Swiss invoicing software: The best tools for SMEs compared (2026)

Every tool can write invoices these days. The question is what happens around them: does the software generate a standard-compliant QR invoice with a structured address? Does it handle VAT correctly? Can it turn a quote into an invoice with one click? And how much do you pay for it each month?

This comparison puts five Swiss invoicing programs side by side that matter for freelancers, startups and small SMEs. Each dimension ends with a takeaway, so that by the end you know which tool fits your situation.

All prices and features as of August 2026, verified on each provider's website. Prices in CHF, excluding VAT, annual subscription where available.

The five tools at a glance

1. QR invoice and Swiss Payment Standards

Takeaway: All five tools support the Swiss QR standard. The cloud solutions generate QR invoices straight from invoicing; Banana needs more manual configuration.

Since 1 October 2022, the QR invoice has been the only standard for paper-based payments in Switzerland. Since November 2025, the Implementation Guidelines v2.3 apply, which only allow structured addresses in the QR code.

Infinity, bexio and KLARA generate QR invoices with a structured address, an automatic QR reference (QRR or SCOR) and direct sending by email or link – the recipient scans the QR code on screen without having to print the invoice. CashCtrl offers the feature too, but the free version needs more manual configuration.

Banana Accounting has supported QR invoices since version 10. Setting it up takes a little more effort than with the cloud tools: templates have to be configured, the QR-IBAN entered manually and the layout adjusted. In return, everything runs locally, without an internet connection.

2. VAT handling

Takeaway: bexio and Infinity offer the most comprehensive VAT automation. KLARA and CashCtrl cover the standard cases well. Banana handles VAT, but the FTA export (XML) is only included in the more expensive Advanced plan.

bexio calculates VAT automatically for each line item and prepares the VAT return for the Federal Tax Administration (FTA). Infinity does the same, but adds AI-powered booking suggestions that come with the right VAT code. KLARA supports the effective method and (depending on the plan) the net tax rate method. CashCtrl offers VAT management with a Swiss chart of accounts, but automatic bank import only in the Pro plan.

Banana offers full VAT management with preconfigured Swiss tax codes (effective and net tax rate). The electronic XML export for filing with the FTA, however, is only included in the Advanced plan (CHF 179/year) – in the cheaper Professional plan, the return has to be transferred manually.

3. Quote → invoice

Takeaway: The quote-to-invoice workflow is strongest in Infinity, bexio and KLARA – one click and all the data is carried over. Banana has no built-in quote management.

If you regularly write quotes and turn them into invoices once they are accepted, an integrated workflow saves a lot of time. Infinity turns the quote into a QR invoice with one click and carries over line items, prices, customer data and VAT automatically – including Instant Fill, which suggests line items with the help of AI. bexio offers the same one-click workflow, but without AI suggestions. KLARA covers the workflow through its order management.

CashCtrl supports the step from quote to invoice in the Pro version. Banana Accounting is primarily an accounting tool and has no built-in quote management – quotes would have to be created elsewhere and the invoice data transferred manually.

4. Accounting and year-end closing

Takeaway: bexio is the most comprehensive provider for larger SMEs (payroll, inventory, projects). Infinity offers the most advanced accounting for self-employed people, startups and SMEs – thanks to AI booking suggestions. Banana is the classic for experienced bookkeepers who want to work locally.

All five tools offer double-entry bookkeeping with a Swiss chart of accounts (KMU or Käfer). The depth differs:

bexio covers the full day-to-day of an SME: accounting, payroll (from Optima, CHF 69/mo.), inventory management, projects and time tracking. For teams of five or more, it remains the most comprehensive provider.

Infinity relies on AI: Live Accounting analyses past entries and Swiss booking rules and suggests new entries in real time. According to Infinity, more than 90% of entries can be suggested automatically this way. For the year-end closing, there is a built-in assistant for accruals, depreciation and closing balance sheets. Payroll is available as an add-on module.

