Accounting Software

DATEV vs QuickBooks Online

Both are accounting software. The short answer: choose DATEV if you are german businesses working with a tax adviser; choose QuickBooks Online if you are small businesses in the US, UK, Canada and Australia.

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DATEV logo DATEVQuickBooks Online logo QuickBooks Online
Best forGerman businesses working with a tax adviserSmall businesses in the US, UK, Canada and Australia
Free planNo (trial may exist)No (trial may exist)
PricingSee providerSee provider
Built for IndiaGlobalGlobal
CategoriesAccounting SoftwareBilling & Invoicing Software, Accounting Software
Strengths
  • The standard for German tax advisers
  • Deep compliance with German law
  • Secure data exchange
  • Large accountant and app ecosystem
  • Strong reporting
  • Good bank integrations
Watch out for
  • Complex and German-language
  • Usually used through a tax adviser
  • Availability and features vary by country
  • Costs rise with add-ons
Visit DATEVVisit QuickBooks Online

Which should you choose?

DATEV: German cooperative whose accounting, payroll and tax software is used by most tax advisers in Germany.

QuickBooks Online: Widely used cloud accounting software with invoicing, expenses, bank feeds and an accountant ecosystem.

The best way to decide is to run the same week of real work through both — most offer a free plan or trial — and compare how long tasks take, what your team prefers, and the total cost for your number of users including renewal pricing.

Not sure either fits? See all accounting software compared.