A GHG inventory started in Excel rarely ends well. Rows get duplicated, emission factors are three versions out of date, and no one can say whether scope 3 was estimated or simply forgotten. With CSRD rolling out in waves and the statutory GHG assessment (BEGES-r) remaining mandatory for companies with more than 500 employees, spreadsheets no longer cut it: you need a proper corporate carbon footprint tool capable of consolidating data, applying a recognised methodology, and producing verifiable reporting. This comparison reviews the leading software on the French market, their scope, and the logic behind choosing one.
- The right tool depends above all on your size and your obligations (CSRD, BEGES-r, voluntary commitment), not on the number of features listed.
- All serious tools align with two methodologies: the Bilan Carbone® (ABC) and the GHG Protocol, both using the same scope 1, 2 and 3 breakdown.
- The criterion that makes the long-term difference is automated data collection. A tool that forces you to re-enter every invoice by hand will be abandoned before the second reporting cycle.
Bilan Carbone® and GHG Protocol: what every tool must be able to do
Before comparing vendors, it is worth understanding the shared foundation. Two frameworks structure the market. The Bilan Carbone®, a French methodology created by ADEME in 2004 and managed since 2011 by the Association pour la transition Bas Carbone (ABC), requires a comprehensive view: scope 3 is mandatory under this method[1]. The GHG Protocol, the international standard developed by the World Resources Institute and the WBCSD, only makes scopes 1 and 2 mandatory, but remains the reference for investors (CDP, Science Based Targets)[2].
Both methods share the same three-boundary breakdown: scope 1 (direct emissions: combustion, fleet, refrigerant leaks), scope 2 (indirect energy: purchased electricity, steam, heat), scope 3 (all other indirect emissions, from procurement to end-of-life of sold products). Scope 3 often accounts for 70–90% of the total for a services company, and is the hardest to make reliable. A tool that does not cover scope 3, or only estimates it roughly, is of little use beyond an initial diagnosis.
On top of this, France requires the BEGES-r (statutory greenhouse gas emissions assessment), introduced by decree no. 2022-982. It applies to companies with more than 500 employees in metropolitan France, which must publish their assessment every four years on the ADEME platform[3]. A compliant tool must be able to produce this specific export, not just a summary PDF.
The leading carbon footprint tools in France
The French market has consolidated over the past few years. There are generalist players covering everything from initial diagnosis to multi-entity management, and more targeted solutions. Here is the landscape as of 2026[4][5]:
| Tool | Scope / methodology | Main strength | Primary target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenly | Scopes 1/2/3, GHG Protocol & Bilan Carbone® | Semi-automated collection, ESRS E1 module | SMEs and mid-market companies |
| Sami | Multi-entity, ~230,000 emission factors | Intuitive interface, partner consultancy network | SMEs to large accounts |
| Traace (Tennaxia group) | Group consolidation, integrated ESG modules | Multi-entity robustness, CSRD reporting | Mid-market and large accounts |
| Sweep | Extended value chain, B-Corp certified | Supplier collaboration, international reach | Mid-market and international groups |
| Carbo (HelloCarbo) | Bilan Carbone®, human-led support | Polished UX, fast onboarding | SMEs in voluntary programmes |
| Toovalu (Lefebvre Sarrut) | Regulatory watch, BEGES-r | Legal expertise, compliance tracking | Mid-market companies subject to BEGES-r |
| Aktio | Assessment + structured action plan | Focus on operational steering | SMEs and mid-market companies |
| WeCount | Bilan Carbone®, accessible approach | Competitive pricing, simplified process | Micro-businesses and small SMEs |
There are also free tools to get started: the official ADEME Bilan Carbone® calculator and the GHG Protocol sector worksheets. They are sufficient for a first rough estimate, but fall short as soon as you need to consolidate multiple sites, run the collection process year after year, or produce auditable reporting[5].
Five criteria that truly differentiate the tools
1. Methodological compliance. Verify that the tool is recognised as compliant with the Bilan Carbone® by the ABC and aligned with the GHG Protocol. If you are subject to BEGES-r or CSRD (ESRS E1), ask for a live demo of the corresponding export, not a roadmap promise. Compliance is a binary requirement, not a marketing argument.
2. The richness of the emission factor database. This is the tool's fuel. Sami claims around 230,000 factors; Greenly and Sweep have also built substantial databases drawing on ADEME, Ecoinvent, and sector-specific sources[4]. A thin database will force you into manual estimates or questionable assumptions for scope 3.
3. Automated data collection. The real bottleneck in a GHG inventory is data entry. The best tools connect to your accounting system, import energy statements, and distribute questionnaires to suppliers. A tool that requires everything to be re-entered by hand produces one assessment, then never again.
4. Multi-entity management. For a mid-market company or group, the ability to consolidate multiple subsidiaries (with different scopes and reference years) is not a nice-to-have. It is what separates a diagnostic tool from a group steering platform. Traace (Tennaxia) and Sami clearly target this ground.
