Accounting Software is a time-consuming, complex but very important part of everyday business life. If you don’t keep an eye on your finances correctly at all times, you risk serious problems. Carelessness when posting business transactions will shake your entire bookkeeping and can also result in unpleasant consequences from the tax authorities. Accountants therefore use software that makes their work easier. Thanks to the IT support, you can no longer get bogged down in the truest sense of the word.

Good accounting software supports you in many different areas of accounting: from accounting to tax returns.

All Accounting Software at a Glance

Which is the right accounting software for you? In the overview table you will find all the software presented with their most important features.

All information is current as of 2024.

	Online-banking	CRM	Inventory	payroll accounting	Cloud	App	DATEV	ELSTER	area of ​​application
Kontolino !	(✔)	(✔)	✔	✘	✔	✘	✔	✔	Freelancers, SMEs, founders
sevDesk	✔	✔	✔	✘	✔	✔	✔	✔	KMU
lexoffice	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	KMU
WISO	✔	(✔)	(✔)	✔	✘	(✔)	✔	✔	Medium & large companies
Sage	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	Medium & large companies
Debitoor	✔	✔	✔	(external)	✔	✔	✔	✔	Small business owners, freelancers, founders
DATEV	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	(✔)	✔	✘	Medium & large companies
FastBill	✔	✔	✔	✘	✔	✔	✔	✘	Small business owners, freelancers, founders
AccountingButler	✔	✔	✔	✘	✔	✘	✔	✔	KMU
Billomat	✔	✔	✔	✘	✔	✔	✔	✔	Small business owners, freelancers, founders
Revised	✔	✔	✔	✘	✔	✔	✔	✔	Small business owners, freelancers, founders

What types of accounting software are there?

Accounting software can help small business owners as well as large corporations from discovery phase – just sometimes in different ways and by different means. Some accounting software are complete all-rounders and offer solutions for project management or warehouse management in addition to accounting. Other software are exclusively financial accounting software, so they only support you with financial accounting in the narrower sense.

Another big difference lies in the type of publication: Some manufacturers offer their accounting software in the classic way as a download or even as a CD/DVD. You buy the product, install it on your computer and then you can start working with it. Other providers provide you with online accounting: All of the accounting then runs in the cloud . You can access the software from anywhere – regardless of the device used. All you need is an up-to-date browser and internet access.

What do you need to look out for when choosing accounting software?

In order for the accounting software to really help you with your work, certain functions should be included.

• Receipt of receipts : It must be possible to transfer invoices into the system in an uncomplicated manner.
• Online banking : In order to manage finances effectively, the accounting software needs an interface to the bank account.
• Accounting : Invoices and reminders can be created in good software with little effort.
• CRM : Extensive bookkeeping software also offers you organizational options for your customers.
• Inventory : In a good bookkeeping software you also manage your inventory and create invoices and delivery notes on this basis.
• Order overview : Since everything works hand in hand, orders can also be mapped and linked to other information.

If these functions are included, the accounting program will support you in all of your day-to-day business.

Accounting software: 11 of the Best Accounting programs

With the accounting software presented here, you can make your work with your finances much easier.

Kontolino!

The accounting software Kontolino! has set itself the task of making bookkeeping as simple as possible and thus also enabling non-professionals to manage the finances. That’s why the offer is primarily aimed at freelancers and SMEs – regardless of the industry. For this purpose, the cloud software provides over 100 templates and assistants that help with the organization: for example, the intelligent booking system suggests the right accounts as you type.

But also the handling of financial documents is in Kontolino! kept simple. Receipts, for example, are collected in an electronic receipt inbox and bank statements can be easily imported into the tool in order to pay invoices marked as outstanding. Thanks to an ELSTER interface, users can submit their advance sales tax return directly via Kontolino! create. Anyone who would rather hand over this task and other tax challenges to a tax consultant can do so at Kontolino! in two different ways: either you invite the experts directly to work in the software, or you export the financial data in the well-known DATEV format.

By Kontolino! you can see all important information about the finances directly on the overview page.

benefits	disadvantage
✔ Cloud solution	✘ SaaS solution only
✔ Comprehensive accounting program	✘ No mobile app
✔ ELSTER module	✘ No payroll accounting
✔ DATEV-Module

sevDesk

Similar to FastBill, sevDesk is a compact solution for small business owners, freelancers and medium-sized companies. With the software you can do your bookkeeping in the cloud – uncomplicated and self-explanatory . You can easily connect the accounting software to your own bank account and you can also integrate online payment services such as PayPal into the system. With sevDesk, too, your tax consultant can either work directly in the software or be supplied with material through a DATEV export.

