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Accounting · head to head

Lexware vs Pennylane

Lexware logo

Lexware

Accounting

Accounting and invoicing software for German small businesses and freelancers

From
Free
Rated
-
Pennylane logo

Pennylane

Accounting

French tool combining business finances, accounting and a pro account in one platform

From
On request
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only Lexware has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Lexware 50% discount only applies for first 3 months; Pennylane no pricing is displayed on the homepage or linked pricing page; visitors are directed only to a Demarrer maintenant (Start now) signup flow with no published EUR figure
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Lexware and Pennylane actually diverge.

Attributes where Lexware and Pennylane differ
AttributeLexwarePennylane
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionquote
Free tierYesNo

Identical on both: 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.

Lexware

  • German business accountingnot Pennylane
  • Invoicing and bookkeepingnot Pennylane

Pennylane

  • Automated invoicing with payment reminders and collectionsnot Lexware
  • Real-time cash flow visibility and financial forecastingnot Lexware
  • Employee expense management with card controls and workflowsnot Lexware
  • Automated supplier invoice payment processingnot Lexware
  • Mandatory e-invoicing compliance (France September 2026)not Lexware

Where each one falls short

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

Lexware

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

Pennylane

  • No pricing is displayed on the homepage or linked pricing page; visitors are directed only to a Demarrer maintenant (Start now) signup flow with no published EUR figure
  • The product bundles accounting, invoicing and a business bank account together, so buyers cannot subscribe to only one function

Pricing, plan by plan

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)

Pennylane

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Pennylane review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Lexware if

  • You want to start without paying.

Choose Pennylane if

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

Questions people ask

Is Lexware or Pennylane better?
Neither clearly leads. Lexware starts at Free and Pennylane at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Lexware or Pennylane?
Lexware has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Lexware and On request for Pennylane.
Does Lexware or Pennylane 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. Pennylane starts at On request.
What is Lexware best used for?
Lexware is most often used for german business accounting, invoicing and bookkeeping. Of those, german business accounting and invoicing and bookkeeping are not what Pennylane is typically brought in for.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
Pennylane: What financial processes does Pennylane help automate?

Pennylane streamlines multiple financial functions including invoice creation, expense management, payment collection, and receipt documentation. The platform centralizes data from facturation, purchasing, treasury, and accounting in one unified system.

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
Pennylane: Can Pennylane help with corporate spending control?

Yes. Pennylane provides corporate cards for employees with built-in spending controls and authorization workflows, allowing businesses to manage team expenses while maintaining visibility and approval requirements.

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
Pennylane: Does Pennylane provide real-time financial visibility?

Yes. Pennylane's unified dashboard provides live transaction visibility and real-time cash flow monitoring across the entire business, helping teams access financial data instantly.

Source
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