tech from europe
vsFreshBooks

Lexware vs FreshBooks

Last updated October 2026

Looking for a European alternative to FreshBooks? Here's how Lexware compares, on EU hosting, GDPR and what it does.

Our pick for a European buyer: Lexware. We weight data residency, GDPR and EU jurisdiction above everything else — that is the constraint this directory exists to solve.

Lexware
FreshBooks
What it is
German accounting and invoicing with DATEV integration
Cloud accounting software for small businesses and freelancers.
Headquarters
🇩🇪 DE
🇨🇦 CA · 2003
EU data residency
Yes, for all customers
Available on some plansEU data residency available on request for enterprise plans.
DSGVO / GDPR
Yes
Yes
Certifications
No
ISO 27001
Price from
€7.90/mo
$17/mo
Free plan
No
No
Open Source
No
No
Ratings
TRUSTPILOT 3.2/5 (1,590) · OMR 4.3/5 (188)
CAPTERRA 4.5/5 (3,800) · G2 4.2/5 (1,200)
Integrations
Super, HubSpot, Integrately, Pipey
Stripe, PayPal, HubSpot, Salesforce, Trello +6

Where each one wins

Lexware

FreshBooks

Strengths

  • +Intuitive and user-friendly interface
  • +Strong invoicing and expense tracking features
  • +Good mobile app for on-the-go management
  • +Reliable customer support

Limitations

  • −Limited advanced accounting features for larger businesses
  • −No built-in payroll functionality
  • −Higher cost for additional team members
  • −Learning curve for complex features

Data residency & compliance

Lexware
FreshBooks
EU data residency
Yes, for all customers
Available on some plansEU data residency available on request for enterprise plans.
Transfer mechanism
Not required — data stays in the EU
Standard Contractual Clauses
DPA
Published →
Published →
Sub-processors
Listed →
Listed →
Certifications
No
ISO 27001

Pricing

Lexware

  • Starter €7.90/month per monthBasic invoicing · Expense tracking · Limited integrations

Pricing may vary based on features and user count. Free trial available.

FreshBooks

  • Lite $17 per monthBill up to 5 clients · Unlimited invoices · Track unlimited expenses
  • Plus $30 per monthBill up to 50 clients · Unlimited proposals · Automated payment reminders
  • Premium $55 per monthUnlimited clients · Customizable business reports · Double-entry accounting
  • Select On request per monthCustom pricing · Dedicated account manager · Advanced security features

Pricing varies based on features and client limits. Annual billing offers discounts.

Features

Lexware

Invoicing & Billing
Automated invoice creation, Customizable invoice templates, Recurring invoices, Multi-currency support
Expense Management
Receipt scanning with OCR, Automated category suggestion, Expense tracking, Digital receipt storage
Accounting & Reporting
Double-entry accounting, Financial reports, Balance sheets, Profit & loss statements
Integrations & Automation
API access for custom integrations, Automated workflows, Third-party app connections

FreshBooks

Invoicing & Billing
Customizable invoice templates, Automated payment reminders, Multi-currency support, Recurring invoices
Expense Management
Receipt capture via mobile app, Expense categorization, Mileage tracking, Tax-friendly reports
Time Tracking
Timer for tasks and projects, Team timesheet approvals, Billable rate settings, Detailed time reports
Project Management
Task assignments and deadlines, Collaboration tools for teams, Project profitability tracking, Client portal for feedback
Reporting & Insights
Profit and loss statements, Tax summaries, Business health dashboard, Custom report builder
See Lexware →More FreshBooks alternatives