High invoice volume
When many incoming invoices pile up each month, Candis plays to its strengths. The automatic capture and structured DATEV export are then a real relief in the invoice process.
Candis alternative
Candis alternative: hand off your bookkeeping completely instead of doing it yourself
Candis is software that automates your incoming invoices, approval workflows, and payments, and passes the pre-coded data on to bookkeeping via DATEV. Buchführungsheld takes the opposite approach: you upload your receipts, certified bookkeepers handle the actual ongoing bookkeeping, prepare the advance VAT return, and deliver finished reports. Here's when switching pays off, and when Candis remains the better tool.
Updated: July 2026. Prices of other providers are non-binding and subject to change.
Buchführungsheld
April done
- Receipts uploaded12 receipts, April
- Booked by prosgeprüft und kontiert
- USt-Voranmeldung300 €, vom Finanzamt eingezogen
Umsatz24.500 €
Gewinn6.200 €
Candis and Buchführungsheld in a direct comparison
Software for the invoice workflow versus full-service bookkeeping. The Buchführungsheld column is highlighted, and the values are deliberately kept honest.
| Criterion | Candis | Buchführungsheld |
|---|---|---|
| Core principle | Software, you automate the invoice workflow and keep posting yourself | Full service, bookkeepers post for you |
| Focus | Invoice intake, approval and payment, then DATEV export | complete ongoing bookkeeping |
| Time spent per month | lower in the invoicing process, the bookkeeping itself stays with you | about 15 to 30 minutes, uploading receipts |
| Receipt capture | automatic incoming invoices, you review and approve | you upload, the team posts |
| Approval and payment workflow | yes, approvals and payments are the core of Candis | not the focus, posting is the priority |
| Invoice creation (invoicing) | no, Candis is geared toward incoming invoices | in preparation, available soon |
| Preliminary VAT return | not included, done through your bookkeeping or tax advisor | prepared and filed for you |
| Ongoing posting | Pre-coding – the actual booking is done by you or your tax advisor | by certified bookkeepers |
| Error risk and liability | the posting is up to you or your tax advisor | Bookings by professionals, a verified process |
| DATEV compatibility | DATEV export is a core feature | DATEV-compatible collaboration and export |
| Price per month | Basis from €389, Plus from €599, Max from €789 per month (based on volume) | from €49 (full service including booking) |
| Contract commitment | depending on the individual quote | cancelable monthly |
As of July 2026. Candis lists public starting prices: Basis from 389 euros, Plus from 599 euros and Max from 789 euros per month, each tiered by invoice or document volume. Candis is aimed at larger companies with many incoming invoices; for solo self-employed people and small businesses it's usually oversized. As of July 2026, please check with the provider. Buchführungsheld starts at 49 euros per month plus 19 percent VAT and is intended exclusively for businesses.
Sample calculation: Candis plus your own bookkeeping vs. handing it off
Example: a company with around 25 incoming invoices per month and an assumed entrepreneur's hourly rate of €80. Candis starts from €389 per month and is really designed for significantly higher volumes; the example therefore serves mainly for orientation.
Candis plus your own bookkeeping
- Candis Basic (from, high volume)from €389
- your own time approx. 3 hrs x €80240 €
Total per monthfrom €389 plus approx. €240
Mit Buchführungsheld
- Buchführungsheld Starter, 25 receipts included49 €
- your own time approx. 0.5 hrs x €8040 €
Total per month89 €
For small businesses, the difference is clear: Candis starts at 389 euros per month and only pays off with a high invoice volume, whereas Buchführungsheld takes over the entire bookkeeping from 49 euros. Even though Candis speeds up incoming invoices, the actual posting stays with you.
Sample calculation with assumed time values. For Candis, the public starting price Basis from €389 per month is assumed; the price depends on volume and is intended for high invoice quantities. As of July 2026, please check with the provider. The actual time required depends on the number of receipts, processes, and your routine.
When Candis is the better choice
Honestly, there are cases where a specialized tool like Candis is a better fit for you.
Approvals in a larger team
For digital approval workflows with multiple participants, Candis is the right specialist tool. If invoices need to pass through several approval stages, Candis maps that cleanly.
Manage payments centrally
Candis connects incoming invoices, approval, and payment in one process. If you want to automate the entire path from incoming invoice to payment and keep your bookkeeping in-house, Candis is a great fit.
From Candis to Buchführungsheld in three steps
The switch is straightforward and your data won't be lost.
1
Initial consultation
In a short, free call, we clarify your situation, your receipt volume, and your legal form and tell you whether and how handing it off pays off for you. No obligation, no pressure.
2
Export data
You export your existing invoicing and booking data, for example as a DATEV or CSV file. Since Candis offers a DATEV export, the pre-coded data and receipts transfer well, and we'll guide you through the transition.
3
Upload receipts, we post them
From now on, you upload your receipts via app or browser. Certified accountants book everything, prepare the VAT return, and deliver finished reports.
More comparisons
See how Buchführungsheld stacks up against other providers and approaches.
FAQ: Candis and Buchführungsheld
The most common questions about switching from Candis to Buchführungsheld.
Is Buchführungsheld a real alternative to Candis?
It depends on what you're looking for. Candis automates incoming invoices, approval, and payment, and delivers pre-coded data via DATEV. It isn't full bookkeeping software. Buchführungsheld takes over the actual ongoing bookkeeping. If you want to hand off that work, Buchführungsheld is the right alternative. But if you only want to automate the invoice workflow within your team, Candis remains the right tool.
Can I bring over my data from Candis?
Yes. The DATEV export is one of Candis's core features. We take over this pre-coded data and receipts and accompany the transition, so your bookkeeping continues.
What does Buchführungsheld cost compared to Candis?
Candis lists public starting prices: Basic from 389 euros, Plus from 599 euros, and Max from 789 euros per month, tiered by invoice or document volume (as of July 2026, please verify with the provider). The tool is aimed at larger companies. Buchführungsheld starts at 49 euros per month plus 19 percent VAT and takes over the complete bookkeeping that Candis doesn't cover.
Doesn't Candis already cover my bookkeeping?
Only partly. Candis specializes in incoming invoices, approval, payment, and pre-accounting. The actual ongoing posting, the advance VAT return, and the reports are still done by you or your tax advisor. That's exactly the part Buchführungsheld takes over for you.
Can I also write invoices with Buchführungsheld?
Invoicing is in preparation at Buchführungsheld and coming soon. Candis likewise doesn't offer classic invoicing, but is geared toward incoming invoices. But for ongoing posting and the preliminary VAT return, you're already fully covered with us.
Do I still need a tax advisor as well?
For the annual financial statements and tax return, yes. Buchführungsheld handles the ongoing bookkeeping and the VAT return and delivers categorized, reconciled DATEV data. Your tax advisor prepares the statements from it.
Is my data DSGVO- and GoBD-compliant?
Yes. Buchführungsheld works GDPR-compliant and in line with GoBD, and the data centers are located in Germany.
Hand off your bookkeeping
Hand off your bookkeeping instead of posting it yourself
Upload your receipts, and certified bookkeepers take care of the rest. At a flat rate from 49 euros per month, cancelable monthly. Try it free for 7 days.