Top 10 Alternatives to Kontist

In this article, we will explore alternatives to Kontist, a business banking service designed for self-employed individuals in Germany. Kontist offers a comprehensive suite of services, including a business bank account, automated bookkeeping, and business tax returns, all managed through a single app. Let's dive into other options that provide similar benefits for freelancers and self-employed professionals.

Reviews

Users have shared a mix of positive and negative feedback about Kontist. Many appreciate the ease of use and the comprehensive features that cater specifically to the needs of self-employed individuals. The automated bookkeeping and real-time tax tracking are particularly praised for their convenience. However, some users have expressed frustration with customer service and occasional technical issues. Overall, while the platform is lauded for its helpful features, there are areas where improvements could be made.

• "The best thing about Kontist is that I can see immediately after each transaction how much is left for me and how much goes to the tax office. This saves me from nasty surprises when I file my tax return." - Deva Noori Lehmann
• "I feel very well taken care of and can wholeheartedly recommend Kontist." - Chiara Bachmann

For more detailed reviews, visit Trustpilot.

Best alternatives to Kontist

1. OneSafe

OneSafe is a financial technology company offering a blend of traditional and Web3 financial services, providing comprehensive account services tailored for companies operating in both fiat and cryptocurrencies.

• Features: Simple onboarding, global payments, corporate cards, multi-currency support, global accounts, seamless payments, state-of-the-art security measures.
• Pricing: Account opening is free, no minimum balance, no monthly fees, corporate cards and invoices included, US domestic payments at 0.1% fee, Sepa payments at 0.2% fee, international wires at 0.2% fee + $25 Swift, Fedwire at $20, FX fee on corporate cards at 1%, USDT transactions at 0.1%, fiat to crypto conversion included.
• Testimonials: Users praise OneSafe for its exceptional customer support and seamless financial solutions. Many highlight its efficiency in managing payroll and expenses, making it an essential tool for Web3 companies. For more details, visit the OneSafe website.

2. Countingup

Countingup offers a business account service designed for self-employed individuals and small businesses in the UK. It allows users to open an account online in under 5 minutes, manage their finances, create and send invoices, and handle bookkeeping and tax-related tasks through an integrated app.

• Features: Quick account setup, payment acceptance via UK bank-to-bank transfers, international transfers, and card payments, create and send unlimited professional invoices for free with payment alerts, automatic categorization of expenses, real-time tax insights, secure data sharing with accountants.
• Pricing: Free 3-month trial, then tiered monthly subscription fees based on deposit amounts: £3/month for deposits £0 – £750, £9/month for deposits £750 – £7,500, £18/month for unlimited deposits. Additional transaction fees include 30p for account transfers and direct debits, 3% for foreign transactions, £1 per ATM withdrawal, 0.5% (minimum £2) for Post Office cash loads, 3% for PayPoint cash loads, and £5 for a replacement card.
• Testimonials: Users generally appreciate the ease of use and comprehensive features of Countingup. One user mentioned, "I love to use them. It's easy to follow up on the expenses and profits, and there's a tax pot to which the tax money can be added." However, another user expressed frustration, stating, "For the 2nd time in a month acc has been blocked... they leave you with no answer no way to phone them and no way to take payments." For more detailed reviews, visit Trustpilot.

3. Payhawk

Payhawk is a comprehensive spend management platform designed for multi-national businesses. It combines company cards, international bank payments, accounts payable with purchase orders, expense management, bank accounts in dedicated currencies, and leading integrations with ERP and accounting software into one system. The platform offers real-time visibility and control over operational spend, reduces manual work, and speeds up month-end closing.

• Features: Global card program, multilingual AI-powered data extraction, fast payments and reimbursements, multi-entity dashboard and group controls, market-leading ERP integrations, highly customizable expense coding and categorization, advanced expense management, customer success and support.
• Pricing: Payhawk offers several pricing plans:
  • Premium Cards: Includes dedicated bank accounts, Visa credit and debit cards, virtual and physical cards, advanced card controls, carbon emissions tracking, automatic expense creation, automated reconciliation, and accounting software integrations.
  • All-In-One Spend: Combines all Premium Cards features plus expense management, free domestic reimbursements, end-to-end invoice management, advanced approval workflow, budget tracking, and a dedicated customer success manager.
  • Enterprise: Includes all All-In-One Spend features plus purchase orders with 3-way matching, multi-entity dashboard, enterprise accounting integrations, HR integrations, and SSO/SAML authentication.
  • Growth Program: Available for businesses with less than 50 employees registered in EEA or UK/I, priced at £149/month for 24 months.
  • Common Features: Unlimited users, transactions, and document processing, cashback on card spend, user-friendly app and web portal, dedicated implementation manager, live chat and multilingual support, AI-driven receipt scanner for 60+ languages.
• Testimonials: Users generally appreciate the efficiency and support provided by Payhawk. One user mentioned, "Excellent product & support. This is a great payment platform for automated online billing. It has made our bookkeeping so much easier and reduced the administrative time required." However, another user expressed frustration, stating, "Payhawk changed their business focus to larger customers and gave me ten business days' notice to close my account. It's just a terrible way to treat and end a relationship with a customer, after 2 years." For more detailed reviews, visit Trustpilot.

