Lexoffice Compared: The Best Bookkeeping Tool of 2026

2026 will be a decisive year for accounting software. The choices range from modern cloud solutions such as lexoffice, which has been appearing for some time as Lexware Office, to established desktop programs. Entrepreneurs, freelancers, and SMEs face an important decision when choosing the optimal tool that meets their requirements in terms of efficiency, value for money, and legal security.

In this article, you can expect an objective comparison of relevant providers, concrete tips for different target groups, and a look at innovative platforms. Especially exciting: the seamless integration of filehub with Lexware Office enables bidirectional exchange of files and data.

Stay tuned if you want to know which accounting tool truly convinces in 2026.

Lexware Office (formerly lexoffice): Target audience, features, and what’s new

Lexware Office, formerly lexoffice, is one of the leading accounting software solutions for self-employed professionals, freelancers, and small to medium-sized companies. Target audiences range from solo tradespeople and creative agencies to restaurants or retailers with multiple employees.

Typical lexoffice users come from industries such as services, retail, trades, or gastronomy. Various legal forms—from freelancers and small businesses to UGs and GmbHs—benefit from its flexible use. The software supports classic accounting tasks such as invoicing, receipt capture, and tax preparation.

A major advantage: lexoffice is completely cloud-based and can be used anywhere via browser and app. Users particularly appreciate the intuitive interface and fast support. According to current comparison tests, 80 to 90 percent of all receipts are recognized automatically—100 percent for e-invoices. This ensures efficient day-to-day workflows.

Scope of features and innovations in 2026

Lexware Office impresses with a wide range of features that are continuously being developed. Automated receipt posting and direct bank account reconciliation save time and minimize errors. Particularly practical: e-invoices, such as in the XRechnung or ZUGFeRD format, can be created and sent directly.

Mobile working is especially easy with lexoffice. You can create quotes and invoices via the app, scan receipts on the go, and provide digital documents in the customer portal. The integrated payroll function allows payroll processing for up to 50 employees directly in the system.

Over 120 add-ons are available—from e-commerce integrations and time tracking to a tax consultant interface. A dedicated business account and seamless ELSTER integration round off the offering. Optimized onboarding and improved user guidance in 2026 make getting started even easier.

A highlight: the integration with filehub. With Lexware Office integration with filehub, you can exchange documents and data bidirectionally between both systems. This makes the automated, secure workflow between receipt import, processing, and archiving a breeze—ideal for companies with a high document volume.

Value for money and plans

When it comes to value for money, lexoffice is extremely flexible. There are different pricing plans: XL for €32.90 per month, L for €21.90 per month, each with a monthly cancellation option. All plans include an unlimited number of users, which is especially attractive for growing teams.

There are 30-day trial periods to get started, and even up to 6 months free during special promotions. Additional costs only arise for special add-ons or external programs, such as extensive balance sheet and P&L functions. In the current comparison, lexoffice achieves a test result of 96 percent, grade 1.2—a top score.

A practical example: 25 receipts can be processed digitally in just 8 minutes. This shows how efficiently lexoffice supports everyday work while delivering real added value for companies of any size.

sevdesk, classic Lexware & alternatives: strengths, weaknesses, and special features

The accounting software market will remain dynamic in 2026. In addition to the renaming of lexoffice to Lexware Office, various solutions such as sevdesk and classic Lexware programs are entering the competition. Each tool brings its own strengths and special features that are relevant for different companies and requirements.

sevdesk compared to Lexware Office

In 2026, sevdesk is one of the better-known cloud accounting software solutions and is considered a direct competitor to Lexware Office, formerly lexoffice. It is particularly attractive for startups and digital service providers thanks to its intuitive operation and modern interface. In the current comparison, sevdesk receives a grade of 1.1 and convinces with a comprehensive overall package.

