sevdesk is a robust accounting tool with strong invoicing capabilities, AI-powered document capture, and DATEV export. It's the right choice if you're looking for a proven tool with a smooth tax advisor workflow and German is your working language.
Norman costs less, handles more types of taxes, and fully automates categorization using AI. The entire accounting process—bank import, AI categorization, receipts, e-invoices—is free. Tax returns go directly to the tax office—including income tax, which sevdesk doesn't cover.
Features at a glance
sevdesk and Norman both target freelancers and self-employed individuals in Germany — but with different focuses: sevdesk on invoicing and accounting, Norman on automation and tax.
Entry price
Free (complete bookkeeping)
From €12/month (tax returns)
From €12.90/month (Invoice)
€25.90/month for Accounting
E-invoicing
✅ Free, unlimited
✅ From Invoice plan, €13
Bank connection
✅
✅
AI categorization
✅ Automatic, trained on German tax law
❌ Manual assignment
Receipt capture
✅ AI matching
✅ AI scan + email import
Tax optimization tips
✅
❌
VAT return
✅ From Pro plan, €24
✅ From Accounting plan, €26
EÜR
✅ From Klein plan, €12
✅ From Accounting plan, €26
Trade tax
✅ Included in Klein
❌
Income tax
✅ Included in Klein
❌
DATEV export
✅ From Klein plan, €12
✅
Kleinunternehmer support
✅ Own plan
✅
Mobile App
✅ iOS + Android
✅ iOS + Android
Payroll
❌
❌
MCP
✅
❌
*As of March 2026. Prices exclude VAT. Promotional prices not included.
What are you actually paying?
sevdesk's billing plan sounds cheap (€12.90), but it doesn't include accounting or tax returns. Here you can see what you actually pay at each stage.
Just accounting
€0
€12.90 /month
bank, receipts, categorization, e-invoices
Free — no time limit
Invoice plan — invoices and receipts only
Kleinunternehmer
€12 /month
€25.90 /month
EÜR + income tax + trade tax
Klein plan · ZM + income tax included
Accounting plan · Not including income tax — you'll need additional software for that
Full tax filing
€24 /month
€25.90 /month
VAT returns + EÜR + income tax + trade tax
Pro plan · All tax types + AI categorization
Accounting plan · Excluding income tax and trade tax
To sum it up:
Norman's complete accounting service is free—bank import, AI categorization, receipts, e-invoices. You only pay when you file tax returns.
With sevdesk, you pay at least €12.90/month from day one. Even Norman's Pro plan (€24) is cheaper than sevdesk Accounting (€25.90)—with more tax types and AI categorization included. sevdesk only becomes cheaper with a 24-month contract (starting at €10.36), but then you forgo income tax, trade tax, and automatic categorization.
No credit card required. You only pay when you file tax returns or use advanced features.
What are the differences?
Tax filing
Both tools transmit the VAT return directly to the tax office. However, the methods diverge for the annual tax returns.
VAT return, EÜR, income tax, and trade tax – all submitted directly to the tax office, without ELSTER and without a tax advisor. The AI continuously calculates your tax burden and shows you in real time what you can expect to pay. You can handle all your taxes in one tool.
VAT returns and EÜR are submitted directly to the tax office. For income tax, you need a tax advisor or separate software. sevdesk offers a powerful tax advisor portal with DATEV export – ideal if you already work with a tax advisor and want to handle the preliminary work digitally.
AI and Automation
Norman is built from the ground up around AI. The AI is specifically trained for German tax law: automatic transaction categorization, receipt recognition, business expense detection with personalized tax-saving tips. When filing your tax return, an AI assistant works with you, filling out and submitting the form.
sevdesk offers AI-powered receipt capture—scan receipts, forward them via email, and have them automatically recognized. There's also an AI agent (Sevi) for support questions. However, the actual transaction categorization is manual: you assign the entries to the correct accounts yourself.
Invoicing
Create and send e-invoices (ZUGFeRD, XRechnung) for free, plus recurring invoices and automatic payment reminders. Standard invoice design. Sufficient for most freelancers, but fewer layout options than sevdesk.
sevdesk's strength lies in its layout: custom letterhead, premium templates, order confirmations, and delivery notes. Both tools offer recurring invoices and dunning procedures. If customized invoice design is important to you, sevdesk offers more options.
Language and support
Available in 7 languages — including German, English, Polish, Italian, Turkish, and more. Includes user interface, support, and tax forms. Switch between languages at any time. Ideal for international founders in Germany.
Exclusively in German. Support via live chat, email, and telephone (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm), but only in German. sevdesk is not an option for freelancers who do not speak German.
Which tool suits you best?
Choose Norman if you...
You want to do as little manual labor as possible.
If you want to do your taxes completely yourself — without a tax advisor
If you want to have income tax and trade tax in one tool
You need support in your language (7 languages available)
You are a small business owner and want to join for free
Choose sevdesk if you...
You write many invoices and need individual templates
You already have an established setup with your tax advisor via DATEV.
You need a REST API for your own integrations.
You can commit to a 24-month contract and save significantly.
You speak German and have no problem with manual categorization
Ready to spend less time on bookkeeping?
Try Norman for free — bank connection, AI categorization and receipt capture without a credit card.
No credit card required. You only pay when you file tax returns or use advanced features.