VAT CheckMachine vs Magnetic Storms
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
VAT CheckMachine
This free utility app validates EU VAT numbers instantly and calculates VAT amounts for all EU states. It offers on-the-fly correctness testing and keeps a history of checked numbers for easy reference and sharing.
- Instant EU VAT number validation
- On-the-fly correctness testing
- VAT and Net/Gross amount calculation
- Supports all 28 EU states
- History of checked numbers
- Sharing of checked numbers
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The Ultimate VAT check machine! Comprehensive • Powerful • Flexible • Beautiful • Free! • Replaces 2 or more apps, keeps your iPhone tidy • On-the-fly correctness test of VAT numbers of all 28 EU states • Checks European VAT numbers (28 states) with EU authorities (VIES) • Calculates VAT and Net/Gross amounts for all rates of all 28 EU states • Keeps checked numbers history for reference and sharing What is it? CheckMachine is a free (ad-supported) iPhone app that encompasses a wealth of VAT-related functions within a single app: Instantly* validates all EU VAT numbers, so that you can safely issue zero-VAT invoices to entities entitled to VAT exoneration according to EU laws. Instantly calculates VAT and Net/Gross amounts for any amount you type, as you type it, and it does this for all VAT rates of all 28 EU states! Checked numbers can be added to History either automatically or manually, for reference and sharing with other apps or people. Auto-add is enabled through the app's Settings page. * Depending on availability of the VIES web service. Whom is it for? This app is a valuable free resource for business and pleasure. It serves those in the European Union involved with invoicing intra-EU transactions, and those in need of a handy and speedy VAT calculator that works in all EU states. How does it work? As the user types a VAT number of any EU state, the app examines its correctness ("well-formedness") on-the-fly using the actual algorithms of each EU state, not just the number and type of digits! This step ensures usability and keeps traffic and fees low. EU VAT numbers (from any of the 28 EU states) are checked using the official web service maintained by the European Commission's VAT Information Exchange System (VIES). Attention: Not all correct VAT numbers are valid, therefore you must always check the validity of all VAT numbers before actually using them in invoices.
Magnetic Storms
Monitor Earth's magnetic field and solar activity in near real-time. Track Kp and A indices, solar wind speed, solar flares, and proton/electron flux. Predict auroras and magnetic storms.
- Real-time magnetic field monitoring
- Solar activity tracking
- Kp and A Index data
- Solar wind speed
- Solar flare detection
- Proton and electron flux
- Aurora prediction
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The Magnetic Storms application was originally developed to allow monitoring of the Earth's magnetic field in near real time, using data from GOES satellites that constantly monitor solar activity and a set of magnetic stations distributed around the Earth. With the improvement of the application due to the huge number of users and the availability of new parameters related to the Sun and Space Weather by the space agencies, lots of other information was added and they are shown in a simple and intuitive way. The main parameters presented are the Kp Index, the A Index, the instantaneous speed of the solar wind, the number of class C, M and X solar flares observed in X-rays, in addition to the flux of protons and electrons, flux of X-rays and magnetic field measurements observed by GOES-16. With an analysis of this information it is possible to anticipate sudden changes in the Earth's magnetic field at ground level and the occurrence of aurora with some advance. An ideal application for anyone who wants to monitor solar activity and its implications on Earth, such as problems in the transmission of radio and TV waves, blackouts in electricity transformer stations, auroras, magnetic storms. It is the perfect app for anyone interested in Space Weather in general, and is available in English, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian and French. As a way of keeping the app distributed for free and constantly updated, we kindly ask you to rate the app ("stars") and write a brief description of why you use it and (we hope you) enjoy it. Criticism and suggestions are always welcome at mikebm10.appledeveloper@gmail.com. NOTE: the parameters shown in the application are obtained from the research entities responsible for their collection and processing, and depend on the availability and access to the electronic servers of these entities. Any connection speed problems with the servers or temporary unavailability of information by those institutions can affect the functioning of the application, and are beyond the control of the developers. Problems should be reported by email mikebm10.appledeveloper@gmail.com, with a description of the observed effects. Please do not assign a low rating in the evaluation of the application for possible failures in the servers, which are not our responsibility. An email message will be promptly answered and possible measures will be taken. We thank you for your understanding.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Magnetic Storms at 82% against VAT CheckMachine's 0%. VAT CheckMachine's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 12 months). On price, in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
VAT CheckMachine ships an update every 2 months, Magnetic Storms every 12 months. The most recent releases landed on June 5, 2026 and June 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | VAT CheckMachine | Magnetic Storms |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 4.3 (19 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | 81.5% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | — | 19 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 12 months |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 — better | 12.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 11 MB | 37 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Escape Tech Ltd | Andre Molina |
Customer experience
VAT CheckMachine
Magnetic Storms
In-app purchases
VAT CheckMachine
No in-app purchases
Magnetic Storms
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is VAT CheckMachine free?
Is Magnetic Storms free?
Do VAT CheckMachine or Magnetic Storms have ads?
Which is updated more often, VAT CheckMachine or Magnetic Storms?
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