Strengths include easy cash book management, integrated time tracking, and the ability to bill project hours directly. Compared to Lexware Office, sevdesk offers fewer extensions, which may limit adaptability as requirements grow. Pricing starts at €12.90 per month, which is especially attractive for founders. Users praise the quick setup and reliable support. Typical industries include IT, consulting, and e-commerce, which benefit from the flexible cloud solution.

Classic Lexware programs (on-premise & cloud)

Classic Lexware programs, which used to be known as lexoffice, are aimed primarily at companies with complex accounting requirements. Desktop solutions offer extensive functions such as inventory management, balance sheet and P&L, as well as deep integration with DATEV and ELSTER. The ability to use individual booking templates and create detailed reports is particularly appreciated.

A disadvantage of the classic variant is the lack of mobility, as it remains tied to the workplace. Investments in hardware, local updates, and security measures are necessary. There are cloud variants, such as Lexware in the Cloud by MXP. These combine the convenience of the desktop version with the flexibility of modern cloud solutions. This is an advantage for companies that value location independence and mobile working.

Important: The cloud versions offer seamless integration of Lexware Office with filehub and enable bidirectional file and data exchange. Invoices, receipts, and business documents are processed and archived automatically. This makes everyday work easier and clearly sets Lexware Office apart from classic desktop solutions.

Other alternatives and industry-specific software

In addition to sevdesk and Lexware Office, numerous other providers compete for companies’ attention. Sage, DATEV, FastBill, and Debitoor offer specialized solutions that are particularly suitable for specific industries such as trades, tax consulting, or online retail. These tools score with industry-specific add-ons, subscription models, and diverse integration options.

Like lexoffice, many alternatives focus on digital e-invoice capabilities and automations to streamline workflows. Integration into existing IT landscapes is often seamless, allowing growing companies to remain flexible. Users particularly appreciate the rapid adaptability and competent support offered by these tools. In terms of value for money, industry-specific solutions often convince with tailored features and attractive terms.

Integration and automation: boosting efficiency with filehub and Lexware Office

Demands on modern accounting processes are constantly increasing, especially for small and medium-sized businesses. The lexoffice target group—self-employed professionals, freelancers, and SMEs across various industries—benefits enormously from smart automation solutions. Anyone who values fast, error-free processes will not be able to ignore cloud-based automation platforms in 2026.

A real highlight is the seamless integration of filehub with lexoffice. Via the German iPaaS platform, files and data can be exchanged bidirectionally without requiring technical know-how. This means invoices, receipts, or other business documents are automatically transferred between lexoffice and filehub with your other systems and portals, processed, and securely archived. If you want to learn more, you can find detailed info about the integration here.

This automation ensures that you can retrieve receipts directly from web portals and continue processing them in lexoffice. Digital archiving and workflow-driven approvals also run fully automatically. This makes daily accounting noticeably easier, especially for companies with large document volumes or multiple team members.

The key advantages of the integration at a glance:

• Time savings through automatic receipt processing

• Error reduction and higher data quality

• Scalability and productivity gains for growing companies

• GDPR-compliant data processing and hosting in Germany

By connecting filehub and lexoffice, accounting in 2026 becomes not only more efficient but also future-proof. Automated workflows and smart interfaces create new freedom in everyday work. Entrepreneurs and accountants who embrace digitalization thus gain a clear competitive advantage.

User experiences, support, and ease of use compared

Accounting software has to offer more than just features. The day-to-day work of entrepreneurs, freelancers, and teams requires a smooth start, efficient collaboration, and maximum security. How do the providers fare in direct comparison when it comes to user-friendliness, support, and ease of use?

User-friendliness and onboarding

First impressions matter: lexoffice, now Lexware Office, convinces with intuitive onboarding. Step-by-step guides make it easy to get started. Even beginners quickly find their way around thanks to the logically structured user interface.

With the mobile app, you can scan receipts on the go or create invoices directly from your smartphone. The clear dashboard provides all key figures at a glance, from BWA to VAT advance return (UStVA). Users particularly praise the speed: the first invoice is created in under a minute, and bank account reconciliation takes barely two minutes.