4. Novo

Novo offers online business checking accounts with no hidden fees, no minimum balance requirements, and 100% online accessibility. The service includes free ACH transfers, free incoming wires, secure payments, and free virtual and physical debit cards. Novo also provides tools for invoicing, bookkeeping, budgeting, and funding, along with personalized customer service.

• Features: No hidden fees, no minimum balance requirements, 100% online management, free ACH transfers, free incoming wires, free virtual and physical debit cards, ATM fee reimbursement up to $7/month, AI-powered bookkeeping, automated budgeting tools, exclusive partner discounts, integrations with top business tools, personalized customer service, FDIC insurance up to $250,000.
• Pricing: Novo offers a straightforward pricing model with no hidden fees. There are no monthly maintenance fees, no minimum balance requirements, and no fees for ACH transfers or incoming wires. ATM fee reimbursements are available up to $7 per month.
• Testimonials: Users generally appreciate Novo for its ease of use and small business-friendly features. One user, Lisa Benson, praised Novo as a "game-changer" for its intuitive platform and supportive services. However, another user, Clean Sweep, expressed frustration over account closure due to inactivity and poor customer service. For more detailed reviews, visit Trustpilot.

5. Fiducial Banque

FIDUCIAL Banque offers an online banking service specifically designed for professionals, including SMEs, entrepreneurs, and other professional entities. The service includes a dedicated advisor, a wide range of banking services, and competitive pricing starting from 12€ HT/month.

• Features: Dedicated advisor, banking license from ACPR, comprehensive payment methods including CB, cheques, SEPA transfers, international transfers, and cash, complete range of services tailored for professionals, 24/7 online account management and mobile application, transparent pricing with no hidden fees, 100% French bank with advisors and data hosting based in France, awarded best online bank for professionals in 2024.
• Pricing: The professional account starts at 12€ HT/month.
• Testimonials: Users generally appreciate the dedicated advisor and comprehensive services. One user, SOleil Or, expressed satisfaction, stating, "Je suis personnellement très satisfait de cette banque. C’est la seule qui propose un conseiller dédié... Faites-vous votre propre opinion!" However, another user, SAS AVACOM, warned, "Attention !!! belle arnaque !!!... Conclusion : Si vous cherchez une banque pas chère avec des délais anormalement longs et du personnel peu compétent foncez !!! Sinon, allez voir un établissement bancaire plus sérieux." For more detailed reviews, visit Trustpilot.

6. RelayFi

Relay is an online business banking platform designed to give small businesses complete control over their earnings, spending, and savings. It offers features like multiple checking and savings accounts, physical and virtual cards, credit cards with cash back, and integrations with accounting software. Relay is a financial technology company, with banking services provided by Thread Bank.

• Features: No account fees, up to 20 checking accounts, savings accounts with 1.00%-3.00% APY, physical and virtual cards, credit cards with 1.5% cash back, integrations with QuickBooks Online and Xero, receipt management, role-based permissions, FDIC insurance up to $3M, Visa Zero Liability Protection, two-factor authentication, biometric security.
• Pricing: Relay offers a basic plan with no monthly fee, including essential business banking features. The Relay Pro plan starts at $30 per month, offering additional features like faster ACH, free wire payments, and advanced bill management. For accountants and bookkeepers, Relay Pro is also available at $30 per client per month, with tailored features for managing accounts payable.
• Testimonials: Users generally appreciate Relay for its comprehensive features and customer service. Adam Harmon praised the platform, stating, "No joke, the best customer service experience I have had in life to date." However, Chuck Lu expressed frustration, saying, "TERRIBLE! TERRIBLE! TERRIBLE! services. Took them 7 business days to clear initial ACH deposit to open account and the fund was indeed withdrawn very next day from originating bank." For more detailed reviews, visit Trustpilot.

7. Revolut

Revolut Business is an all-in-one business account designed to help businesses manage their finances more efficiently. It offers features like global payments, multi-currency accounts, and smarter spending.