A specialty of this accounting software is the possibility to integrate the PhoneMondo telephone service . If you call a customer, sevDesk will automatically show you information about your relationship – e.g. B. open invoices. You can use sevDesk to create reports that are interesting for the tax authorities, such as EÜR, income statement and annual balance sheet, very quickly. All data is also recorded and stored in accordance with GoBD.

All key figures are available in the sevDesk dashboard.

benefits	disadvantage
✔ Cloud offer	✘ SaaS solution only
✔ Mobile App	✘ Limited functionality
✔ DATEV-Module	✘ No payroll accounting
✔ ELSTER module

lexoffice

The software company Lexware has been known for decades for professional IT solutions for office life. lexoffice is a comprehensive accounting software that makes sense for small business owners, freelancers, founders, but also for established and large companies. The program provides an amazing range of functions . All you need to access this is a computer with an internet connection. lexoffice is an online accounting software – so it is independent of the device used. Nevertheless, the manufacturer still offers its users a mobile app so that work on the go can work smoothly.

In addition to the usual functions such as document entry or accounting, you can use this accounting software e.g. B. also manage all fixed assets . In this way, you always have an overview of all depreciation. You will also find corresponding areas in lexoffice for payroll accounting or dunning. Thanks to the ELSTER module, you can send your advance sales tax return directly from the software to the tax authorities. To ensure that everything is correct, you can also let your tax advisor access the data. Either you give the expert special access to the online portal or you export all data in the industry-standard DATEV format.

In the clear dashboard of lexoffice you will find the most important information at a glance.

benefits	disadvantage
✔ Cloud offer	✘ SaaS solution only
✔ Comprehensive accounting program
✔ ELSTER module
✔ DATEV-Module
✔ Mobile App

WISO Accounting 365 / Entrepreneur 365 Professional

The German manufacturer Buhl offers various software packages for companies under the brand name of the ZDF magazine WISO. With WISO Accounting 365 you get the all-round package : All business transactions are properly booked, the program supports you with the annual financial statements – EÜR , P&L or balance sheet – and compiles all financial key figures properly. Thanks to the ELSTER interface, tax returns can be processed directly from the software. However, you can also pass on all information to your tax advisor via the DATEV interface.

Buhl offers various software, some of which have a similar range of functions. There is also the Accounting 365 Professional package . This also includes asset accounting. You can also install this version on up to five computers. If you also want to use software to do payroll accounting, the manufacturer offers the Unternehmer 365 Professional package. After all, with this product you will find everything you could need for your bookkeeping support, including the creation of offers, invoices and orders.

Buhl’s software is installed on Windows PCs. Depending on the version, you either have to purchase a single license for each workstation or you can use the software directly for multiple users.

The various accounting softwarefrom Buhl are aimed at both beginners and professionals.

benefits	disadvantage
✔ Comprehensive accounting program	✘ No cloud offer
✔ ELSTER module	✘ Confusing variety of products
✔ DATEV-Module

Sage

Sage offers various accounting programs: Some of these are intended for small business owners and founders, some for large companies. A product with a relatively small range of functions operates under the name Sage50 Cloud. With this accounting in the cloud, you can take care of the most important tasks: order processing, financial accounting, merchandise management, and online banking. You can also easily create your own web shop with Stage50 Cloud and link it to marketplaces such as Amazon.

At the same level – i.e. for small entrepreneurs and founders – you will also find the two offers Accounting and Accounting Start. Both are a lot cheaper, but also offer fewer features. While you really only find the basic functions for accounting and online banking in the entry-level version (Bookkeeping Start), the extended version with functions related to storage and delivery notes, as well as a DATEV export option, provides a lot of what you need for sensible bookkeeping. Sage also has other products aimed at larger companies. In this way, the accounting software can grow with the company without you having to completely reorient yourself each time.

Another click loads the video from YouTube. In this case, YouTube can set cookies over which we have no control.

benefits	disadvantage
✔ Cloud solution	✘ Confusing variety of products
✔ Matching offers for different business types	✘ SaaS solution only
✔ Mobile App
✔ ELSTER module
✔ DATEV-Module

Debitoor

Debitoor accounting software is primarily aimed at small business owners, founders and freelancers and offers this group of entrepreneurs a cloud solution that covers many aspects of accounting. The focus is on the quick and correct creation of invoices for your customers. With an app for iOS and Android devices, you can also archive receipts on the go and always have an overview of your company’s income and expenses.

With the interface to online banking and the automatic payment reconciliation, the accounting program takes care of many bookings by itself. EÜR or P&L are also done very quickly, and even the sales tax advance returns are quickly transferred to the financial administration thanks to the ELSTER interface.

