In short:
- Qonto: a digital business account from France with a German IBAN, strong DATEV integration and a modern app.
- Fyrst: a business account from Deutsche Bank with a German IBAN, cash deposits via the branch network and per-transaction billing.
- Vivid: bundles cashback, investing and an interest account into one business account, companies included.
Qonto and Fyrst are among the best-known providers of a business account (also called a company account) in Germany. Both target the self-employed, freelancers and companies. In the Qonto vs. Fyrst comparison, though, clear differences show up in pricing, cards, cash and accounting. This article sorts out the key points for 2026 and, at the end, introduces Vivid Money as a modern alternative.
Qonto and Fyrst at a glance
Both providers are popular in Germany, but they rely on different models. Qonto comes as a digital fintech, while Fyrst belongs to Deutsche Bank. This comparison focuses on the business accounts for the self-employed, freelancers and companies, not on personal accounts. We look at pricing, account opening, features and accounting. That way you can find the right account for your business.
What is Qonto?
Qonto is a digital business account from France aimed at the self-employed and small to medium-sized companies. On the German market, Qonto offers a German IBAN across all plans, a strong DATEV link for accounting and German-language customer service. Qonto is not a bank, however, but a payment institution supervised by the French Banque de France; client funds are protected under the French deposit guarantee up to 100,000 €. The account runs in euros, and cashback or investing are not part of the offer.
What is Fyrst?
Fyrst is the digital business account from Deutsche Bank, a company account with a classic banking background. It is aimed at founders, the self-employed and companies and supports almost all legal forms, from freelance and sole proprietors to GmbH and UG. Fyrst offers a German IBAN and taps into the Deutsche Bank branch network, for example for cash. As a bank, Fyrst is covered by the statutory deposit guarantee up to 100,000 € per client, plus the voluntary protection fund of the private banks. Fyrst does not offer cashback or integrated securities investing.
Account models and pricing in detail
The first major difference in the Qonto vs. Fyrst comparison is price. Qonto tiers its plans by the number of included transfers, cards and sub-accounts as well as the scope of its accounting tools. Fyrst charges a low or zero account-management fee, but bills per transaction and spreads its features across just two account models. So heavy bookers calculate differently from someone with only a few receipts per month.
Qonto pricing plans
Qonto offers a free entry account (Starter) with five free transactions per month and one virtual card. Above that sit the paid plans Basic, Smart and Premium for solo self-employed, plus the team plans Essential, Business and Enterprise for SMEs and startups. With each plan, the included SEPA transfers, cards and sub-accounts grow, as does the scope of the accounting features. All plans include a German IBAN.
| Plan | Price per month | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| Qonto Starter | 0 € | getting started with a few transfers |
| Qonto Basic | 9 € | solo self-employed with few bookings |
| Qonto Smart | 19 € | self-employed who need accounting tools |
| Qonto Premium | 39 € | higher volume and several sub-accounts |
| Qonto Essential / Business / Enterprise | from 49 € | SMEs and start-ups with teams |
Fyrst pricing plans
Fyrst relies on two account models. Fyrst Base is free for natural persons such as sole proprietors and freelancers and includes 50 free bookings per month; each additional booking costs 0.19 €. For legal entities, Base is free for the first six months and 6 € per month after that. Fyrst Complete costs 10 € per month, includes 75 free paperless bookings and then charges 0.08 € per booking. Complete also comes with a free secondary account with its own IBAN. Each account includes a debit Mastercard and, on request, a Girocard.
| Plan | Price per month | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| Fyrst Base | 0 € (sole proprietors) | freelancers and the self-employed with few bookings |
| Fyrst Base (legal entity) | 6 € (free for 6 months) | GmbH, UG and other legal forms |
| Fyrst Complete | 10 € | more free bookings and a secondary account with its own IBAN |
Price-performance comparison
In a direct Fyrst vs. Qonto, no model is simply cheaper. Qonto already charges 9 € per month on the Basic plan, but bundles transfers, cards and accounting into fixed packages. Fyrst starts at 0 € yet charges for every booking above the free allowance. For example, anyone with 80 bookings a month pays extra for 30 bookings on Fyrst Base. With many receipts a package price tends to pay off; with few bookings the free Base does. Cashback on your spending is something neither provider gives back.