• Features: Global payments, multi-currency accounts, smarter spending, physical and virtual cards, global transfers, currency exchange at interbank rates, accounting software sync, expense management, AI bill payments, business tools integration.
• Pricing: Revolut Business offers several pricing plans:
  • Basic: From £0/month, includes local & global account details, currency exchange, unlimited team members, physical & virtual cards, online & in-person payments.
  • Grow: From £19/month, includes everything in Basic plus £10,000 monthly exchange at interbank rate, no-fee transfer allowance, daily interest with Savings, spend controls, bulk payments.
  • Scale: From £79/month, includes everything in Grow plus £50,000 monthly exchange at interbank rate, higher no-fee transfer allowances, higher interest on Savings.
  • Enterprise: Custom pricing, includes custom allowances for transfers and currency exchange, highest savings rate, specialized account management.
• Testimonials: Users generally appreciate Revolut for its user-friendly interface and efficient transaction processing. One user, Yuriy, praised the platform, stating, "Revolut app has a very user friendly interface. Its functionality allows to make transactions in a matter of seconds which is extremely important these days." However, another user, Nicolas Huynh, expressed frustration, saying, "Bad service, bad communication. I ordered a card terminal reader to take payment. This has been delivered to an unknown place by Royal mail in a few days. According to Revolut, this is my problem and they can't help." For more detailed reviews, visit Trustpilot.

8. Credem

Credem Banca offers a comprehensive range of financial products and services, including current accounts, cards, loans, mortgages, and investments. The bank emphasizes customer care, innovation, and sustainability, aiming to enhance the financial and overall well-being of its clients.

• Features: Wellbanking People, zero-fee online account with internet banking and international debit card, digital loan application up to 15,000 euros, green mortgage options, extensive support for businesses, financial education, sustainability initiatives.
• Pricing: The professional account starts at 12€ HT/month. For detailed pricing on other products and services, users are encouraged to contact the bank directly through the provided contact methods on the Credem website.
• Testimonials: Users generally have mixed feelings about Credem. One positive comment from Steve Smith states, "I have found both the products and service of the branch at Citadella Del Capo as nothing but very good. The whole approach is courteous and professional." On the other hand, Dan Racioppa expressed frustration, saying, "I changed to this bank based on the recommendation of a family friend. My experience from the very beginning has been horrible... Complete waste of my time and taking long to complete a simple process." For more detailed reviews, visit Trustpilot.

9. N26

N26 is a mobile banking service that offers a range of financial products including personal and business bank accounts, savings accounts, and investment options. The service is designed to be simple, intuitive, and accessible via a mobile app.

• Features: Virtual Mastercard, free ATM withdrawals, 24/7 chat support, innovative security features, instant savings account, investment options, multiple account plans.
• Pricing: N26 Standard: €0.00/month, N26 Smart: €4.90/month, N26 You: €9.90/month, N26 Metal: €16.90/month.
• Testimonials: Users generally have mixed feelings about N26. One positive comment from SM states, "Friendly and solution-oriented Service - and they found a solution. Great 🤩." However, Edna Diaz expressed frustration, saying, "Terrible customer service, total rubbish. I have a paid account and the phone line never works. I have been trying to dispute a transaction for two weeks and they don't even answer my messages and the chat service takes more than an hour to answer and they don't resolve the issue." For more detailed reviews, visit Trustpilot.

10. OneMoneyWay

OneMoneyWay is a digital platform offering seamless global payments, secure transfers, virtual and physical payment cards, business accounts, card acquiring, and payment terminals. The platform supports international transfers, FX services for 24+ currencies, and various payment methods like SWIFT, SEPA, US ACH, Faster Payments, and DKK Payments. It aims to simplify business operations by providing all necessary financial services through a single account.

• Features: Fast onboarding, top-grade security, low monthly fees, invoicing module, local IBAN accounts, corporate cards, 24/7 support.
• Pricing: Starter Plan: £49/month (billed annually) for up to 100,000 GBP revenue, Business Plan: £99/month (billed annually) for up to 2,000,000 GBP revenue, Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing for unlimited revenue.
• Testimonials: Users generally appreciate the supportive staff and quick response times. Axel mentioned, "OMW really deserve 5 stars. Immediate reaction and support throughout the process. Special mention for DENNI." However, Simon expressed frustration, stating, "Verbally promised me that I could freeze the account, I was billed as soon as the account was created. Application was a mess." For more detailed reviews, visit Trustpilot.

Which one should you go with?

In conclusion, while each of these platforms offers unique features and benefits tailored to the needs of freelancers and small businesses, OneSafe stands out for its seamless integration of traditional and Web3 financial services. With its simple onboarding, global payments, and state-of-the-art security measures, OneSafe provides a comprehensive solution for managing both fiat and cryptocurrencies. Whether you're looking for efficient payroll management or robust customer support, OneSafe is a reliable choice. However, any of these alternatives could be a great fit depending on your specific needs. Explore your options and choose the one that best suits your business.