Finding the right accounting software in Germany takes some work. The market is crowded, the terminology is unfamiliar if you're new to German tax law, and most tools were built with German speakers in mind — which adds a layer of friction for international founders and expats.
This guide cuts through the noise. We cover what to look for, how the main tools compare, and what type of software suits which kind of business.
What accounting software needs to do in Germany
Before comparing tools, it's worth being clear on what the German tax system actually requires. For most freelancers and small business owners (Freiberufler and Einzelunternehmer), the core obligations are:
- Invoicing — creating and sending compliant invoices, including mandatory fields like your tax number (Steuernummer) and VAT ID where applicable
- Expense tracking — logging and categorising business expenses for the Finanzamt
- EÜR (Einnahmenüberschussrechnung) — the income surplus calculation used by most freelancers and sole traders instead of full balance sheet accounting
- Umsatzsteuer-Voranmeldung — quarterly or monthly VAT advance returns submitted via ELSTER
- GoBD compliance — German rules for digital bookkeeping, covering how records must be stored and archived
- e-Invoice support — from 2025, all businesses and freelancers in Germany are required to be able to receive e-invoices (XRechnung / ZUGFeRD format)
If your business is structured as a GmbH or has employees, the requirements expand significantly — payroll (Lohnbuchhaltung), annual financial statements, and potentially a Steuerberater become necessary.
Do you need software, a Steuerberater, or both?
This is the first question worth asking. A Steuerberater (tax advisor) in Germany typically costs at least €1,500–2,500 per year for a straightforward Kleinunternehmer setup — more for VAT-registered businesses. For that, someone else handles everything: quarterly VAT returns, annual profit reports, income tax. You hand over receipts, the rest is done.
Software makes sense when:
- Your finances are relatively straightforward (service-based, one entity, manageable transaction volume)
- You want real-time visibility into your numbers without waiting for monthly reports
- You want to save money — software costs a fraction of a Steuerberater
- You're comfortable handling quarterly VAT returns yourself
A Steuerberater still makes sense when:
- Your business structure is complex (GmbH, multiple entities, employees)
- You operate internationally and have cross-border VAT obligations
- You're preparing for investment or a business sale
- You simply don't want to deal with it and would rather pay someone to handle it
Many freelancers do both: use software for day-to-day bookkeeping and quarterly VAT, then hand off only the annual income tax return to a Steuerberater. Most German accounting tools support DATEV export, which makes this handoff seamless.
What to look for when choosing accounting software in Germany
GoBD compliance
This is non-negotiable. GoBD governs how businesses in Germany must maintain digital accounting records — including how receipts are stored, how entries can be corrected, and how long records must be kept. Any software you use must be GoBD compliant. All of the tools covered in this guide are.
ELSTER integration
ELSTER is Germany's online platform for tax submissions. Your accounting software should be able to submit VAT advance returns (Umsatzsteuer-Voranmeldung) directly via ELSTER, or at minimum export the data in the right format.
e-Invoice support
Since 2025, all businesses in Germany must be able to receive e-invoices in XRechnung or ZUGFeRD format. Check that any tool you consider supports this.
Bank integration
Automatic bank sync saves significant time. Look for software that connects directly to your German business bank account and pulls transactions in real time — not via manual CSV export.
Your legal form
The software needs to support your business structure. Freiberufler and Einzelunternehmer typically use EÜR (simplified income surplus accounting). GmbH and other corporations require full double-entry bookkeeping and a balance sheet. Make sure the tool you choose supports the right accounting method for your legal form.
How the main tools compare
NoCFO
Most accounting software was built for accountants first and business owners second. NoCFO flips that. It's built for people who want to stay on top of their finances themselves, without needing a bookkeeping background to do it.
Your bank account connects directly to the software, transactions come in automatically, and the software suggests how to categorise them based on your business patterns. Receipts are captured by photo and matched to the right transaction. The result is that your books stay current as you go — no manual data entry, no pile of receipts to deal with at year-end.
Where it also stands apart: if you want to bring in a Steuerberater at any point, you can invite them directly into the software. They get full visibility into your books without any data exports or handovers — which makes the combination of managing it yourself day-to-day and handing off the annual tax return very clean.
Pricing: free plan for up to 8 monthly transactions, Plus from €20/month (annually), Pro from €40/month. No hidden fees on invoices sent by email.
Lexoffice (Lexware)
The default recommendation in Germany for a reason. Lexoffice has been around for over a decade and integrates with almost everything — including ELSTER, DATEV, and most German banks. It's one of the few tools that includes payroll (Lohnbuchhaltung), which most competitors skip.
