Software Comparison

Software comparison: what this category covers

We group very different products under software here: security tools such as VPN services, inventory management for online retailers, learning platforms for school pupils, video editing, email marketing, cloud telephony, virtual servers and tools for webinars and search engine optimisation. What they share is that hardly anyone buys a boxed copy in a shop any more. Almost everything is sold as a subscription or cloud service billed monthly or annually.

This matters for price comparisons. A programme at €9 a month costs €324 over three years, and an offer with two free months or a first-year discount can end up more expensive once the regular price applies. That is why our comparison pages show the monthly price for the chosen term wherever possible and state the renewal price in the small print.

How software costs arise

Most providers tier their plans by a volume measure. For newsletter tools it is the number of contacts, for inventory management the orders per month, for phone systems the users, and for SEO tools the projects or tracked keywords. If you grow, you move into the next plan automatically. Check where the limits lie before you book and what moving up costs.

On top come items that rarely appear in the advertised price: set-up, connections to marketplaces or accounting, extra users, storage, support packages and hardware such as phones. For business customers, prices are often shown net. The €9 net then becomes €10.71 with 19% VAT, which does not burden companies that can reclaim input VAT but does burden small-business owners and private individuals.

Typical costs by category

The ranges below are rough guides taken from providers' current entry-level prices, as of October 2026. The price on the provider's own website always prevails.

• VPN: roughly €2 to €3 a month on long-term plans, considerably more when paid monthly; some providers have a limited free plan.
• Inventory management (ERP): from free entry levels such as JTL Start through plans in the low double digits to three-figure monthly amounts for larger retailers.
• Learning platforms: some offers are free; paid family subscriptions usually cost a single-digit to low double-digit euro amount per month.
• Video editing: from free software such as DaVinci Resolve to subscriptions and one-off purchases; for beginners the hardware matters more than the licence.
• Newsletter, VoIP, webinar: free plans with a volume cap, then prices per contact, user or participant.
• SEO software: professional tools start at around €29 a month and go far beyond that for agencies.
• VServer: simple virtual servers cost a few euros a month; in return you run the operation yourself.

Selection criteria: what really matters

Before you compare prices, it pays to clarify your needs soberly. Software with 30 features of which you use three is rarely the cheapest choice. Write down which tasks the programme has to perform, how many people will work with it and which other systems it should connect to.

• Minimum term and cancellation: monthly plans cost more but are flexible; annual plans are often considerably cheaper per month.
• Renewal price: it is in the small print and is the figure that counts from the second year.
• Integrations: for ERP and newsletter tools, the connection to your shop, marketplace or accounting software decides how useful they are.
• Data protection: an EU server location and a data processing agreement are mandatory, not optional, when personal data is involved.
• Data export: find out beforehand whether you can take your data with you in a common format if you switch later.
• Trial period: use free trials or money-back guarantees to try the software with real data.

Legal framework for subscriptions

Consumers who sign a contract online generally have a 14-day right of withdrawal under the distance-selling rules of the German Civil Code (BGB). For digital services the right can lapse, or compensation can become due, if the service has already started at your request. Individual providers' money-back guarantees often go beyond the statutory period, for example to 30 days.

Since 1 July 2022, providers of online contracts with consumers in Germany must offer a cancellation button (section 312k BGB). If a consumer contract renews automatically after the minimum term, it can generally be cancelled at any time with one month's notice afterwards. These consumer rules do not apply to business customers, where the contract terms govern. Anyone who feeds customers' personal data into cloud software also needs a data processing agreement under Art. 28 GDPR.

How to proceed: four steps to the right software

A structured approach saves time and prevents bad buys. It has proved worthwhile to clarify the need first and compare prices only afterwards.

• Define the need: tasks, number of users, required integrations and monthly budget.
• Pick two or three candidates in the right category and narrow down the plans using the filters on the comparison page.
• Use the trial period and check with real data whether operation, speed and support suit you.
• Read the contract: note the term, renewal price, notice period and data export before you book.

Frequently asked questions

Is an annual plan worth it compared with paying monthly?

Usually yes, if you are sure to use the software for more than a year. Annual and multi-year plans are often considerably cheaper per month. Pay attention to the renewal price and notice period, though, so the contract does not renew at a higher price without you noticing.

Are free programmes a serious alternative?

For many tasks, yes. DaVinci Resolve in video editing or JTL Start in inventory management show that free tiers offer a genuine entry point. The limits usually lie in volumes, features or support. Check whether you can move to a paid plan later without losing data.

What should I watch for with cloud software and data protection?

As soon as personal data is processed, for example customer addresses in a newsletter tool, you need a data processing agreement under Art. 28 GDPR. A server location in the EU simplifies the documentation. With providers outside the EU you should explicitly check transfers to third countries.

Are prices for business customers net or gross?

Many business plans are quoted net, that is, plus 19% VAT. Companies that can reclaim input VAT effectively pay the net price; small-business owners and private individuals pay the gross price. Our comparison pages state whether a price is gross or net.

How do I switch provider without losing data?

Export your data before you cancel, ideally as CSV or another open format. Start the new service alongside the old one, import the data and spot-check it. Cancel the old contract only once everything works and the notice period allows it.