Countingup vs Kontist
Side-by-side comparison — pricing, features, ratings, use cases. Find which Business Banking fits you best.
🔍 Independently researched ·
📊 Data-driven
29/100
Free tier
UK sole traders, freelancers, and small service-based businesses that want simple accounting built right into their busi
💰 Pricing
🆓 Free tier available
All core features are free, but additional services like in-app accountant support or advanced features may incur costs.
Starting at 20 zł (freemium)
Fee notes:
- No monthly account fee.
- Card payments: no fee for UK card transactions.
- Cash deposits: £1.50 per cash deposit (up to £3,000 per deposit) via Post Office.
- International payments: 2.5% FX markup on exchange rate, plus £2.00 per transaction.
- Overseas card spend: 2.5% FX fee.
⚠ Watch for:
- Cash deposits not free; £1.50 per deposit at Post Office.
- International transactions have 2.5% FX markup and possible fixed fees.
- Accountant sharing via Pro plan costs extra (£X/month).
- Card replacement may incur a fee if lost or damaged.
🔧 Features
✓ Built In Accounting✓ Tax Estimates✓ Accountant Sharing✓ Uk Only✓ Fca Registered✓ Free Tier
📋 Assessment
💪 Strengths
- All-in-one integration: Countingup eliminates the need for separate bookkeeping software by integrating accounting directly into the bank account. Every transaction is automatically categorised using a combination of rules and artificial intelligence. This saves hours of manual entry and ensures your records are always up to date, which is especially valuable for freelancers and sole traders who lack the time or inclination for bookkeeping.
- Real-time tax estimates: The app calculates your estimated tax liability continuously, based on your income and expenses. This feature allows you to set aside the right amount of money as you go, avoiding the stress of a huge tax bill in January. The estimates are visible at a glance on the dashboard, making it easy to plan your cash flow throughout the year.
- Accountant access: With the paid plans, you can grant your accountant or bookkeeper read-only access to your transactions and reports. They can also enter journal entries and reconcile your books without needing physical paperwork. This collaboration is seamless and reduces back-and-forth emails, making the year-end much smoother.
- Invoicing and expense tracking on the go: You can create and send invoices directly from the mobile app, which also allows you to attach receipts to expenses via photo capture. The app remembers your bank card details for fast payments, and you can track when invoices are viewed and paid. This is ideal for businesses that need to manage cash flow while on the move.
- Business loan options: Countingup uses your transaction history to offer pre-approved business loans, with applications that take just minutes. This can be a useful source of quick funding for small businesses that might struggle to get credit from traditional banks due to limited credit history.
⚠ Watch out for
- Not FSCS protected: As an e-money institution, Countingup is not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. This means that if Countingup were to fail, your money is not protected by the UK government's £85,000 compensation limit. While client funds are segregated, they are not legally owned by you once deposited, which is a risk to consider.
- UK-only and no multi-currency: Countingup is strictly for UK businesses and only operates in pounds sterling. There are no multi-currency accounts, and you cannot send or receive international payments. If your business deals with foreign clients or suppliers, you'll need to use a separate solution, which negates some of the convenience of having everything in one place.
- Free plan has significant limitations: The free tier only includes basic transaction categories and does not offer features like accountant access, invoice creation, or receipt capture. The ability to share data with your accountant is locked behind the £5/month plan, which may be a dealbreaker for businesses that rely on professional advice.
- Annual billing for paid plans: To get the advertised monthly price, you have to pay annually in advance. If you choose to pay monthly, the cost is higher, which might be an unexpected expense for those who prefer flexible billing. This is a common but still annoying practice.
- Occasional transaction import issues: Some users have reported that transactions sometimes fail to import or miscategorise, requiring manual correction. While the AI improves over time, it's not perfect, and tech-savvy users may find themselves spending time fixing categories rather than trusting the automation blindly.
🎯 Best for
UK sole traders, freelancers, and small service-based businesses that want simple accounting built right into their business current account.
🚫 Who should skip
Businesses with complex accounting needs, payroll, heavy cash handling, international operations, or those requiring FSCS-protected banking.
📚 Learning curve
Minimal — the app is designed for non-accountants, with automated categories and straightforward navigation.
🧑⚖️ Verdict
Countingup is ideal for UK freelancers, sole traders, and small businesses that want a bank account with built-in bookkeeping, especially if they're just starting out and want to minimize cost and complexity. However, if you need FSCS protection, international banking, or already use a separate acco
58/100
Free tier
Freelancers and self-employed individuals in Germany who want automated tax calculations and a streamlined way to manage
★ Best
💰 Pricing
🆓 Free tier available
Basic account is free but with limited transaction history and customer support; card issuance may cost extra.
Fee notes:
- Card issuance fee: €15 for debit card (one-time)
- Cash deposit fee: €3.50 per deposit (up to €2,500) at partner banks
- Foreign transaction fee: 1.5% on card payments in non-EUR currencies
- SEPA transfers are free in EUR; outgoing international wire may incur €15 fee
- Monthly fee for Pro plan: €9 (charged annually) or €12 if paid monthly
⚠ Watch for:
- Cash deposit fee of €3.50 per deposit, even at partner banks
- Card replacement fee: €15 if lost/stolen
- International wire transfers are not included in basic plan; €15 per transaction
- Additional card for business plan may cost €9 per month per card
🔧 Features
✓ Freelancer Focus✓ Tax Calculation✓ Tax Reserve✓ German Only✓ Solarisbank Licensed✓ Free Tier
📋 Assessment
💪 Strengths
- The real-time tax calculation is a standout feature. It analyzes every incoming payment using your personalized tax rate, which is adjusted monthly based on your revenue and deductible expenses. For example, if you invoice €5,000 and your tax rate is 30%, Kontist automatically transfers €1,500 to a separate sub-account. This takes the guesswork out of tax saving and ensures you're never short when the tax bill arrives.
