E-Invoicing Software 2026: 7 Tools Compared

Since January 2025, every company in Germany must be able to receive e-invoices, and from 2027 and 2028 the obligation to send them phases in too. So the question is no longer whether you switch, but which software you use to do it – and that is exactly where it gets confusing.

The market is crowded: from free invoicing tools to expensive accounting suites. But not every program that advertises e-invoicing actually handles everything that matters: creating XRechnung and ZUGFeRD, processing incoming e-invoices, and archiving everything in a GoBD-compliant way. This comparison puts 7 tools for 2026 under the microscope and rates them by price, formats, receiving, and accounting integration.

In short

• Free, sending + receiving, accounting included: Norman – invoicing and accounting €0, tax filing from €9/month.
• Largest ecosystem: Lexware Office, regularly around €8–28/month – but e-invoice sending is only in the top tier.
• Modern all-rounder with DATEV export: sevDesk, from around €12.90/month.
• Receiving only: Invoicefetcher or Norman's free tier as a cheap add-on.
• Rule of thumb: Check that the tool creates XRechnung and ZUGFeRD and reads incoming invoices automatically – otherwise you pay later for a retrofit or a second program.

What good e-invoicing software must do

Before you compare tools, you should know what counts. A full-featured e-invoicing solution covers these points:

• Creates both formats: XRechnung (pure XML, mandatory for public-sector clients) and ZUGFeRD 2.0.1+ (a hybrid of PDF and embedded XML). We explain the difference in detail in XRechnung vs. ZUGFeRD.
• Receives and reads e-invoices: Incoming XML files must not get lost in your inbox – they should be booked automatically. How that works is covered in receiving e-invoices.
• EN 16931 compliance: Only structured formats under this norm count as a real e-invoice – a PDF by email is not enough.
• GoBD-compliant archiving: Stored in an audit-proof way so you are covered during a tax audit.
• Accounting integration: Writing an invoice and booking it separately costs double the time. Having both in one tool saves you exports and transfer errors.

When do you need which feature?

The receiving obligation already applies – the sending obligation phases in by turnover. This overview shows when each feature becomes mandatory for you:

In practice: you must receive right now and, by 2028 at the latest, send too. The full deadlines and exceptions are in our overview of the 2026 e-invoicing obligation. Choose software that covers both from the start – then you won't have to switch again in 2027.

The 7 best e-invoicing tools for 2026 compared

1. Norman – free, AI-powered, all in one

Norman creates invoices automatically in the ZUGFeRD format under EN 16931, processes incoming e-invoices, and assigns them directly to your accounting. The ZUGFeRD trust logo confirms compatibility.

Price: Invoicing and accounting are permanently free – no limit, no watermark. You only pay for tax filing; the Klein plan starts at €9/month. Details on the pricing page.

Strengths: Sending and receiving in one tool, AI receipt recognition, AI bookkeeping included. More at e-invoicing with Norman.

2. Lexware Office (formerly Lexoffice)

The market leader handles XRechnung and ZUGFeRD reliably and is well established.

Price: from around €8/month net, mid tiers around €19, top tier around €28. Note: e-invoice sending is only included in the top tier – so anyone who has to send from 2027 will not stay in the cheapest package.

3. sevDesk

An integrated accounting solution with a solid e-invoicing function and DATEV export.

Price: the „Rechnung" tier starts at around €12.90/month net and covers e-invoice sending, larger packages cost more. A free trial is available; sevDesk also offers a free generator for individual e-invoices.

4. FastBill

A lean tool focused on invoicing and receipt management.

Price: the „Solo" tier starts at around €9/month net and already includes e-invoice creation and DATEV export; „Pro" from around €21/month.

5. Billomat

API-flexible and built for growing companies.

Price: Paid tiers from around €8–19/month net, higher depending on scope. The API integration is the real strength for teams with their own IT.

6. Papierkram

Freelancer-friendly with built-in time tracking.

Price: Free tier available; paid tiers from around €9.90/month net.

