In short:
- Finom: a free Solo plan to start, cashback on card payments and built-in invoicing, mainly for solo entrepreneurs and freelancers.
- Qonto: focused on the German market, with a German IBAN in every plan, strong DATEV integration and team features, but paid from the first tier and without cashback.
- Vivid: combines a business account at €0/month on the Standard plan with cashback and no monthly limit, investing and an interest account.
Finom and Qonto are among the most popular providers of a business account in Germany. Both target freelancers, the self-employed and companies that want to manage their finances entirely through online banking. In the direct comparison of Finom vs. Qonto, though, the offers differ noticeably. The main differences are fees, cashback, DATEV integration and the tools for accounting.
This comparison focuses on the business accounts of Finom and Qonto, the offers for freelancers, the self-employed and companies. We take a close look at the account plans for 2026. At the end, we introduce Vivid Business as a modern alternative. It bundles cashback, investing and an interest account into one business account. That way you can find the right account for your business.
Finom and Qonto at a glance
Finom is a European financial services provider focused on solo entrepreneurs, freelancers and small companies. The business account runs on a German IBAN that Finom provides through its partner Solaris SE. Solaris is a German bank, so customer funds are protected by the German deposit guarantee up to €100,000 per customer. Finom centres on built-in invoicing and cashback on card payments. You can start with the Solo plan at €0 per month.
Qonto comes from France and targets the self-employed as well as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). On the German market, Qonto offers a German IBAN for all plans and strong DATEV integration for accounting. Qonto is not a traditional bank, though, but a payment institution supervised by the French Banque de France. Customer funds are held at partner banks and protected by the French deposit guarantee up to €100,000 per customer. The account runs in euros only. Cashback and investing are not part of the offer.
Costs and pricing plans compared
In a price comparison of the business accounts, the first big difference shows up in the Finom fees and the Qonto prices. Both providers use a tiered pricing model. The logic behind it differs, though. Finom starts with a free Solo plan and scales the paid tiers through more transfers, cards and higher cashback. Qonto does without a permanently free full account and scales its plans through transfers, cards, sub-accounts and the scope of the accounting tools. If you compare Qonto vs. Finom on price alone, watch out for hidden fees too, for example for extra transfers or cash withdrawals.
Finom: plans and fees
Finom offers five tiers since its pricing update. The Solo plan is available at €0 per month, but it includes few free allowances and no cashback. Single transfers can incur extra fees here. From the Basic plan onwards, more transfers are included, plus cashback on card payments. The higher Pro and Grow plans target larger teams and companies with more users and cards.
| Plan | Price per month | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| Finom Solo | €0 | freelancers getting started with few transactions |
| Finom Basic | from €8.99 | solo entrepreneurs wanting cashback and more transfers |
| Finom Smart | from €23.99 | the self-employed with higher volume and higher cashback |
| Finom Pro / Grow | higher plans | larger teams and companies |
Qonto: plans and fees
Qonto offers a free entry account (Starter) with few transfers and one virtual card. Above it sit the paid plans Basic, Smart and Premium for solo entrepreneurs, plus the team plans Essential, Business and Enterprise for SMEs and start-ups. With each plan, the included SEPA transfers, cards and sub-accounts grow, as does the scope of the accounting and invoicing features. All plans include a German IBAN.
| Plan | Price per month | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| Qonto Starter | €0 | getting started with basic features |
| Qonto Basic | €9 | solo entrepreneurs with few transfers |
| Qonto Smart | €19 | the self-employed who need accounting tools |
| Qonto Premium | €39 | the self-employed with higher volume and more sub-accounts |
| Qonto Essential / Business / Enterprise | from €49 | SMEs and start-ups with teams |
Good to know: the Finom prices are net prices plus VAT. With both providers, the included services are limited per plan. Transfers, cards or cash withdrawals beyond the free allowances can trigger extra fees. Check the current terms before you sign up. It is best to do the maths on your typical monthly transactions.
