Comparisons
On this page
First things first: lexoffice is now Lexware Office
If you searched for “sevDesk vs lexoffice” — same product. lexoffice was renamed Lexware Office and folded under the Lexware brand. Older comparisons, screenshots and prices online still use the old name. The rename changes nothing about the features, but it does make current pricing harder to find.
At a glance
| sevDesk | Lexware Office | Backbone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invoices and quotes | Yesplan Rechnung | Yesplan M and up | Yesevery plan |
| E-invoices | Yeseven in the free tier | Yessending from plan M | YesZUGFeRD |
| Dunning | Yeslevels from plan Buchhaltung | Yesplan M and up | Yeson a schedule, with statutory interest |
| Reminders that go out on their own | Yesfrom plan Rechnung | via partner autoMahntion | Yeson the days you choose |
| Invoice layouts | Add-on6 premium layouts, €3.90 / month | Yeslayout designer | Yestemplate customizer |
| Time tracking | Add-on€4.90 / month | partner extensions | Yesevery plan |
| Bookkeeping in the tool (EÜR, VAT return) | Yesplan Buchhaltung | Yesplan L | Noyour bookkeeper keeps the books |
| Austria | Yesown Austrian site | NoGermany only, says its help center | Yes§ 11 UStG built in |
| An assistant that does the work for you | help agent Sevi answers questions | not listed | Yesin plain words |
| Works inside Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini and Grok | not listed | not listed | Yes |
“Not listed” means the vendor's own pages say nothing about it; we do not guess. Plans and prices are in the detail table below.
In detail
| sevDesk | Lexware Office | |
|---|---|---|
| Invoicing plan (net, monthly) | €11.90 / month, plan Rechnung | €12.90 / month, plan M |
| Free plan | 3 invoices / month | none; 30-day free trial |
| Document limit | paid unlimited | no limit stated (fair use per T&Cs) |
| Austria | yes, own Austrian site | no — Germany only, says its help center |
| Bookkeeping | plan Buchhaltung, €25.90 | plan L, €21.90 |
| E-invoicing | even in the free tier | sending from plan M |
| Templates | standard layouts; 6 Premium for €3.90 / month | base layouts and a layout designer |
| Dunning | reminders from Rechnung, levels from Buchhaltung | from plan M; automatic only via partner autoMahntion |
Prices are net, plus VAT, without time-limited discounts. Checked on 8 October 2026 at sevdesk.de/preise, sevdesk.at/preise, sevdesk.de/rechnungsprogramm, sevdesk.de/addons-premiumlayout, lexware.de/preise, lexware.de/funktionen/layout-designer, lexware.de/funktionen/mahnung-schreiben and the Lexware help center on Austria.
The decision that overrides everything else
If you issue Austrian invoices, the comparison ends right here. Lexware Office is built around German tax law, ELSTER connection for VAT returns included. It does not cover Austria.
That is not a detail: Austrian invoices follow § 11 öUStG rather than § 14 UStG, have a different small-amount threshold, and above a certain total require the recipient's VAT ID — a duty Germany does not have at all. What else differs is in the post on Austrian mandatory invoice details.
Which one fits you?
Both are classic bookkeeping suites. Which one suits you depends on where and how you work:
- sevDesk fits if you want a traditional bookkeeping program for Germany and Austria, with receipts, EÜR and VAT return in one place, and you're fine adding modules such as time tracking or premium layouts as paid add-ons.
- Lexware Office fits if you work in Germany only and like the classic set-up: each step unlocked plan by plan, from invoices (M) to bookkeeping (L) to XL, with extras such as time tracking from partner extensions.
- You invoice in Austria, or in both countries → sevDesk; Lexware Office is out
- You want reminders to go out on their own → sevDesk offers reminders from plan Rechnung; Lexware Office dunns automatically only via a partner
Where Backbone fits
Backbone is not a bookkeeping suite, and it doesn't try to be. It is for everything before the books: the hours, the invoice, the reminder, the receipt. And it should feel light.
You don't climb through plans or menus. You ask: “Send Kinetik the September invoice.” “Which receipts are still missing?” The Backbone assistant does it, in the app or right inside Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini or Grok through the connector. Nothing goes out without your OK.
- Everything in one place, in every plan. Time tracking, invoices and dunning are simply there. No partner extensions, no add-ons.
- Germany and Austria, without thinking about it. Your invoices carry the mandatory details of both countries, ZUGFeRD included.
- Chasing payment stops being your job. Reminders go out on the days you choose, with statutory interest where the law allows.
- A clean month end. Receipts find their payments, and your bookkeeper gets one ZIP. The books stay with them, so your time stays with your work.
Coming soon: automatic bank connections, the API, the CLI, a Mac app and Automations for your own scheduled tasks.
Last updated 8 October 2026. Vendor details for sevDesk and Lexware Office checked on 8 October 2026 on the vendors' own pages named above. Prices and feature scope can change at any time — the vendor's own website always governs.
Frequently asked questions
Is lexoffice now called Lexware Office?
Yes. lexoffice was renamed Lexware Office — same product, new name. If you search for "lexoffice" or read older comparisons, Lexware Office is what is meant.
Which is better, sevDesk or Lexware Office?
The invoicing plans are close in price (€11.90 and €12.90 a month, net), so price decides little. The hardest dividing line is country: Lexware Office is built for Germany and files via ELSTER, while sevDesk covers Germany and Austria. After that comes the plan that unlocks bookkeeping — L for Lexware Office (€21.90), Buchhaltung for sevDesk (€25.90).
Can I issue Austrian invoices with Lexware Office?
Lexware Office is built around German tax law including the ELSTER connection; Austria is not covered. If you issue Austrian invoices under § 11 öUStG, or serve both countries, you need a tool that supports it explicitly.
Do sevDesk or Lexware Office automate dunning?
sevDesk offers payment reminders from plan Rechnung and dunning levels from Buchhaltung. Lexware Office creates reminders in a few clicks; fully automatic dunning runs through its partner autoMahntion, a separate account.
Ready to try it?
Try Backbone free for 7 days. No charge before the trial ends.
Legal notice: general information, not legal or tax advice within the meaning of the German StBerG or RDG; no client relationship arises. No warranty as to accuracy, completeness or currency. Liability is excluded to the extent permitted by law; intent, gross negligence and injury to life, body or health remain unaffected. For your own case, your tax adviser or lawyer governs.
