Free Bookkeeping Software for Small Businesses in Germany: What Exists?

As a Kleinunternehmer (small-business exemption under § 19 UStG) you usually need only a profit statement (EÜR), not double-entry bookkeeping. There is software with a permanently free plan, trial months, and VAT GPT Free. Check what the free plan leaves out. As of 29 October 2026.

Only VAT GPT sends all three returns itself. Of the tools we compare, according to the providers' own pages (checked 3 November 2026), only VAT GPT submits the OSS return itself to the BZSt, plus the VAT advance return and the annual VAT return via ELSTER to the tax office, calculated from your Amazon and eBay reports. You do not have to go into Mein ELSTER or the BZStOnline portal yourself. With the others, you upload the OSS file in the BZStOnline portal yourself, or a tax adviser or the provider's service files it for you. Sending needs Pro. OSS software compared

Last updated: 29 October 2026. Statements about other software come from their own sites, retrieved on 29 October 2026; this is not a rating.

In short

Obligation: an EÜR is enough as long as you are not required to keep books (§ 4 para. 3 EStG).
Permanently free: sevDesk lists a plan "Kostenlos" (EUR 0.00); which functions it has, check on the price page.
Trials: Lexware Office 30 days, sevDesk 14 days, VAT GPT Go 30 days.

What must bookkeeping software do for a Kleinunternehmer?

Record income and expenses: the EÜR is business income minus business expenses (§ 4 para. 3 EStG).
Keep receipts: invoices for eight years (§ 14b para. 1 UStG).
Write invoices with a note that the small-business VAT exemption applies (§ 34a UStDV, § 19 UStG).
Send the EÜR electronically (§ 60 para. 4 EStDV).

The limits of the exemption: turnover of at most EUR 25,000 in the previous year and EUR 100,000 in the current year (§ 19 para. 1 UStG).

What this means for you: Choose by these four points, not by price alone.

Which software is free or can be tried for free?

Statements per each provider, retrieved on 29 October 2026:

Software	Free per provider	Paid plans
sevDesk	plan "Kostenlos" (EUR 0.00), "Dauerhaft kostenlos"; 14 days all functions	from EUR 8.90 per month on a 24-month term, plus VAT
Lexware Office	30 days free trial without obligation	from EUR 7.90 per month, plus VAT
VAT GPT	Free (basic functions); Go 30 days with all Pro functions	Pro EUR 49 per month or EUR 444 per year, incl. VAT

Sources: sevDesk prices, Lexware prices. Per the sevDesk price page the EÜR ("EÜR und GuV für deine Steuererklärung") is in the Buchhaltung plan; the page retrieved does not say whether the free plan includes it.

What this means for you: A free plan often covers invoices; for the EÜR and sending you usually need a paid plan.

Is Excel enough instead of software?

Yes, if you keep receipts in order and send the EÜR electronically at year end. Details are in Bookkeeping for small businesses: basics.

What this means for you: Software pays off when it saves you time on receipts.

How does VAT GPT help?

VAT GPT is built for online sellers. The method: Upload – check – send.

Upload: receipts as PDF, photo or XML, and Amazon and eBay reports as CSV; the AI reads amounts and tax rates.
Check: you review and confirm the result.
Send: the EÜR is built from income and expenses; with Pro you send it through ELSTER.

VAT GPT is not tax advice. Try for free

What this means for you: With Go you can test for 30 days whether it fits your receipts.

Frequently asked questions

Which bookkeeping software is free for small businesses? sevDesk lists a permanently free plan, and VAT GPT has Free with basic functions. Which functions are included is on the price pages.

What is the best bookkeeping software for a Kleinunternehmer? It depends on whether you want to write invoices, record receipts or send the EÜR. Compare the options against the requirements listed above.

Do I have to do double-entry bookkeeping as a Kleinunternehmer? No, as long as you are not required to keep books; the EÜR is enough (§ 4 para. 3 EStG).

Does sending cost extra? With VAT GPT yes: sending is part of Pro.