- The automatic tax reserve account is not just a ledger entry; it's a separate sub-account that accrues interest and can be transferred back if you need extra cash. You can set a target for your quarterly estimated tax payments, and Kontist alerts you when you're on track. This feature alone can save freelancers from the common mistake of spending their tax money before it's due.
- Kontist integrates seamlessly with German tax software like lexoffice and DATEV, and even connects directly to your tax advisor via API. This means your transactions automatically sync to your accounting system, eliminating manual data entry. For freelancers who dread bookkeeping, this is a huge time-saver and reduces the risk of errors.
- The free basic account is genuinely useful, not just a teaser. You get a German IBAN, a Mastercard (physical or virtual), and unlimited transactions. The Pro tier at €9/month adds sub-accounts for separate projects, a savings wallet, and priority support. This pricing is competitive, especially when compared to traditional banks charging monthly fees for similar features.
- The mobile app is intuitive and gives you a real-time view of your tax liability, disposable income, and upcoming tax payments. You can categorize expenses on the go, attach receipts, and export reports. The clean interface, while German-only, is well-designed and makes it easy to see your financial health at a glance.
⚠ Watch out for
- The biggest drawback is the lack of English support. The app, website, and customer support are exclusively in German. This immediately alienates a significant portion of freelancers in Germany, especially those who freelance from other countries or have English-speaking clients. For anyone not fluent in German, the learning curve is steep, and the support is essentially unavailable.
- Kontist is strictly for freelancers and self-employed individuals. German trade licenses (Gewerbeschein) or proof of freelance status (Freiberufler) are required, and the account is not suitable for larger companies, partnerships, or corporations with multiple shareholders. The features are too simplistic for businesses with complex treasury needs, payroll processing, or multi-currency operations.
- While the basic account is free, some essential services come with fees. Cash deposits cost 1.5% (minimum €1.5), and international transfers have relatively high charges. Foreign currency transactions also incur a conversion fee. These fees can add up for freelancers who receive payments from abroad or deal with cash, which is common in some industries.
- The account is a pass-through, not a true business account in the traditional sense. It lacks features like employee cards, payroll integration, and deeper corporate governance tools. If your business grows and you need to hire employees or expand, you'll likely outgrow Kontist and need to switch to a full-service business bank.
- Customer support is only available in German, and while the Pro tier promises 'priority support,' response times can still be slow during peak periods. There is no phone support, only email and in-app chat. Users who prefer immediate assistance may find this frustrating, especially since banking issues are often time-sensitive.
🎯 Best for
Freelancers and self-employed individuals in Germany who want automated tax calculations and a streamlined way to manage business finances.
🚫 Who should skip
Anyone outside Germany, larger corporations, or those who prefer a traditional bank with in-person services.
📚 Learning curve
Minimal — setting up the app takes minutes and tax calculations run automatically.
🧑⚖️ Verdict
Kontist is a smart choice for German-speaking freelancers who want to automate tax savings and simplify expense tracking. However, non-German speakers and businesses with complex needs should look elsewhere. Bottom line: If you fit the target audience, Kontist's tax automation is a game-changer for
📊 Use Case Suitability
Higher score = better fit. Scores from editorial review.
Use CaseCountingupKontist
Freelancer Self-Assessment Tax Returns95—
Built-in tax estimates and expense categorisation make it easy to track taxable
Paying Business Expenses on the Go90—
App-based account with instant notifications and auto-categorisation helps small
Sharing Financials with an Accountant92—
Accountant access feature lets professionals view live data and eliminates manua
Managing Simple Invoice Payments80—
Offers invoicing and automatic chase reminders, though it's not as full-featured
Handling Complex Inventory or Payroll30—
Lacks advanced inventory management and payroll tools; better suited to service-
Automated tax saving for freelancers—95
This is the core feature: every payment automatically sets aside funds for taxes
Expense tracking for self-employed creators—90
Categorizes expenses and allows receipt attachment, simplifying write-offs and p
Freelance payment management without accounting software—85
Provides clear insights into income and expenses, with optional export for tax f
🧭 Which One Should You Pick?
Choose Countingup if...
- You are: UK sole traders, freelancers, and small service-based businesses that want simple accounting built right into their busi
- 👍 All-in-one business current account and bookkeeping software, eliminating the need for separate acco
- 👍 Automatic expense categorisation and tax estimates updated in real time.
- 👍 FCA-registered e-money institution with segregated client funds for safety.
- 💰 From $5/mo
- ⚠ Trade-off: Not a licensed bank; deposits aren't covered by the FSCS.
Choose Kontist if...
- You are: Freelancers and self-employed individuals in Germany who want automated tax calculations and a streamlined way to manage
- 👍 Real-time tax calculation on every transaction based on your personal tax rate
- 👍 Automatic tax reserve that separates funds for tax payments
- 👍 Free basic account with no monthly fees
- 💰 Free tier available
- ⚠ Trade-off: Interface and support are German-only, no English version
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Countingup cost?
Countingup offers a free plan and paid plans starting at around £4.95/month for additional features like accountant sharing and invoicing. Exact pricing varies, so check the website for the latest fees.
Is Countingup a bank?
No, it's an FCA-registered e-money institution, not a licensed bank. Your money is safeguarded in segregated accounts, but it doesn't have FSCS deposit protection like a bank.
Can I use Countingup with my accountant?
Yes, the paid plan gives your accountant real-time access to your transactions, categories, and tax estimates. This can save time during year-end and reduces back-and-forth.
Does Countingup work for limited companies?
Yes, it offers business current accounts for both sole traders and limited companies, including features like invoicing and tax calculations. However, complex corporation tax filing may still require an accountant.
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