vs.
The modern AI alternative to BuchhaltungsButler
Price, features, and automation in direct comparison, so you can make the right decision.
In short
BuchhaltungsButler combines AI receipt recognition, posting rules and DATEV export. It fits teams that need established advisor workflows, multiple users and invoice approvals, and choose a bookkeeping subscription for those features.
Norman is your AI bookkeeper. It handles invoices, receipts and ongoing bookkeeping, and lets you file all your tax returns in one place. Invoicing and bookkeeping are free; tax filing requires a paid plan.
Features at a glance
Price, features, and automation in direct comparison. Prices exclude VAT, reviewed 17 September 2026. Norman: yearly billing. BuchhaltungsButler: standard monthly billing, excluding offers.
| | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry price | Free invoicing and bookkeeping; filing from €9/mo | Light: €39.90/mo; Smart: €46.90/mo |
| E-invoicing | Free, unlimited | Send and receive from Light |
| Bank connection | Sync from Klein; coverage by plan | Bank accounts, credit cards and PayPal from Light |
| AI receipt capture | AI recognition and posting suggestions | AI receipt recognition and automatic matching |
| Automation | Categorization and receipt matching by plan | Rules, automatic processing and bulk postings |
| VAT return | Pro: €21/mo billed yearly | From Smart |
| EC Sales List (ZM) | Included in paid self-employed plans | From Smart |
| Official Anlage EÜR filing | Klein from €9/mo; yearly billing required | Add-on with ELSTER transmission |
| Income tax | Included in Klein with yearly billing | Arrange a separate workflow with your advisor |
| E-balance sheet | Included in the company Max plan | Via the eBilanz+ extension |
| DATEV and tax advisors | Tax advisor access and DATEV handover | Tax advisor access and DATEV export |
| REST API | Available | API client included by plan or as an add-on |
| MCP connection | Official hosted server; access is free | Community project; API access and your own setup |
| Team and approvals | Work with your tax advisor | Premium: 5 users, permissions and invoice approvals |
| Web and mobile access | Web app, iOS and Android | Web application and mobile scanning app |
What are you actually paying?
The initial price only tells half the story. Compare the plan that covers the work you need. Prices exclude VAT, reviewed 17 September 2026. Norman: yearly billing. BuchhaltungsButler: standard monthly billing, excluding offers.
| What you need | | |
|---|---|---|
Just invoicing Invoices, quotes, e-invoicing | €0 Free, no time limit | €39.90/mo Light: invoicing and bookkeeping preparation; 14-day trial |
Just accounting Receipts, postings and reports | €0 Free plan; bank sync and additional AI features depend on plan | €46.90/mo Smart: EÜR and balance-sheet reports, VAT returns and ZM |
Tax filing as self-employed VAT returns, EÜR and income tax | €21/mo Pro billed yearly; standard monthly billing is €28/mo | €46.90/mo + Smart plus the official Anlage EÜR add-on; income tax handled separately |
What are the differences?
Price and tiers
Both cover invoicing and bookkeeping. The free entry point and included filing features differ.
Invoicing and bookkeeping are included in Free. Filing starts with Klein at €9 and Pro at €21 per month, billed yearly and excluding VAT. Check bank connections and AI features in the appropriate plan. Companies have separate plans.
Light, Smart and Premium cost €39.90, €46.90 and €89.90 on standard monthly billing, excluding VAT. Discounts, receipt volumes, users and add-ons affect the actual cost. Compare the total after the trial.
AI and Automation
Both use AI. The useful difference is which tasks you want to automate.
As your AI bookkeeper, Norman captures receipts, categorizes transactions and matches documents to payments. Its official hosted MCP server also lets you work from Claude or ChatGPT. MCP access is free; available actions depend on your plan and permissions.
BuchhaltungsButler offers AI receipt recognition, automatic matching, rules and bulk processing. The MCP project reviewed is community-built. That external AI connection requires API access, setup and ongoing maintenance.
Tax filing
A report and a submitted tax return are different outputs.
