lexoffice vs Papierkram: German Accounting Software Comparison 2026
Compare lexoffice and Papierkram for German businesses. lexoffice is the market leader with comprehensive features, while Papierkram offers an excellent free tier for beginners.
Comparison Table
| Price | €7.90-29.90/mo | €0-20/mo |
| Countries | DE, AT | DE, AT |
| Best For | Freelancers, Small Businesses, German Focused | Freelancers, Solopreneurs, Beginners |
| Features | GoBD-compliantInvoicingBanking syncEÜRBilanz | GoBD-compliantInvoicingTime trackingDocument managementEÜR |
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| Website | Visit | Visit |
Our Verdict
Choose Papierkram if you're starting out and want compliant bookkeeping at no cost. Choose lexoffice if you need comprehensive features, superior Steuerberater integration, or plan to grow your business beyond solo operation.
As of: February 2026
Information in this comparison is sourced from publicly available data (official websites, pricing pages). Prices and features may change. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information.
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Overview
lexoffice and Papierkram are both excellent German accounting solutions for small businesses. lexoffice is the established market leader trusted by Steuerberater nationwide, while Papierkram provides an accessible entry point with its generous free tier for freelancers and solopreneurs.
Key Differences
- Pricing: Papierkram has a functional free tier; lexoffice starts at €7.90/mo with no free option.
- Steuerberater Integration: lexoffice has a dedicated, widely-adopted Steuerberater interface; Papierkram's is more basic.
- Features: lexoffice offers inventory management, project tracking, and Bilanz support in higher tiers; Papierkram focuses on essentials.
- Banking Sync: lexoffice connects to 4,000+ banks; Papierkram's banking integration is more limited.
- Learning Curve: Both are beginner-friendly, but Papierkram is slightly simpler.
Our Recommendation
Papierkram is perfect for freelancers just starting out who need compliant German bookkeeping without any investment. Think of it as training wheels for business accounting. However, when your business grows—adding employees, dealing with more complex tax situations, or needing deeper Steuerberater collaboration—lexoffice becomes the natural upgrade path with its comprehensive feature set and trusted reputation.