Magic Heidi The AbaNinja alternative for Swiss freelancers
AbaNinja is a full business suite with accounting, payroll and a web shop. Magic Heidi does less, on purpose: QR invoices, receipts, VAT and bank matching for people who work on their own.
freelancers
all features
and web
AbaNinja does a lot.
You need less.
A translator in Bern, a web developer in Lausanne, a physio in Lugano: they send a handful of invoices a month, keep their receipts in order and maybe file VAT. Bookkeeping, payroll, CRM, an online shop and a till is a lot of software for that job.
Admin without a chart of accounts
No booking entries, no setup project. You do the work that comes up anyway, and the figures for VAT and your tax return build up along the way.
- 🧾QR invoices in your client's language
Pick the client, add hours or a saved service, send. The QR-bill is on the PDF, in DE, FR, IT or EN per client.
- 🧮Income and expenses, not double-entry
Below CHF 500,000 turnover a sole proprietor only needs simple bookkeeping. Magic Heidi covers that with simple categories.
- ✅One plan, everything included
On AbaNinja, the VAT return and net tax rate method start with Basic at CHF 21/month. In Magic Heidi, every plan has everything.
Snap the receipt, Heidi does the rest
Take a photo in the app, or forward a supplier's PDF to import@scan.magicheidi.ch. The AI reads the date, amount, currency, supplier and VAT, with no monthly scan limit (fair use). Connect your bank directly or drop in a CSV or Excel statement, and paid invoices are matched automatically. VAT figures per quarter and an export for your fiduciary are ready when you need them.
Real apps, not a browser tab
AbaNinja runs in the browser, with receipts captured through the separate AbaClik app. Magic Heidi is one native app for iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac and Windows, plus a web version, all on the same account. Write a quote on the train, photograph a receipt at the till, and it's all on your laptop in the evening.
AbaNinja vs Magic Heidi side by side
AbaNinja figures from the Swiss21 pricing page, September 2026 (no VAT statement there). Magic Heidi prices incl. VAT. Both tools create Swiss QR-bills.
| Feature | Magic Heidi | AbaNinja |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Freelancers, sole proprietors | Small companies, clubs, shops |
| Free plan | 3 invoices + 3 expenses in total, all features | Starter, 1,000 documents/year |
| Paid plan | CHF 299/yr or CHF 39/mo, incl. VAT | Basic CHF 21/month, Pro CHF 49/month |
| Swiss QR-bill | ✓ | ✓ |
| VAT return, net tax rate method | ✓ Included | ⚠ From Basic |
| AI receipt scanning | ✓ No monthly limit (fair use) | ⚠ 10/month on Starter, unlimited from Basic |
| Receipts by email forwarding | ✓ import@scan.magicheidi.ch | – |
| Mobile | ✓ One app for iOS and Android | ⚠ Receipts via separate AbaClik app |
| Desktop | ✓ Mac and Windows apps + web | Web app |
| Matching payments to invoices | ✓ Direct bank connection or CSV/Excel import | ⚠ Live bank connection from Basic |
| Payroll, web shop, POS | ✗ Not included | ✓ Included in the suite |
| Support | ✓ Phone with the founder (DE/FR/IT/EN), email in 7 languages | ⚠ 3 requests on Starter, unlimited on paid plans |
AbaNinja or Magic Heidi: which one fits you?
Not VAT-registered and AbaNinja Starter covers you? Then AbaNinja is free and cheaper. If you're VAT-registered, compare CHF 252 a year (AbaNinja Basic at list price) with CHF 299 (Magic Heidi): CHF 47 more for one app built around a one-person business, desktop apps and phone support in your language.
Stay on AbaNinja if …
We'd rather you stay where you are than pay for something you won't use.
- you have employees and run payroll
- you need a balance sheet and full double-entry accounts
- you sell through an online shop or a till
- your fiduciary already works in Abacus
- you aren't VAT-registered and the free plan is enough
Switch to Magic Heidi if …
Freelancing pays your rent, and admin eats into your evenings.
- you're a sole proprietor (Einzelfirma) with regular invoices and receipts
- you're VAT-registered, or will be soon
- you capture receipts on the go with your phone
- you want automatic payment reminders and a login for your fiduciary
- you want phone support from the founder in German, French, Italian or English
From AbaNinja to Magic Heidi in five steps
You don't need to move your whole history. Most people start fresh from the next invoice, ideally at the start of a quarter. Book a free 30-minute onboarding call, or ask support: by phone in German, French, Italian and English, by email also in Portuguese, Spanish and Romansh.
Export your clients
Get your client list out of AbaNinja as a CSV or Excel file and keep PDFs of past invoices for your records.
Create your account
For free on the web or in the app. No credit card.
Add your details
Company name, address, logo, IBAN or QR-IBAN, VAT number and VAT method.
Import your clients
Upload the file and map the columns. If something doesn't fit, send the file to support.
Send your next invoice
Finish the open AbaNinja invoices there and start new ones in Magic Heidi. Nothing to reconcile twice.
AbaNinja, 21.AbaNinja and DeepNinja
Several names are in circulation at the same time. What counts is your current account and your contract.
AbaNinja
Actively sold in the Starter, Basic and Pro plans. No official shutdown date has been published (as of 19 July 2026).
DeepNinja
DeepCloud describes DeepNinja as a product based on AbaNinja.
