This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute purchasing or legal advice. Prices and features may change at any time. Check the respective provider's website for the latest information.
Do You Really Need a Full Accounting Suite?
The short answer: if you want to do your own bookkeeping, sevDesk is a good choice. If you mostly write quotes and invoices and your tax advisor handles the accounting, a full accounting suite means paying for features you never open.
A sevDesk alternative is worth considering if:
- you only need quotes, invoices, and an overview of who has paid
- your tax advisor takes care of your income-expense report (EÜR) and VAT returns
- you don't want to spend time learning accounting features
- you want to avoid recurring software costs
Accounting Suite or Invoicing Tool: The Real Difference
Most sevDesk alternatives fall into one of two categories. Accounting suites like Lexware Office (formerly lexoffice) or FastBill cover the full financial workflow: receipts, banking, EÜR, DATEV. Pure invoicing tools like revoBill focus on quotes, invoices, and payment tracking.
So the deciding question is not "Which tool has the most features?" but: Who does your bookkeeping? If you do it yourself, you need the suite. If your tax advisor does it, a fast invoicing tool plus a clean data export is enough.
sevDesk and revoBill Compared
| Criterion | sevDesk | revoBill |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Accounting and invoicing | Quotes and invoicing |
| Quotes and invoices | Yes | Yes |
| Small business rule (§19) | Yes | Yes |
| Payment tracking | Yes | Yes |
| EÜR and VAT returns | Yes | No |
| DATEV export | Yes | No |
| Bank reconciliation | Yes | No |
| Receipt scanning (OCR) | Yes | No |
| E-invoicing | Yes, XRechnung and ZUGFeRD on every plan | Yes, XRechnung |
| Free plan | Yes, capped at 3 invoices per month | Yes, with no volume cap |
| Target audience | Self-employed and small teams doing their own books | Freelancers and small businesses |
As of September 2026. Features and prices may change, check the current overview on the providers' websites.
What Does sevDesk Cost?
sevDesk now has a permanently free plan. It is capped at three invoices or e-invoices per month, though, which anyone invoicing regularly will run through quickly.
Above it sit three paid plans. These are the list prices per month on monthly billing, each excluding VAT:
| Plan | Price per month | What it adds |
|---|---|---|
| Kostenlos | 0 € | 3 invoices per month, XRechnung and ZUGFeRD |
| Rechnung | 11.90 € | Unlimited invoices and quotes, payment reminders, DATEV export |
| Buchhaltung | 25.90 € | Adds receipt scanning, banking, EÜR, and VAT returns |
| Buchhaltung Pro | 34.90 € | Adds REST API, cost centres, and BWA reporting |
Longer commitments bring the price down, to 9.90 € on annual billing and 8.90 € on a 24-month term for the Rechnung plan. sevDesk also runs frequent limited-time discounts. Compare the list price anyway, because that is what you pay once the promotion ends.
What Does revoBill Cost?
revoBill is completely free. There is no subscription, no setup fee, and no limit on the number of invoices or quotes. The only costs are the standard Stripe transaction fees when your clients pay invoices online through the Stripe integration. Those fees are charged directly by Stripe, and revoBill takes no cut.
So the difference against sevDesk's free plan is less about price than volume: from your fourth invoice in a month, sevDesk puts you on a paid plan. For freelancers, that means you can test the switch risk-free, with no subscription to cancel and no trial deadline to watch.
Where sevDesk Remains the Better Choice
A fair comparison needs both sides. sevDesk stays ahead if you:
- do your own EÜR and VAT returns and want a tool for it instead of a tax advisor
- digitize receipts, including automatic OCR recognition
- connect your bank account so payments are reconciled automatically
- need DATEV export because your tax advisor works directly with your accounting data
- need to issue ZUGFeRD, since revoBill produces XRechnung but not ZUGFeRD
- want an API for custom integrations, which only comes with the most expensive plan
If several of these apply to you, a full accounting solution is the right path. Our invoicing software comparison helps you weigh the suites against each other.
When a Lean Invoicing Tool Is Enough
The reverse case is just as clear. An invoicing tool like revoBill fits if you:
- write quotes, convert them into invoices, and track incoming payments
- issue invoices without VAT as a Kleinunternehmer under §19 UStG
- hand your records to your tax advisor at the end of the year
- want to start in minutes, without manuals or tutorial videos
Other sevDesk Alternatives at a Glance
revoBill isn't the only option. Depending on your needs, also look at:
- Lexware Office (formerly lexoffice): All-in-one solution with accounting and payroll as a paid add-on, useful for small teams with employees. Details in the Lexware Office alternative post.
- Billomat: Established invoicing tool with a REST API, good for custom integrations.
- FastBill: Invoicing plus receipt capture in a clean interface.
- Papierkram: Free starter plan with built-in time tracking, popular with freelancers on a budget.
We compare all six tools in detail in the full invoicing software comparison.
How to Switch Without Chaos
Moving away from sevDesk is straightforward if you cover four points:
- Export and archive your old invoices. You must keep past invoices for 8 years (since 2025, previously 10), in a GoBD-compliant way. Which period runs from when is covered in invoice retention rules. Export them as PDF before cancelling your subscription.
- Migrate your master data. Set up clients, services, and your business details once, properly, in the new tool.
- Continue your invoice numbering. Don't restart at 1. Continue your existing number sequence without gaps to keep your records consistent.
- Plan a transition period. Issue new invoices in the new tool from a set date and wind down open items in the old one.
Frequently Asked Questions About sevDesk Alternatives
Is revoBill really free?
Yes. revoBill is completely free, with no subscription, no setup fee, and no limit on the number of invoices. Only when clients pay online through the Stripe integration do the standard Stripe transaction fees apply, charged directly by Stripe.
Doesn't sevDesk have a free plan too?
It does, but with a volume cap. sevDesk's free plan covers three invoices or e-invoices per month. From the fourth you need a paid plan, starting at 11.90 € per month excluding VAT. revoBill has no volume cap.
How do I handle bookkeeping without sevDesk?
Many freelancers hand their records to a tax advisor who takes care of the EÜR and VAT returns. From revoBill, you export your invoice data in standard formats your tax advisor can process.
Do I have to restart my invoice numbering?
No. Simply continue your existing number sequence. What matters is that the numbers stay sequential and gap-free.
Does revoBill support the Kleinunternehmerregelung?
Yes. The §19 UStG notice is added to your invoices automatically, and accidentally charging VAT is impossible.
Related Reading
- Invoicing software comparison 2026: sevDesk, Lexware Office, Billomat, FastBill, Papierkram, and revoBill at a glance.
- Lexware Office alternative: when switching from the other major provider pays off.
- Invoice retention rules: what to watch when exporting from your old tool.
- The complete guide to writing invoices: Required fields, e-invoicing, and common mistakes.
- Free templates: Invoice, quote, payment reminder, and cancellation invoice to download.
Want to write quotes and invoices without paying for accounting features? Try revoBill, the free invoicing tool for freelancers and small businesses.