vs.
The lexoffice alternative without the subscription trap
Price, features, and automation in direct comparison, so you can make the right decision.
In short
lexoffice is the market leader with the broadest range of functions: payroll processing, the most integrations, and the largest community. It's the right choice if you need a mature ecosystem and prefer to handle your own bookkeeping.
Norman is the better choice if you want less manual work. The AI categorizes transactions, recognizes operating expenses, and submits tax returns directly to the tax office, and the entire accounting process (bank import, AI categorization, receipts, and e-invoices) is free. You only pay when you file tax returns.
Features at a glance
Price, features, and automation in direct comparison.
| | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry price | Free (complete bookkeeping); tax returns from €9/mo | From €7.90/mo; €21.90/mo for VAT return + EÜR |
| E-invoicing | Free, unlimited | From the M plan (€12.90) |
| Bank connection | With AI categorization | Automatic payment matching |
| AI categorization | Automatic, trained on German tax law | Manual assignment |
| Receipt capture | AI matching, scanner + archive | Scanner + archive |
| Tax optimization tips | Personalized saving tips | |
| VAT return | From the Pro plan (€21) | From the L plan (€21.90) |
| EÜR | From the Klein plan (€9) | From the L plan (€21.90) |
| Trade tax | Included in Klein | |
| Income tax | Included in Klein | Separate software required |
| DATEV integration | Full integration incl. booking data | Tax-advisor access |
| Kleinunternehmer support | Own plan | In the L tariff |
| Mobile app | iOS + Android | Receipt capture via app |
| Payroll | Add-on from €13 | |
| Languages | 7 languages available | German only |
What are you actually paying?
The initial price only tells half the story. Here you can see what you actually pay at each stage and what you get for it.
Just accounting
Bank, receipts, categorization, e-invoices
€0
Free, no time limit
€7.90/mo
S tariff: only receipts and invoices, no e-invoices
Kleinunternehmer
EÜR + income tax + trade tax
€9/mo
Klein plan: ZM + income tax included
€21.90/mo
L tariff: no income tax (extra software needed)
Full tax filing
VAT + EÜR + income tax + trade tax
€21/mo
Pro plan: all tax types + AI categorization
€21.90/mo
L tariff: does NOT include income and trade taxes
What are the differences?
Tax filing
Both tools can submit the VAT return directly to the tax office. But what goes beyond that differs considerably.
VAT return, EÜR, income tax, and trade tax: all submitted directly to the tax office, without ELSTER. The AI continuously calculates your tax burden and shows you in real time what you can expect to pay. You don't need a tax advisor for your annual returns.
VAT return and EÜR from the L plan onwards. For income tax, you need a tax advisor or separate software like Norman, WISO, or Elster. lexoffice offers tax advisor access with DATEV export: ideal if you already work with a tax advisor.
AI and Automation
This is the biggest difference between the two tools.
Norman is built from the ground up around AI, not added later. The AI is specifically trained for German tax law and automatically categorizes transactions, recognizes business expenses, assigns receipts, and gives you personalized tax-saving tips. When you file your tax return, an AI assistant works with you, filling out and submitting the form.
lexoffice offers automatic payment reconciliation and receipt capture via app. However, categorizing transactions, assigning receipts, and recognizing business expenses remain your responsibility. Automation is limited to rule-based functions: no AI-powered recognition.
Integrations and ecosystem
Bank connection, receipt capture, e-invoicing, and a full DATEV integration including booking data: Norman covers the core, including an API and integrations like Stripe and Shopify. The ecosystem is deliberately leaner and focused on automation; there's no built-in payroll.
The broadest integration ecosystem in the German market. DATEV export, tax advisor access, payroll (add-on from €12.90/month), public API (XL tariff), and dozens of partner integrations. If you need an extensive toolset, lexoffice is hard to beat.
Language and support
Available in 7 languages: including German, English, Italian, Polish, and more. The user interface, support, and all tax forms are fully available. You can switch between languages at any time. Ideal for expats and international freelancers in Germany.
