In short:
- Qonto: broad accounting integrations, a German IBAN across all plans and granular team roles, for the self-employed and SMEs with accounting needs.
- Holvi: integrated invoicing, a free entry-level plan and a simple app, above all for solo self-employed and small businesses.
- Vivid: bundles cashback, investing and an interest account into one business account, companies included.
Qonto and Holvi are among the best-known digital financial-services providers for a business account in Germany. Both target freelancers, the self-employed and small businesses. They all want to manage their finances mobile and entirely digital. In the direct comparison of Qonto vs. Holvi, though, there are clear differences. They mostly concern pricing, cards, accounting and the tools for teams.
This comparison focuses on the business accounts of Qonto and Holvi, the offers for the self-employed, freelancers and companies. We take a close look at the business plans for 2026. At the end, we introduce Vivid Money 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.
Executive summary: the key differences at a glance
Qonto and Holvi are both digital business accounts with a German IBAN. Qonto is more broadly set up and strong on integrations and teams. Holvi is simpler and cheaper to start with. The overview below shows the key facts, including Vivid Money as a modern alternative.
| Provider | Entry per month | Cards | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vivid | €0 on the Standard plan | Visa Business, physical and virtual | self-employed and companies who also want cashback and investing |
| Qonto | €0 (Starter), from €9 with more features | Mastercard, physical and virtual | self-employed and SMEs with accounting and team needs |
| Holvi | €0 (Flex, €0.25/transfer), from €9 | Mastercard debit, physical and virtual | solo self-employed and small businesses |
Qonto advantages: a German IBAN across all plans, official DATEV partner with more than 2,000 integrations, granular roles and permissions for teams.
Holvi advantages: a free entry-level plan, invoicing built directly into the account, a simple and clear app for solo self-employed.
Choose Qonto if you need many integrations, strong DATEV support and team features. Choose Holvi if you want a simple, low-cost account with integrated invoicing. And if you want to combine cashback, investing and an interest account in one business account, Vivid Money is worth a look as a third option.
Qonto and Holvi at a glance
Both providers offer a fully digital business account with a German IBAN and tools for accounting. Qonto comes from France and is more broadly set up. Holvi comes from Finland and focuses on simplicity. Both are not classic banks, but regulated payment institutions. Unlike an e-money institution, they hold client funds with partner banks.
What is Qonto?
Qonto was founded in 2016 in Paris and is active in several European countries today, Germany included. The offer targets the self-employed as well as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Qonto is a payment institution supervised by the French Banque de France, not a classic bank. Client funds are held with partner banks and protected there by the French deposit guarantee up to €100,000 per client. Qonto offers a German IBAN across all plans and is an official DATEV partner. The account runs in euros. Cashback or investing are not part of the offer.
What is Holvi?
Holvi comes from Finland and was founded in 2011 in Helsinki. From 2016 to 2021 Holvi was part of the Spanish BBVA group. Since 2021 Holvi is independent again and belongs to co-founder Tuomas Toivonen. Holvi is a Finnish payment institution supervised by the Finnish financial authority FIN-FSA. Client funds are held with partner banks and protected by the respective deposit guarantee. The focus is on solo self-employed, freelancers and small businesses. Holvi combines the account, accounting and invoicing on one platform and offers a German IBAN.
Account plans and pricing: Qonto or Holvi?
The first big difference in the Qonto or Holvi comparison shows up in pricing. Both providers use tiered plans. At Qonto, the plans scale through the number of transfers, cards and sub-accounts. At Holvi, it is mainly about transactions, invoices and the scope of accounting.
Qonto pricing plans
Qonto offers a free entry-level account (Starter) with five transfers per month and one virtual card. Above it sit the paid Basic, Smart and Premium plans for solo self-employed. For teams there are the Essential, Business and Enterprise plans. With each plan, the number of included SEPA transfers, cards and sub-accounts rises, as does the scope of accounting. All plans include a German IBAN.
| Plan | Price per month | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| Qonto Starter | €0 | getting started with the basics |
| Qonto Basic | €9 | solo self-employed 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 |
Holvi pricing plans
Holvi offers four plans. The entry-level Flex plan costs €0 per month. Here a small fee of €0.25 applies per SEPA transfer. Above it sit Lite (€9 per month), Pro (€15 per month) and Business (€69 per month). With annual payment, the price drops by up to 50%. With the higher plans, the included transfers, invoices and cards rise. The native DATEV interface is only included in the Business plan.
