The 8 best free accounting software

Is there anything here for free? Normally, good tools cost money. But if you're happy with a limited number of functions, you can also find your happiness in free accounting software. Since even accounting programs are not always needed to their full extent, especially if you are a freelancer or managing director of a small business, today we are talking about free accounting software.

We have analyzed all the accounting tools on OMR Reviews and picked out the providers with the most comprehensive free versions and found open source solutions outside the bubble. We also take a detailed look at the disadvantages of free accounting software. If you want to learn accounting from scratch, you can find tips in a separate article.

Disadvantages of free accounting software compared to paid accounting programs

The first challenge is to find free accounting software. There are not many of them. In most cases, the tools can only be tested free of charge. This is the first disadvantage. In addition, there are further disadvantages to using accounting software that is open source, for example:

• In some cases, no updates are installed (danger from hackers and viruses)
• The accounting programs are not always technically and legally up to date
• Support from the provider is largely non-existent
• GoBD-compliant accounting is not always possible
• Advertising is often displayed in the free accounting software so that the provider can cover part of its development costs
• The probability of encountering programming errors is much higher than with premium software
• Free accounting programs are rarely used, which is why there are few tutorials and exchanges about them

These are the top 8 free accounting software on OMR Reviews

We have found 8 accounting software programs that you can use for free. Since the tools in this area are very extensive and complex, free versions are rare. So: Which are the best free accounting programs?

Zervant

Papierkram

SumUp

Accountable

invoiz

Taxpool-Buchhalter

MonKey Office by Prosaldo

GnuCash

1. Zervant

Zervant on OMR Reviews

Are you tired of spending hours doing bookkeeping and creating your invoices and quotes manually? Then we have just the thing for you: Zervant.

With Zervant, you can do your bookkeeping for free and manage up to 5 customers. You no longer have to struggle with complicated Excel spreadsheets or expensive accounting programs. With Zervant you have everything you need to organize your business.

Free features in Zervant

Create invoices and quotes in no time at all with Zervant and send them by email or as a PDF. No more tedious printing and sending! And best of all, Zervant also allows you to create XRechnung invoices that comply with current legal requirements.

But that's not all! Zervant also offers you a mobile app that allows you to do your bookkeeping on the go. You always have everything under control, no matter where you are. And if you need to record your working hours, that's no problem either. Zervant has integrated time tracking that helps you keep track of your time.

Not satisfied with the free version of Zervant? No problem! You can upgrade to a premium version at any time to serve more customers and use a wider range of functions. You can get the Starter plan for EUR 11 per month, the Pro plan for EUR 20 per month and the Growth plan for EUR 46 per month.

You can find more information about Zervant's prices and user reviews with price references on OMR Reviews.

Zervant alternatives

You can find an overview of the Zervant alternatives on OMR Reviews. There you can decide which free accounting software is right for you based on user reviews and experiences.

2. Papierkram

Papierkram on OMR Reviews

There's no better way to describe financial accounting software. After all, anything that has to do with accounting and likes to cover your desk can be described as paperwork. Fortunately, today there are ways to transform the chaos from desktop to digital. There, it's up to you to bring order to the chaos.

For your online accounting, Papierkram is is an ingenious solution - and not just because it's free. In addition to being GoBD-certified, Papierkram qualifies with a very clear and easy-to-use dashboard for every entrepreneur. Time recording, invoicing and analysis are also included in the free financial accounting software.

Free features in Papierkram

Papierkram is an absolute rarity on the accounting software market: The provider is one of the most popular on OMR Reviews and at the same time offers a free version of its tool. It is also quite well equipped:

• Online accounting
• Create invoices
• Receipt management
• Time recording via mobile app
• Record goods and services

The step to the next tariff in the accounting program is not particularly large: Paperwork charges just EUR 8 per month for its Pro+ package. This is followed by the Team plan for EUR 20 and the Business plan for EUR 40 per month.

You can find more information about Papierkram's prices and user reviews with price references on OMR Reviews.

Paperwork alternatives

You can find an overview of the Papierkram alternatives on OMR Reviews. There you can decide which free accounting software is right for you based on user reviews and experiences.

3. SumUp

SumUp on OMR Reviews

With SumUp, you can issue professional invoices in seconds and always keep track of your sales. You save time and get paid faster - after all, who wants to wait a long time for their payments?

Best of all, SumUp is completely free! You don't pay any extra costs and still have access to all the functions you need for your bookkeeping. And the best thing about it? You no longer have to struggle with complicated Excel spreadsheets!

