine – you’ll need help connecting Amazon, Cdiscount, etc.

• Marketplace fees and platform-specific quirks need manual handling unless another tool is added

• It’s not really built for volume (if you sell 5000+ items/month)

Use if: You’re already in the French ecosystem and want everything under one login, but are okay with light manual work.

3. Xero + Plugins – The “DIY with Legos” approach 🧩

Xero is a great accounting platform. But on its own? It doesn’t solve the e-commerce VAT mess. You’ll need plugins, often more than one.

The stack might look like:

• Xero for accounting

• A2X or Synder for sync

• TaxJar or Avalara for tax logic

• Maybe Zapier for workflow automations

Sure, it’s flexible. But unless you enjoy playing integrator (or have a tech-savvy bookkeeper), it becomes expensive and fragile fast.

Use if: You’re a power user or accountant who wants full control and modularity.

Step 3. Compare at a glance

Step 4. Choose based on your reality

Let’s break it down by scenario:

• I’m a small e-commerce seller in France using Shopify and Stripe.
  → Use Acomim, start with the free tier, and upgrade when you grow.

• I want a French accounting system where my accountant can work too.
  → Try Pennylane, but expect to do some manual reconciliation.

• I already use Xero and love tinkering.
  → Add Synder, but keep an eye on VAT logic and reporting gaps.

Final thoughts

EU VAT compliance isn’t about finding “the best” global tool.

It’s about finding the right local match that understands:

• your platform stack (Shopify + Amazon + Stripe?),

• your geography (France? Belgium? Italy?),

• and your compliance needs (TVA, real-time reporting).

Synder may still work if you’re selling on one or two platforms and don’t care much about local VAT rules.

But if you want peace of mind, a smooth accounting workflow, and fewer calls with your accountant that start with “where did this number come from?”, you’ll want to look elsewhere.

And hey – if you’re based in France or Belgium, don’t overthink it. Just try Acomim.
It syncs what matters, understands local laws, and doesn’t cost a fortune.