Finom does give cashback, but caps it with a monthly maximum, and the free Solo plan has no cashback at all. Qonto pays no cashback whatsoever. Vivid combines a business account at €0/month on the Standard plan with cashback and no monthly limit in the “All purchases” category.
Opening an account and requirements
Opening an account is fully online with both providers, usually via video identification. Finom and Qonto open accounts for various legal forms, from freelancers and sole proprietors to GmbH and UG. A GmbH in formation is supported too. Qonto is especially popular here, because it quickly provides the certificate confirming the paid-in share capital for the notary. Activation usually takes just a few days with both. To open an account you need an ID document and, depending on the legal form, further documents such as a commercial register extract.
Features in detail
On the core functions, Finom and Qonto are closer than many think. Both offer a German IBAN, SEPA transfers including SEPA instant payment and international transfers in foreign currency. On top of that come physical and virtual business cards, such as a Mastercard Business or Visa, plus mobile payment with Apple Pay and Google Pay. The differences show up in cashback, invoicing and the integrations for accounting.
| Feature | Finom | Qonto |
|---|---|---|
| German IBAN (DE) | yes, via partner Solaris | yes, in all plans |
| Cashback on card payments | 1% to 3%, capped monthly; no cashback on Solo | no cashback |
| Invoicing | built into the account | invoicing tools, focus on accounting |
| Accounting & integrations | DATEV integration, 30+ integrations | DATEV partner, automatic receipt capture |
| Sub-accounts | depending on plan | sub-accounts with a German IBAN |
| Multiple currencies | euro focus | euro account, foreign currency via partner |
On cashback, Finom is ahead, because Qonto offers none. The cashback at Finom is capped at a monthly maximum, though, depending on the plan. On invoicing, Finom scores with a native tool right inside the account. Qonto, by contrast, focuses on accounting and automatic receipt capture for the team. For regular business in several currencies, both accounts reach their limits, since they are strongly geared towards the euro.
Finom and Qonto mainly settle in euros. With Vivid you pay and exchange in several currencies. You see the exchange rate transparently in the app before every transfer.
Accounting and tax features
For everyday business, it is crucial how well an account connects to your accounting. Both providers support DATEV, the standard for many tax advisors in Germany. Qonto is an official DATEV partner and shines with automatic receipt capture and expense management that match receipts to the right transactions. That is especially handy for teams. Finom relies on native invoicing right inside the account and more than 30 integrations with common accounting software. That makes Finom a good fit for solo entrepreneurs and freelancers who want banking and invoicing in one place.
Beyond pure payments, companies face the question of how to put idle funds to work. Here a gap appears. Both Finom and Qonto focus their business account on payments and administration. The balance just sits there; integrated investing is missing from both. Vivid goes further and combines banking with investing in ETFs, money market funds and bonds, plus an integrated interest account. That way unused balance can be put to work without switching apps.
With Finom and Qonto your balance just sits there; integrated investing is missing from both. Vivid bundles banking, investing in ETFs, money market funds and bonds, plus an interest account into one app.
Mobile app and usability
Both providers offer a mobile app for iOS and Android, complemented by a web application for the desktop. Through the app you make transfers, manage cards and keep an eye on your spending. Finom bundles banking and invoicing in a clear interface. Qonto scores with features for working in a team, such as roles, approvals and budgets. Both receive solid ratings in the app stores. Which app suits you better depends on whether you work alone or manage a team.
Pros and cons: choosing Qonto or Finom
Whether Finom or Qonto fits better depends on your business. The overview below sums up the main pros and cons of both business accounts.
Pros of Finom
Cons of Finom
Pros of Qonto
Cons of Qonto
Vivid Business as an alternative
Finom scores on cashback and invoicing, Qonto on DATEV integration and team features. Each of them only solves part of the picture. What both leave open is the combination of cashback with no limit, integrated investing and an interest account in one free account. This is exactly the gap Vivid Money closes. The financial platform connects the business account with building wealth and is tailored especially to the self-employed and companies.
