Papierkram
5.6/10German cloud bookkeeping software for freelancers and small firms that do cash-basis accounting. It combines invoicing, time tracking, receipts, bank sync, EÜR and VAT returns.
Data last updated November 2026 · Our methodology
Overview
Papierkram is a browser-based bookkeeping tool from odacer finanzsoftware GmbH in Wiesbaden. It is built for German freelancers, solo self-employed people and small service firms that do cash-basis accounting (EÜR). It covers quotes, invoices and recurring invoices, XRechnung and ZUGFeRD e-invoices, and dunning. Time tracking is tied to projects and turns tracked hours into invoices, and reviewers consistently rate it as the product's strongest area. It also covers receipt management with AI extraction (MagicSuggest+), PSD2 bank account sync, VAT pre-returns sent through Elster, EÜR and BWA reports, and DATEV export for tax advisors. Pricing is freemium. A Free plan with limited features sits below three paid tiers, S, M and L. They cost 15.90, 29.90 and 59.90 EUR net per month on monthly billing, or 12.90, 24.90 and 49.90 EUR per month on annual billing. Higher tiers add bank accounts, users, storage, customer portal delivery, PayPal and Girocode payment links, and REST API (beta) credits. Extra users cost 2.90 EUR per month. Integrations are fairly limited and centre on DATEV, Elster, bank connections and the new API. There are no shop connectors. The main limitation is that Papierkram is not built for companies that must produce balance sheets. Independent tests report no balance sheet or P&L, invoices in euros only, receipt recognition that often needs manual fixes, and a weak mobile app. Support is by email or contact form only, with no phone or live chat.
Our Rating
Who Papierkram is best for
Good fit
Its pricing tiers, EÜR focus and project time tracking are aimed at solo self-employed people in Germany.
Time tracking tied to projects and invoicing from tracked hours suit firms that bill by the hour.
Less suited
- Agencies6/10
Team project work and the employee time report on M and L support small agencies, but reviewers call the jump to team tiers steep.
It suits small German service firms on cash accounting, but not companies that must produce balance sheets.
Reviewers note there are no shop integrations and no inventory features.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Independent testers rate its time tracking with project assignment and invoicing from tracked hours as best in class among German freelancer tools.
- A permanent Free plan covers basic invoicing, receipts and time tracking. Experte.de found it was the only free tier in its test.
- From the S tier it handles German compliance: Elster VAT pre-returns, EÜR, GoBD attestation, XRechnung and ZUGFeRD e-invoices, and DATEV export.
- Reviewers rate the clean interface and quick setup highly, with a setup score of 1.3 on Experte.de.
Cons
- Independent reviews report no balance sheet or P&L, so companies that must produce balance sheets need a tax advisor or another tool.
- Experte.de reports that invoices can only be issued in euros.
- Reviewers say MagicSuggest receipt recognition often needs manual correction and the mobile app is weak.
- Support is by email or contact form only, with no phone or live chat.
- There are few integrations and no e-commerce shop connectors, and the API is in beta and only on M and L.
Key Features
Not included
- Inventory Accounting
- Multi-currency
Papierkram Pricing
Free
- Cash book
- 100 MB storage
- XML e-invoices
- Browser time tracking
- Papierkram logo on documents
- Unlimited receipts, contacts and projects
- Basic quotes and invoices with PDF download
- No bank sync, sending from Papierkram, mobile app or UStVA/EÜR/BWA
S
or €155/year (save 19%)
- 1 user
- 1,000 MB storage
- Up to 2 bank accounts
- Recurring invoices and dunning
- UStVA, EÜR, BWA and Elster XML
- DATEV export and tax advisor access
- Sending documents from Papierkram and mobile app
- MagicSuggest+ AI extraction for up to 15 receipts a month
M
or €299/year (save 17%)
- Up to 5 users
- 2,500 MB storage
- Partial invoices
- Unlimited MagicSuggest+
- Unlimited bank accounts
- Customer portal delivery
- 10,000 REST API (beta) credits
- PayPal and Girocode payment links
- Team project work and employee time report
L
or €599/year (save 17%)
- Everything in M
- Unlimited users
- 10,000 MB storage
- 20,000 REST API (beta) credits
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The Free plan includes basic quotes and invoices, unlimited receipts and contacts, and browser time tracking. It does not include bank sync, tax reports or sending documents from Papierkram.
S, M and L cost 15.90, 29.90 and 59.90 EUR net per month on monthly billing. On annual billing they cost 12.90, 24.90 and 49.90 EUR per month.
You can cancel at the end of the billing term you chose, monthly or annual.
Yes. From the S plan, Papierkram offers tax advisor access and DATEV export.
Yes. It supports XML e-invoices in the XRechnung and ZUGFeRD formats.
A REST API in beta is included with M (10,000 credits) and L (20,000 credits).
From the M plan, invoices can include PayPal payment links and Girocode QR codes.
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