Norman supports VAT returns, EÜR, income tax and other returns through ELSTER on eligible paid plans. Annual returns in Klein require yearly billing. Check company plans for E-Bilanz and company declarations.
UStVA and ZM are listed from Smart. The official Anlage EÜR with ELSTER transmission is an add-on. E-Bilanz uses eBilanz+. Arrange the workflow for income tax and other declarations with your advisor.
Teams and tax advisors
Norman connects daily bookkeeping with advisor access and DATEV handover. You can manage the day-to-day work and involve your advisor. Before switching, check whether the roles and approval steps your team needs are covered.
BuchhaltungsButler suits established advisor workflows. Premium includes five users, permissions, tasks and an invoice approval process. If those team functions matter to your business, they can justify the paid plan.
Norman or BuchhaltungsButler: which fits you?
Choose Norman if you …
Want invoicing and bookkeeping without a monthly subscription
Want to hire an AI bookkeeper
Want to file all your tax returns in one place
Want to work on desktop and mobile
Want to run your accounting from Claude or ChatGPT and need an MCP connection
Choose BuchhaltungsButler if you …
Have an established workflow with your tax advisor
Want to keep existing posting rules and DATEV exports
Need invoice approvals and user roles for your team
Need cost centres and project accounting
Choose a paid bookkeeping plan for those functions
What your AI bookkeeper takes care of
Invoicing and bookkeeping are free. Bank sync and additional AI features depend on your plan. Choose a paid plan for tax filing.
Automated bank categorization (SKR03/04)
Norman continuously assigns bank movements to the right accounts and suggests matching SKR03/04 postings.
Smart receipt matching
Forward receipts via app or email. Norman extracts the data and matches them with transactions.
Real-time expense tracking
All expenses broken down by category, automatically updated, and available at any time.
Financial overview at a glance
Revenue, expenses, and open items in one dashboard that updates with every booking.
AI-powered insights
Norman identifies savings opportunities, flags unusual bookings, and gives you actionable recommendations.
Hear from entrepreneurs
Businesses that run on Norman
FAQ
Which BuchhaltungsButler alternative fits me?
Norman fits if you want to hire an AI bookkeeper and file all your tax returns in one place. Invoicing and bookkeeping are free; tax filing requires a paid plan. If multiple users, invoice approvals and established advisor workflows matter, compare those requirements with BuchhaltungsButler Premium.
How much does Norman cost compared with BuchhaltungsButler?
Norman's invoicing and bookkeeping are free. Klein costs €9 and Pro €21 per month, billed yearly and excluding VAT. BuchhaltungsButler Light, Smart and Premium cost €39.90, €46.90 and €89.90 on standard monthly billing, excluding VAT. Offers and add-ons change the total. Reviewed 17 September 2026.
Is Norman a free BuchhaltungsButler alternative?
Norman's Free plan includes invoicing, bookkeeping and MCP access. Tax filing requires a paid plan. BuchhaltungsButler offers a free trial of its bookkeeping software. Compare the full workflow you need and the cost after the trial.
Does BuchhaltungsButler have AI and an MCP connection?
BuchhaltungsButler offers AI receipt recognition. The MCP project we reviewed is community-built and needs API access and your own setup. Norman hosts its official MCP server.
Can BuchhaltungsButler submit tax returns?
Yes. BuchhaltungsButler lists UStVA and ZM from Smart and offers the official Anlage EÜR with ELSTER submission as an add-on. E-Bilanz uses the eBilanz+ extension. Check each required return separately; a report alone is not a submitted return.
Can I move all BuchhaltungsButler data automatically?
We do not promise a complete one-click import. Keep your exports and confirm supported formats with Norman. Test a sample first, then reconcile balances and open items.
Does Norman support e-invoicing?
Yes. Norman supports e-invoices in ZUGFeRD format. Invoicing is included in Free with no time limit. BuchhaltungsButler lists sending and receiving e-invoices from Light.
Can I use Norman in English?
Yes. Norman is available in German, English and Russian. You can manage your German bookkeeping in the language that suits you.