| Plan | Price per month | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| Holvi Flex | €0 (€0.25 per transfer) | getting started with few transactions |
| Holvi Lite | €9 | solo self-employed with steady needs |
| Holvi Pro | €15 | the self-employed with many transfers and invoices |
| Holvi Business | €69 | companies needing DATEV and several cards |
Price-performance comparison
What is cheaper depends on your profile. A solo freelancer with few transactions is cheapest on Holvi Flex (€0) or the Qonto Starter (€0), but pays €0.25 per transfer with Holvi. For a small team with regular transactions, Holvi Pro (€15) is ahead of the Qonto solo plans on price, while Qonto offers more on integrations and roles. A growing company with accounting and team needs quickly reaches the Qonto team plans from €49 and, with Holvi, the Business plan (€69) that includes the native DATEV interface. The add-ons matter: extra cards cost €3 per month at Holvi, and services beyond the allowances can cost extra with both.
Good to know: with both providers, the included services are capped per plan. Extra transfers, cards or invoices can cost more. Before signing up, work out your typical monthly transactions.
Qonto charges from the Basic plan, and Holvi bills each transfer separately on the free plan. Neither gives you cashback on your spending. Vivid combines a business account for €0/month on the Standard plan with cashback and no monthly cap.
Banking features and cards
On the basic features, Qonto and Holvi are close. Both offer SEPA transfers, direct debits and standing orders, physical and virtual cards, plus mobile payments with Apple Pay and Google Pay. Both provide a German IBAN. The differences show up in the cards, the team features and accounting.
| Feature | Qonto | Holvi |
|---|---|---|
| German IBAN (DE) | yes, across all plans | yes, across all plans |
| Card network | Mastercard, physical and virtual | Mastercard debit, physical and virtual |
| Cashback on card payments | no cashback | no cashback |
| Multiple currencies | EUR account, foreign currency via partner | payment accounts in several currencies |
| Accounting & integrations | DATEV partner, 2,000+ integrations | DATEV interface from the Business plan, Lexware, sevDesk |
| Mobile payments | Apple Pay, Google Pay | Apple Pay, Google Pay |
Cards and payment options
Both providers issue physical and virtual Mastercard debit cards. At Qonto, the number of cards depends on the plan. On higher plans, metal and premium cards are possible. At Holvi, one or more cards are included depending on the plan. Each additional classic card costs €3 per month. For most everyday payments, the included cards of both providers are enough.
Multi-user features and team management
Team work is where a difference appears. Qonto offers multiple users with graded roles and permissions, plus cards with their own limits and approvals for payments. That suits growing teams. Holvi also supports multiple users and expense management. On roles and permissions, though, Holvi is simpler. For solo self-employed that is enough. Larger teams tend to hit limits with Holvi.
Accounting compared: Holvi vs. Qonto
For day-to-day business, how well an account connects to your accounting matters. In the Holvi vs. Qonto comparison, both rely on integrated tools. They take different routes, though.
Qonto accounting features
Qonto is an official DATEV partner and offers more than 2,000 integrations, including Lexware Office, sevDesk and FastBill. On top come invoicing tools, automatic receipt capture and exports as CSV, Excel or PDF. The DATEV connection is available on the relevant plans. For the self-employed with a tax advisor, that is handy.
Holvi accounting features
Holvi connects the account and accounting more closely than many providers. Invoicing is built directly into the account. Receipts can be stored, and the balance is visible in real time. That is simple and clear. The native DATEV interface, however, only comes with the Business plan for €69 per month. So if you need DATEV earlier, you pay noticeably more with Holvi.
Connections to accounting software
On the range of integrations, Qonto is ahead. As a DATEV partner, Qonto covers many common programs and offers an open interface. Holvi also supports DATEV, Lexware Office and sevDesk. The native DATEV connection, though, stays reserved for the Business plan. If you need many integrations, you are more flexible with Qonto.
Beyond payments, the question is how idle funds can work. This is where a gap shows. Qonto offers no investing. Holvi allows investing in low-risk money market funds, but nothing more. Stocks, ETFs or bonds are missing on both. Vivid goes further and combines banking with investing in stocks, ETFs, money market funds and bonds, plus an integrated interest account.
Qonto offers no investing, and Holvi only money market funds. Vivid bundles banking, investing in stocks, ETFs, money market funds and bonds, and an interest account in one app.
Vivid Money as a modern alternative
What does Vivid Money offer business customers?
Qonto scores on integrations and teams, Holvi on simplicity and a low-cost entry. Each solves only one part. What is missing on both is the combination of cashback, broad investing and an interest account. Vivid Money closes exactly this gap. The financial platform connects the business account with building wealth and is tailored especially to the self-employed and companies. That includes a business account with a German IBAN, sub-accounts, Visa Business cards, a DATEV interface and several currencies.
