How do I start comparing office software?
First document two or three real workflows, such as from quote to payment. Define must-have and should-have criteria, then test these tasks in each solution.
Comparison
Compare office software: buying guides, alternatives and product comparisons
Find the right office software for your day-to-day work—with clearly separated buying guides, alternative pages and direct product comparisons.
Photo by Sable Flow
In brief: The right office software depends not on the longest feature list, but on your workflows. First determine which tasks belong together, who needs to collaborate and which data you must transfer when switching.
This hub brings together buying guides and alternative pages in one place. Buying guides explain which type of software suits a particular need. Alternative pages examine options for a specific product. We publish direct product comparisons only when features, plans and sources can be compared reliably.
Choose software
Start with your process, not a product name. Note which tasks are currently split between invoicing tools, spreadsheets, calendars, email and paper. The key question is whether these steps need to be connected in one software solution.
- Invoices, quotes, e-invoices and receipts
- Customers, services and outstanding payments
- Employees, work locations and appointments
- Documents and collaboration with your tax adviser
- Assess the user interface, document languages and support separately
- Test data exports, roles, permissions and switching effort before signing a contract
Software by industry
Industry-specific buying guides evaluate typical workflows without presenting a general solution as an industry feature. For cleaning companies, for example, recurring sites, changing teams, proof of service and the link to invoicing matter. Specialist industry software may be more suitable when complex scheduling, time tracking or industry-specific records are the priority.
Software by function
Function-specific buying guides explain which type of software suits a task. Workforce scheduling and multilingual capabilities are not treated as mere add-ons: assess the complete workflow and distinguish between the user interface, documents, translation, communication and support.
Software by business type
The right level of functionality also depends on the organisation. Sole traders often need a clear invoicing and receipt workflow. Small teams additionally need roles, shared data and traceable handovers. Businesses with field staff should assess how orders, assignments, employees, services, invoices and payments are connected.
- Sole traders: assess ease of use, exports and ongoing obligations
- Small teams: assess user permissions, cover arrangements and shared data
- Field service providers: assess assignment links and mobile use
- Accounting focus: compare tax functions and the tax-firm workflow in detail
- Complex scheduling: include a specialist industry or planning solution
Find alternatives
Evaluate alternatives based on why you want to switch and on real workflows. Lexware Office and sevdesk are the main current starting points. The outdated Lexware URL redirects directly to the Lexware Office page.
- Lexware Office alternative—formerly lexoffice
- sevdesk alternatives for small service businesses
- Before switching: inventory customers, items, documents, outstanding balances and archive access
- Clarify export formats, retention, numbering sequences and parallel operation
- Migrate first, then check samples, and only then discontinue the old system
Direct product comparisons and decision matrix
Direct product comparisons require reliable, recently verified data for both products. We currently publish buying guides and alternative pages in this hub; we do not offer an empty category of supposed product head-to-heads. Until then, create your own matrix and weight the criteria according to your day-to-day work.
- Must-have criterion: Without this feature, a solution is ruled out
- Should-have criterion: Improves the workflow but can be replaced
- Test case: A specific task to verify on the official product pages
- Evidence: Official product page, documentation or written information from the provider
- Follow-on costs: Record the plan, additional users, modules, setup and migration separately
- Open item: Do not rate as available or unavailable; clarify it with the provider
Comparison methodology
We select topics based on recurring search and decision questions from small businesses. Products are named only when they match the search intent and official primary sources are available. We verify features on official product pages, in documentation, help centres or release notes; a marketing statement alone is not interpreted as a broader capability. We compare prices by billing period, VAT information, plan and review date. Differences between plans remain visible, and promotional prices are not treated as a permanent standard. We explicitly identify missing or ambiguous information. Facts and editorial assessment are separated in the wording: a verified feature is not automatically a recommendation. We review competitor pages at least every six months and whenever known product or price changes occur. Material changes are documented with the date, source and affected section. Motorica’s commercial interest is disclosed visibly on every decision page.
- Topic selection: real-world needs and distinct search intent
- Criteria: workflow fit, target group, functionality, limitations, costs and switching effort
- Feature verification: official product information and documentation
- Price verification: plan, billing, additional costs, promotion and date recorded separately
- Unclear information: leave visibly open and verify with the provider
- Assessment: facts, assumptions and editorial judgement separated
- Review cycle: at least every six months and when circumstances require
- Change documentation: date, source and affected content
- Commercial interest: disclose publisher and provider roles
- Detailed comparison methodology
Transparency, sources and currency
Motorica publishes this page and supplies its own office software. It therefore has a commercial interest. The assessment is based on published product information, official documentation and clearly stated selection criteria. Prices and features may change. The stated currency date shows when the sources were last checked. Current as of: 15 July 2026. This hub draws on Motorica’s published product information and the official product overviews from Lexware Office and sevdesk. Competitor details are documented individually on the respective alternative pages.
- Motorica product and feature pages
- Lexware Office renaming and product access: https://www.lexware.de/lexoffice/
- Lexware product family: https://shop.lexware.de/produktuebersicht
- sevdesk product overview: https://sevdesk.de/produktuebersicht/
- sevdesk pricing: https://sevdesk.de/preise/
- Image recommendation: no decorative stock image; an accessible process graphic from need to test case to decision would be useful. Natural alt text: “Decision path from requirements through software testing to selection”
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about comparing office software
What is the difference between a buying guide and an alternative page?
A buying guide starts with a need or an industry and compares suitable types of software. An alternative page starts with a specific product and examines which other solutions fit the relevant reason for switching.
Why is there not a direct comparison for every product here?
A direct product comparison is useful only when the features, plans and limitations of both products are up to date and supported by verifiable evidence. Without that basis, we do not publish a supposedly complete head-to-head.
Which criteria are particularly important?
Important criteria include workflow fit, target group, required features, roles and permissions, data exports, collaboration, costs including add-on modules, and the effort involved in setup and switching.
How are prices compared?
We state the review date, plan, billing period and identifiable additional costs. Limited-time discounts are not presented as the regular permanent price.
What happens when feature information is unclear?
A feature that is not clearly documented publicly is not claimed to be either available or unavailable. The information is marked as open and should be verified directly with the provider.
How up to date is the content?
The currency date is displayed clearly on the page. Competitor information is reviewed at least every six months and whenever known product or price changes occur.
Is Motorica neutral in this comparison?
Motorica publishes the comparison and supplies its own office software. It therefore has a commercial interest. This role is disclosed, and product facts are kept separate from editorial assessment.
What should I back up before switching software?
Inventory customer and item data, documents, outstanding balances, numbering sequences, exports and required archive access. Also determine whether temporary parallel operation is necessary.
When is specialist industry software more suitable?
If complex scheduling, route planning, industry-specific records, special equipment or inventory processes, or deeply integrated time tracking are essential, a specialist solution may be a better fit than general office software.
Document your requirements and evaluate suitable software
Use the criteria on this page as a checklist. If Motorica fits your workflows, you can then test the software at your own pace.