Need before provider
A provider only becomes useful when activity, status, budget, risk or next step shows a real need.
Providers & Tools
Check providers only after you know what you need
Business account, bookkeeping, tax adviser, loan, insurance or tool? This page sorts commercial areas without selling every founder the same must-have stack.
Some links may be affiliate links. The orientation should still start from need: activity, risk, legal form, budget, bookkeeping and next steps.
How recommendations are formed
No provider should come before your actual need.
The provider sections are deliberately built as orientation. They should show when a category can become relevant and what to check before opening a provider.
Make fit and limits visible
Provider data includes target group, strengths, limitations, cost notes, affiliate status and a check date.
No paid ranking
Affiliate program or commission should not decide whether a provider fits. Better fit should come before better monetization.
The user decides
The page gives orientation, but it does not sign anything for you. With money, taxes, law or insurance, your own check remains decisive.
Decision areas
Check providers only where they really fit
Each area explains the need. If you are not sure whether it is relevant for you, the start plan gets you to the right priority faster.
Separate your cash flows
Setting up a business account
For keeping income, expenses, reserves, bookkeeping, and future tax overviews clearly separate.
5 options3 paths
Can become relevant if
- you are expecting your first income
- personal and business expenses are getting mixed up
- you want to prepare cleanly for bookkeeping or a tax advisor (Steuerberater)
Do not buy too early
Not every small sole proprietorship (Einzelunternehmen) needs an expensive account right away, but separating finances should be sorted out early.
Matching guides
Provider preview
First checked options from the matching topic hub.
FINOM · FINOM Solo
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from €8.99/month in the paid plan
An affordable digital entry point combining account, cards, invoicing, e-invoicing, and accounting integrations in one system.
FYRST · FYRST Base
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from €6/month in the paid plan
A more traditional German banking feel, if you prefer to handle bookkeeping and invoicing separately.
Holvi · Holvi Flex
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from €9/month in the paid plan
A digital admin hub for account, invoices, receipts, and an overview — especially suited to manageable transaction volumes.
Some links may be affiliate links. This preview is not a complete market overview and not an individual recommendation.
Invoices & Receipts
Set Up Bookkeeping
For invoices, receipts, income-surplus accounting (EÜR), VAT topics, e-invoicing, and keeping track of profitability.
5 options3 paths
Can become relevant if
- you regularly write invoices
- expenses arise from receipts, tools, or platform fees
- you want to prepare for your EÜR (income-surplus statement) or working with a tax advisor
Do not buy too early
No tool replaces a solid basic understanding. First clarify which receipts, invoices, and reports you actually need.
Matching guides
Provider preview
First checked options from the matching topic hub.
Papierkram · Papierkram Free
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from €9.90/month in the paid plan
A good fit for very small starts where you want to structure invoices and receipts simply and don't yet need a full bookkeeping solution.
sevDesk · sevDesk Buchhaltung
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from €11.90/month in the paid plan
A good fit if you want to manage invoices, receipts, and reports digitally on a regular basis and prefer a modern tool.
Lexware · Lexware Office S
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from €7.90/month
A good fit if you want an established tool with tax advisor integration, DATEV compatibility, and a structure that can grow with you.
Some links may be affiliate links. This preview is not a complete market overview and not an individual recommendation.
Professional Help
Tax Advisor or Software?
For questions where VAT (Umsatzsteuer), legal structure, growth, platforms, or uncertainty make starting a side business in Germany more complicated.
4 options3 paths
Can become relevant if
- you are planning a UG or GmbH (limited liability company structures), VAT registration, or multiple platforms
- you have little time for bookkeeping
- you prefer an initial consultation rather than a trial-and-error approach
Do not buy too early
Not every small start immediately requires an ongoing mandate with a tax advisor. Often, clear preparation is enough to begin with.
Matching guides
Provider preview
First checked options from the matching topic hub.
Ageras · Ageras Steuerberater-Matching
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free entry possible
A good fit if you want to compare multiple offers and are not yet sure which firm suits your situation.