Debitoor’s clear design runs through the entire accounting software.

benefits	disadvantage
✔ Cloud solution	✘ No payroll accounting
✔ Mobile App	✘ SaaS solution only
✔ ELSTER module
✔ DATEV-Module

DATEV

The veteran of the German EDP solution for tax consultants: DATEV also offers entrepreneurs an accounting program. In fact, you can even choose from different packages. Interesting for accounting is e.g. B. DATEV Mittelstand . The program supports you in accounting and the correct posting of business transactions . Receipts and other documents can be easily digitized and filed; Orders, customers and suppliers are easy to organize using the software.

DATEV offers another software for payroll accounting. Interesting: With DATEV-SmartIT you connect different software of the company in a cloud solution . You no longer need to install the software yourself, but can access the various software via a browser.

Another click loads the video from YouTube. In this case, YouTube can set cookies over which we have no control.

benefits	disadvantage
✔ Cloud solution	✘ Confusing variety of products
✔ Combination of different products possible
✔ Comprehensive accounting program

FastBill

FastBill is actually an invoicing program, but it also offers some functions that make your bookkeeping easier. Because FastBill is designed purely for online accounting, you can access all functions via the browser. You start working with the application via a clear dashboard that offers you shortcuts to important functions and an overview of your sales. The operation is very intuitive – introductions or courses should not be necessary.

This also applies to the mobile app, which you can use to scan and archive receipts. Invoices, reminders and offers can be sent directly from the software – even by post . You can give FastBill access to your online banking and record every transaction. In addition, you do not have to work alone with the accounting software: give employees access and specify which authorizations each user has. This also works for your tax advisor. Alternatively, you can also carry out a DATEV export with FastBill and thus send the expert all important data.

You can find your way around intuitively in the clear design of FastBill.

benefits	disadvantage
✔ Cloud offer	✘ SaaS solution only
✔ Mobile App	✘ Limited functionality
✔ Intuitively designed design	✘ No payroll accounting
✔ DATEV-Module

BuchhaltungsButler

The BuchhaltungsButler is a cloud solution from Germany that aims to make work easier for entrepreneurs with as many automatisms as possible. This begins with the entry of receipts, continues with invoicing and accounting and ends with the advance sales tax return. To insert receipts into the accounting software, one can send an email, upload files directly or connect the program to Dropbox. Thanks to text recognition , the Accounting Butler independently extracts the important information from the receipt and even suggests the account assignment. The booking is then confirmed with one click. Since all information is properly archived, you can also simply search for older documents.

Fact

With BuchhaltungsButler you can also pull receipts directly from external portals such as Amazon or various mobile phone providers in many situations. To do this, the company works with over 3,000 providers.

As with other software for bookkeeping in the cloud, this online service also allows you to work directly with the accountant . There is also an interface for exporting data in DATEV format. With a different interface, you can carry out all of your online banking. Invoices can also be created using the software: Since you maintain databases with BuchhaltungsButler for both your items and your customers, the documents can be compiled quickly.

Another click loads the video from YouTube. In this case, YouTube can set cookies over which we have no control.

benefits	disadvantage
✔ Integration of online portals	✘ SaaS solution only
✔ Cloud offer	✘ No payroll accounting
✔ DATEV-Module
✔ ELSTER module

Billomat

Even the basic version of the Billomat accounting software contains the most important functions to make your office work easier: You can make receipts, write invoices and reminders, process orders, maintain customer and article databases or create EÜR and advance sales tax returns. Here, too, this can be done in cooperation with your tax consultant, to whom you send the information in DATEV format or who you invite directly into the accounting software.

In addition, you can expand Billomat modularly : The software offers interfaces to popular cloud storage providers. Other services that deal with office work (project management or CRM, for example) can also be linked to the accounting program. With the app for mobile devices, you can also organize your bookkeeping on the go.

With widgets, you can put together the Billomat control center yourself.

benefits	disadvantage
✔ Many interfaces	✘ SaaS solution only
✔ Cloud offer	✘ No payroll accounting
✔ Mobile App
✔ DATEV-Module
✔ ELSTER module

Revised

The aim of the Reviso accounting program is to facilitate collaboration between the various parties involved in accounting. For this purpose, the cloud application provides document entry, invoicing, account assignment and creation as well as transmission of the advance VAT return. In addition, there is a project management, which can also be used to correctly bill ongoing projects, as well as a function for approving costs. With the latter, accountants or tax consultants can be involved in cost management .

With just a few clicks, you can use this accounting software to create various reports that can also be important for tax returns. The ELSTER interface also enables transmission to the tax authorities. Reviso also attaches great importance to internationality . You can choose from different languages ​​and the program can also handle different currencies.

Another click loads the video from YouTube. In this case, YouTube can set cookies over which we have no control.

benefits	disadvantage
✔ Many interfaces	✘ SaaS solution only
✔ Cloud offer	✘ No payroll accounting
✔ Mobile App	✘ Limited functionality
✔ DATEV-Module
✔ ELSTER module

Read More: Earn Money with YouTube