When it comes to support, lexoffice scores with personal service, a chatbot, a manual, and training videos. Many users report fast and helpful answers to their questions. Accounting becomes child’s play.

Collaboration with tax advisors and the team

Especially when several people are working in a company, teamwork is crucial. lexoffice allows you to invite tax advisors directly and provide data as a DATEV or ELSTER export. Reports and receipts can be processed together in real time.

Permissions management allows individual user roles. All team members access documents centrally without media breaks. One example: the income-surplus statement (EÜR) report can be transferred directly into smartsteuer, saving time and reducing errors.

A strong plus is the seamless integration of filehub with lexoffice. Via the direct connection to Lexware Office, files and data can be exchanged bidirectionally. This greatly simplifies collaboration, as documents are automatically synchronized between systems.

Security, updates, and compliance

Security and legal requirements are mandatory for any accounting solution. lexoffice and comparable cloud tools offer automatic updates, regular backups, and high availability. Your accounting data is hosted in Germany in compliance with the GDPR.

Certifications such as GoBD and ELSTER integration provide additional assurance. With classic on-premise solutions, there is a risk that updates or backups may be forgotten. In the cloud, all of this is automated.

Another advantage: compliance is ensured through regular adjustments to new laws. This keeps you on the safe side and lets you focus fully on your business.

Value for money, scalability, and future-proofing of accounting tools in 2026

The choice of the right accounting software will be a decisive factor for efficiency and competitiveness in 2026. Especially with regard to value for money, scalability, and future-proofing, companies face important trade-offs. Formerly known as lexoffice, Lexware Office specifically addresses self-employed professionals, small businesses, and growing mid-sized companies that value flexibility and modern workflows.

Pricing models and cost comparison

A look at value for money shows: Lexware Office (formerly lexoffice) offers transparent monthly subscriptions starting at €7.90 and covers a large portion of typical accounting requirements. By comparison, sevdesk starts at €12.90, while classic on-premise solutions often entail higher upfront investments and ongoing costs for updates, hardware, and maintenance.

*for single-seat versions.
The cost-benefit analysis shows: cloud solutions offer more flexibility, lower barriers to entry, and can optimally cover different company sizes. For a detailed market overview, the comparison of accounting software 2026 is also recommended.

Scalability and extensibility

A key argument for Lexware Office is scalability. With over 120 add-ons, seamless interfaces to e-commerce, banks, and time tracking, and the ability to flexibly add functions such as payroll or a cash book, the solution grows with your business.

Of particular note is the integration of external platforms for automation and data exchange. This is where filehub plays a crucial role: the platform connects Lexware Office bidirectionally with other tools—for automated document management, digital approvals, and audit-proof archiving. You can find more information at filehub & Lexware Office: seamless integration.

Thanks to this extensibility, Lexware Office is suitable not only for startups but also for growing mid-sized companies that want to continuously optimize their accounting processes.

Innovation potential and trends in 2026

The world of accounting in 2026 is clearly shaped by cloud-first strategies. Mobility, location-independent work, and automated workflows are standard. With AI-supported receipt capture, e-invoice support, and digital collaboration, Lexware Office (formerly lexoffice) sets the standard.

Trends at a glance:

• Full automation of routine tasks

• Integration of third-party providers for process optimization

• Sustainable, paperless accounting

• Increased data security through German data centers

If you choose lexoffice or Lexware Office today, you benefit from regular updates and a future-proof platform that flexibly adapts to new requirements and legal regulations.

You now have a comprehensive overview of the most important accounting tools for 2026 and their future potential—from flexible cloud solutions to clever process automation with filehub. If you want to experience for yourself how easily you can automate your document workflows and take your accounting to the next level, just give filehub a try. You’ll quickly see how much time and effort you can really save with smart automation.

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