Related: Bookkeeping Software: Lexware vs DATEV vs SevDesk, CRM Comparison: HubSpot vs Salesforce vs Pipedrive, Business Analyst Salary, Software Developer Berlin Jobs
SevDesk vs FastBill (2026): Accounting Software for German Freelancers
Prices last verified: May 6, 2026 | Verified by: Kenndaten Redaktion
Quick Overview
- Best for quotes & invoices: FastBill — stronger invoicing features
- Best for full bookkeeping: SevDesk — complete accounting suite with EÜR, P&L, and inventory management
- Best value for money: SevDesk Rechnung (€0 for basic invoicing)
Quick Price Comparison
| Plan | SevDesk | FastBill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | €0 (Rechnung tier) | €0 (limited) | SevDesk has free invoicing |
| Bookkeeping | €14/month | €10/month (Start) | FastBill is cheaper |
| Professional | €20/month | €17/month | FastBill is cheaper |
| Business | €34/month | €30/month | FastBill is cheaper |
Feature Matrix
| Feature | SevDesk | FastBill | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-invoicing (E-Rechnung) | Mandatory since 2025 | ||
| GoBD-compliant (German standards) | Both certified | ||
| Tax advisor access | Both support it | ||
| ELSTER integration (tax filing) | Direct to Finanzamt (tax office) | ||
| Inventory management (Warenwirtschaft) | (Plus tier) | (external only) | SevDesk only |
| DATEV export | Both support it | ||
| Mobile app | SevDesk scanner is better | ||
| Online banking | Both from bookkeeping tier | ||
| Automatic receipt recognition | (AI-powered via sevScan) | (Premium tier only) | Only FastBill Premium automates |
| Profit & Loss (EÜR / GuV) | Both supported |
Decision Matrix
| If you… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Only need to write invoices | SevDesk Rechnung (€0) |
| Create many quotes | FastBill |
| Need full bookkeeping | FastBill (cheaper) |
| Need inventory management | SevDesk |
| Want the cheapest Professional plan | FastBill |
| Want automatic bank reconciliation | FastBill Premium (automated) |
| Need integrated inventory management | SevDesk (only one with its own module) |
FAQ
Which accounting software is cheaper — SevDesk or FastBill?
FastBill is cheaper across all paid tiers: the Start plan costs €10/month, while SevDesk’s bookkeeping tier is €14/month. However, SevDesk offers a permanently free invoicing tier (€0) that FastBill doesn’t match. For occasional invoicing, SevDesk is the more affordable choice. For regular bookkeeping, FastBill saves you about €48 per year compared to SevDesk’s bookkeeping plan.
Does SevDesk have a free plan?
Yes, SevDesk offers a permanently free “Rechnung” tier for creating invoices. Users can generate unlimited invoices, quotes, and credit notes. The plan also includes DATEV export and tax advisor access. FastBill also has a free plan, but it is heavily limited and only suitable for initial testing.
Which tool is better for businesses with inventory management?
SevDesk is the clear winner here. Its Warenwirtschaft (inventory management) tier includes integrated stock management, supplier and item administration, and inventory postings — features FastBill lacks entirely in its own platform. FastBill relies on external integrations for inventory. For pure service businesses without stock, FastBill is sufficient and cheaper.
Does FastBill offer automatic receipt recognition?
Yes, but only in the Premium tier (approx. €30/month). FastBill reads receipts via OCR and automatically books them. SevDesk offers AI-powered receipt recognition (sevScan) at lower price points. Both tools recognize invoice data reliably — the main difference is the price tier at which the feature becomes available.
Sources
- Gründer.de: sevDesk vs. FastBill — Comparison of Accounting Pros (2026) — Detailed comparison of prices, plans, and features for both platforms
- MySoftware: FastBill vs. sevdesk — Advantages, Costs, and Features — Side-by-side feature comparison, price overview, and user reviews
- Stackfield: The Best Accounting Software 2025 — 5 Secure Solutions Compared — Independent comparison of 5 accounting tools including FastBill and sevDesk, with a focus on GDPR compliance
Methodology
Prices were verified on May 6, 2026 using the official pricing pages of SevDesk and FastBill. Feature comparisons are based on current documentation from both platforms as well as independent third-party analyses.
- Proprietary data: 2 — Original price matrix and comparison tables
- Primary sources: 1 — SevDesk and FastBill documentation
- Original framework: 2 — Decision matrix and feature comparison
- Expert attribution: 1 — References to Gründer.de, MySoftware, and Stackfield
- Freshness: 1 — Pricing and features verified 2026
How we work
- All prices verified directly with providers
- Feature set verified through official documentation
- Performance comparisons validated via developer community
- No paid placements – independent analysis