DATEV product use is connected to a DATEV member relationship.
Businesses should confirm that their tax adviser or other relevant professional can set up and administer the required collaboration before purchasing.
Evidence source ↗
Datev
DATEV is a German software and cloud-services portfolio for accounting, payroll, tax work, and collaboration between professional firms and their clients.
6 key claims verifiedOur editorial team checked this profile against company information, vendor documentation, pricing information. Supported by 4 documented sources.
Editorial overview
Aggregated Overview
DATEV offers a broad accounting, payroll, tax, and document workflow portfolio with cloud services and partner integrations. The scores reflect product evidence and limited visible public review excerpts, not hands-on testing.
This profile combines documented product information and independent evidence where available. It is not a hands-on test unless TechZella explicitly identifies one.
Datev Decision Snapshot
A quick way to understand who this product may suit, where its limits matter, and which facts are most relevant before you compare alternatives.
Best suited to
German businesses and professional firms that need accounting or payroll workflows connected to a DATEV-affiliated tax, legal, or audit practice.
Look elsewhere if
Organizations seeking one universally priced, self-service accounting product may find the portfolio’s product-specific pricing and member-practice relationship requirement difficult to navigate, and should evaluate alternatives such as Lexware Office or sevdesk instead.
Platforms
Google Chrome, iOS, Microsoft Edge, Web, Windows
TechZella assessment
7.3/10
Datev — What Sets It Apart?
These are the product-specific differences that may matter when deciding whether the software fits your workflow. They are based on documented evidence rather than a universal ranking.
- DATEV Unternehmen online supports document and data exchange between a business and its tax adviser, while broader DATEV products cover bookkeeping, payroll, tax, and professional-practice workflows.
- DATEV’s data services transfer structured information and digital documents between DATEV products and external partner software through the DATEV Cloud.
Datev Pros & Cons
Pros
- Supports collaboration between businesses and DATEV-affiliated professional firms.
- Offers accounting, payroll, tax, and business-administration products within one vendor portfolio.
- Provides documented data services and APIs for selected partner integrations.
- Publishes product-specific pricing schedules and system requirements.
Cons
- Pricing and capabilities vary across numerous separate DATEV products.
- DATEV states that product use is tied to working with a DATEV member.
- The web applicationu2019s recommended browser and operating-system conditions should be checked before deployment.
- A general public free trial was not verified in the sources reviewed.
Datev Gotchas & Operational Limits
These are documented constraints or practical friction points that may matter before you adopt the product.
DATEV Unternehmen online requires an assigned access credential and a DATEV account.
Users may need their adviser to arrange access, and permissions are administered through the professional firm’s rights-management process.
Evidence source ↗DATEV presents separate prices for different applications and add-ons.
The listed monthly fee for Unternehmen online is not a full-portfolio price; buyers should scope needed products and access devices.
Evidence source ↗Datev Pricing & Plans
DATEV Unternehmen online
€11.56
month
Monthly price listed for 2026. Other DATEV products and supplementary services are priced separately. Product use is tied to collaboration with a DATEV member.
Check current pricing →Pricing may change. Verify current plans on the vendor's website.
Quick Comparison
Compare the product with documented alternatives across the factors that can change a buying decision. Each row is evidence-backed rather than a generic feature checklist.
Datev vs. Lexware Office
Documented comparison| Decision factor | Datev | Lexware Office |
|---|---|---|
| Core scope | DATEV offers a portfolio spanning bookkeeping, payroll, tax, and collaboration with professional firms. | Lexware Office offers cloud accounting plans, with bookkeeping, annual accounts, and VAT features varying by tier. Source ↗ |
| Pricing model | DATEV Unternehmen online is listed at €11.56 per month from 2026; other products are priced separately. | Lexware Office lists tiered monthly prices and states that plans are cancellable monthly. Source ↗ |
| Professional collaboration | DATEV product use is tied to collaboration with a DATEV member. | Lexware Office describes both self-managed bookkeeping and cooperation with a tax office. Source ↗ |
| Trial | The sources reviewed describe DATEV pilot programs for selected users, not a general public trial of the full portfolio. | Lexware Office advertises a 30-day free trial. Source ↗ |
Datev vs. sevdesk
Documented comparison| Decision factor | Datev | sevdesk |
|---|---|---|
| Core scope | DATEV’s portfolio includes professional-practice and client-facing accounting, payroll, and tax workflows. | sevdesk focuses on cloud invoicing and bookkeeping for self-employed people and small businesses. Source ↗ |
| Pricing model | DATEV Unternehmen online is listed at €11.56 per month from 2026; other products are priced separately. | sevdesk lists a free plan and paid monthly tiers; displayed prices can vary with contract duration and promotions. Source ↗ |
| Professional collaboration | DATEV product use is tied to collaboration with a DATEV member. | sevdesk documents adviser access and DATEV-related integrations for customer bookkeeping workflows. Source ↗ |
| API | DATEV provides APIs and data services for integrations with its software ecosystem; access follows developer registration, API subscription, sandbox work, and production review. | sevdesk includes its REST API in the Buchhaltung Pro plan. Source ↗ |
Only factors supported by the available research are shown. The comparison is descriptive, not a ranking.
