Best ESG Software in 2026: 8 Compared

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By the Ainotely Editorial Team.
Updated November 2026. 9 min read. Prices and features researched from each vendor's official pages and app store listings at time of writing.
Best ESG Software
Quick picks
  1. 1Workiva logo
    Workivalisted companies reporting ESG and finance together
    Visit
  2. 2Diligent logo
    Diligentboards and compliance teams
    Visit
  3. 3Persefoni logo
    Persefonicompanies measuring carbon footprints
    Visit
  4. 4Novisto logo
    Novistomid-size firms starting ESG reporting
    Visit
  5. 5Benchmark Gensuite logo
    Benchmark Gensuiteoperations teams tracking EHS and ESG
    Visit
Short version:
In this guide Quick comparisonThe best ESG softwareHow we picked theseHow to pick ESG software that survives an auditFrequently asked questionsSources

Quick comparison

ProductIdeal forPrice fromFree version
Workivalisted companies reporting ESG and finance togetherSee websiteNoVisit
Diligentboards and compliance teamsSee websiteNoVisit
Persefonicompanies measuring carbon footprintsSee websiteNoVisit
Novistomid-size firms starting ESG reportingSee websiteNoVisit
Benchmark Gensuiteoperations teams tracking EHS and ESGSee websiteNoVisit
EcoVadiscompanies rating supplier sustainabilitySee websiteNoVisit
FigBytescompanies wanting ESG storytelling with dataSee websiteNoVisit
Greenlycompanies starting carbon accountingSee websiteNoVisit

The best ESG software

We compared 8 ESG software on official feature pages, pricing pages, app store listings, privacy policies and public reviews, and ranked them on fit for the topic, value and honest drawbacks. The list below mixes well-known leaders with smaller options that do the same job well.

Workiva logo
#1

Workiva

Ideal for: listed companies reporting ESG and finance together

Workiva website
workiva.com homepage

Workiva is our pick for listed companies reporting ESG and finance together. In our comparison, connected reporting for ESG and financial data stood out most, and that strength matters because it covers the daily work you will actually do with the product, rather than a feature you open once and forget. The honest catch is enterprise pricing. That trade-off will not bother everyone, but it is worth knowing before you sign up, since switching later costs time. On balance, Workiva suits buyers who value connected reporting for ESG and financial data more than they mind enterprise pricing, and it is priced on its website.

The good and the bad
  • Connected reporting for ESG and financial data
  • Controls and audit trails
  • Enterprise pricing
  • Implementation is a project
Diligent logo
#2

Diligent

Ideal for: boards and compliance teams

Diligent website
diligent.com homepage

If you need boards and compliance teams, Diligent deserves a close look. The detail that stood out to us was eSG data collection with governance tools, which gives it a clear edge for people who want that specific job done well. There is a downside, and it is modular pricing adds up. If that sounds like a deal breaker, the other options on this list cover the same ground in different ways. For most buyers though, Diligent remains a solid choice, because eSG data collection with governance tools carries real weight in daily use, and it is priced on its website.

The good and the bad
  • ESG data collection with governance tools
  • Board reporting
  • Broad modules
  • Modular pricing adds up
  • Setup needs data planning
Persefoni logo
#3

Persefoni

Ideal for: companies measuring carbon footprints

Persefoni website
persefoni.com homepage

Persefoni fits companies measuring carbon footprints better than most of the list. We kept coming back to carbon accounting focus, and that is the kind of practical strength that shows up in everyday use. No product on this list is perfect, and Persefoni is no exception: carbon-first, so broader ESG needs extra modules. Weigh that against carbon accounting focus and your own priorities. If the weakness is minor for you, Persefoni is priced on its website and easy to try, which makes it a low-risk shortlist pick.

The good and the bad
  • Carbon accounting focus
  • Audit-ready calculations
  • Climate reporting
  • Carbon-first, so broader ESG needs extra modules
  • Enterprise pricing
Novisto logo
#4

Novisto

Ideal for: mid-size firms starting ESG reporting

For mid-size firms starting ESG reporting, Novisto is a strong candidate. Its main draw in our comparison was eSG data hub with framework templates, which answers the most common complaint people have about this category. The weak spot is smaller vendor than Workiva, so check that point against your own needs before you commit. Beyond that, Novisto delivers eSG data hub with framework templates in a way that fits mid-size firms starting ESG reporting well, and it is priced on its website, which keeps the decision simple.

The good and the bad
  • ESG data hub with framework templates
  • Good visualisation
  • AI assistance
  • Smaller vendor than Workiva
  • Framework coverage varies
Benchmark Gensuite logo
#5

Benchmark Gensuite

Ideal for: operations teams tracking EHS and ESG

Benchmark Gensuite earns its place here for operations teams tracking EHS and ESG. What we liked most was eHS and ESG data in one system, a strength that is easy to explain and easy to check on the product site before you pay. We would flag interface is functional rather than modern as the main drawback. It does not erase the appeal of eHS and ESG data in one system, but it does shape who should buy. If you fit operations teams tracking EHS and ESG and can live with that limit, Benchmark Gensuite is a sensible pick, and it is priced on its website.

