Sorted is a lean tax-filing tool that walks you step by step through your VAT return, EÜR, and income tax. It's affordable and easy to use. Great if you have only a few transactions to file and nothing else.
Norman is the better pick if you don't want to do bookkeeping but need more than just tax filing. Full accounting — bank import, AI categorization, receipts, and e-invoicing — is free. Norman also covers all tax types (including trade tax), offers recurring invoices, automatic payment reminders, a tax advisor portal, and 7 languages.
Feature overview
Sorted focuses on tax filing. Norman is a full accounting platform with AI. Here's how they compare.
Entry price
Free (full accounting)
From €12/month for tax filing
Free (invoices + expenses)
From €98/year
E-invoicing
✅
❌
Bank connection
✅
✅
AI categorization
✅ Automatic, trained on German tax law
❌ Manual
Receipt capture
✅ AI matching, unlimited
❌
Tax optimization tips
✅
❌
VAT return
✅
✅
EÜR
✅
✅
Trade tax
✅
❌
Income tax
✅
✅
Kleinunternehmer support
✅
✅
DATEV export
✅
❌
Mobile App
✅ iOS + Android
❌
BWA (business assessment)
✅
❌
MCP
✅
❌
*As of March 2026. Prices excl. VAT.
What do you actually pay?
Sorted is cheaper for pure tax filing. But if you need e-invoicing, trade tax, and a constantly improving tool, Norman is the solution.
Just accounting
€0
€0
bank, receipts, categorization, e-invoices
Free — full accounting with no time limit
Invoices + expenses, no receipts, no AI, no e-invoicing
Kleinunternehmer
€12 /month
€98 /year
EÜR + income tax + trade tax
Klein plan · ZM + income tax included
Only for Kleinunternehmer · Tax filing but no Gewerbe tax
Full tax filing
€24 /month
€20 /month
VAT returns + EÜR + income tax + trade tax
Pro plan · All tax types + AI insights
No trade tax, BWA, DATEV or e-invoicing
To sum it up:
For pure tax filing as a Kleinunternehmer, Sorted is cheaper (€80/year vs €144/year).
But Norman includes full accounting for free on top — AI categorisation, receipt capture, and e-invoicing. If you need more than just filing taxes, Norman is a significantly more comprehensive package.
No credit card required. You only pay when you file tax returns or use advanced features.
What are the differences?
Tax filing
Both tools can file VAT returns, the EÜR and income tax. But trade tax and the depth of automation is where they differ.
VAT return, EÜR, income tax and trade tax — all filed directly with the tax office, no ELSTER needed. The AI continuously calculates your tax liability and shows you in real time what you'll likely owe. No tax advisor needed for your annual returns.
VAT return, EÜR and income tax — Sorted walks you step by step through the forms and files them. Trade tax is not included.
Accounting and invoicing
This is the biggest difference: Norman is a full accounting platform, Sorted is primarily a tax-filing tool.
Complete accounting: bank import, AI categorization, receipt capture with automatic matching, e-invoicing (ZUGFeRD/XRechnung), recurring invoices, automatic payment reminders, BWA, and DATEV export. Everything in one platform.
Sorted offers free invoicing and a bank connection for expense tracking. But no receipt capture, no e-invoicing, no recurring invoices, no payment reminders, no BWA and no DATEV export. It's a tax tool, not a full accounting solution.
AI and automation
Norman is built around AI from the ground up. The AI is specifically trained on German tax law and automatically categorises transactions, detects write-offs, matches receipts, and provides personalised tax-saving tips. During tax filing, an AI assistant fills out and submits the forms with you.
Transaction categorization and receipt matching remain manual. Sorted relies on guided forms rather than automation.
Languages and support
Available in 7 languages — including German, English, Polish, Italian, Turkish, and more. The interface, support, and all tax forms. You can switch languages at any time. Ideal for expats and international freelancers in Germany.
Available in German and English. Popular with English-speaking expats looking for a simple tax solution.
Which tool suits you best?
Choose Norman if you...
Want to create e-invoices (ZUGFeRD/XRechnung)
Want a complete solution — not just tax filing
Need AI automation instead of manual work
Need trade tax, BWA, or DATEV export
Need support in more than 2 languages (7 available)
Choose Sorted if you...
Only need to file your tax returns — nothing else
Are a Kleinunternehmer looking for the cheapest option (€80/year)
Prefer a browser-only tool — no app needed
Don't need e-invoicing
Ready for a modern accounting?
Try Norman for free — bank connection, AI categorization and receipt capture with no credit card required. Switching from Sorted is effortless: Norman automatically imports your transactions and documents.
No credit card required. You only pay when you file tax returns or use advanced features.