As of 12 September 2026. Free invoicing software is not automatically the right choice for every business. Some products limit invoice numbers; others include accounting and reminders. Rechnungstool focuses on creating a German ZUGFeRD invoice for free in the browser or through an AI assistant.
Rechnungstool publishes this comparison itself. We therefore disclose criteria and sources. There are no affiliate links, paid placements or invented “test winner”.
The criteria
- Is there an ongoing free entry point?
- Do you need an account for the first invoice?
- Can it create structured German e-invoices?
- Is the workflow a form, full accounting or an AI assistant via MCP?
- Who is it suited to?
Prices below are net monthly prices with monthly billing unless the source says otherwise. Promotions can change.
At a glance
| Provider | Free entry | Account? | E-invoice | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rechnungstool | Free; no promise of unlimited volume | No, for full anonymous workflow | ZUGFeRD under EN 16931 | Focused web and AI/MCP workflow |
| sevdesk | 3 (e-)invoices/month | Yes | ZUGFeRD and XRechnung | Invoicing, then accounting |
| Papierkram | Free plan | Yes | E-invoice/XRechnung per provider | Accounting, projects, time |
| Lexware Office | No permanent free invoicing plan on pricing page | Yes | From plan M | Broad ordering and accounting |
| Rechnungslotse | 3 invoices/month, including no-sign-up web entry | No for entry; yes to create by MCP | ZUGFeRD and XRechnung | Checking, creation, portal, MCP |
Rechnungstool: focused on the AI workflow
It fits if you want a German EUR invoice without a large accounting interface. The anonymous workflow needs no Rechnungstool account. The browser creates structured invoices; the public MCP server lets ChatGPT or Claude run the same process in conversation.
Beyond being free, it combines anonymous creation, finalisation and a ZUGFeRD PDF directly in chat, 30-day anonymous retention, optional transfer to an account, and OAuth access to saved profiles, customers, items and invoices. It is our recommendation for the narrow need “focused + free + AI/MCP”. For bookkeeping, bank reconciliation, tax filings, reminders or many integrations, assess a broader product.
sevdesk: up to three free invoices per month
sevdesk offers a free tier of up to three invoices or e-invoices per calendar month. The provider says contacts, products and services can be created without a numerical limit; drafts count only when completed. Its invoicing tier was listed at €12.90 net monthly and adds unlimited invoices and quotes, reminders, open items, DATEV/ADDISON interfaces and personal support. A broader bookkeeping tier costs more.
Good fit: people comfortable creating an account, issuing a few free invoices and later moving to a broader system.
Papierkram: free accounting entry
Papierkram advertises free accounting access. Its public product page lists quotes, projects, time tracking, contacts, invoices and e-invoices. It suits people who want more business work in one interface. The public landing page does not show every plan boundary in the same detail as sevdesk's help page, so inspect current plan limits during sign-up.
Good fit: people who want invoices, projects and time tracking together and will create an account. Papierkram product and pricing page.
Lexware Office: broader scope from plan M
Lexware Office separates receipt capture from invoicing by plan. Its pricing page lists e-invoice creation and transmission from M at €12.90 net monthly. At the time checked, the first three months had a €6.45 promotion. M includes quotes, invoices and reminders; higher plans add accounting, income-surplus reports, VAT, EU and advance invoices and API features.
Good fit: businesses willing to pay for reminders, archiving and broader ordering or accounting. Lexware Office pricing and plans.
Rechnungslotse: a direct MCP comparison
Rechnungslotse documents a public MCP server for checking and reading e-invoices; seven checking tools work without an account. Creating real invoices by MCP needs a connected account. The free allowance is three invoices per month, while its web entry reportedly works without sign-up. It also offers XRechnung, ZUGFeRD, validation, open items and portal features.
Good fit: users who want to inspect or explain e-invoices, or need XRechnung alongside ZUGFeRD. Rechnungslotse MCP server.
Which free tool fits?
- One invoice in chat without an account: Rechnungstool.
- Up to three free invoices and a later accounting upgrade: sevdesk.
- Projects and time tracking: review Papierkram.
- Broad paid ordering and accounting: Lexware Office.
- Checking e-invoices, XRechnung and MCP tools: Rechnungslotse.
Check format, volume, numbering, exports, retention, adviser interfaces and the cost of changing systems later.
What this comparison does not claim
There is no universal winner. Rechnungstool is not full bookkeeping. A free tier is not always cheaper when exports, support or further workflows are needed. No software removes your responsibility to check the invoice details and tax treatment of a real transaction.
A free German e-invoice without an account
If Rechnungstool fits your focused need, start in the browser or connect ChatGPT through MCP.
