Lexware buchhaltung alternative
Lexware buchhaltung is the classic desktop software from Lexware that you install locally on your computer and use to do your bookkeeping yourself. Buchführungsheld takes a different route: you upload your receipts, certified bookkeepers post everything, prepare your VAT return, and deliver ready-made reports. Here you'll see when switching pays off.
Updated: July 2026. Prices of other providers are non-binding and subject to change.
Desktop software for self-bookkeeping versus a full-service bookkeeping team. The Buchführungsheld column is highlighted, and the values are deliberately kept honest.
| Criterion | Lexware buchhaltung | Buchführungsheld |
|---|---|---|
| Core principle | Software, you post yourself | Full service, bookkeepers post for you |
| Provision | installed locally on your computer | Cloud, app, and browser, with data centers in Germany |
| Time spent per month | several hours for capturing and coding | about 15 to 30 minutes, uploading receipts |
| Receipt capture | you enter and code the accounts yourself on your computer | you upload, the team posts |
| Invoice creation (invoicing) | only to a limited extent, the focus is on bookkeeping | in preparation, available soon |
| Preliminary VAT return | you create and submit it yourself via ELSTER | prepared and filed for you |
| Ongoing posting | manually by you | by certified bookkeepers |
| Prepare annual financial statement | EÜR or balance sheet yourself, closing via your tax advisor | coded, reconciled DATEV data for the tax advisor |
| Error risk and liability | up to you, since you do the posting yourself | Bookings by professionals, a verified process |
| DATEV compatibility | DATEV export available | DATEV-compatible collaboration and export |
| Price per month | approx. 10 to 25 € depending on the version (plus VAT) | from €49 (full service including booking) |
| Contract commitment | Annual license or subscription, depending on version | cancelable monthly |
As of July 2026. Lexware buchhaltung is Lexware's locally installed desktop software, not to be confused with the cloud product Lexware Office. It's offered as an annual license or subscription, roughly around 10 to 25 euros per month plus VAT depending on the version (basis, plus, pro). As of July 2026, please check with the provider. Buchführungsheld from 49 euros per month plus 19 percent VAT, for businesses only.
Example: a solo self-employed person with around 25 receipts per month and an assumed entrepreneur's hourly rate of €80.
Calculated savings: around €209 per month, mainly from the time you save.
Sample calculation with assumed time values. For Lexware buchhaltung, roughly approx. €18 per month is assumed as a mid-range version (range approx. €10 to €25 depending on version), as of July 2026, please check with the provider. The actual time required depends on the number of receipts and your routine.
Honestly, there are cases where desktop software is a better fit for you.
Lexware buchhaltung runs locally installed, so your posting data stays on your own device rather than in the cloud. If that matters to you and you want to keep your data in your own hands, that speaks in favor of a classic desktop solution.
The software fee alone is well below a full service, depending on the version. If you have few receipts, bring routine to bookkeeping and are putting in the time for self-bookkeeping anyway, the lower monthly price may tip the scales for you.
In Lexware buchhaltung, you see your numbers yourself at any time, book on your own computer, and keep every transaction directly in hand. Anyone who values this immediate control often feels more comfortable with software than with a handed-off process.
The switch is straightforward and you don't need to prepare anything cumbersome.
We'll briefly go over your situation, receipt volume and legal form and tell you whether and how handing it off pays off for you. No obligation, no pressure.
You export your previous entries from Lexware buchhaltung as a DATEV or CSV file. We'll show you where to find it in the software and import the values for a clean start.
From now on, you simply upload your receipts via app or browser. Certified accountants book everything, prepare the VAT return, and deliver finished reports.
See how Buchführungsheld stacks up against other providers and approaches.
The most common questions about switching from Lexware buchhaltung to Buchführungsheld.
Yes, but with a different model. Lexware buchhaltung is desktop software you use to book yourself. Buchführungsheld is a full-service offering where certified bookkeepers take over your bookkeeping. If you'd rather hand your bookkeeping off than do it yourself on your own computer, Buchführungsheld is the right alternative.
No. Lexware buchhaltung is the classic desktop software you install locally. Lexware Office is the cloud product from the same company. This comparison is about the desktop version. If you use the cloud version, you'll find a separate comparison for Lexware Office.
Yes. Lexware buchhaltung offers a DATEV export, and many values can also be output as CSV. We take over this data for a clean transition, so your bookkeeping continues seamlessly.
Depending on the version, Lexware buchhaltung costs roughly 10 to 25 euros per month plus VAT (as of July 2026, please verify with the provider). Buchführungsheld starts at 49 euros per month plus 19 percent VAT. The software alone is cheaper, but with full service you mainly save your own working time. Whether it pays off depends on your receipt volume and your hourly rate.
Invoicing is in preparation at Buchführungsheld and coming soon. Today the focus is on complete bookkeeping: you upload receipts and outgoing invoices, and the team posts everything. But for pure posting and the preliminary VAT return, you're already fully covered with us.
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, but saves effort because the groundwork is done.
Yes. Buchführungsheld works GDPR-compliant and in line with GoBD, and the data centers are located in Germany. So your data is processed securely and in accordance with applicable requirements.
Hand off your bookkeeping
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.
