The honest HERO Software alternative for trade businesses
HERO Software is an established 'operating system for the trades' with measuring, time tracking and an on-site app. dashandwerk.xhub focuses on a lean entry: a free tier, monthly cancellable, e-invoicing beyond Germany. Here's the factual comparison — including the cases where HERO remains the better choice.
by Patrick Jerominek · As of 07/2026 · Sources: hero-software.de/preise, hero-software.de/features/rechnungsprogramm-handwerker/e-rechnung · All competitor details without guarantee; prices as published by the vendor. Trademarks belong to their respective owners.
Who should switch from HERO Software — and who should not?
Switching pays off if …
- You want to start without an annual prepayment — HERO's terms make the fee due in advance for the whole term; dashandwerk.xhub is monthly cancellable.
- You need e-invoicing beyond Germany: XRechnung, ZUGFeRD and Factur-X, in the Business plan across 34 countries — including receipt and validation.
- You want accounting in the same tool — with us double-entry bookkeeping (SKR03) is built in; HERO is preparatory and integrates Lexware Office.
- You want low entry costs: free and Pro at €13, instead of €79 a month plus per-user app licences.
Stay with HERO Software if …
- You need deep measuring and site documentation from an established product — here HERO is mature.
- A strong AI focus with many automations matters to you — HERO advertises 'Copilot'; our automation is deliberately lean.
- You already work with Lexware Office — HERO integrates it directly; with us accounting is built in, but without a Lexware link.
- You don't want to use an early-access product. dashandwerk.xhub is new to the market — in return, your feedback feeds directly into development.
dashandwerk.xhub and HERO Software at a glance
Verifiable criteria only. Sources and review date are below the table.
As of 07/2026 · Sources: hero-software.de/preise, hero-software.de/features/rechnungsprogramm-handwerker/e-rechnung · All competitor details without guarantee; prices as published by the vendor. Trademarks belong to their respective owners.
How we compared
Every statement about the competitor comes solely from their public first-party sources (pricing and feature pages) with a retrieval date — we don't estimate and never claim an absence without evidence. Our own entries reflect only what DasHandwerk.xhub can actually do today. And yes: we're a party — which is why we openly state above who shouldn't switch.
What the criteria mean
- E-invoicing
- E-invoicing: does the software create and receive standard-compliant XRechnung/ZUGFeRD? Receiving has been mandatory in B2B since 2025.
- Accounting & DATEV
- Accounting & export: do the numbers reach the tax advisor cleanly (e.g. DATEV/SIE export, GoBD-compliant immutability)?
- Trade workflow
- Trade features: does it cover the day-to-day — quote, job, appointment, work log, mobile capture?
- Prices (net)
- Price: what does a productive entry cost per month, and what is really included?
- Term & cancellation
- Cancellation & lock-in: monthly cancellable or annual commitment?
- Add-ons
- Extra costs: surcharges/add-ons for core features — or everything included?
Switch in three steps
Export your data
Export customers and products from your current tool as CSV or Excel.
Import & set up
CSV import for customers & products, set your letterhead and number ranges — ready in a few minutes.
Test without risk
Work in parallel on the Free plan. Cancel monthly, export your data at any time.
See for yourself
To get started
For freelancers & small teams
For growing companies
dashandwerk.xhub is Early Access: every module named here is built and usable — and your feedback shapes the product. All prices plus VAT.
Other alternatives compared
Common questions about switching from HERO Software
Can I bring my data over from HERO?
Yes. Customers and products can be exported and imported into dashandwerk.xhub; keep previous invoices in line with your retention obligations.
Do I have to pay a year in advance?
No. dashandwerk.xhub is billed monthly and monthly cancellable. HERO's terms make the fee due in advance for the whole contract term.
Is accounting included with you?
Yes, double-entry bookkeeping with SKR03 is built in, including DATEV and SIE export. HERO positions its accounting as preparatory and integrates Lexware Office for the rest.
What does early access mean for me?
dashandwerk.xhub is new to the market. All modules named on this page are built and usable — we deliberately don't advertise with invented reviews. In return you have a direct line to the team and your feedback feeds into development.