OCTIS vs lexoffice (Lexware Office) vs sevDesk for German small businesses
Plan prices, which tier adds VAT returns, bank links and payroll, and how long you are tied in.
Last checked · 4 sources
Otty's short answer
Both are cloud tools for freelancers and small firms. Lexware Office (the new name of lexoffice) has four versions at €7.90 to €32.90 per month net, month-to-month cancellation, a 30-day trial and an optional payroll add-on. sevDesk has a free plan (3 invoices a month) and paid plans from €8.90 list (a promo shows €4.45), with VAT returns and bank links from Buchhaltung. Check the list price against the promo before you sign.
Side by side
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| What matters | OCTISHong Kong company + OCTIS global plan | Lexware Office (formerly lexoffice) | sevDesk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry plan per month (net) | 10–30% below your current bill | €7.90 (S) | €0 free, or €8.90 to €11.90 list (Rechnung; promo €4.45) |
| Bookkeeping plan per month | Bookkeeping done by OCTIS accountants | €21.90 (L) | €19.90 to €25.90 list (Buchhaltung; promo €9.95) |
| Top plan per month | Prices not published | €32.90 (XL) | €27.90 to €34.90 list (Pro; promo €13.95) |
| Launch discount | Lowest Price Guarantee and 30-day money-back, terms apply | 50% for 3 months | Promo countdown on page; terms not stated |
| Free trial | 30-day money-back guarantee, terms apply | 30 days, all XL features | Free plan; paid trial length not stated |
| Contract terms | 10–30% below your current bill | Monthly, no minimum term | Monthly, 12 or 24 months |
| VAT return (UStVA) | No VAT or GST in Hong Kong | Sent electronically; plan not stated | From Buchhaltung, via ELSTER |
| Bank link | Business account via licensed partners | Multibanking; plan not stated | From Buchhaltung, 4,000+ banks |
| E-invoice (ZUGFeRD, XRechnung) | Not needed for the Hong Kong company; local rules apply if you trade there | (E-)Rechnungen from M | Even on the free plan |
| Payroll | Handled by OCTIS accountants | Add-on €12.90 per month | Not listed on pricing page |
| Users | Your whole team | Not stated on page | 1 included, +€5.90 each |
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 accounting, CRM and workflow automation in one workspace and your team or customers are spread across countries.
Lexware Office (formerly lexoffice)
Choose Lexware Office if you want a month-to-month contract, a long trial and a payroll add-on from the same vendor.
sevDesk
Choose sevDesk if you want a free plan for a few invoices, a bookkeeping plan with an ELSTER VAT return and bank link.
What the table does not show
Reading the sevDesk prices
sevDesk's pricing page shows promotional prices of €4.45 (Rechnung), €9.95 (Buchhaltung) and €13.95 (Buchhaltung Pro) beside list prices. List prices depend on the term: Rechnung €11.90 monthly, €9.90 on 12 months and €8.90 on 24 months; Buchhaltung €25.90, €22.90 and €19.90; Buchhaltung Pro €34.90, €30.90 and €27.90. The page also shows other figures in places, and gives no terms for the promo. Confirm the live price at checkout. Prices are net, plus 19% VAT.
Reading the Lexware Office prices
Lexware Office lists S at €7.90, M at €12.90, L at €21.90 and XL at €32.90 per month net, with 50% off for the first three months. Hosting, backups, updates and support are included. It can be cancelled monthly. The page does not map every feature to a version, so check the matrix for VAT returns and Multibanking on your chosen plan.
Which is cheaper in practice
For bookkeeping with a VAT return, sevDesk Buchhaltung lists €19.90 to €25.90 depending on term, close to Lexware's L at €21.90. Only the promo price of €9.95 is clearly lower, and the page gives no promo terms. Lexware needs no long commitment. A freelancer with a handful of invoices can start on sevDesk's free plan. A firm with employees will compare Lexware's payroll add-on at €12.90 per month.
Where OCTIS fits
OCTIS does not do German bookkeeping or tax filing. If your Malaysian or Hong Kong company has a German subsidiary, the subsidiary can use either tool for local VAT and invoices. OCTIS bookkeeping can then take its statements into the home company's accounts, and a quote can show 10–30% off your current bill.
Frequently asked questions
Is lexoffice the same as Lexware Office?
Yes. lexoffice has been renamed Lexware Office, so older comparisons may use the old name and older prices. The current Lexware page lists four versions (S, M, L, XL) at €7.90 to €32.90 per month net, plus an optional payroll add-on.
Does sevDesk have a free plan?
Yes. The free plan allows 3 invoices or e-invoices a month (ZUGFeRD and XRechnung), unlimited contacts and products, and 1 user. It does not include online banking or the VAT return, which start at Buchhaltung.
Can I send the VAT return to the tax office from these tools?
sevDesk sends the UStVA through ELSTER from Buchhaltung, without a separate certificate according to its page. Lexware says VAT advance returns can be sent electronically with one click, but its page does not tie this to a single version, so check before you buy.
Can I cancel monthly?
Lexware Office lists monthly cancellation with no minimum term. sevDesk offers monthly, 12-month and 24-month terms, and discounts the longer ones. Its page does not show the notice period, so read the terms at checkout.
Do Qonto and Kontist work with these tools?
Qonto lists Lexware Office and sevdesk among its API integrations, with DATEV and Stripe. Kontist's pricing page lists sevdesk offers with its plans. Check the connector in your bank's app, since not every plan includes it.
Sources
Checked on the date above. Links open the provider's or regulator's own page.