The trade-offs: it's German-only, the interface feels dated compared to newer tools, and recent pricing changes have trimmed features from the lower tiers. Starting from around €7.90/month, but the plans with full accounting functionality cost more.
Good fit for: established German-speaking freelancers and small businesses who want the broadest feature set and the most integrations.
sevDesk
Lexoffice's closest direct competitor. Similar scope, similar audience, similar pricing — from around €12.90/month for basic invoicing, bookkeeping from around €15/month. sevDesk takes a bookkeeping-first approach: bank reconciliation, invoicing, and reporting are the focus.
Advantages over Lexoffice: slightly more modern interface, better invoice customisation. Disadvantages: mixed customer support reviews, German-only, and the mid-tier pricing can feel steep for what you get.
Good fit for: German-speaking freelancers who want solid, proven bookkeeping with strong reporting.
Accountable
Built specifically for freelancers in Germany — not adapted from SMB software. The focus is tax compliance: categorise expenses, calculate quarterly VAT, file returns without a Steuerberater.
Pricing: free plan covers basic invoicing and a limited number of receipt scans. The Taxes plan (needed for VAT filing) costs around €29.90/month — expensive relative to the feature set.
Good fit for: freelancers who want to file their own VAT returns and don't need broader accounting features.
Norman
A newer entrant with a bilingual interface. The free tier covers daily bookkeeping that costs significantly more on other platforms, and it can file tax returns directly rather than just answering questions about them.
Good fit for: freelancers who want to file their own returns and keep monthly costs low.
BuchhaltungsButler
Closer to traditional accounting software than most tools on this list. More granular bookkeeping control with DATEV-level detail. Built for freelancers who work closely with a Steuerberater and want to stay hands-on with the numbers.
Pricing: from around €25/month. Requires more active engagement than tools designed for low-touch bookkeeping.
Good fit for: experienced freelancers who want detailed control and already have a Steuerberater relationship.
How to choose: a quick decision guide
You want your books to stay current with minimal manual work → NoCFO
You want the broadest German integrations (DATEV, ELSTER, payroll) → Lexoffice or sevDesk
You're a freelancer who wants to manage everything yourself including tax filing → NoCFO or Norman
You want to do it yourself day-to-day but hand off the annual return to a Steuerberater → NoCFO
You work closely with a Steuerberater and want granular bookkeeping control → BuchhaltungsButler
You want banking and accounting in one app → Vivid Business
You're a GmbH or have employees → Lexoffice, sevDesk, or consult a Steuerberater
Frequently asked questions
What is the best accounting software for freelancers in Germany?It depends on what you need. Lexoffice and sevDesk are the most established options with the widest integrations, and work well if you're comfortable in German. If you want something that keeps your books current with minimal manual work and lets you invite a Steuerberater in when needed, NoCFO is worth a look. The right choice comes down to how hands-on you want to be and whether you're working with a tax advisor.
Do freelancers in Germany need accounting software?Not legally — you can manage accounts manually or via spreadsheet. But in practice, accounting software saves significant time, reduces errors, and ensures GoBD compliance. Most freelancers find it pays for itself quickly.
What is GoBD compliance in Germany?GoBD stands for Grundsätze zur ordnungsmäßigen Führung und Aufbewahrung von Büchern, Aufzeichnungen und Unterlagen in elektronischer Form. It governs how digital accounting records must be maintained and stored in Germany. Any software you use for business accounting should be GoBD compliant.
What is the Kleinunternehmerregelung?The Kleinunternehmerregelung (small business regulation) exempts businesses with annual turnover under €25,000 from charging VAT. If you qualify, you don't need to file quarterly VAT returns or include VAT on invoices — which simplifies accounting considerably. Most accounting software in Germany supports this.
Can I use accounting software instead of a Steuerberater in Germany?For straightforward freelance finances, yes. Most freelancers manage their own bookkeeping and quarterly VAT returns using software, and only use a Steuerberater for the annual income tax return. As your business grows more complex — employees, GmbH structure, international clients — professional support becomes more valuable.
Does accounting software in Germany support e-invoices?Since 2025, all businesses in Germany must be able to receive e-invoices (XRechnung / ZUGFeRD format). Most modern accounting tools support this. Check before choosing a tool, especially if you work with public sector clients where e-invoicing has been mandatory for longer.
NoCFO is bookkeeping software built for entrepreneurs who want to manage their own finances without an accounting background. Try it free at nocfo.de.