Top 4 Accountable Alternatives in Germany (2025 Update)

Peter

Updated on:

Oct 24, 2025

If you’re a freelancer or self-employed in Germany, you’ve probably heard of Accountable — the app that promises to make taxes simple. But it’s not the only player in town anymore.

Whether you’re looking for something more modern, better designed, or just more affordable, there are excellent Accountable alternatives that give you full control over your taxes — and even more features. Here are the top 4 Accountable alternatives in 2025 👇

🥇 Norman — best overall alternative to Accountable

Norman isn’t just another tax app. It’s your AI tax advisor — designed specifically for freelancers and small businesses in Germany.

With Norman, you can handle everything from your Umsatzsteuervoranmeldung (VAT return) to your income tax (Einkommensteuer), all fully automated and integrated with your bank account.
Why freelancers switch from Accountable to Norman:

🇩🇪 Full Elster integration — all filings (VAT, income tax, trade tax) submitted directly to Finanzamt
🔨 Simple tax tool - no upselling of a bank account or tax advisory services
💸 Smart automation — detects deductible expenses, calculates taxes in real time
🧾 ZUGFeRD-compliant e-invoicing — create professional invoices that meet German legal standards
🤖 AI categorization — automatically sorts your transactions and receipts
🌍 Expat-friendly interface (EN/DE) — perfect for expats working in Germany
💬 Human support — chat directly with tax experts when needed

👉 Try Norman for free and see why hundreds of freelancers are switching from Accountable.

🎁 Bonus: Download Norman’s free eBook, “Mastering Freelance in Germany: A Practical Handbook for Beginners”, to get a step-by-step guide through German bureaucracy.

2️⃣ Vivid — for freelancers who already bank with Vivid

Vivid, known for its slick banking app, now offers accounting features including invoicing, bookkeeping, and VAT filing powered by integrated tax technology.

Pros

Integrated with your Vivid Business account
Mobile-first design and real-time analytics
Great UX for freelancers managing both personal and business finances
Powerful banking with interest accounts, POS terminals, and cashback

Cons

Limited tax coverage
Bloated interface and complicated navigation
No guidance

3️⃣ Lexoffice — for small businesses that need a traditional accounting tool

Lexoffice is one of the oldest accounting tools in Germany. It’s feature-rich and robust, making it a solid choice for small companies that need more than just tax filing.

Pros

Comprehensive accounting suite (e.g., payroll)
Trusted by some Steuerberater

Cons

Old and complex UI
Available only in German
Overkill if you’re a solo freelancer

4️⃣ Sevdesk — for freelancers who love custom workflows

Sevdesk combines bookkeeping automation with customizable invoicing and reporting tools. It’s cloud-based and integrates with your bank account to categorize transactions.

Pros

Flexible, cloud-based system
Great for multilingual invoicing
Works with both freelancers and small GmbHs

Cons

Interface feels dated
Tax filing still requires manual review or external support

⚖️ Comparison Table (2025 Edition)

Feature	Norman	Vivid	Lexoffice	Sevdesk	Accountable
VAT filing (USt-VA)	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
EÜR submission	✅	❌	❌	❌	✅
Income tax (ESt)	✅	❌	✅	❌	✅
English interface	✅	✅	❌	❌	✅
Fast free support	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Invoicing	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
AI categorization	✅	✅	❌	✅	✅
Bank account	❌	✅	✅	❌	✅

🧭 Which alternative should you choose?

If you’re an expat freelancer who wants to stay compliant without drowning in German paperwork — Norman is the clear choice. If you already use Vivid Business, their freelance suite is a nice, lightweight option. For traditional businesses, Lexoffice and Sevdesk still hold ground — but they’re not designed for the simplicity and automation freelancers expect today.

🚀 Final Thoughts

Germany’s tax system is complex — but your tools don’t have to be. The era of manual bookkeeping and confusing Elster forms is over. With apps like Norman, freelancers finally get AI-driven automation, bilingual support, and fully digital tax filings built for the way we actually work today.