Exclusively in German. The interface, support, help articles, and all documentation are only available in German. lexoffice is not an option for freelancers who don't speak German.
Which tool suits you best?
Choose Norman if you …
Want to do as little manual labor as possible
Want to do your own taxes, without a tax advisor
Are a small business owner and want to join for free
Want income tax and trade tax in one tool
Are an international founder and need support in your language
Choose lexoffice if you …
Need payroll statements for employees
Already have an established setup with your tax advisor via DATEV
Need many integrations and an API
Speak German and have no problem with manual categorization
Prefer an established ecosystem with a large community
Built for anyone looking for a lexoffice alternative without a monthly subscription
Invoicing, quotes, receipt capture, bank matching, and EÜR/VAT-return prep run in Norman without a pricing tier: bookkeeping and invoicing are free, and only the finished tax return is paid.
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.
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Start for freeFAQ
What is the best alternative to lexoffice (Lexware Office)?
It depends on what you need: the market includes sevDesk, Accountable, and Norman, among others. For anyone who mainly sends invoices and wants to keep clean books, Norman is the most obvious pick: invoicing and bookkeeping are free for good, the AI captures receipts and matches bank activity automatically, and you can file your own tax return directly. lexoffice (now Lexware Office) bills monthly from its very first tier: with Norman, you only pay for the finished tax return.
Can I switch from lexoffice to Norman and bring my data?
Master data such as customers, products, and open invoices can be exported from lexoffice as CSV and imported into Norman. Receipts you upload or forward by email: the AI reads them. The cleanest switch is at a quarter or year boundary: you start from a clear cut-off date instead of copying the running history mid-period.
Is there a permanently free alternative to lexoffice?
Yes: Norman. Invoicing, quotes, and full bookkeeping (receipt capture, bank matching, and EÜR) are free for good with no pricing tier; there is no time limit and no trial that expires. lexoffice (Lexware Office) has no permanently free plan: only a time-limited trial and occasional founder promotions. The only paid part in Norman is the finished tax return, from the Klein plan (from €9/month).
Does Norman support e-invoices (ZUGFeRD/XRechnung) like lexoffice?
Yes. Norman creates and receives structured e-invoices in the ZUGFeRD and XRechnung formats, in every plan and at no extra cost, in line with the B2B e-invoicing mandate. With lexoffice (Lexware Office), creating e-invoices is only included from the M tier (€12.90 net, as of June 2026). If e-invoices are standard for you, you get them in Norman without an extra pricing tier.
How much does Norman cost compared to lexoffice?
Norman is free for invoicing and bookkeeping; only the tax return is paid: the Klein plan starts at €9/month and the Pro plan with VAT returns at €21/month (billed yearly). lexoffice (Lexware Office), by contrast, bills monthly from day one: from €7.90 net on the S tier, invoicing from the M tier (€12.90), and bookkeeping/EÜR from the L tier (€21.90). All lexoffice prices are net, as of June 2026.
Does lexoffice / Lexware Office have AI accounting?
lexoffice offers receipt scanning and a receipt archive plus matching suggestions, but you still do most of the categorization yourself. Norman is built around AI from the ground up: the AI reads receipts, suggests the booking and tax rate, matches bank activity automatically, and keeps EÜR and VAT returns continuously up to date. If minimal manual bookkeeping matters to you, that's the core difference.
Norman or lexoffice: which is better for me?
It depends on your setup. Norman is the better choice if you want to run invoicing and bookkeeping without a monthly subscription, use AI receipt capture, and file your own tax return, and if you need a multilingual interface. lexoffice plays to its strengths if you need payroll for employees, a point-of-sale cash register, or the broad integration ecosystem. DATEV isn't a reason to pick lexoffice here: both work with DATEV, and Norman even offers a full DATEV integration including booking data. For many freelancers, Kleinunternehmer, and small UGs/GmbHs, Norman's free feature set is enough.
Is Norman available in English?
Norman is available in German, English, and more: you can switch the interface, which is especially helpful for international founders in Germany. lexoffice (Lexware Office) is built for German. If you or your team would rather not work in German, that's a clear point for Norman.