21.AbaNinja
The helpdesk documents an optional migration to DeepNinja, with a paid AdvancedBox. There is no general obligation to switch.
Swiss21
The Abacus suite AbaNinja belongs to, alongside payroll, CRM, an online shop and a till.
What users say about Magic Heidi
Real reviews from Google, the App Store and Capterra, translated where noted.
“Very logical, intuitive software. Easily customisable with your own data. Good app. Very fast support.”
“Great if you're in Switzerland, I recommend this platform. Everything is simple and you have access to your full statistics and even the figures you have to deduct for VAT.”
“So far I've only scanned and uploaded receipts/expenses. It has always captured everything perfectly, I didn't have to correct anything.”
“The app is easy to use, very practical from a smartphone or a computer.”
“I use Magic Heidi to manage my clients, addresses, invoicing and quotes, but also all my expenses. Getting help from support is quick, clear and very professional.”
“I was looking for a simple solution that would also automatically book purchases from my online shop. Thanks to the Zapier connection, that works without a hitch.”
Magic Heidi pricing
Every feature in every plan. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Free
- 3 invoices and 3 expenses (in total)
- All features unlocked
- AI receipt scanning included
- No credit card required
Annual
- Unlimited invoices and expenses
- AI receipt scanning, no monthly limit (fair use)
- Apps for iOS, Android, Mac, Windows and web
- Bank connection & import with auto-matching
- VAT with effective or net tax rate method
- Export for your fiduciary
- Priority support DE/FR/IT/EN
Monthly
- Unlimited invoices and expenses
- AI receipt scanning
- All platforms
- Bank connection & import
- VAT management
All prices incl. VAT. 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it without risk.
AbaNinja alternative: common questions
Is AbaNinja really free?
Yes, the Swiss21 Starter plan costs CHF 0 and includes up to 1,000 documents a year (quotes, invoices, delivery notes). It uses the gross method or no VAT, allows 10 automatic document recognitions a month and 3 support requests. The VAT return, the net tax rate method and live bank connections start with Basic at CHF 21/month (Swiss21 pricing page, September 2026). Swiss21 states that once you move to a paid plan, you can't downgrade back to Starter.
Is Magic Heidi free too?
Magic Heidi has a free plan with 3 invoices and 3 expenses in total, every feature included, no credit card and no time limit. It's for trying the app, not for running your business on it. After that it's CHF 299 a year or CHF 39 a month, VAT included, cancellable at any time, with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
What's the main difference between Magic Heidi and AbaNinja?
Scope. AbaNinja is part of a suite for small companies: bookkeeping with balance sheet, payroll, CRM, online shop and till. Magic Heidi is built only for freelancers and sole proprietors: invoices, quotes, receipts, VAT, reminders and bank connection in one app on phone and desktop. If you need payroll or a balance sheet, AbaNinja is the better fit.
Is AbaNinja being discontinued?
No official shutdown date has been published (as of 19 July 2026), and AbaNinja is actively sold in three plans. The helpdesk documents an optional migration from 21.AbaNinja to DeepNinja, but that doesn't mean everyone has to switch.
What is DeepNinja and what does it cost?
DeepCloud describes DeepNinja as business software based on AbaNinja. The price depends on your DeepCloud setup; the public DeepCloud pricing page doesn't list a complete standalone price. The CHF 21 a month belongs to the AbaNinja Basic plan, not to DeepNinja.
Does AbaNinja have a mobile app?
AbaNinja itself runs in the browser. Receipts are captured with AbaClik, a separate Abacus app for iOS and Android that also handles time tracking. Magic Heidi is one app for iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac and Windows, plus a web version, all on the same account.
Can I move my data from AbaNinja to Magic Heidi?
Yes. Export your client list as a CSV or Excel file and import it into Magic Heidi. Most people keep their old invoices as PDFs and start fresh from the next invoice. If the columns don't line up, support will help, and you can book a free 30-minute onboarding call.
Is Magic Heidi enough for my fiduciary (Treuhänder)?
For a sole proprietorship, yes in most cases. Magic Heidi records your income and expenses with the receipts attached, and your fiduciary can get their own access as a second user or receive an export. See working with your accountant.
Do I need double-entry bookkeeping as a sole proprietor?
Only from CHF 500,000 turnover a year (Art. 957 CO). Below that, simple bookkeeping of income, expenses and assets is enough, which is what Magic Heidi does. More on simple bookkeeping.
Does Magic Heidi support the net tax rate method (Saldosteuersatz)?
Yes. You choose the effective method or the net tax rate method in your profile, VAT is calculated on every invoice and you get the figures per period for the FTA portal. It's included in every plan. More on VAT in Magic Heidi.
Which VAT rates does Magic Heidi handle?
All current Swiss rates, 8.1%, 2.6%, 3.8% and 0%, several rates on one invoice, and totals per quarter or half-year. Not VAT-registered yet? Leave VAT switched off until you need it.
Where is my data stored?
Your data is stored on servers in Zurich, encrypted, and you can export it at any time. Some processing happens abroad, for example AI receipt recognition, which is handled by a specialised US provider. Details on our security page.
Try Magic Heidi free: 3 invoices, no credit card
Invoices, receipts, VAT and bank connection in one app, built for people who work on their own. If it doesn't fit, simply stay on AbaNinja.