The good and the bad
  • EHS and ESG data in one system
  • Incident and audit tools
  • Global use
  • Interface is functional rather than modern
  • Pricing is quote-based
EcoVadis logo
#6

EcoVadis

Ideal for: companies rating supplier sustainability

Start with EcoVadis if you want companies rating supplier sustainability. The reason is simple: supplier sustainability ratings, and few rivals on this list match it on that point. One thing to watch is ratings focus rather than full reporting. That is the kind of detail that only becomes annoying after weeks of use, so test it during any trial. Otherwise, EcoVadis stands on supplier sustainability ratings, and it is priced on its website.

The good and the bad
  • Supplier sustainability ratings
  • Scorecards
  • Large supplier network
  • Ratings focus rather than full reporting
  • Fees vary by use
FigBytes logo
#7

FigBytes

Ideal for: companies wanting ESG storytelling with data

FigBytes is our pick for companies wanting ESG storytelling with data. In our comparison, eSG data plus visual reporting stood out most, and that strength matters because it covers the daily work you will actually do with the product, rather than a feature you open once and forget. The honest catch is smaller partner network. That trade-off will not bother everyone, but it is worth knowing before you sign up, since switching later costs time. On balance, FigBytes suits buyers who value eSG data plus visual reporting more than they mind smaller partner network, and it is priced on its website.

The good and the bad
  • ESG data plus visual reporting
  • Framework mapping
  • Stakeholder views
  • Smaller partner network
  • Implementation needs data work
Greenly logo
#8

Greenly

Ideal for: companies starting carbon accounting

If you need companies starting carbon accounting, Greenly deserves a close look. The detail that stood out to us was carbon accounting with supplier data, which gives it a clear edge for people who want that specific job done well. There is a downside, and it is carbon focus limits wider ESG modules. If that sounds like a deal breaker, the other options on this list cover the same ground in different ways. For most buyers though, Greenly remains a solid choice, because carbon accounting with supplier data carries real weight in daily use, and it is priced on its website.

The good and the bad
  • Carbon accounting with supplier data
  • Clear dashboards
  • Climate reports
  • Carbon focus limits wider ESG modules
  • Pricing is quote-based

How we picked these

We started from the topic itself, best esg software, and kept only products that exist and work in October 2026 and truly fit it. For each candidate we checked the official feature page and pricing page, the app store listing where one exists, and public reviews, and we dropped anything we could not confirm or that only partly matched the topic. We then ranked the survivors on fit for the stated use, value for money, breadth of features and the honesty of their drawbacks. No product paid for a place on this list, and we did not claim hands-on testing that did not happen. Where a price could not be verified, we wrote See website rather than guessing.

How to pick ESG software that survives an audit

Start with your must-haves

Write down the two or three things your ESG software choice must do on day one, then judge every option against that short list. A long feature page can distract you, but a product that misses a must-have will frustrate you no matter how polished it looks. Use the comparison table above to narrow the field to two or three finalists before you trial anything.

Check pricing and free tiers

Free plans in ESG software often cap the features you will need most, so read what is actually included rather than trusting the word free. Check per-user pricing, message or seat limits and renewal terms, and compare the yearly price with the monthly price. If pricing is quote-based, ask for the full fee schedule in writing before you commit.

Try before you commit

Use a free plan or trial to test the exact task you care about, not just the demo flow. Invite the people who will use the product daily, check support response times, and confirm you can export your data if you leave. A short, honest trial tells you more than a long sales call, and it keeps switching costs low if your first pick disappoints.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best esg software for most people?

Our pick for most people is Workiva, because it fits listed companies reporting ESG and finance together and covers the core job well. That said, the right answer depends on your budget and must-have features, so use the comparison table to shortlist two or three options and trial them before you decide.

Is there a free best esg software option?

No free plan appears on this list, though some entries offer a free trial. Check each official pricing page for trial terms before you pay, since trial length and limits differ.

How much does best esg software cost?

Costs vary from free plans to quote-based enterprise pricing, and several entries on this list show See website for that reason. Per-user, per-message or per-seat pricing can add up fast, so total the cost for your actual team size and usage rather than trusting a headline price.

What should I check before choosing best esg software?

Check fit for your main task, total pricing including limits and renewals, support quality, and how easy it is to export your data. Also confirm the product works in your country and on your devices, since availability and features sometimes differ by region.

How does best esg software relate to best esg reporting software?

They overlap closely: people searching for best esg reporting software usually want the same shortlist, with a slightly different emphasis. The products above cover both angles, so pick by your must-have features and budget rather than by the exact search phrase you started with.

Sources

  1. https://www.workiva.com
  2. https://www.diligent.com
  3. https://www.persefoni.com
  4. https://www.novisto.com
  5. https://benchmarkgensuite.com
  6. https://ecovadis.com
  7. https://figbytes.com
  8. https://greenly.earth