Best VSME Reporting Software in 2026: Honest Comparison
We built one of these tools. So let's be upfront about that. ExecutESG is our product, and we believe it's the best option for most SMEs — but we're not going to pretend there aren't alternatives worth considering.
This guide compares 7 VSME reporting tools across the criteria that actually matter: price, VSME standard alignment, automation level, export formats, and how fast you can get a finished report. We tested or deeply reviewed each platform so you don't have to.
The Comparison Table
| Feature | ExecutESG | Greenly | GoClimate | Eevery | Ecobio Manager | Sustainova | EFRAG Excel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free (Basic) / €49/mo (Pro) | Custom (~€300+/mo) | Custom | Free tier available | Custom (~€200+/mo) | Free | Free |
| VSME Basic Module | ✅ Full | ✅ Full | ⚠️ Partial | ✅ Full | ✅ Full | ✅ Full | ✅ Full |
| VSME Comprehensive Module | ✅ (Pro tier) | ✅ | ⚠️ Limited | ⚠️ Partial | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| GHG Auto-Calculator | ✅ Built-in | ✅ Built-in | ✅ Core focus | ❌ Manual | ✅ Built-in | ❌ Manual | ❌ Manual |
| PDF Export | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ (manual formatting) |
| Word Export | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| XBRL Export | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ⚠️ (via converter) |
| Guided Wizard | ✅ Step-by-step | ✅ Dashboard-based | ⚠️ Financial-data-first | ✅ Questionnaire | ✅ Module-based | ✅ Form-based | ❌ Raw spreadsheet |
| ESRS Reference Links | ✅ Per disclosure | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ⚠️ Some | ❌ | ❌ |
| Scope 3 Support | ✅ (Pro tier) | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ⚠️ Manual only |
| Multi-language | EN, FI | EN, FR, DE, ES + | EN, SV | EN, NL | EN, IT, DE | EN | EN |
| Time to First Report | ~15 minutes | 1-2 hours setup | 1-2 hours setup | ~30 minutes | 1-2 hours setup | ~30 minutes | 3-5 hours |
| Target Market | Nordic/EU SMEs | Mid-market / Enterprise | SMEs (carbon focus) | Dutch/EU SMEs | Italian/EU SMEs | EU SMEs | Everyone |
Detailed Reviews
1. ExecutESG — Best for SMEs Who Want to Start Free and Scale
What it does well:
ExecutESG is the only platform we found that offers a permanently free VSME Basic Module with built-in GHG calculations, a guided disclosure wizard, and triple export (PDF, Word, XBRL). It was purpose-built for the VSME standard, not retrofitted from a larger CSRD compliance tool.
The platform follows the exact VSME disclosure structure (B1-B11 for Basic, C1-C9 for Comprehensive) with inline ESRS reference links — so you always know which standard requirement you're fulfilling. The built-in GHG calculator converts raw energy data (kWh, litres) into Scope 1 and 2 emissions automatically.
Where it falls short:
ExecutESG is newer than competitors like Greenly or Sweep, which means a smaller user community and fewer third-party integrations. If you need API connections to your ERP or accounting system, you may need to wait for those to be built.
Best for: SMEs completing their first VSME report, companies under supply chain pressure, Nordic businesses looking for a localized solution.
Price: Free (Basic Module) / €49/mo (Comprehensive + GHG targets) / See full pricing
2. Greenly — Best for Mid-Market Companies With Carbon Focus
What it does well:
Greenly is a well-funded French platform with strong carbon accounting capabilities. Their automated data collection integrates with accounting software, which reduces manual entry. They have a dedicated VSME module and offer CSRD-level reporting for companies that expect to grow into mandatory requirements.
Where it falls short:
Greenly is expensive. Their pricing starts well above what most micro-SMEs can justify for a voluntary reporting exercise. They also don't offer XBRL export or Word export, which limits the flexibility of your output format. The platform's primary interface is in French, though English is supported.
Best for: Mid-market companies (50-250 employees) that need carbon accounting AND VSME reporting in one platform and have the budget to support it.
Price: Custom pricing (typically €300-500+/month)
3. GoClimate — Best for Climate-Focused Automation
What it does well:
GoClimate (Swedish) excels at automated emission calculations from financial data. If carbon accounting is your primary concern and VSME is secondary, GoClimate's approach of pulling data directly from your financial records can save significant time. Strong Nordic presence.
