Best XRechnung Service Providers in Germany: A 2026 Comparison
Germany’s e-invoicing mandate is tightening. Since January 2025, every German business must be able to receive electronic invoices. By January 2027, companies with turnover above EUR 800,000 must issue them. By January 2028, it applies to everyone.
If you’re looking for an XRechnung service provider in Germany, the options range from enterprise platforms costing thousands per month to simple SaaS tools you can set up in minutes. This guide compares the main providers so you can find the right fit for your business.
What Is XRechnung?
XRechnung is Germany’s standard format for electronic invoices. It’s an XML-based format maintained by KoSIT (the Coordination Office for IT Standards in Bremen) and is mandatory for B2G (business-to-government) invoicing in Germany. For B2B transactions, both XRechnung and ZUGFeRD are accepted.
XRechnung is aligned with the European standard EN 16931 and is compatible with the Peppol network — meaning an XRechnung invoice can be delivered through Peppol to recipients across Europe.
What to Look for in an XRechnung Provider
Before comparing providers, here’s what matters:
- Format support: Does it handle XRechnung AND other formats (ZUGFeRD, Peppol BIS, Factur-X)? You’ll need multiple formats if you trade internationally.
- Peppol connectivity: Can the provider send and receive through the Peppol network? This is how invoices are actually delivered.
- Ease of setup: Enterprise platforms can take months to implement. SME tools should be ready in minutes.
- Integration: Does it connect to your accounting software or ERP? Or can you use it standalone?
- Pricing: Some providers charge per invoice, others per month, others require annual enterprise contracts.
- Cross-border capability: If you invoice customers in Belgium, France, Austria, or Switzerland, you need multi-country support.
Provider Comparison
Enterprise / Large Business
SAP SE
- Best for: Large enterprises already in the SAP ecosystem
- Pricing: Enterprise (custom)
- Formats: XRechnung, ZUGFeRD, Peppol BIS, EDI
- Peppol: Yes (AP certified)
- Setup: Weeks to months (ERP integration)
- Verdict: The default for large German companies, but overkill for SMEs
SEEBURGER AG
- Best for: B2B integration and supply chain
- Pricing: Enterprise (custom)
- Formats: All major formats
- Peppol: Yes (AP certified)
- Setup: Weeks (integration project)
- Verdict: Strong for complex EDI/B2B scenarios, not suited for simple invoicing
DATEV
- Best for: German accountants and their SME clients
- Pricing: Subscription via tax advisor
- Formats: XRechnung, ZUGFeRD
- Peppol: Limited
- Setup: Through your tax advisor
- Verdict: Dominant in the German tax advisor ecosystem. If your Steuerberater uses DATEV, this may be your default path — but it ties you to the DATEV ecosystem
Mid-Market / SME
Storecove
- Best for: SaaS vendors and developers needing an API
- Pricing: From approximately EUR 495/month
- Formats: Peppol BIS, XRechnung, ZUGFeRD, UBL, 30+ country formats
- Peppol: Yes (AP certified, 40+ countries)
- Setup: Days (API integration)
- Verdict: Excellent multi-country API platform, but expensive for SMEs who just need to send invoices. Developer-oriented.
tapr.ch (Grynn GmbH)
- Best for: DACH SMEs needing simple, multi-country e-invoicing
- Pricing: Free plan available. Paid plans from €30/month (Starter) to €1,000/month (Enterprise)
- Formats: XRechnung, ZUGFeRD, Peppol BIS 3.0, Factur-X, UBL EN16931, SwissDIGIN
- Peppol: Yes (licensed ASP, one of only 3 in Switzerland)
- Setup: Under 10 minutes, with pre-built ERP integrations
- Cross-border: 40+ countries, ideal for DACH companies trading in Belgium, France, Germany
- Verdict: The most accessible option for businesses of any size. Multi-format, multi-country, fraction of the cost of enterprise or API platforms. Swiss-native with DACH focus.