You earn cashback on your business spending, in the “All purchases” category with no monthly limit at all. You invest your balance in the same app in stocks, ETFs, money market funds and bonds. Through the integrated interest account you put idle funds to work. Sub-accounts with their own IBAN keep your spending neatly separated. You see the exchange rate transparently in the app before every transfer.
| Feature | Vivid | Finom | Qonto |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cashback on business spending | yes, “All purchases” with no monthly limit | 1% to 3%, capped monthly | no cashback |
| Free plan | €0/month on the Standard plan | Solo plan at €0, no cashback | Starter at €0, otherwise from €9 |
| Investing in the app | stocks, ETFs, money market funds, bonds | no investment offer | no investment offer |
| Interest account | integrated interest account | no interest account | no interest account |
| Accounting | DATEV interface and invoicing tools | DATEV integration, native invoicing | DATEV partner, receipt capture |
Opening an account is fully online via video or selfie identification. On top of that come Visa Business cards, a DATEV interface for accounting and a free Standard plan to get started. These features bring banking, investing and the management of your company finances together in one place.
A business account with cashback and investing in one app
Open your Vivid business account fully online and bring together what other accounts keep apart: cashback on your business spending, integrated investing and an interest account.
Conclusion: Finom or Qonto, the right choice for your business
In the direct comparison of Finom vs. Qonto there is no blanket winner. Both offer a solid business account and stand out in different areas. Finom is a good fit for cost-conscious solo entrepreneurs and freelancers who value cashback and built-in invoicing. Qonto plays to its strengths with teams and growing companies that need strong DATEV integration and refined approval features.
If you want an affordable account with cashback and native invoicing, Finom is a good choice. For teams with heavy accounting needs, Qonto offers advantages. And if you want cashback with no limit, investing and an interest account in one free business account, Vivid Money offers a combination that a traditional account does not. In the end, your needs decide. It can pay off to test an offer at your own pace. Switching accounts is quick thanks to the fully online setup.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Does Qonto offer a German IBAN?
Yes. Qonto offers all German customers a German IBAN (DE) in every plan. Finom also provides a German IBAN through its partner Solaris. A German IBAN matters so that direct debits and payments with the tax office and with business partners run smoothly.
Can a GmbH in formation open an account?
Yes. Finom and Qonto support the formation stage, including the deposit of the share capital. Qonto is especially popular here, because it quickly provides the certificate of the paid-in share capital for the notary. That lets you complete the formation of a GmbH or UG quickly.
Is there a free account at Finom or Qonto?
Finom offers an entry at €0 per month with the Solo plan, but without cashback. Qonto has a free Starter account with few features; otherwise it is a pure subscription model. Vivid combines a business account at €0/month on the Standard plan with a German IBAN and cashback with no monthly limit.
How does the connection to DATEV work?
Both providers support DATEV, the standard for many tax advisors. Qonto is an official DATEV partner and matches receipts to transactions with automatic receipt capture, which is especially handy for teams. Finom offers a DATEV integration and, with native invoicing, is a good fit for solo entrepreneurs.
Are deposits protected at Finom and Qonto?
Yes, with both up to €100,000 per customer. Finom uses the German deposit guarantee through its partner Solaris. Qonto is a payment institution; customer funds are held at partner banks and protected by the French deposit guarantee. The level of protection is comparable across the EU.
Which business account offers cashback with no limit, investing and an interest account in one?
Finom offers cashback but caps it per month, and Qonto offers no cashback at all. Integrated investing is missing from both. Vivid combines both in one business account: cashback on business spending in the “All purchases” category with no monthly limit, investing in stocks and ETFs, plus an integrated interest account, at €0/month on the Standard plan.
As of June 2026. The information on Finom and Qonto was compiled to the best of our knowledge based on the official provider websites and can change at any time, in particular prices, plans and terms. No claim is made to completeness or accuracy. Please check the current terms directly with the respective provider. Finom and Qonto are trademarks of their respective companies; there is no business relationship between Vivid and these providers.
