Thailand VRT vs TDAC Buddy
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Thailand VRT
Streamline your VAT refund process in Thailand. Apply for refunds, track your status, and find participating shops easily. Avoid airport queues and manage your claims from anywhere.
- Apply for VAT refunds after departure
- Track refund application status
- Find VAT refund shops nearby
- View ePP10 documents and amounts
- Receive real-time update notifications
- Register refund channels (cards, e-wallets)
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Getting your VAT refund for tourists in Thailand faster and easier with Thailand VRT Application. No more queueing at the airport when you already late and trying to catch a flight for your next destinations.You can even request for your refund amount after departed Thailand and safely arrived at your home country. No more forgetting the refund application documents and losing the rights to claim your VAT refund. You can easily see your refund application documents (ePP10) with the total refundable amount on your mobile anywhere and anytime you want.With the additional option for requesting your VAT refund via Thailand VRT application, when your total purchase amount is less than 20,000 THB per a single trip at any shops in Thailand with the VAT refund for tourists sign. You can claim the VAT refund via the express conditions without having to visit Customs and VAT refund offices counter at the airport by simply clicking on the Start express refund button on Thailand VRT application and complete 4simple steps below Step 1 - Select departure airport Step2 - Check Terms and Conditions Step3 - Click Request for refund Step4 - Fill in departure flight number Noted: If your total purchase amount is 20,000 baht or more and your have already been inspected by Customs officer (electronic stamp), you can also claim a VAT refund. Search for shops with the VAT refund for tourists sign • Discover all branch closes to your current location • Find the contact details and opening hours for each branch • Easily connect with navigation applications on your mobile to guide you to the desired branches View important information for VAT refund office on all international airports and FAQs • See all 10 international airports in Thailand with location details and maps • Get your answer for the common questions on FAQs Track claim status on all refund application documents (ePP10) • Check for your refund progress steps to understand the next step to get your refund • Get the approximate refundable amount right away • View historical Conversion Rate information for refunds with Visa Credit Card ,Alipay, and WeChat Pay Register a variety of options for your refund channels • Accept all major credit and debit cards including Visa, Mastercard, JCB, UnionPay • Accept all major e-Wallet including Alipay and WeChat Pay Update every important information and pending actions • Receive the notification to remind you to visit Customs officers when approaching international airports for your departure flight • Get real-time update notification for every validation from either Customs or VAT refund office The app is now available in the English language, and close to launch in Chinese and other languages for the coming update.
TDAC Buddy
Streamline your Thailand travel with this app that securely stores your details for faster Digital Arrival Card applications. It remembers your information via iCloud, making repeat submissions quick and easy for frequent visitors.
- Stores traveler details for faster applications
- Syncs data across Apple devices via iCloud
- Remembers passport and hotel information
- Allows updates to approved TDACs
- Stores TDACs in Apple Files app
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TDAC Buddy makes multiple visits to Thailand a breeze, remembering your details on your private iCloud account so subsequent TDAC applications are a few clicks away. All foreign visitors to Thailand must submit an application for a Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) before entering the country. An online form is available, but many fields must be completed for every application. The immigration service has now introduced their THIM app, which can remember more information, but remains complicated and does not work on macOS. TDAC Buddy is built and designed by a frequent traveller for frequent travellers. It is not an “official” app, and is not endorsed in any way by the Thai immigration authorities. It just provides a convenient way to use their website and store your details for future trips. For frequent travelers, keep your passport and favorite hotel details privately in TDAC Buddy, making each new TDAC application quick and easy. For foreign residents, when you enter your Visa number you don’t need to enter any departure information. Your TDAC is stored in your iCloud and synced between iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. View your TDAC using the app, by clicking on an approved trip, or in the TDAC Buddy folder in your iCloud using the Apple Files app. Updates can also be made after a TDAC has been approved. Your information is stored only on your device and in your private iCloud. Your trip information is sent to the Thai Immigration when you Preview and when you Submit a TDAC application. No information is sent to third parties, including the developer. TDAC Buddy is maintained by a small subscription, costing less than a cup of coffee each year. We hope you find it as useful as we do. To submit TDAC applications you need a valid subscription. You can cancel anytime in your Apple Account settings. Your first TDAC is free, just start the free trial to see how easy it is to submit and manage your TDACs. If you have any suggestions or issues, feel free to reach out via the app website. EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: TDAC Buddy at 50% against Thailand VRT's 8%. TDAC Buddy also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months) and rating (3.9 vs 3.7). Thailand VRT's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and iOS requirement (15.5 vs 18). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. TDAC Buddy sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 6 months. Thailand VRT asks for nothing beyond the download.
TDAC Buddy holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 11 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 8% of Thailand VRT's written reviews are positive against 50% of TDAC Buddy's.
Thailand VRT ships an update every 2 months, TDAC Buddy every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | Thailand VRT | TDAC Buddy |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.7 (3 ratings) | 3.9 (11 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 7.7% of reviews | 50.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 3 | 11 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Subscription |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 15.5 — better | 18 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 145 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Revenue Department (Thailand) | Guy Brooker |
Customer experience
Thailand VRT
TDAC Buddy
In-app purchases
Thailand VRT
No in-app purchases
TDAC Buddy
- Six Monthly App Subscription7 Days trial$1.996 Months
- Annual App Subscription7 Days trial$2.991 Year
Questions
Is Thailand VRT free?
Is TDAC Buddy free?
Which has better reviews, Thailand VRT or TDAC Buddy?
Do Thailand VRT or TDAC Buddy have ads?
Which is updated more often, Thailand VRT or TDAC Buddy?
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