OCTIS vs Factorial vs Personio vs Lexware payroll for German SMEs
An HR platform with modules, a quote-based HR suite and a payroll add-on, with the prices we could verify.
Last checked · 3 sources
Otty's short answer
Factorial is a modular HR platform from €8 per user per month, with time, talent, finance and IT modules. Lexware Lohn & Gehalt is a payroll add-on at €12.90 per month (€6.45 in the first three months) that works with all Lexware Office versions. Personio's pricing page could not be read when checked, so treat its price as quote-based. Match the tool to whether you need HR records or payslips.
Side by side
Swipe to see every column
| What matters | OCTISHong Kong company + OCTIS global plan | Factorial | Personio | Lexware Lohn & Gehalt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | 10–30% below your current bill | €8 per user per month | Not confirmed, ask for a quote | €12.90 per month, net |
| Launch discount | Lowest Price Guarantee and 30-day money-back, terms apply | Not stated | Not stated | €6.45 for first 3 months |
| Pricing model | Prices not published | Per user, modules chosen | Not confirmed | By team size, up to 50 |
| Core HR records | Documents and team in one workspace | Directory, onboarding, e-signature | Not checked | Not stated |
| Payroll | Handled by OCTIS accountants | Not listed on page read | Not checked | Core product |
| Minimum users | Your whole team | Not stated | Not checked | Up to 2 employees tier |
| Free trial | 30-day money-back guarantee, terms apply | Mentioned, terms unseen | Not checked | 30 days (Lexware Office) |
If you have staff, premises or local sales in this country, its own registration and tax rules still apply. OCTIS can help you arrange them.
Data sources & disclaimer: Comparison data was compiled from publicly available sources — including the competitors' own published pricing and feature pages — captured on 9 November 2026. Figures reflect the typical or advertised pricing at that time and may have changed since; plans, inclusions and prices vary by provider, region and promotion. OCTIS is independent and not affiliated with the named companies; all trademarks belong to their respective owners. This comparison is provided in good faith for general information only and is not professional, legal or financial advice — please verify current details with each provider before deciding.
Which one fits you
OCTIS · Hong Kong company + OCTIS global plan
Choose OCTIS if you want HR documents, CRM and the company's accounts in one workspace instead of a separate HR tool.
Factorial
Choose Factorial if you want HR records, time and absence tracking and can add recruiting or finance modules later.
Personio
Choose Personio if you want a full HR suite and are happy to request a quote; confirm payroll scope with them.
Lexware Lohn & Gehalt
Choose Lexware Lohn & Gehalt if your main need is payslips and you already use Lexware Office.
What the table does not show
What each product is for
Factorial's German page says it starts at €8 per user per month, with a Core package in every plan (employee directory, onboarding templates, e-signature, notifications) and optional Time, Talent, Finance and IT modules. Lexware lists payroll as a separate add-on that can be combined with every Lexware Office version. They solve different problems: HR records versus payslips.
Lexware payroll pricing
Lexware's page lists Lohn & Gehalt at €12.90 per month net, or €6.45 in the first three months. It shows tiers from up to 2 to up to 50 employees but does not map each price to a tier in the text we read. Add 19% VAT. Check the tier for your headcount, and ask whether payroll for minijobbers or foreign staff has limits.
What we could not confirm
Personio's pricing page returned an error when we checked, so we do not state its prices, modules or minimum headcount. Factorial's page did not show trial length or whether payroll is included. If payroll is a must, ask both vendors for a written scope, and ask your tax adviser whether they prefer a DATEV-compatible payroll.
Where OCTIS fits
OCTIS does not run German payroll or HR. If your Malaysian or Hong Kong company hires in Germany, you will pay local staff through a German payroll tool like these. OCTIS bookkeeping can take the payroll totals into the group accounts, and a quote can show 10–30% off your current bill.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Factorial cost in Germany?
Factorial's German page says it starts from €8 per user per month. It builds a custom plan from a Core package and modules such as Time, Talent, Finance and IT. Minimum users, VAT treatment and trial terms were not shown on the page we read.
Does Personio publish prices?
We could not read Personio's pricing page when we checked, so we cannot say. Treat its pricing as quote-based and ask for a written quote with the modules, the minimum number of employees and the contract length.
Can I run payroll from Lexware without Lexware Office?
Lexware lists Lohn & Gehalt as an add-on that can be combined with all Lexware Office versions. Its page does not say whether it can be bought alone. Ask Lexware if you want payroll only.
Is HR software or payroll software what a small German firm needs first?
If your pain is monthly payslips, start with payroll. If it is leave, onboarding and employee files, start with an HR platform. Many small firms outsource payroll to a tax adviser, which is a third option to price.
Sources
Checked on the date above. Links open the provider's or regulator's own page.