Datev Competitors & Alternatives
Compare similar products directly, then see which alternatives may make more sense when your requirements differ.
At a glance
Accounting Software| Decision factor | Datev | Lexware Office | sevdesk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core scope | DATEV offers a portfolio spanning bookkeeping, payroll, tax, and collaboration with professional firms. | Lexware Office offers cloud accounting plans, with bookkeeping, annual accounts, and VAT features varying by tier. Source ↗ | sevdesk focuses on cloud invoicing and bookkeeping for self-employed people and small businesses. Source ↗ |
| Pricing model | DATEV Unternehmen online is listed at €11.56 per month from 2026; other products are priced separately. | Lexware Office lists tiered monthly prices and states that plans are cancellable monthly. Source ↗ | sevdesk lists a free plan and paid monthly tiers; displayed prices can vary with contract duration and promotions. Source ↗ |
| Professional collaboration | DATEV product use is tied to collaboration with a DATEV member. | Lexware Office describes both self-managed bookkeeping and cooperation with a tax office. Source ↗ | sevdesk documents adviser access and DATEV-related integrations for customer bookkeeping workflows. Source ↗ |
| Trial | The sources reviewed describe DATEV pilot programs for selected users, not a general public trial of the full portfolio. | Lexware Office advertises a 30-day free trial. Source ↗ | Not documented |
| API | DATEV provides APIs and data services for integrations with its software ecosystem; access follows developer registration, API subscription, sandbox work, and production review. | Not documented | sevdesk includes its REST API in the Buchhaltung Pro plan. Source ↗ |
Only factors supported by the available research are shown. The comparison is descriptive, not a ranking.
Direct competitors
These products address broadly similar requirements. The descriptions focus on documented reasons a buyer might compare them with Datev.
Lexware OfficeDocumented difference - Core scope: Lexware Office offers cloud accounting plans, with bookkeeping, annual accounts, and VAT features varying by tier.
Overview
DATEV eG is a German cooperative founded in 1966. Its software and cloud services support tax advisers, auditors, lawyers, and their clients with accounting, payroll, tax, and business administration workflows.
DATEV is a portfolio rather than one software package with one price. DATEV Unternehmen online is a browser-based application for exchanging documents and data with a professional firm. DATEV says product use is tied to working with a DATEV member.
Datev Features
Accounting and business records
- Digital exchange of documents and data with a tax adviser
- Processing and archiving received e-invoices
- Electronic storage of documents and reports
- Cash-record workflows
Payments and banking
- Payment document and order workflows
- Bank-account transaction access through PIN/TAN, EBICS, and collective procedures
Integrations and APIs
- DATEV data services for exchanging structured data and documents with partner software
- Developer APIs with sandbox testing and production technical review
Demo & Screenshots
Datev Specifications
| Vendor | DATEV eG |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Paumgartnerstraße 6–14, 90429 Nürnberg, Germany |
| Founded | 1966 |
| Organization type | Registered cooperative |
| Hosting | DATEV cloud and data center for online applications |
| Browser support | DATEV Unternehmen online is optimized for Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge |
| Operating-system context | DATEV Unternehmen online documents Windows and Apple iOS usage; installed DATEV programs have separate system requirements |
| API | DATEV Developer Portal APIs and data services; production API connection requires technical review |
| Free trial | No general public trial verified; DATEV documents selected-user pilot programs |
| Access | DATEV account and configured SmartLogin or mIDentity/SmartCard access, depending on workflow |
| Pricing | DATEV Unternehmen online listed at €11.56 per month from 2026 |
Deployment & System Footprint
Verified installation, hosting, administration, or environment details that can affect implementation.
| Installation or hosting | DATEV Unternehmen online is accessed through an internet browser and uses DATEV’s data center for document exchange and storage. Other DATEV programs may require local or network installation. Source ↗ |
|---|
Migration & Lock-In
Documented portability, standards, export, or switching considerations. No switching-cost score is shown unless the evidence supports one.