Billomat
- Best for: German freelancers and micro-businesses
- Pricing: Freemium + paid plans
- Formats: XRechnung, ZUGFeRD
- Peppol: Limited
- Setup: Minutes
- Verdict: Good for simple domestic German invoicing, but limited on cross-border and Peppol connectivity
Qonto
- Best for: Freelancers who want banking + invoicing bundled
- Pricing: Free to EUR 99/month (part of banking plans)
- Formats: XRechnung, ZUGFeRD
- Peppol: Yes (certified)
- Setup: Minutes (part of account setup)
- Verdict: Convenient if you already use Qonto for banking. Not a standalone invoicing solution.
API / Developer Platforms
B2Brouter
- Best for: SMEs wanting a free entry point
- Pricing: Freemium + paid
- Formats: Peppol BIS, UBL
- Peppol: Yes
- Setup: Minutes
- Verdict: Spain-based, broad EU coverage. Free tier is limited. Less DACH-specific support.
Comparison Table
| Provider | Target | XRechnung | ZUGFeRD | Peppol | Countries | Setup Time | Price/Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAP | Enterprise | Yes | Yes | Yes | Global | Weeks+ | EUR 1,000+ |
| SEEBURGER | Enterprise | Yes | Yes | Yes | Global | Weeks | Custom |
| DATEV | SME (via advisor) | Yes | Yes | Limited | DE | Via advisor | Subscription |
| Storecove | Developers/ISVs | Yes | Yes | Yes | 40+ | Days | EUR 495+ |
| tapr.ch | SME | Yes | Yes | Yes | 40+ | 10 min | Free – €1,000 |
| Billomat | Freelancers | Yes | Yes | Limited | DE | Minutes | Freemium |
| Qonto | Freelancers | Yes | Yes | Yes | EU | Minutes | Free–99 |
| B2Brouter | SME | Via UBL | No | Yes | EU | Minutes | Freemium |
Which Provider Is Right for You?
Choose SAP or SEEBURGER if: You’re a large enterprise with complex supply chains and existing ERP infrastructure.
Choose DATEV if: Your German tax advisor already uses DATEV and you want them to handle e-invoicing for you.
Choose Storecove if: You’re a software vendor building Peppol into your own product and need an API.
Choose tapr.ch if: You’re an SME in Germany, Switzerland, or Austria that needs to send compliant e-invoices to customers across Europe — quickly, affordably, and without an IT project. Especially if you trade cross-border.
Choose Billomat or Qonto if: You’re a freelancer or micro-business with simple, domestic German invoicing needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is XRechnung the same as Peppol?
No. XRechnung is a format (how the invoice data is structured). Peppol is a network (how the invoice is delivered). You can send an XRechnung-formatted invoice through the Peppol network. tapr.ch handles both.
Do I need XRechnung for B2B invoicing in Germany?
For B2B, both XRechnung and ZUGFeRD are accepted. For B2G (invoicing government entities), XRechnung is mandatory. A provider that supports both formats gives you full coverage.
Can I use a Swiss provider for German XRechnung?
Yes. Peppol is an international network. A Swiss-based access point like tapr.ch can send XRechnung-compliant invoices to any German business on the Peppol network. The format is standardized — it doesn’t matter where the provider is based.
What if my customers aren’t on Peppol yet?
For now, you can still send PDF invoices. But the direction is clear: Germany is phasing in mandatory e-invoicing through 2028. Getting Peppol-ready now means you’re prepared when your customers catch up. tapr.ch lets you start for free — paid plans from €30/month.
How does tapr.ch compare to enterprise solutions?
tapr.ch is built for businesses that want speed. No implementation project, no consultants, no six-month timeline. You sign up, register your VAT number, and start sending. For the 95% of businesses that don’t need SAP-level complexity, it’s a better fit at a fraction of the cost.
Get Started
Ready to send XRechnung-compliant e-invoices from Germany, Switzerland, or Austria?
Try tapr.ch free — set up in under 10 minutes, no credit card required.
Last updated: March 2026. Pricing and mandate details subject to change. Verify current requirements with your local tax authority.