Qonto charges from the Basic plan, while Fyrst Base bills per transaction. Neither gives you cashback. Vivid combines a free business account with cashback that has no monthly limit.
Account opening and identification
Both providers can be opened entirely online, on your computer or via the app in online banking. You complete the application digitally and verify your identity via video identification. You then receive your German IBAN and can use the account right away. Which documents you need depends on your legal form, for example an ID, a trade registration or a commercial register extract.
Opening an account with Qonto
With Qonto the process is fully digital. You enter your company details, upload the required documents and verify yourself via video ID. Depending on the legal form, you need an ID, a trade registration or a commercial register extract. Activation is usually quick, and the German IBAN is available right away. The whole process happens in the app or the browser.
Opening an account with Fyrst
You open Fyrst online too. After registering, you verify your identity via a video ID partner, and the account with a German IBAN is ready to use. As an offer from Deutsche Bank, Fyrst supports almost all legal forms, from freelancers to GmbH. If you are used to it, you also benefit from the Deutsche Bank branch network, for example for cash or in-person questions. The proof required depends on your legal form.
Banking functions and features
When it comes to the basics, Qonto and Fyrst are closer than many think. Both handle all common transactions: SEPA transfers, direct debits and standing orders, plus debit cards and mobile, contactless payments with Apple Pay and Google Pay. A classic credit card is not the default with either; each issues a debit card. Differences show up in the cards, in cash and in the accounting interfaces.
Transfers and direct debits
Both accounts cover the classic payment workflow. SEPA transfers, instant transfers and direct debits are possible with Qonto and Fyrst. The difference is in the billing. Qonto bundles a fixed number of transfers per plan, beyond which fees apply. Fyrst counts every booking and bills per item above the free allowance. Foreign-currency transfers are possible with both, but the account itself runs in euros.
Banking interfaces
On interfaces, Fyrst plays its banking background. As an offer from Deutsche Bank, Fyrst supports the German FinTS/HBCI standard and can be linked to common banking and accounting software. Qonto leans more on modern APIs and direct app integrations, including DATEV. Both offer a German IBAN. If you rely on fixed software links via FinTS, you will feel at home with Fyrst; if you prefer direct app integrations, Qonto is a good fit.
| Feature | Qonto | Fyrst |
|---|---|---|
| German IBAN (DE) | yes, on all plans | yes |
| Cards | One Card (Mastercard) plus virtual cards | debit Mastercard, Girocard on request |
| Cash deposits | digital, no own branch network | via the Deutsche Bank network, for a fee |
| Cashback on card payments | no cashback | no cashback |
| Accounting & interfaces | DATEV partner, app integrations | FinTS/HBCI, DATEV export, accounting add-on |
| Mobile payments | Apple Pay, Google Pay | Apple Pay, Google Pay |
Qonto and Fyrst run their account in euros. With Vivid you pay and exchange in several currencies and see the exchange rate transparently in the app before every transfer.
Accounting and integrations
For day-to-day business, it matters how well the account links to your accounting. Qonto is an official DATEV partner and offers many integrations, including Lexware Office and sevDesk, plus invoicing tools and automatic receipt capture. Fyrst offers an optional accounting add-on and a DATEV export via the SRZ interface, but overall sticks to the classic banking standard. If you want many modern integrations, Qonto offers more choice.
Beyond payments, there is the question of what happens to idle funds. On investing, a gap remains. Both Qonto and Fyrst focus their business account on payments and administration. Integrated securities investing is missing on both. The balance simply sits there. Vivid goes further and combines banking with investing in ETFs, money market funds and bonds, plus an integrated interest account. That way idle balance can be put to work without switching apps.
With Qonto and Fyrst your balance just sits there, and integrated securities investing is missing on both. Vivid bundles banking, investing in ETFs, money market funds and bonds, plus an interest account, into one app.
Pros and cons
For a clearer overview, we sum up the key strengths and weaknesses, from account management and fees to cards and accounting. That way you can see at a glance where each provider scores and where it reaches its limits.
Qonto pros and cons
Fyrst pros and cons
Which account suits whom?