Vivid Money advantages compared
You earn cashback on your business spending, in the “All purchases” category with no monthly cap. You invest balances in the same app in stocks, ETFs, money market funds and bonds. Through the integrated interest account, you let idle funds work for you. Sub-accounts with their own IBAN keep your spending cleanly separated. And you see the exchange rate transparently in the app before every transfer.
| Feature | Vivid | Qonto | Holvi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cashback on business spending | yes, “All purchases” with no monthly cap | no cashback | no cashback |
| Investing in the app | stocks, ETFs, money market funds, bonds | no investing | money market funds only |
| Interest account | integrated interest account | no interest account | no interest account |
| Sub-accounts with their own IBAN | included | sub-accounts with a German IBAN | sub-accounts with a German IBAN |
| Accounting | DATEV interface and invoicing tools | DATEV partner, many integrations | DATEV from the Business plan |
Account opening is entirely online via video or selfie ident. On top come Visa Business cards, a DATEV interface for accounting and a free Standard plan to get started. That way banking, investing and managing your company finances come together in one place.
A business account with cashback and investing in one app
Open your Vivid business account entirely online and bring together what other accounts keep separate: cashback on your business spending, integrated investing and an interest account.
Decision guide: which account suits you?
Qonto is ideal for:
Qonto suits the self-employed and SMEs in Germany who need many integrations and strong DATEV support. Teams with multiple users, graded permissions and higher transaction volumes are also well served here.
Holvi is ideal for:
Holvi suits solo self-employed, freelancers and small businesses who want a simple account with integrated invoicing. If you start with few transactions and want a low-cost entry, Holvi offers a fitting option.
Vivid Money is ideal for:
Vivid suits the self-employed and companies who want to manage banking, cashback and investing in one place. If you are looking for a business account with cashback and no cap, broad investing and an interest account, Vivid offers a combination that a classic account does not.
Verdict: Qonto or Holvi, our recommendation
In the direct Qonto vs. Holvi comparison, there is no overall winner. Both offer a solid business account with a German IBAN and score in different areas. Qonto is especially suited to the self-employed and SMEs who need many integrations, strong DATEV support and team features. Holvi plays to its strengths in integrated invoicing and a simple, low-cost entry.
If you need many integrations and team features, Qonto is a good choice. For a simple start with integrated accounting, Holvi offers advantages. And if you want to combine cashback, investing and an interest account in one business account, Vivid Money offers a combination that a classic account does not. Ultimately, your needs decide. It can be worth testing several accounts.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is Qonto or Holvi better suited for freelancers?
It depends on your needs. Holvi scores with a low-cost entry, integrated invoicing and a simple app. Qonto offers more integrations and scales better as the business grows. For freelancers with simple requirements, Holvi is often a good fit; as needs grow, Qonto. If you also want cashback and investing, Vivid offers an alternative that combines both in one business account.
Which alternative is the better choice for start-ups?
Start-ups with a team benefit from user management, roles and integrations. Here Qonto is ahead, while Holvi is simpler on team management. Vivid offers a business account with sub-accounts and their own IBAN, Visa Business cards and a DATEV interface, plus cashback and investing at an accessible price.
Is there a free business account with Qonto or Holvi?
Both have a free plan. Qonto Starter costs €0 per month but includes only five transfers. Holvi Flex costs €0 per month and bills each transfer at €0.25. For more services, paid plans apply. Vivid offers a Standard plan for €0/month with additional cashback on business spending.
Do Qonto and Holvi offer a German IBAN?
Yes. Qonto provides a German IBAN across all plans, including sub-accounts. Holvi has also offered a German IBAN for customers registered in Germany since 2019. A German IBAN makes direct debits and transfers with German business partners easier.
Are Qonto and Holvi real banks?
No, both are payment institutions, not classic banks. Qonto is supervised by the French Banque de France, Holvi by the Finnish FIN-FSA. With both, client funds are held with partner banks and protected there by the respective deposit guarantee. Both are subject to EU financial supervision.
Which business account offers cashback, investing and an interest account in one?
Qonto and Holvi focus on payments and accounting. Qonto offers no investing, Holvi only money market funds, and neither offers cashback. Vivid combines both in one business account: cashback on business spending in the “All purchases” category with no monthly cap, investing in stocks, ETFs, money market funds and bonds, and an integrated interest account.
As of June 2026. The information on Qonto and Holvi 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. Qonto and Holvi are trademarks of their respective companies; there is no business relationship between Vivid and these providers.
