Accounting Software

Xero vs DATEV

Both are accounting software. The short answer: choose Xero if you are small businesses and accountants in the UK, Australia and New Zealand; choose DATEV if you are german businesses working with a tax adviser.

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Xero logo XeroDATEV logo DATEV
Best forSmall businesses and accountants in the UK, Australia and New ZealandGerman businesses working with a tax adviser
Free planNo (trial may exist)No (trial may exist)
PricingSee providerSee provider
Built for IndiaGlobalGlobal
CategoriesBilling & Invoicing Software, Accounting SoftwareAccounting Software
Strengths
  • Clean, fast reconciliation
  • Unlimited users on plans
  • Big integration marketplace
  • The standard for German tax advisers
  • Deep compliance with German law
  • Secure data exchange
Watch out for
  • Payroll availability depends on country
  • Lower plans cap some transactions
  • Complex and German-language
  • Usually used through a tax adviser
Visit XeroVisit DATEV

Which should you choose?

Xero: Cloud accounting platform known for bank reconciliation, invoicing and a large app marketplace.

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

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.