OCTIS vs Kontist vs Qonto for a German business account
A tax-focused account for the self-employed against a team-ready account for companies.
Last checked · 3 sources
Otty's short answer
Kontist is built for self-employed people: it reserves tax automatically and, on Plus (€25 per month plus VAT), can send VAT returns for sole proprietors. Qonto (€0, €9, €19, €39 per month, excluding VAT) suits companies and teams, and lists GmbH, UG, GbR and AG among eligible forms. Pick Kontist for a solo freelancer, Qonto for a GmbH or UG with several people.
Side by side
Swipe to see every column
| What matters | OCTISHong Kong company + OCTIS global plan | Kontist | Qonto |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free plan | 10–30% below your current bill | Free €0 | Starter €0 |
| Paid plans per month | Prices not published | €11 Start, €25 Plus (plus VAT) | €9 / €19 / €39 (excl. VAT) |
| SEPA transfers included | Collect and send payments via licensed partners | 5 / 30 / 100 | 5 / 30 / 100 / 200 |
| Extra transfer | Set by our licensed partner; quoted before you commit | Not stated on page | €0.20 each (€0.10 on Premium) |
| VAT return to tax office | No VAT or GST in Hong Kong | Plus, sole proprietors only | Not offered, per Kontist |
| Who can open | Hong Kong company, owners can live anywhere | Self-employed, GmbH, UG, GbR; German resident | Sole trader to AG, KG, oHG, associations |
| Sub-accounts | International multi-currency account via licensed partners | Up to 5 on Plus | 1 on Smart, 4 on Premium |
| Foreign-currency fee | Foreign exchange via licensed partners | 2% / 1.75% / 1.5% | Transfers 0.56% to 2.0%; card fee not listed |
| Interest or investment | Not an OCTIS product | Not stated on page | Smart (GmbH/UG): 4.92% for 3 months, then 1.92% |
| DATEV and accounting links | Bookkeeping by OCTIS accountants | Accounting interface, sevdesk offer | DATEV, Lexware, sevdesk, Stripe |
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 sell to customers in several countries and want company, accounts, banking and CRM in one place.
Kontist
Choose Kontist if you are a solo self-employed person in Germany who wants taxes set aside automatically and VAT returns handled in the app.
Qonto
Choose Qonto if you run a GmbH, UG or team, need sub-accounts, accountant access and DATEV exports, or want interest on a Smart or Premium balance.
What the table does not show
Tax features versus team features
Kontist recalculates income tax and VAT after each incoming payment and moves the estimate into a tax sub-account. Its page says the VAT return and credit line are only available to sole proprietors. Qonto offers a VAT calculator on Starter and a real-time VAT estimate from Smart, with accountant access and DATEV links, but no automatic tax reserve.
Who can open
Kontist asks you to be registered as resident in Germany, file taxes there, be at least 18 and hold valid ID. It names freelancers, small business owners and GmbH, UG and GbR owners. Qonto lists sole traders, freelancers, GbR, GmbH, UG, AG, KG and oHG, and says single-person forms cannot be opened through a proxy. Qonto's page does not state a residence rule.
Reading Kontist's own comparison
Kontist's compare page matches Kontist Plus against Qonto Smart: both include 100 SEPA transfers. It says Kontist adds tax features, fixed-asset tracking and BWA, while Qonto adds an overdraft facility. That is Kontist's own claim. Qonto's pricing page mentions an overdraft (Dispositionkredit) with an effective annual rate of 10%, but approval is not guaranteed, so confirm terms with Qonto before you rely on it.
Where OCTIS fits
OCTIS is not a bank and has no partnership with Kontist or Qonto. If your Malaysian or Hong Kong company opens a German entity, whichever account you choose, the books still need doing. OCTIS bookkeeping can take the German statements into the group view, and a quote can show 10–30% off your current bill.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kontist or Qonto better for a freelancer in Germany?
Kontist is aimed at self-employed people and adds automatic tax reserves and, for sole proprietors, VAT returns. Qonto suits freelancers who want team features, DATEV exports or interest. If taxes are your pain point, Kontist. If you grow into a team, Qonto.
How much does Kontist cost?
Kontist lists Free at €0, Start at €11 and Plus at €25 per month, plus VAT. The plans include 5, 30 and 100 SEPA transfers and direct debits per month, and tax estimation on every plan. Instant top-ups carry a 2.9% fee.
Can a GmbH or UG open a Qonto account?
Yes. Qonto lists GmbH (including in formation) and UG (including in formation) among eligible legal forms. It says you can use key account functions before your commercial register entry is complete. Basic is free for the first year for UG or GmbH in formation.
Do I need to live in Germany for Kontist?
Kontist asks you to be registered as resident in Germany (Anmeldung) and to file taxes in Germany. You also need a valid ID and to be 18 or older. A tax number is not needed to sign up.
Sources
Checked on the date above. Links open the provider's or regulator's own page.