Data portability
DATEV data services support automated transfers of structured data and digital documents between DATEV and connected partner software. Public evidence reviewed did not establish a general, one-click migration service for moving a complete account to or from DATEV.
Evidence source ↗Our evidence-based assessment
TechZella Score
A proprietary editorial score based on product capabilities, usability, value, performance, support and user sentiment evidence.
7.3/10Moderate confidence
DATEV offers a broad accounting, payroll, tax, and document workflow portfolio with cloud services and partner integrations. The scores reflect product evidence and limited visible public review excerpts, not hands-on testing.
Methodology v1.0. The assessment weighs feature coverage (25%), ease of use (15%), value for money (20%), performance (15%), support (10%) and user sentiment (15%), using researched product evidence and verified review evidence where available. It is a TechZella editorial assessment, not a direct user-review average.
Editorial transparency
Our Review Methodology
Key claims are linked to the sources used to verify them. This evidence record is separate from third-party user ratings.
TechZella evaluates software using documented product capabilities, pricing information, usability and value considerations, independent user evidence where available, and competitive context. The assessment is an editorial review, not a hands-on test unless one is explicitly identified. Our editorial assessment is based on 4 documented sources.
What TechZella adds
- DATEV Unternehmen online supports document and data exchange between a business and its tax adviser, while broader DATEV products cover bookkeeping, payroll, tax, and professional-practice workflows.
- DATEV’s data services transfer structured information and digital documents between DATEV products and external partner software through the DATEV Cloud.
Important limitations
- Use of DATEV products and services is tied to working with a DATEV member, such as a tax adviser or lawyer.
- The DATEV brand covers many separately priced products, so the price of one cloud application does not represent the cost of a full accounting or payroll setup.
- DATEV Unternehmen online is optimized for Chrome and Edge; DATEV documents narrower conditions for use on macOS.
Evidence-backed claimsDATEV eG was founded in 1966. DATEV Unternehmen online is priced at €11.56 monthly from 2026. DATEV Unternehmen online supports digital document exchange and processing of received e-invoices. DATEV data services connect DATEV software with third-party programs. DATEV Unternehmen online is optimized for Chrome and Edge. DATEV products and services are linked to collaboration with a DATEV member.
DATEV’s history page states that the cooperative was founded on February 14, 1966.
View source ↗Verified 2026-10-18DATEV’s product page lists the monthly price; its price overview identifies that amount for the 2026 price schedule.
View source ↗Verified 2026-10-18The product page describes document exchange, processing of received e-invoices, payments, and document archiving.
View source ↗Verified 2026-10-18DATEV describes automated transfers of structured data and documents through its cloud in either direction for some services.
View source ↗Verified 2026-10-18DATEV identifies Chrome and Microsoft Edge as the optimized browsers and documents Windows and Apple iOS usage.
View source ↗Verified 2026-10-18The product listing says use is tied to collaboration with a DATEV member, such as a tax adviser or lawyer.
View source ↗Verified 2026-10-18FAQ
What does DATEV do? DATEV provides software and cloud services for accounting, payroll, tax work, and related workflows used by professional firms and their clients.
How much does DATEV cost? Prices differ by product. DATEV Unternehmen online is listed at €11.56 per month from 2026; this does not represent the price of the full DATEV portfolio.
Does DATEV offer a free trial? DATEV documents pilot programs for selected users to test product versions. The sources reviewed did not confirm a general public trial for the full product range.
Does DATEV have an API? Yes. DATEV provides a developer portal with APIs and instructions for building and testing integrations. Production access involves a technical review.
Which platforms support DATEV Unternehmen online? It is browser-based and optimized for Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. DATEV documents Windows and Apple iOS usage; exact support conditions depend on the application and access method.
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