Free features in SumUp

With SumUp you have a free accounting solution at your fingertips that saves you time and guarantees you faster money. You don't have to worry about extra costs and can concentrate fully on your business. The tool allows you to create professional invoices and manage sales in seconds.

• Create and send 4 invoices per month
• Send offers, credit notes & delivery bills
• Transaction fee of 2.5 % per online payment
• Standard invoice template from SumUp
• Send offers, credit notes & delivery bills
• Bank transfers only accepted to the SumUp business account

In addition to the free version of accounting, SumUp also offers a paid plan for EUR 8 per month, which allows you to send unlimited invoices and quotes and charges a transaction fee of just 1.25% per online payment. In addition, bank transfers can be made to any account.

You can find more information about SumUp's prices and user reviews with price reference on OMR Reviews.

SumUp alternatives

You can find an overview of SumUp alternatives on OMR Reviews. There you can decide which free accounting software is right for you based on user reviews and experiences.

4. Accountable

Accountable on OMR Reviews

Are you also fed up with complicated accounting programs and the constant stress of invoices and reminders? Then we have just the thing for you: Accountable, the free accounting tool.

With Accountable, you can easily send invoices and reminders and even pay them in just 2 clicks. How does it work? It's simple: you import your invoices into the web app and scan the QR code with your banking app - and your invoices are paid when they are due. This not only saves you time, but also nerves!

But that's not all: Accountable links your expenses to your bank transactions and automatically categorizes your expenses for tax purposes. And best of all: you receive a tax tip for every expense so that you really have everything under control.

Free features in Accountable

The following functions are included in the free version of the Accountable bookkeeping tool:

• Bookkeeping with 5 receipts per month
• Flawless invoices
• Automatically coded receipts
• Real-time overview of your profits
• Synchronization with a bank account
• Mobile app
• Data export in CSV format

If that's not enough for you, you can also upgrade to the Small or Pro version and pay EUR 17.50 or EUR 30 per month.

You can find more information about Accountable's prices and user reviews with price reference on OMR Reviews.

Accountable alternatives

You can find an overview of the Accountable alternatives on OMR Reviews. There you can decide which free accounting software is right for you based on user reviews and experiences.

5. invoiz

invoiz on OMR Reviews

Are you tired of dealing with complicated accounting programs? Then we have just the thing for you: invoiz! The free accounting tool allows you to organize your customers, finances and bookkeeping online - and it's all very simple and straightforward.

With invoiz, you can create individual invoices quickly and easily and concentrate on your business without any worries, as its legally compliant documents and processes won't let you down. You can send accounting documents directly to your tax advisor at the touch of a button and always keep an eye on overdue invoices or upcoming expenses - thanks to practical dashboards.

The automatic payment reconciliation of invoiz saves you time and nerves and, of course, invoiz is GDPR-compliant and fulfills the principles of proper accounting (GoBD). And if you want to work on the go, there's a mobile app for you.

What makes it special: If you are self-employed and looking for a tool that is precisely tailored to your needs, invoiz has something for you. invoiz is the first tool for self-employed people with its own app store. There, you can choose from a wide range of apps and expand invoiz in the way that suits you best. The best thing about it? You only pay for what you actually use. No more unnecessary costs and functions that you don't even need.

Free features in invoiz

invoiz is free to use for those who generate an annual turnover of less than EUR 17,500. The following functions are included in the free package

• Customes & CRM
  • Customer management
  • Contact history & To-Dos
• Order & accounting
  • Invoices
  • Articles & services
  • Expenses
  • Dunning
• Banking & Finances
  • Retrieve balances & sales
  • Graphical financial reports

You can find more information about invoiz prices and user reviews with price reference on OMR Reviews.

invoiz alternatives

You can find an overview of invoiz alternatives on OMR Reviews. There you can decide which free accounting software is right for you based on user reviews and experiences.

6. Taxpool accountant mini

Taxpool-Buchhalter on OMR Reviews

As the end name suggests, this is the smallest but free version of the Taxpool accountant software. Other versions are only available for a fee. However, the mini version already has it all, which is why the accounting program has made it into our ranking. Taxpool-Buchhalter was specially designed for start-ups, freelancers, tradespeople, small businesses and small entrepreneurs and is therefore easy to use. The free accounting software can only be installed on Windows computers. Versions for Linux and MacOS are to follow.

Free features in Taxpool Accountant Mini

If you opt for Taxpool Accountant Mini, you have a range of functions at your disposal that are designed for freelancers, the self-employed and small businesses:

• Entry of incoming and outgoing invoices
• Cash book
• Posting income and expenses
• Assignment of cost centers
• Reports: account statements, open items, totals and balances
• DATEV import

If the range of functions is no longer sufficient one day, you can fall back on Taxpool Accountant EÜR or Balance Sheet. You can get these for 65 EUR and 110 EUR respectively. Annual updates must be paid for additionally.

