Shine and Lexware are invoicing solutions for freelancers and small businesses in Germany. Here, you’ll find a clear overview of what each software offers so you can determine which option best fits your business needs.
Both Shine and Lexware offer a wide range of invoicing features for freelancers and small businesses, but there are some key differences.
While Lexware provides nearly uniform capabilities across its M, L, and XL plans, users of the S plan cannot create invoices or quotes at all. Shine also stands out by allowing users to write invoices in English and use other currencies – particularly useful for freelancers and small businesses working across borders.
All freelancers and small businesses working in B2B in Germany will have to switch to e-invoicing over the next few years. When you need to make the switch depends on your business’s income. Shine allows all users to create and receive e-invoices in every plan now.
Lexware’s S plan can only receive e-invoices, not create them. So if your business is already required to issue e-invoices in Germany, you’ll need at least the M plan to remain compliant.
In this area, you’ll find some significant differences between Shine and Lexware. While Lexware allows users to record nearly unlimited receipts, Shine offers an email scout function that helps users find receipts and set reminders so none are forgotten. These features ensure that Shine users can stay on top of their receipts – even if they don’t scan or record them the moment they receive them.
Being able to grasp your financial situation at a glance is key to running a healthy business. In this area, Shine and Lexware are the same. Both provide financial dashboards in every plan by default, giving founders and small businesses (Kleinunternehmer) clear insights into their growth right from the start.
The service experience differs between Shine and Lexware, especially when it comes to phone assistance. Lexware provides telephone support across all its plans, whereas Shine offers prioritised phone support specifically for Plus customers, ensuring their questions and issues are handled as quickly as possible.
Shine and Lexware both offer solid solutions for freelancers and small businesses, but Shine provides more flexibility from the start, with invoices and quotes included in the Free plan.
Additionally, if you’re looking for faster customer service as you upgrade to more comprehensive plans, Shine offers prioritised support.
Questions about Shine? Here you’ll find some answers. If your question isn’t covered, our customer support team will be happy to help.
Shine is a European financial platform designed to simplify day-to-day business administration for freelancers and small businesses. It combines tools for invoicing, estimates and accounting in one intuitive online platform, so entrepreneurs can spend less time on administrative tasks and more time on their work.
Lexware is a German software company and brand that develops business and financial software primarily for self-employed people, freelancers, startups, and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It’s especially well known in the German-speaking market for tools that simplify accounting, bookkeeping, payroll, invoicing, tax compliance, and other administrative business tasks.
No, you’re not legally required to issue invoices in English or in foreign currencies. Invoices can be issued in your local language and currency. However, many foreign clients prefer English invoices and familiar currencies, so offering them can simplify communication and payment.
You may not have all your receipts organised in one place when it’s time to do your taxes. One of the best places to start looking is usually your email inbox. Shine’s email receipt capture function is a simple and useful feature that searches your inbox for receipts for tax-deductible items such as software subscriptions, travel expenses, or mobile phone costs, and compiles them for you. This saves you time and reduces manual work.
Shine Plus users benefit from prioritised support. For this, they receive a different telephone number to call. Their calls are automatically moved to the front of the queue, to ensure the fastest answers possible.