Where it falls short:
GoClimate's VSME coverage is partial — they focus heavily on the environmental disclosures (B3, C3, C5) but have thinner support for social (B8-B10) and governance (B11) disclosures. No XBRL export. The guided wizard is less structured than a disclosure-by-disclosure approach.
Best for: Companies whose primary goal is carbon accounting, with VSME as a bonus.
Price: Custom pricing
4. Eevery — Best for Dutch/Benelux SMEs
What it does well:
Eevery offers a clean, questionnaire-based interface that guides users through sustainability reporting. They have a free tier and strong alignment with the VSME framework. The platform is popular in the Netherlands and Benelux region.
Where it falls short:
No built-in GHG calculator — you need to calculate emissions manually or use a separate tool. Limited export options (PDF only). No Scope 3 support, which makes the Comprehensive Module incomplete.
Best for: Small Benelux-based companies looking for a simple, guided questionnaire approach.
Price: Free tier available / Paid plans for advanced features
5. Ecobio Manager — Best for Italian/Central European SMEs
What it does well:
Ecobio Manager provides a comprehensive module-based approach with strong environmental compliance features. They offer a built-in GHG calculator and have good VSME alignment across both Basic and Comprehensive modules.
Where it falls short:
Pricing is not transparent (requires contacting sales). The platform's primary market is Italy, which means some regional guidance may not apply to Nordic or Northern European businesses. No XBRL export.
Best for: Italian and Central European SMEs with environmental compliance needs beyond basic VSME.
Price: Custom pricing (estimated €200+/month)
6. Sustainova — Best Free Alternative
What it does well:
Sustainova offers a fully free VSME assessment tool covering both Basic and Comprehensive modules. It's a solid option for companies that want zero cost and are willing to do more manual work.
Where it falls short:
No GHG auto-calculator, no XBRL export, no guided wizard with ESRS references, and limited export options. It collects and structures your data but doesn't automate the analysis or calculation steps.
Best for: Micro-enterprises with sustainability expertise who want a free, no-frills data entry tool.
Price: Free
7. EFRAG Excel Template — The Official Baseline
What it does well:
It's the official template from the standard-setting body. Free, comprehensive, and guaranteed to be aligned with the VSME standard.
Where it falls short:
It's a spreadsheet. There are no automated calculations, no guided workflows, no export to PDF or XBRL (though a separate converter exists). Formatting a professional report from the raw data requires significant manual work. Not suitable for annual repetition without considerable time investment.
Best for: Micro-enterprises doing a one-time exercise, or companies that want to understand the raw data structure before choosing software.
Price: Free — Download from EFRAG
How We'd Choose
| Your Situation | Our Recommendation |
|---|---|
| First VSME report, limited budget | ExecutESG (free) or EFRAG Excel (free) |
| Need carbon accounting + VSME | GoClimate or Greenly |
| Mid-market with CSRD on the horizon | Greenly |
| Want zero cost, okay with manual work | Sustainova or EFRAG Excel |
| Nordic SME under supply chain pressure | ExecutESG |
| Need XBRL export | ExecutESG (only platform offering it natively) |
| Already use accounting integrations | Greenly or GoClimate |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there truly free VSME reporting software?
Yes. ExecutESG offers a permanently free Basic Module, Sustainova is entirely free, and the EFRAG Excel template costs nothing. The difference is in automation, guidance, and export options.
Do I need software, or can I just use the EFRAG Excel template?
You can absolutely use the Excel template. However, it requires manual GHG calculations, manual formatting, and doesn't support XBRL export. If you plan to report annually, software will save you hours each cycle. See our guide to automating your VSME report for the detailed breakdown.
Which tool has the best VSME alignment?
ExecutESG and the EFRAG Excel template are the most closely aligned — both follow the exact B1-B11 / C1-C9 disclosure structure. Other platforms (Greenly, GoClimate) use their own frameworks and map to VSME requirements, which sometimes means the coverage is partial.
Can I switch tools later?
Yes. Your VSME data is your data. Most platforms allow export, and the data points are standardized. Switching from EFRAG Excel to ExecutESG (or vice versa) is straightforward.
This comparison was last updated in May 2026. We update this page quarterly as new features launch across all platforms. If you're a software vendor and believe your product is misrepresented, contact us.
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Read the full standard: VSME Standard Explained: The Complete Guide
Need to collect your data first? Use our VSME Data Collection Checklist.
Preparing for EcoVadis too? Read our VSME to EcoVadis Preparation Guide.