Which business account fits depends on your business. Qonto suits the self-employed and SMEs who value a modern app, many accounting integrations and a strong DATEV link. Fyrst fits founders and companies that want the backing of a classic bank, a free entry account and the option to deposit cash. If you have many receipts, check the booking fees at Fyrst; if you prefer fixed packages, look at the right plan at Qonto. And if you want to manage banking, cashback and investing in one place, take a look at Vivid.
Vivid Money as a modern alternative
Qonto scores with modern accounting, Fyrst with the backing of a bank. Each therefore solves only part of the puzzle. What is missing on both is the combination of cashback, integrated investing and an interest account. This is exactly the gap Vivid Money closes: a financial platform that links the business account with wealth-building 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. You invest your balance in the same app in stocks, ETFs, money market funds and bonds, and put idle funds to work through the integrated interest account. 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 | Qonto | Fyrst |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cashback on business spending | yes, "All purchases" with no monthly limit | no cashback | no cashback |
| 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 integrated interest account |
| Sub-accounts with own IBAN | included | depending on plan | secondary account with Complete |
| Multiple currencies | several currencies, rate shown in advance | EUR account | EUR account |
Account opening is fully online via video or selfie ID. On top of that come Visa Business cards, a DATEV interface for accounting and a free standard plan to get started. That way Vivid brings 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.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Which account is cheaper: Qonto or Fyrst?
It depends on your booking behaviour. Qonto starts with a free Starter plan and costs 9 € per month from the Basic plan, but transfers and cards are included in packages. Fyrst Base is free for sole proprietors, yet charges 0.19 € for every booking above 50 items. With few bookings Fyrst Base is often cheaper; with many bookings a package price can make more sense. Vivid offers a free standard plan and additionally gives you cashback on your business spending.
Can I deposit cash with both accounts?
Cash is where the two part ways. Fyrst belongs to Deutsche Bank and allows cash deposits via the branch network and partners, for which a fee applies depending on the account. Qonto is a digital payment institution without its own branch network, so cash deposits are only possible to a limited extent. Anyone who deposits cash regularly is more flexible with Fyrst.
Is there a free business account with Qonto or Fyrst?
Yes, both have a free entry point. Qonto Starter costs 0 € per month but is limited to five transfers and one virtual card. Fyrst Base is free for sole proprietors and freelancers and includes 50 bookings per month. For more, both charge paid plans or booking fees. Vivid offers a free standard plan with additional cashback on business spending.
Are Qonto and Fyrst banks?
Their licences differ. Fyrst is an offer from Deutsche Bank and therefore a bank; the balance is protected under the statutory deposit guarantee up to 100,000 € per client, plus the voluntary protection fund of the private banks. Qonto is a payment institution under French supervision; client funds are held at partner banks and protected there under the French deposit guarantee up to 100,000 €. Both are subject to EU financial supervision.
Which business account offers cashback, investing and an interest account in one?
Qonto and Fyrst focus their business account on payments and administration and offer no cashback and no integrated securities investing. 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.
Which account suits the self-employed and founders?
For the self-employed focused on accounting and a modern app, Qonto is a good choice. Founders who want the backing of a classic bank and cash deposits are well served by Fyrst. Anyone who wants to combine banking, cashback and investing in one app will find at Vivid a business account with sub-accounts and an own IBAN, Visa Business cards, a DATEV interface and integrated investing.
Conclusion: Qonto or Fyrst, which business account is better?
In the direct Qonto vs. Fyrst comparison there is no blanket winner. Both offer a solid business account with a German IBAN and score in different areas. Qonto is particularly suited to the self-employed and SMEs who want a modern app and a strong DATEV link. Fyrst plays its strengths as an offer from Deutsche Bank, with a free Base account and cash deposits via the branch network.
If you want to combine cashback, investing and an interest account in one business account, Vivid Money offers a combination a classic account does not. In the end your needs decide.
As of June 2026. The information on Qonto and Fyrst was compiled to the best of our knowledge based on the official provider websites and may change at any time, in particular prices, plans and conditions. No claim is made to completeness or accuracy. Please check the current conditions directly with the respective provider. Qonto and Fyrst are trademarks of their respective companies; there is no business relationship between Vivid and these providers.
