billtano Review 2026: The No-Subscription Invoicing Tool, Tested
Tim Wittke · Updated: Sep 5, 2026
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
USP
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
Free to start?
Yes — 14 days free, ends automatically (no subscription)
Notice (as of 5 September 2026): The domains billtano.com and billtano.de no longer serve invoicing software but unrelated adult content. We have removed every link to the vendor and are checking whether billtano has been discontinued. Until then: do not sign up; existing users should export their invoices. See our overview of invoicing tools for alternatives.
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 & Cons
Pros
- No subscription: buy prepaid days, use them, done — data survives even without credit
- Unbeatably cheap: 360 days for €39.99 (net) with every feature
- No limits on invoices, clients or products
- Recurring invoices, dunning and bank reconciliation despite the simple scope
- Good app ratings (App Store ~4.6, Google Play ~4.7)
Cons
- No documented GoBD compliance — the wrong pick for strict German audit requirements
- E-invoicing (XRechnung/ZUGFeRD) listed in the app changelog since 2024 but not advertised on the website — verify before relying on it
- Visibly slow development pace: recent app updates and blog posts are sparse
- No DATEV export, no accounting depth — deliberately invoicing only
Pricing
30 days
3,99 €
one-off, excl. VAT — all features
- Unlimited invoices and quotes
- Every feature included
- Top up credit any time
- Data is kept after expiry
90 days
10,99 €
one-off, excl. VAT — all features
- Like 30 days, cheaper per day
- Web + iOS/Android app
- Bank reconciliation included
- Monthly/yearly P&L overview
360 days
39,99 €
one-off, excl. VAT — about €3.33/month
- Cheapest per-day rate
- Unlimited clients and products
- Dunning incl. late fees
- Recurring invoices
Prices may change — check the official website for current plans.
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.