7. Invoicefetcher

A specialist for receiving and automatically reading incoming e-invoices – not a full invoicing or accounting tool.

Price: Free tier for low volumes, then tiered packages.

For a quick overview, all seven tools side by side:

Which tool for whom?

The right choice depends less on feature count than on your profile. These four cases cover most freelancers and small businesses:

• Solo freelancers: Norman (free, sending + receiving) or Papierkram (with time tracking).
• Small GmbHs: Norman or sevDesk – both bring accounting along.
• Growing companies with their own IT: Billomat (API) or Lexware Office.
• If you only need to receive: Invoicefetcher as a cheap add-on, or Norman's free tier.

By the way, even as a small business under the Kleinunternehmer rule you are not exempt from the receiving obligation – the details are in e-invoicing for small businesses.

What to watch out for when switching

• Check both formats: Some tools only create ZUGFeRD, not pure XRechnung – a problem if you invoice public authorities.
• Check the sending tier: With some providers (e.g. Lexware Office) e-invoice sending is only unlocked in the most expensive package. Factor in the tier you will actually need from 2027.
• Test receiving: Send yourself an e-invoice and check whether the tool reads it automatically.
• Avoid silos: A separate invoicing tool plus separate accounting means double the upkeep. A unified workflow saves time and errors – see also the best accounting software for freelancers and the accounting software comparison.
• Weigh cost against benefit: A €30 tier only pays off if you genuinely need the features.

E-invoicing with Norman

Norman covers the e-invoicing obligation in full – and costs nothing for invoicing and accounting:

• ZUGFeRD-compliant invoices created automatically in the EN 16931 format.
• Incoming e-invoices read automatically and assigned to the right category.
• GoBD-compliant archiving of all receipts – audit-proof for the tax inspection.

Setup takes less than 30 seconds, and as long as you do not file a tax return you pay nothing – a more risk-free trial than any 30-day test.

Frequently asked questions

Which e-invoicing software is the best?

There is no single best one – there is the one that fits your profile. For sending, receiving, and accounting in one free tool, Norman is strong; for a large integration ecosystem, Lexware Office; for pure receiving, a specialist like Invoicefetcher is enough.

Is there free e-invoicing software?

Yes. With Norman, invoicing and accounting are permanently free with no limit; you only pay when you file a tax return. There are also free online generators (e.g. from sevDesk or PDF24) for individual e-invoices – but these usually don't provide GoBD-compliant archiving and only pay off for occasional invoices.

Which formats must the software handle?

For a valid e-invoice under EN 16931, XRechnung (pure XML) and ZUGFeRD 2.0.1+ (PDF with embedded XML) qualify. XRechnung is mandatory for public-sector clients, ZUGFeRD is more common in everyday B2B. A tool that creates both is the most flexible.

Can I receive e-invoices without software?

Technically you can accept an XML file by email, but without software no one reads it meaningfully or archives it in a GoBD-compliant way. A receiving tool or an all-in-one solution like Norman books incoming e-invoices automatically – saving you manual retyping and filing.

Do I need e-invoicing software as a small business?

You must receive too – the receiving obligation since 2025 applies regardless of Kleinunternehmer status. A free tool is plenty for that. More on this in e-invoicing for small businesses.

From when must I send e-invoices?

From 1 January 2027, companies with over €800,000 prior-year turnover must send e-invoices; from 1 January 2028, all remaining companies. You have had to be able to receive them since 2025.

Conclusion

The e-invoicing obligation is no longer a thing of the future – it is already reality. The good news: you do not have to spend much money on it. Tools like Norman handle sending, receiving, and archiving for free and save you the separate accounting export.

Choose a tool that handles both formats, processes incoming invoices automatically, and slots seamlessly into your accounting. Make sure e-invoice sending is included in your chosen tier too. Anyone who separates invoicing from bookkeeping pays twice in the end – in money and in time. Start with the free option and test that sending and receiving work smoothly before the next deadlines in 2027 and 2028 kick in.