What are the alternatives to DATEV for startups?
For small teams and startups in Germany, cloud accounting tools are the usual alternative. They connect receipts, bank accounts and invoices, and pass the data on to the tax advisor. In current comparisons, sevdesk and Lexware Office lead the field, followed by WISO MeinBüro and Papierkram. What matters is less the price than the interface to your tax advisor, e-invoicing and room to grow.
As of October 2026. Prices and ratings come from the comparison by fuer-gruender.de (in German, as of 1 October 2026). They are indicative and depend on plan and term. Verify them on the providers' sites before deciding.
Jump to a section: Comparison · Five criteria · When it is no longer enough
Six tools at a glance
- sevdesk: around 25.90 euros per month, grade 1.1. With e-invoicing, DATEV export, bank feeds and foreign currencies. Test winner in the comparison.
- Lexware Office: around 32.90 euros per month, grade 1.2. With e-invoicing, DATEV export, bank feeds and unlimited users.
- WISO MeinBüro: around 19.00 euros per month, grade 1.4. With e-invoicing, bank feeds and a link to WISO Steuer.
- Papierkram: around 19.90 euros per month, grade 1.8. A lean option for freelancers and small teams.
- orgaMAX: around 29.00 euros per month, grade 2.0.
- BuchhaltungsButler: around 34.90 euros per month, grade 2.2. Focuses more strongly on automated transaction matching.
The grades reflect how the magazine rated the tools. Which one fits depends on your company.
Five criteria for choosing
- Interface to your tax advisor: Clarify whether your tax advisor expects bookings in DATEV format or accesses the tool directly. Many cloud tools offer both.
- E-invoicing: The tool should be able to write and receive e-invoices. The rules are in E-invoicing in Germany instead of PDF by email.
- Bank feeds and payment matching: A bank connection saves time on matching. Check which banks are supported.
- Users and permissions: How many people work in the tool, and who may approve receipts? Also check foreign currencies if you sell internationally.
- Growth path: What happens with a second entity, cost centres or investor reporting? Switching later costs time.
When simple accounting software is no longer enough
At the latest with several entities, cost centres, consolidated accounts or regular investor reporting, simple tools reach their limits. Then you need a finance platform or an ERP system and properly designed processes. What that looks like for growing companies with investors is covered in DATEV alternatives for scale-ups (in German). nugrow supports the selection and implementation and provides interim accounting and FP&A. If you first want monthly control over your numbers, there are free Excel templates for finance and controlling.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to DATEV for a startup?
It depends on size, your tax advisor and the features you need. In current comparisons, sevdesk and Lexware Office lead the field. What matters most are the interface to your tax advisor, e-invoicing, bank feeds and room to grow.
Do I still need DATEV if my tax advisor works with it?
Not necessarily. Most cloud tools export bookings in DATEV format or hand data over directly. Before deciding, clarify which interface your tax advisor uses.
When is simple accounting software no longer enough?
With several entities, cost centres, investor reporting or complex closings. At that point a finance platform or an ERP system with properly designed processes pays off.
Sources and status
Prices, grades and features after the comparison by fuer-gruender.de (in German, as of 1 October 2026). nugrow has no commercial relationship with any of the providers mentioned. As of October 2026.