You can find more information about the prices of Taxpool accountant and user reviews with price reference on OMR Reviews.

Taxpool accountant alternatives

On OMR Reviews you will find an overview of the Taxpool accountant alternatives. There you can decide which free accounting software is right for you based on user reviews and experiences.

7. MonKey Office

MonKey Office by Prosaldo on OMR Reviews

MonKey Office can be used for PC and MacOS. It contains all the functions you need as a managing director of an SME. More than 28,000 users in the DACH market already use MonKey Office. The developer company behind the simple and free accounting program, ProSaldo, also offers other software modules such as MonKey Travel Expenses. In general, you'll need to get to grips with MonKey Office by Prosaldo a little. Once you've done that, you'll never need another accounting program again.

Free features in MonKey Office

ProSaldo offers you two ways to use MonKey Office for free: IDur use the limited basic version or you request a start-up license for the full version. The license is valid for 12 months, is free of charge and is intended to support you as a new founder at the beginning. After the 12 months, you would have to choose a paid license. There are four of these in total: Rewe, Fibu, Complete and Pro. ProSaldo provides its MonKey packages either as a rental or purchase license.

The cheapest license is called Rewe and costs either EUR 15 per month or EUR 199 per year plus EUR 79 for each annual update. However, the free basic version already includes some features that may be sufficient for you:

• Cash book
• Income and expenditure
• Receipt management
• Reports: totals and balances, account statements
• Assignment of cost centers
• DATEV import
• Customer and supplier database

You can find more information about the prices of MonKey Office and user reviews with price reference on OMR Reviews.

MonKey Office alternatives

On OMR Reviews you will find an overview of the MonKey Office alternatives. There you can decide which free accounting software is right for you based on user reviews and experiences.

8. GnuCash

GnuCash on OMR Reviews

First Monkey, now the Gnu. The animal names are random, but they spice up the dry accounting topic a bit. GnuCash is free financial software, which means it's completely free. You can use it with Linux, Windows, Solaris and MacOS. The interface is very reminiscent of the Windows 95 era, but GnuCash does an excellent job. After all, quality doesn't necessarily have to look good.

In addition to online accounting, the application also helps with private account management. Otherwise, as a small business owner you can use GnuCash to easily handle double-entry bookkeeping within a free invoicing and accounting software.

Free features in GnuCash

Without exception, everything GnuCash has to offer is free of charge. The software is also updated regularly. What exactly does GnuCash offer you?

• Double-entry bookkeeping
• Account management
• Management of customers and suppliers
• Scheduled postings
• Reports
• Customizable interface

You can find more information about GnuCash prices and user reviews with price reference on OMR Reviews.

GnuCash alternatives

On OMR Reviews you will find an overview of the GnuCash alternatives. There you can decide which free accounting software is right for you based on user reviews and experiences.

Extra tip for your free bookkeeping

If you can or want to do without software altogether, there's always Excel. Some Excel templates on the web are designed to do your bookkeeping in spreadsheet format. The best way to do this is to go to Microsoft's Excel templates page. However, this solution is not 100% GoBD-compliant and only deals with your bookkeeping very superficially. Excel templates are therefore only suitable for you if bookkeeping is really still in its infancy and you are still an Excel fetishist at best. It is best to compile your Excel file from a combination of templates. In individual tabs, you can deal with the cost statement, income statement, budget or other accounting topics and have everything in one place.

The well-known spreadsheet program from Microsoft can also help you with your bookkeeping.

As far as GoBD-compliant work with Excel accounting is concerned, you can only meet the associated requirements if you save the data in such a way that it cannot be changed at a later date.

It makes more sense to use one of the free accounting tools mentioned above or to spend a little money and use affordable but competent accounting software.

You can find more accounting software providers on OMR Reviews

Most accounting software providers offer their product for a trial period. After that, a monthly price is due, which can be reduced again if you pay once a year for 12 months. There are therefore few free accounting software programs in this segment. We have listed most of them.

The good news is that accounting programs often only cost a few euros on the cheapest plan. This means they are also affordable for start-ups, freelancers and entrepreneurs who have just started out.

You can find a whole host of accounting programs on OMR Reviews. Take a look and compare. Here is a small taste:

sevDesk

orgaMAX Buchhaltung

Lexoffice

DATEV

Sage 50 Connected

FastBill