billtano Review 2026: The No-Subscription Invoicing Tool, Tested
Tim Wittke · Updated: Sep 9, 2026
Short verdict
Ideal for
- Self-employed people who invoice only occasionally — seasonally or as a side gig
- Subscription sceptics: pay with prepaid days, nothing to cancel
- Beginners who want a deliberately simple tool without accounting complexity
- Mobile users: full iOS/Android app including a receipt scanner
Not ideal for
- Anyone who needs documented GoBD compliance for an audit
- Freelancers whose accountant expects DATEV files
- People writing invoices regularly rather than occasionally
- Entry price
- Free plan · paid from €3.33 / month
- Free to start?
- Yes — 14 days free, ends automatically (no subscription)
- Stands out for
- Invoicing without a subscription: prepaid usage days instead of a monthly fee — if you only invoice occasionally, you only pay for the days you use
Note (as of 9 September 2026): In early September billtano.com and billtano.de briefly served unrelated content instead of the invoicing software; since 9 September the vendor site is back to normal. We have restored the links and keep watching the vendor. If you want to be safe, export your invoices regularly; alternatives are in our invoicing tools overview.
What is billtano?
billtano is a deliberately simple invoicing tool from Mainz, Germany, with a pricing model that's rare in this market: prepaid usage days instead of a subscription. You buy 30, 90 or 360 days, use every feature without limits during that time — and when the credit expires, your data stays put until you top up again. No notice periods, no subscription trap.
The audience is clear: self-employed people who want to write invoices without adopting a full accounting suite — from side-gig photographers to seasonal businesses.
Features: more than the price suggests
Despite its simple pitch, billtano covers the day-to-day completely: invoices (one-off or recurring with automatic sending), quotes, credit notes, payment reminders and dunning including late fees, expense capture with an in-app receipt scanner, encrypted bank reconciliation and a monthly or yearly P&L overview. There are no limits — unlimited documents, clients and products in every package, web and app included. Hosting is in a German data center, per the vendor.
The limits: GoBD, e-invoicing, pace
The honest constraints: billtano makes no GoBD compliance claim, offers no DATEV export and no accounting depth — it's invoicing, not bookkeeping. E-invoicing support (XRechnung, ZUGFeRD) has been in the app changelog since 2024 but isn't advertised on the website — test it before relying on it for public-sector invoices. And development is visibly unhurried: app updates and blog posts are sparse. The tool works — but factor in the pace if you depend on continuous development.
Who is billtano worth it for?
For occasional invoicers the model is hard to beat: invoice only a few months a year and you pay for exactly that time — and even in continuous use, the 360-day package undercuts almost every subscription. Users rate the apps accordingly (around 4.6–4.7 stars). If you need audit-proofing, DATEV or accounting that grows with you, billingengine or the suites in our invoicing tools overview are the better home.
What we like about billtano and what we don't
Pros
- No subscription — prepaid days only
- 360 days of full features for €39.99
- No limits on invoices, clients or products
- Recurring invoices, dunning and bank reconciliation included
- Strong app ratings — 4.6 and 4.7 stars
Cons
- No documented GoBD compliance
- No DATEV export, no accounting depth
- E-invoicing support unclear, verify first
Pricing
30 days
3,99 €
one-off, excl. VAT — all features
- Unlimited invoices and quotes
- Every feature included
- Top up credit any time
90 days
10,99 €
one-off, excl. VAT — all features
- Like 30 days, cheaper per day
- Web + iOS/Android app
- Bank reconciliation included
360 days
39,99 €
one-off, excl. VAT — about €3.33/month
- Cheapest per-day rate
- Unlimited clients and products
- Dunning incl. late fees
Prices may change — check the official website for current plans.
Alternatives by use case
- Norman If unlimited free e-invoices are the actual need
- Accountable If German tax filing should happen in the same tool
- Zoho Books If invoicing internationally in several currencies
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does billtano cost?
billtano doesn't sell subscriptions but prepaid usage days: 30 days for €3.99, 90 days for €10.99 or 360 days for €39.99 (each excl. VAT, web prices — app-store purchases cost slightly more). All features are always included; when credit runs out your data is kept and you top up when needed. As of July 2026 — check current rates at billtano.de.
Is there a free billtano plan?
No free tier, but a 14-day free trial that ends automatically — no subscription trap. After that, usage starts at €3.99 for 30 days. If you want permanently free, larger providers' free tiers exist but come with limits.
Is billtano GoBD-compliant?
billtano makes no GoBD compliance claim on its website — unlike accounting suites such as sevdesk or Lexware. For occasional invoices with your own tidy filing that is often fine; if you need audit-proof archiving with documentation, pick a tool with certified GoBD compliance.
Can billtano create e-invoices (XRechnung/ZUGFeRD)?
According to the app changelog, billtano has supported ZUGFeRD (EN 16931) plus XRechnung 2.2 and 3 since 2024 — but the website doesn't advertise the feature, and whether current XRechnung versions are kept up to date is unclear. If you regularly invoice German public-sector or corporate clients, test this specifically.
Who does the prepaid model pay off for?
Anyone with fluctuating invoice volume: seasonal businesses, side gigs, landlords, occasional freelancers. Even invoicing year-round, the 360-day package (~€3.33/month) undercuts almost every subscription provider — you just give up the accounting features those would include.
Verdict
billtano occupies a likeable niche: invoicing without a subscription, without limits, at a price no subscription provider undercuts. The prepaid model fits fluctuating workloads perfectly, and features like dunning and recurring invoices are more than the price suggests. The flip side: no GoBD documentation, unclear e-invoicing maintenance and a visibly slow development pace. A fair deal for occasional invoicers — if you're growing or need audit-proofing, pick billingengine or a full accounting suite.
