FastBill Alternatives 2026: 7 Accounting Tools for Freelancers Compared

FastBill has been a go-to invoicing tool for German freelancers and small businesses since 2009 — but the accounting software landscape has shifted considerably. Newer tools automate more, cost less, and file your VAT returns directly with the Finanzamt without any DATEV detour. If you're thinking about switching, here are the 7 strongest FastBill alternatives for 2026.

Why freelancers are leaving FastBill

Since FastBill was acquired by the Norwegian Visma Group in 2022, the pace of development has slowed while competitors have kept accelerating. The most common user complaints:

• No permanent free plan: FastBill only offers a 14-day trial. After that, the cheapest tier (Solo) starts at €10/month — pricey if you only invoice occasionally.

• No direct VAT filing: FastBill exports data to DATEV or generates an export file. For the actual Umsatzsteuervoranmeldung (VAT advance return), you still need ELSTER or a tax advisor as a separate step.

• Limited automation: Receipts and bank transactions aren't categorized automatically — a lot of manual work remains. Full automation only kicks in on the Premium plan at €59/month.

• Price-to-value ratio: Once you need multiple bank accounts or team features, costs climb to €15–30/month, while competitors offer comparable features for less or even free.

For a broader picture of the German accounting software market, see our accounting software comparison 2026 — all the major tools laid out side by side.

Free invoicing + automated bookkeeping — no credit card needed

Norman is a modern FastBill alternative with AI-powered bookkeeping, direct VAT return filing, and unlimited free invoicing built in from day one.

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The 7 best FastBill alternatives in 2026

1. Norman — AI bookkeeping with free invoicing

Norman is the most automation-forward option on this list. The AI categorizes your bank transactions and receipts automatically, and your VAT advance return is filed directly with the Finanzamt from within the app — no ELSTER, no tax advisor needed for that step. Invoicing is permanently free with no invoice limit.

Best for: Freelancers and self-employed people who want to automate their bookkeeping as much as possible.

Pricing: Free for invoicing and bookkeeping; tax filing features (VAT returns, income tax declaration) from €12/month (Klein plan).

vs. FastBill: More automation, no invoice cap on the free tier, direct VAT filing without extra steps.

2. Lexoffice (now Lexware Office)

Lexoffice — rebranded as Lexware Office in 2025 — is one of Germany's market leaders and covers everything: invoices, quotes, receipt management, bookkeeping, VAT returns, and payroll. Its standout feature is deep tax advisor integration — your Steuerberater can access your data directly inside the platform, which makes year-end reconciliation much smoother.

Best for: Freelancers who work closely with a tax advisor and want a proven, comprehensive solution.

Pricing: From €6.90/month (S, bookkeeping only), invoicing from €11.90/month (M plan), up to €19.90/month (L) — payroll module costs extra.

vs. FastBill: More comprehensive and widely used, and actually cheaper at the entry level. See the detailed Norman vs Lexoffice comparison.

3. sevDesk

sevDesk targets growing self-employed businesses and small companies. It offers solid bookkeeping, strong API integrations for connecting your other tools, and an active user community. The interface is modern and has a relatively gentle learning curve.

Best for: Self-employed people scaling their business who need professional bookkeeping with good third-party integrations.

Pricing: From €11.90/month (invoicing, monthly cancel-anytime) or €6.45/month on an annual contract; full bookkeeping from €25.90/month, Bookkeeping Pro €34.90/month.

vs. FastBill: Comparable price point, stronger integrations and direct VAT filing. Full breakdown in the Norman vs sevDesk comparison.

4. Accountable

Accountable is a Belgium-based app built specifically for freelancers. Tax returns, VAT filings, and bookkeeping are bundled into a single mobile-first interface. The focus is on taxes rather than full-scale accounting — great for keeping things simple, less ideal if you need complex bookkeeping.

Best for: Solo freelancers with straightforward finances who prefer managing everything on their phone.

Pricing: Invoicing from €9.90/month, Bookkeeping €19.90/month, Taxes €29.90/month, Max plan €59.90/month (all annual billing).

vs. FastBill: Stronger tax preparation focus, fewer traditional bookkeeping features.

5. WISO MeinBüro

WISO MeinBüro from Buhl is a long-established German tool with an extensive feature set including inventory management, project billing, and detailed financial reporting. It's powerful but comes with a steeper learning curve — not the right pick if simplicity is your priority.

Best for: Self-employed people and Kleinunternehmer who need detailed reports, full bookkeeping control, and don't mind a more complex setup.

Pricing (WISO MeinBüro Rechnungen): XS from €9/month, S €19/month, M €39/month, L €99/month — all annual billing, net of VAT.

vs. FastBill: More features across the board, but more complexity to match.

6. Papierkram

Papierkram is a lean German tool focused on straightforward invoicing and receipt management. The interface is clean and setup takes minutes. What it doesn't offer: deep tax automation or a direct ELSTER connection.

Best for: Freelancers who mainly need to send invoices and keep their receipts organized, without the overhead of a full accounting suite.

Pricing: Free plan available; S from €9.90/month (annual) or €12.90/month (monthly), M from €19.90/month, L from €39.90/month.

vs. FastBill: Has a real permanent free plan and is leaner — fewer tax features in return.

7. Sorted

Sorted is a Berlin-based tool specializing in taxes and simple bookkeeping for freelancers. The app connects to your bank account, categorizes transactions automatically, and helps prepare your tax filings. The design is clean and the onboarding is fast.

Best for: Tech-savvy freelancers and Kleinunternehmer who want minimal setup effort.

Pricing: Starter free forever, Kleinunternehmer plan €98/year (~€8.17/month), Pro plan €20/month (billed quarterly).

vs. FastBill: Real permanent free plan and lower entry pricing — less depth on traditional bookkeeping features.

Side-by-side comparison

Which alternative is right for you?

You want to start for free and automate as much as possible: Norman. Unlimited invoices, AI bookkeeping, and direct VAT return filing built in — ideal for freelancers who want to skip the tax advisor for routine filings.

You want the most comprehensive tool with tax advisor integration: Lexoffice or sevDesk. Both have large user bases, proven workflows, and work well when a Steuerberater is in the picture.

You mostly manage things from your phone: Accountable or Sorted. Both apps are mobile-first and built for self-employed people without an accounting background.

You need detailed reporting and full accounting control: WISO MeinBüro. Good for Einzelunternehmer and Kleinunternehmer who want to go deep into their numbers.

You want something cheap and simple: Papierkram. For freelancers who mainly need invoicing and receipt storage without the full accounting suite.

If you're still unsure which features actually matter, our guide to invoicing software for the self-employed breaks it down in detail.

Bottom line: is switching from FastBill worth it?

For most freelancers, yes. FastBill is reliable, but by 2026 most alternatives have caught up — and in key areas like automation and direct tax filing, several have clearly pulled ahead. If you want to minimize manual work and reduce costs, Norman offers free invoicing and more automation out of the box. If you need a full-featured solution with deep tax advisor integration, Lexoffice or sevDesk are the stronger choice.

The good news: every tool on this list offers a free trial or a free tier — making it easier than ever to test before you commit.