5. Action plan and steering. An assessment that does not lead to decisions is worthless. Aktio, Greenly and Carbo integrate catalogues of reduction actions with estimated impact. The aim is to move from measurement to a trajectory, ideally aligned with science-based targets (SBTi).
The most comprehensive tool is not necessarily the right one. An SME on a voluntary programme does not need Traace's group consolidation; a large company subject to BEGES-r will waste time with an entry-level tool. Match the tool to your actual obligation, not to the length of the feature list.
Budget, support and mistakes to avoid
Vendors rarely publish their prices publicly. They operate on a quote basis depending on size, number of entities, and level of support. Observed price ranges run from approximately €1,000–3,000 excl. VAT/year for an accessible solution (WeCount, entry-level tiers) to over €10,000 excl. VAT/year for a group platform with advanced consolidation[4]. In between, the €3,000–10,000 excl. VAT/year bracket covers most of the SME and mid-market segment.
Beyond the licence fee, budget for support services. Many vendors rely on a network of partner consultancies (Sami claims more than 100 in France) who can manage data collection and methodology on the ground[4]. For a first assessment, that support is often worth more than a premium licence with no dedicated contact.
Do not confuse tool and consultancy. Software does not replace methodological expertise. It structures it. A serious first GHG assessment requires a minimum of guidance, if only to frame the scope and validate scope 3 assumptions. Choosing the cheapest tool without pairing it with advisory support is the most common mistake, and the most expensive one to correct.
There is also the question of ongoing tracking. A carbon assessment is not a one-off exercise: regulations and CSRD require year-on-year comparison, which means the calculation must be reproducible. That is the strongest argument for moving from a spreadsheet to dedicated software: the traceability of assumptions and emission factors from one reporting cycle to the next.
Finally, a carbon footprint does not exist in isolation. Once emissions are measured, the levers still need to be managed: mobility, procurement, energy. This is where the link with sustainable finance becomes meaningful, and where a unified professional payment solution that consolidates spend and feeds CSR reporting usefully complements a GHG assessment tool.
Frequently asked questions
What is a corporate carbon footprint tool?
It is software that consolidates and tracks an organisation's greenhouse gas emissions using recognised emission factors and a recognised methodology (the ABC's Bilan Carbone® or the GHG Protocol). It goes beyond a simple calculator by covering data collection, scope-by-scope analysis, regulatory reporting and long-term tracking.
Which carbon footprint tool is right for an SME?
For an SME on a voluntary programme, Greenly, Carbo or WeCount offer a good balance of simplicity and price. Sami is also a strong option, with the advantage of a very rich emission factor database and a partner consultancy network for support[4].
What is the difference between the Bilan Carbone® and the GHG Protocol?
The Bilan Carbone® is the French methodology (ADEME, then ABC), which makes scope 3 mandatory for a comprehensive view. The GHG Protocol is the international standard (WRI/WBCSD), the reference for investors, which only makes scopes 1 and 2 mandatory. Both share the same three-scope breakdown[1][2].
Is a free tool sufficient for a GHG inventory?
For a first rough estimate or a very small organisation, the ADEME Bilan Carbone® calculator or the GHG Protocol worksheets may be enough. Beyond that (multi-site consolidation, BEGES-r or CSRD reporting, multi-year tracking), a professional tool becomes necessary[3].
How much does carbon assessment software cost?
Pricing is generally on a quote basis. Expect approximately €1,000–3,000 excl. VAT/year for an entry-level solution, €3,000–10,000 excl. VAT/year for a full SME/mid-market platform, and over €10,000 excl. VAT/year for advanced group consolidation[4]. Partner consultancy support is often an additional cost on top of the licence.
Is a BEGES-r compliant tool required?
Yes, if your company exceeds the regulatory thresholds (more than 500 employees in metropolitan France under BEGES-r from decree no. 2022-982). In that case, the tool must be able to produce the statutory export for submission to the ADEME platform. Verify this capability before signing[3].
Pillar article. This guide is part of our CSR & CSRD white paper.
References
- Association pour la transition Bas Carbone (ABC), Bilan Carbone® methodology — methodological guide. abc-transitionbascarbone.fr. ↩
- GHG Protocol, Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard — scopes 1, 2 and 3 (WRI & WBCSD). ghgprotocol.org. ↩
- economie.gouv.fr, Greenhouse gas emissions assessment (BEGES) — decree no. 2022-982, obligations for companies with more than 500 employees. economie.gouv.fr. ↩
- Sami, The best carbon assessment software in 2026 — comparison of Sami, Greenly, Sweep, Traace, Carbo, Aktio, WeCount (emission factors, multi-entity, pricing). sami.eco. ↩
- D-Carbonize, Carbon footprint: comparison of carbon footprint calculators (Sami, Greenly, Tapio, Sweep…). d-carbonize.eu. ↩
