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As sustainability reporting moves from a “nice to have” to a business imperative, organizations are racing to find the right tools to track emissions, meet regulatory deadlines, and communicate progress to stakeholders. With new requirements like California’s SB 253 and SB 261, the EU’s CSRD, and Mexico’s IFRS S1/S2 taking effect, companies need sustainability software that not only crunches numbers but also provides expert guidance.
In this guide, we’ll compare four leading ESG software platforms — Greenplaces, Workiva, Watershed, and Persefoni — to help you determine which best fits your organization’s needs.
At a glance: sustainability platform comparison
| Feature / Platform | Greenplaces | Workiva | Watershed | Persefoni |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | ★★★★★ Beginner-friendly with guided onboarding | ★★★★ Advanced but complex for new users | ★★★ Requires internal expertise | ★★★ Requires internal expertise |
| Customer Support | Hands-on, expert team with dedicated guidance | Standard ticketing support | Standard ticketing support | Standard ticketing support |
| Regulatory Coverage | Major regulations and frameworks (i.e., SB 253, SB 261, EcoVadis), U.S. and international, with high-touch expert support | Major regulations and frameworks (i.e., SB 253, SB 261, EcoVadis), U.S. and international | Major regulations and frameworks (i.e., SB 253, SB 261, EcoVadis), U.S. and international | Major regulations and frameworks (i.e., SB 253, SB 261, EcoVadis), U.S. and international |
| Supplier Engagement | Tools to survey vendors and collect data | Add-ons required | Limited vendor tools | Column 5 Limited vendor toolsValue 4 |
| Pricing Transparency | Clear, predictable pricing | Complex, enterprise-only pricing | Variable, project-based | Variable, project-based |
| Ideal For | Companies new to sustainability or seeking end-to-end guidance | Large enterprises with internal ESG teams | Mid-to-large tech and retail companies | Large enterprises with sustainability teams |
Bottom line: Greenplaces delivers the ideal balance of affordability, usability, and expert guidance — making it the strongest all-around choice for organizations seeking both simplicity and sophistication in ESG and carbon accounting software.
Customer support
For many organizations, navigating sustainability regulations is overwhelming. Greenplaces differentiates itself with white-glove customer support, pairing every client with a dedicated team of sustainability experts.
- Greenplaces: Provides step-by-step guidance for companies at all stages of their journey, making it ideal for teams that are new to carbon accounting and ESG reporting. Clients gain access to a human-led experience, not just software.
- Workiva: Offers robust documentation and support, but typically requires an internal ESG team to manage the complexity of setup and reporting.
- Watershed and Persefoni: Offer standard support ticketing systems, placing more responsibility on clients to interpret data and implement processes.
Bottom line: Greenplaces offers a high-touch, guided approach that goes beyond EGS software; a critical advantage for businesses starting from scratch or under tight deadlines.
Interface and usability
Sustainability software can be intimidating, especially for teams without dedicated ESG specialists.
- Greenplaces: Designed for simplicity with an intuitive, user-friendly interface. The platform eliminates technical jargon and presents data in clear, visual dashboards, helping executives and employees alike understand progress at a glance.
- Workiva: Known for its robust functionality but with a steeper learning curve, especially for new users.
- Watershed and Persefoni: Both platforms cater to experienced sustainability professionals, which can make them less accessible for teams without ESG expertise.
Bottom line: Greenplaces makes sustainability approachable, reducing the complexity that often deters organizations from starting their carbon accounting journey.
Reporting capabilities and regulatory alignment
With increasing global regulations, reporting accurately and confidently has never been more important.
- Greenplaces: Aligns reporting with key regulations and frameworks including SB 253, SB 261, CSRD, IFRS S1/S2, CDP, and EcoVadis. The platform also keeps pace with evolving standards, ensuring clients are always ready for audits and disclosures.
- Workiva: Focuses on global compliance capabilities, ideal for multinational enterprises with complex reporting needs.
- Watershed and Persefoni: Provides solid reporting for Scope 1-3 emissions but may require additional tools or external resources for full compliance with emerging global regulations.
Bottom line: Greenplaces offers comprehensive, future-ready compliance coverage that adapts with the evolving regulatory landscape, ensuring peace of mind for both growing and enterprise-level organizations.
Supplier engagement and data collection
Collecting supplier data is one of the most difficult aspects of emissions reporting. Many platforms overlook this step, leaving companies scrambling to gather information manually.
- Greenplaces: Includes tools that streamline and centralize data collection for easier Scope 3 reporting, alongside personalized expert review
- Workiva: Requires third-party integrations for vendor management.
- Watershed and Persefoni: Large scale, automated supplier engagement
Bottom line: Greenplaces bridges the supplier data gap with built-in tools and expert guidance, helping companies efficiently manage Scope 3 reporting without the burden of external integrations.
Pricing: transparency and value
- Greenplaces: Offers clear, predictable pricing designed for scalability, making it accessible to both growing companies and large enterprises.
- Workiva: Typically serves Fortune 500 companies with custom pricing, which can be prohibitively expensive for smaller organizations.
- Watershed and Persefoni: Pricing varies and often depends on project size, with limited transparency upfront.
Bottom line: Greenplaces provides transparent, scalable pricing with no hidden fees, making it a cost-effective choice for organizations of all sizes seeking high-value sustainability software.
Why choose Greenplaces?
While all four platforms provide emissions tracking and reporting, Greenplaces combines technology with human expertise. It is the ideal solution for companies seeking more than just software:
- High-touch guidance: Dedicated experts walk you through each step.
- Comprehensive coverage: Built-in alignment with major regulations and frameworks.
- Data collection made easy: Tools to streamline Scope 3 data collection.
- User-friendly interface: Designed for teams without ESG experience.
- Transparent pricing: No surprises, just scalable solutions.
Greenplaces is particularly well-suited for law firms, marketing and advertising agencies, software and tech companies, private equity firms, and staffing organizations — industries where sustainability is becoming a competitive differentiator.
Bottom line: Greenplaces merges people, process, and platform into a single solution, offering the expertise of a consultancy with the efficiency of modern ESG and carbon management software.
Final thoughts
When comparing Greenplaces vs. Workiva vs. Watershed vs. Persefoni, the decision comes down to more than just features. It’s about finding a partner who understands your business, your challenges, and the evolving regulatory landscape.
If you’re looking for a platform that offers both cutting-edge software and hands-on guidance, Greenplaces is the clear choice. With a focus on people-first customer service, comprehensive compliance, and ease of use, Greenplaces empowers companies to meet today’s sustainability requirements and tomorrow’s challenges.