Steuerberater.com · Steuerberater.com Steuerberater-Suche
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check conditions directly
A good fit if you want to use a tax advisor search as a starting point and compare regional or specialist results.
Kleinunternehmer Kanzlei · Kleinunternehmer Kanzlei Digital
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from €19/month
Better suited for small sole traders or freelancers looking for digital help with straightforward cases.
Some links may be affiliate links. This preview is not a complete market overview and not an individual recommendation.
Financing
Loan, Funding, or Own Capital?
For capital needs, liquidity, leasing, grants, and payment defaults — without promoting credit as the default solution.
5 options3 paths
Can become relevant if
- Start-up costs or equipment cannot be covered from your own funds
- You need liquidity for materials, inventory, tools, or upfront financing
- You want to check available funding programs before spending
Do not buy too early
Financing options should only be evaluated after carefully considering your capital needs, repayment ability, and risks — not as a shortcut.
Matching guides
Provider preview
First checked options from the matching topic hub.
KfW (über Finanzierungspartner) · KfW ERP-Förderkredit Gründung und Nachfolge 077
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check conditions directly
A good starting point if you want to explore subsidized funding logic and can allow time for the application, your Hausbank (house bank), or a financing partner.
iwoca · iwoca Flexi-Kredit
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check conditions directly
Better suited for flexible working capital needs when there is already business activity and repayment capacity is realistic.
smava · smava Kreditvergleich
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check conditions directly
Better suited if you want to compare loan options and first need an overview of possible terms and conditions.
Some links may be affiliate links. This preview is not a complete market overview and not an individual recommendation.
Manage Your Risk
Review Insurance Based on Your Risk Profile
Covers liability, financial losses, goods, premises, consulting, digital risks, and the Berufsgenossenschaft (statutory accident insurance).
5 options2 paths
Can become relevant if
- Customers, goods, premises, or consulting activities create a risk of damage or loss
- Contracts require proof of insurance
- You want to assess your risks before taking on your first major client
Do not buy too early
Insurance is not a one-size-fits-all package. Your needs depend heavily on your specific activity, your clients, and the potential extent of any damage.
Matching guides
Provider preview
First checked options from the matching topic hub.
exali · exali IT-Haftpflicht / Berufshaftpflicht für IT-Dienstleister
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check conditions directly
More suitable for IT, media, consulting, or freelancer risks where financial losses (Vermögensschäden) and digital activities may play a role.
Hiscox · Hiscox Berufshaftpflichtversicherung
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from €11.25/month
More suitable for digital service providers, consulting, marketing, coaching, or similar activities with an online application process.
Allianz · Allianz Berufshaftpflicht
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quote depends on the case
More suitable if you prefer personal advice, an established insurer, and an individual review of your offer.
Some links may be affiliate links. This preview is not a complete market overview and not an individual recommendation.
Tools & Systems
Website, Shop, CRM and Tools
For visibility, sales, customer management, invoices, newsletters and streamlined processes.
6 options3 paths
Can become relevant if
- you want to become visible online or start selling
- leads, inquiries or customer contacts are becoming hard to keep track of
- you need repeatable workflows instead of tool chaos
Do not buy too early
A tool only makes sense if it solves a specific problem. Too many subscriptions can quickly make a small start more difficult.
Matching guides
Provider preview
First checked options from the matching topic hub.
Wix · Wix Website-Builder
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free entry possible
A good fit if you need a simple website or landing page quickly, without launching a complex web project right away.
Webflow · Webflow Website-Builder
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free entry possible
A better fit if design, positioning, and a higher-quality website matter more to you, and you are willing to invest more time in getting started.
Brevo · Brevo (vormals Sendinblue) — Newsletter & E-Mail-Marketing
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from €7/month in the paid plan
A good fit if newsletters or repeated customer communication are genuinely part of your model and you want to consider a European-based tool.
Some links may be affiliate links. This preview is not a complete market overview and not an individual recommendation.
Not sure what you need?
Sort your case first, then check providers
An account, tool or provider only makes sense when it fits your model. The start plan first asks about activity, status, budget, legal form and next step.