E-Invoicing Software 2026: 7 Tools Compared

Since January 2025, every company in Germany must be able to receive e-invoices, and from 2027 and 2028 the obligation to send them phases in too. So the question is no longer whether you switch, but which software you use to do it — and that is exactly where it gets confusing.

The market is crowded: from free invoicing tools to expensive accounting suites. But not every program that advertises e-invoicing actually handles everything that matters — creating XRechnung and ZUGFeRD, processing incoming e-invoices, and archiving everything in a GoBD-compliant way.

In this comparison we look at 7 e-invoicing tools for 2026 and rate them by price, format support, receiving capability, and accounting integration — so that you, as a freelancer or GmbH director, make the right choice.

What good e-invoicing software must do

Before you compare tools, you should know what counts. A full-featured e-invoicing solution covers these points:

• Creates both formats: XRechnung (pure XML, mandatory for public-sector clients) and ZUGFeRD 2.0.1+ (a hybrid of PDF and embedded XML). We explain the difference in detail in XRechnung vs. ZUGFeRD.
• Receives and reads e-invoices: Incoming XML files must not get lost in your inbox — they should be booked automatically.
• EN 16931 compliance: Only structured formats under this norm count as a real e-invoice — a PDF by email is not enough.
• GoBD-compliant archiving: Stored in an audit-proof way so you are covered during a tax audit.
• Accounting integration: Writing an invoice and booking it separately costs double the time. Having both in one tool saves you exports and transfer errors.

For the exact deadlines, see our overview of the 2026 e-invoicing obligation.

The 7 best e-invoicing tools for 2026 compared

1. Norman — free, AI-powered, all in one

Norman creates invoices automatically in the ZUGFeRD format under EN 16931, processes incoming e-invoices, and assigns them directly to your accounting. The ZUGFeRD trust logo confirms compatibility.

Price: Invoicing and accounting are permanently free — no limit, no watermark. You only pay for tax filing; the Klein plan starts at €12/month. Details on the pricing page.

Strengths: Sending and receiving in one tool, AI receipt recognition, AI bookkeeping included. More at e-invoicing with Norman.

2. Lexware Office (formerly Lexoffice)

The market leader handles XRechnung and ZUGFeRD reliably and is well established.

Price: S from around €11/month net, M from around €19/month, L from around €28/month. Prices rose after the Lexware takeover.

3. sevDesk

An integrated accounting solution with a solid e-invoicing function and DATEV export.

Price: Entry from around €9/month net, full package considerably higher. A free trial is available.

4. FastBill

A lean tool focused on invoicing and receipt management.

Price: Entry tier from around €9/month net, „Pro" from around €21/month.

5. Billomat

API-flexible and built for growing companies.

Price: Paid tiers from around €10/month net, higher depending on scope. Prices vary by tier (as of 2026).

6. Papierkram

Freelancer-friendly with built-in time tracking.

Price: Free tier available; paid tiers from around €8/month net.

7. Invoicefetcher

A specialist for receiving and automatically reading incoming e-invoices — not a full invoicing or accounting tool.

Price: Free tier for low volumes, then tiered packages.

Which tool for whom?

• Solo freelancers: Norman (free, sending + receiving) or Papierkram (with time tracking).
• Small GmbHs: Norman or sevDesk — both bring accounting along.
• Growing companies with their own IT: Billomat (API) or Lexware Office.
• If you only need to receive: Invoicefetcher as a cheap add-on.

By the way, even as a small business under the Kleinunternehmer rule you are not exempt from the receiving obligation — the details are in e-invoicing for small businesses.

What to watch out for when switching

• Check both formats: Some tools only create ZUGFeRD, not pure XRechnung — a problem if you invoice public authorities.
• Test receiving: Send yourself an e-invoice and check whether the tool reads it automatically.
• Avoid silos: A separate invoicing tool plus separate accounting means double the upkeep. A unified workflow saves time and errors — see also the best accounting software for freelancers.
• Weigh cost against benefit: A €30 tier only pays off if you genuinely need the features.

E-invoicing with Norman

Norman covers the e-invoicing obligation in full — and costs nothing for invoicing and accounting:

• ZUGFeRD-compliant invoices created automatically in the EN 16931 format.
• Incoming e-invoices read automatically and assigned to the right category.
• GoBD-compliant archiving of all receipts — audit-proof for the tax inspection.

Setup takes less than 30 seconds, and as long as you do not file a tax return you pay nothing — a more risk-free trial than any 30-day test.

Conclusion

The e-invoicing obligation is no longer a thing of the future — it is already reality. The good news: you do not have to spend much money on it. Tools like Norman handle sending, receiving, and archiving for free and save you the separate accounting export.

Choose a tool that handles both formats, processes incoming invoices automatically, and slots seamlessly into your accounting. Anyone who separates invoicing from bookkeeping pays twice in the end — in money and in time. Start with the free option and test that sending and receiving work smoothly before the next deadlines in 2027 and 2028 kick in.