Softwr

Accounting · head to head

Karbon vs Lexware

Karbon logo

Karbon

Accounting

Practice management for accounting firms

From
$59/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Lexware logo

Lexware

Accounting

Accounting and invoicing software for German small businesses and freelancers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Lexware has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Karbon monthly billing option only available for teams of 4 or more users; Lexware 50% discount only applies for first 3 months
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Karbon and Lexware actually diverge.

Attributes where Karbon and Lexware differ
AttributeKarbonLexware
Starting price$59/monthFree
Free tierNoYes

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), platforms (Web), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Accounting).

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Karbon

  • Automating client document collection for tax practice intakenot Lexware
  • Tracking all client requests in workflows tied to jobsnot Lexware
  • Aligning hours worked with billable time per engagementnot Lexware
  • Automating period close by connecting practice management to accountingnot Lexware
  • Streamlining client document submission and approval workflowsnot Lexware

Lexware

  • German business accountingnot Karbon
  • Invoicing and bookkeepingnot Karbon

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Karbon

  • Monthly billing option only available for teams of 4 or more users
  • Team plan at $59/month per user minimum cost may be expensive for smaller practices
  • No seat license discounts published; scaling costs linearly with user count

Lexware

  • 50% discount only applies for first 3 months
  • Regular prices are double the discounted prices after promotion
  • Pricing is in EUR only

Pricing, plan by plan

Karbon

$59/month
  • Team$59/month
    • Per-user pricing
    • Designed for small accounting firms
    • Minimum team size of 4 for monthly billing
  • Business$89/month
    • Per-user pricing
    • Workflow automation
    • Integrations for growing practices
  • Enterprise$null/mo
    • Custom pricing
    • Tailored for large accounting firms
    • Dedicated support

Lexware

Free
  • S$3.95/month
    • Belegerfassung und -archiv (Document capture and archive)
  • M$6.45/month
    • Angebote, (E-) Rechnungen und Mahnungen (Offers, invoices, reminders)
  • L$10.95/month
    • Buchhaltung, EÜR und Umsatzsteuer (Accounting, EÜR, sales tax)
  • XL$16.45/month
    • EU- und Abschlagsrechnungen, API (EU invoices, installment invoices, API)

Which should you pick?

Choose Karbon if

Nothing in the data separates Karbon from Lexware on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Karbon review

Choose Lexware if

  • You want to start without paying.
Lexware review

Questions people ask

Is Karbon or Lexware better?
Neither clearly leads. Karbon starts at $59/month and Lexware at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Karbon or Lexware?
Lexware has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $59/month for Karbon and Free for Lexware.
Does Karbon or Lexware run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Lexware for free?
Yes. Lexware has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Karbon starts at $59/month.
What is Karbon best used for?
Karbon is most often used for automating client document collection for tax practice intake, tracking all client requests in workflows tied to jobs, aligning hours worked with billable time per engagement, automating period close by connecting practice management to accounting. Of those, automating client document collection for tax practice intake and tracking all client requests in workflows tied to jobs are not what Lexware is typically brought in for.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Karbon: How much does Karbon cost?

Karbon pricing starts at $59 per user per month (Team plan, billed annually) or $79 per user per month (monthly billing for 4+ users). Business plan is $89/month annual or $99/month monthly. Enterprise pricing is custom.

Source
Lexware: How much does Lexware cost?

Lexware pricing ranges from €3.95/month (plan S) to €16.45/month (plan XL) at discounted rates. Regular pricing is €7.90 to €32.90/month. All prices include hosting, backups, updates, and support.

Source
Karbon: Is there a discount for annual billing on Karbon?

Yes, Karbon offers annual billing at a discount compared to monthly. Team plan is $59/month annually versus $79/month monthly. Business plan is $89/month annually versus $99/month monthly.

Source
Lexware: Is there a current promotional offer?

Yes, Lexware offers 50% discount for the first 3 months on all plans, then regular pricing applies. The billing period is monthly and cancellable anytime.

Source
Karbon: What is the minimum user requirement for monthly billing on Karbon?

Karbon requires a minimum team size of 4 users to access monthly billing. Teams smaller than 4 must choose annual billing.

Source
Lexware: Does Lexware offer a free trial?

Yes, Lexware offers a 30-day free trial with full XL features plus Lohn & Gehalt (payroll) access included.

Source
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