KLARA is modular: accounting, payroll (CHF 3.90–4.90 per payslip), time tracking (CHF 4 per person/mo.), CRM and even a web shop module. The platform belongs to Swiss Post and covers a lot of ground – but the module costs add up.

CashCtrl offers full double-entry bookkeeping in its free plan – but without automatic bank import, OCR or payroll. If you need those, you pay CHF 29/mo. (Pro).

Banana Accounting is the Swiss desktop classic: on the market for more than 30 years, installed locally, no dependence on the cloud. The software offers solid double-entry bookkeeping with foreign currencies and a flexible chart of accounts. Its strength is control – you see every booking line as in a spreadsheet. Its weakness: no automatic bank reconciliation, no OCR receipt capture, no collaboration with your fiduciary through the cloud. If you use Banana, you need to understand accounting.

5. AI and automation

Takeaway: Infinity is the only provider in this comparison with end-to-end AI automation – from receipt capture to booking suggestions. bexio has AI receipt capture from the Advanced plan. Banana and CashCtrl Free are fully manual.

Infinity's Live Accounting and Live Capture (AI receipt processing with supplier recognition) are its most visible unique selling points. The AI doesn't just suggest entries, it learns from the context of your business – the more you book, the more accurate the suggestions become.

bexio offers AI receipt capture from the Advanced plan (CHF 42/mo.), though with a quota of 50 scans per month. KLARA has receipt recognition in its expenses module.

CashCtrl relies on manual entry in the free version; the Pro plan adds automatic bank import (ISO 20022), but no OCR. Banana Accounting offers neither OCR nor AI – all data is entered manually or imported as structured files (CSV, ISO 20022). For users who want full control over every entry, that is no drawback. For everyone else, it eats up time.

6. Value for money

Takeaway: Banana is the cheapest of the paid solutions (CHF 89/year), CashCtrl Free the cheapest for cloud accounting (free). Infinity offers the best value for freelancers, startups and SMEs that want to use AI automation. bexio is the most expensive, but also the most comprehensive.

The prices at a glance:

• Banana Free: free – up to 70 entries, too limited for real bookkeeping
• Banana Professional: CHF 89/year – desktop, without VAT XML export
• Banana Advanced: CHF 179/year – desktop, with VAT XML export
• CashCtrl: free (Pro: approx. CHF 29/mo. / CHF 350/year)
• Infinity Start: CHF 24/mo. (CHF 288/year) – without the effective VAT method
• Infinity Pro: CHF 38/mo. (CHF 456/year) – with the effective VAT method, recurring receivables
• KLARA Business Starter: from CHF 26/mo. (CHF 312/year) – add-on modules cost extra
• bexio Basic: CHF 35/mo. (CHF 420/year) – without AI receipt capture
• bexio Advanced: CHF 42/mo. (CHF 504/year) – with AI receipt capture

When comparing prices, the monthly subscription isn't the only thing that counts: watch out for extra costs for bank connections, AI receipt quotas, payroll modules and additional users. Infinity includes 2 users in every plan at no extra charge. Banana has no running costs – instead you pay with time, because bank reconciliation and receipt capture are manual.

7. Which tool suits whom?

Takeaway: There is no «best» invoicing software – but there is a best one for your situation. Your target group decides.

• Freelancers without accounting knowledge who want to automate as much as possible → Infinity
• Experienced bookkeepers who want to work locally and offline → Banana Accounting
• Cost-conscious sole proprietorships looking for free accounting → CashCtrl Free
• GmbH/AG with employees and payroll → Infinity with payroll, bexio (Optima) or KLARA (with payroll module)
• Fiduciaries with several clients → Infinity (multi-client capability), bexio or CashCtrl Pro
• SMEs that want a modular system with a web shop and CRM → KLARA

Conclusion

All information in this comparison is as of August 2026. Prices and features may change – if in doubt, check the provider's website. For the general mandatory details on a Swiss invoice, see our complete invoicing guide.

Try Infinity free for 14 days – unlimited quotes and invoices, no credit card required.

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