ESG / CSR
Industries
More and more small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are being asked to disclose environmental, social, and governance (ESG) data, whether by banks, investors, or major clients. In response, the EU has introduced the Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for SMEs (VSME) – a simplified framework tailored to the needs of non-listed SMEs.
But even with this streamlined approach, many businesses still face a common challenge: how to actually implement VSME reporting without getting lost in spreadsheets, frameworks, or compliance checklists.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to upgrade your ESG reporting, this guide will help you find a solution that fits your size, sector, and sustainability goals.
With more platforms offering AI-powered features, automation, and multi-framework compatibility, choosing the right VSME tool can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve compared the most promising solutions on the market - from simple, entry-level platforms to full-scale ESG suites.
Below, we reveal our top 10 picks for 2025:
| 🥇 The Top 10 VSME Tools in 2025 | Highlight feature |
|---|---|
| 10. Leadity | Lightweight and intuitive for small SMEs |
| 9. Karomia | AI-generated sustainability narratives |
| 8. Position Green | Strong supplier data integration tools |
| 7. GoClimate | Emissions based on bookkeeping data |
| 6. Footprint Intelligence | GHG audit support with expert review |
| 5. Envoria | Dual ESRS and VSME support in one module |
| 4. Daato | Clean UI with AI-assisted ESG reporting |
| 3. Eevery | Smart, streamlined tool built solely for VSME reports |
| 2. Plan A | Flexible, modular ESG suite for EU SMEs |
| 1. Greenly | Real-time KPIs, multi-framework exports, AI audit tools |
Pricing: Starts at €199/month with a free trial available
Location: Headquartered in Germany, serving clients across Europe
Key features:
Types of customers: Micro and small businesses looking for an intuitive, low-barrier entry point into ESG reporting, especially those with limited in-house sustainability expertise
Pricing: Not publicly listed; demo and trial available
Location: Based in Belgium, supporting SMEs across the EU
Key features:
Types of customers: SMEs not in scope for CSRD but under growing pressure to disclose ESG data to clients, banks, or procurement partners — especially those needing a low-effort, high-output solution
Pricing: Custom pricing on request
Location: Headquartered in Norway, with operations across Scandinavia and the EU
Key features:
Types of customers: SMEs managing complex sustainability data across supply chains or preparing for evolving EU regulations — especially those seeking a future-ready platform with expert-driven support
Pricing: Starts at 350 SEK/month (around €30) for the Mini plan, with Pro plans from 2,500 SEK/month (approx. €215); custom pricing available for larger organisations
Location: Based in Sweden, supporting businesses across Europe
Key features:
Types of customers: Small businesses looking for a cost-effective, automated ESG and carbon reporting solution that delivers VSME compliance with minimal admin time
Pricing: Starts at approximately €390/month, with tailored plans based on company size and needs
Location: Headquartered in Germany, providing services to EU SMEs
Key features:
Types of customers: SMEs aiming for audit-grade ESG disclosures and CSRD/VSME alignment, especially those needing full data traceability, advanced collaboration tools, and expert support baked into the platform
Pricing: Custom pricing based on company size and modules used
Location: Headquartered in Germany, offering solutions to clients throughout Europe
Key features:
Types of customers: SMEs needing a scalable ESG reporting solution that offers dual support for VSME and CSRD, along with advanced automation and audit-ready exports
Pricing: Custom pricing depending on company size and reporting scope
Location: Based in Germany, serving SMEs and mid-sized companies across the EU
Key features:
Types of customers: SMEs and mid-sized companies needing an intuitive, modular platform that supports both CSRD and VSME reporting, with audit-grade outputs and strong collaboration tools baked in
Pricing: Custom pricing available on request – designed for small and mid-sized businesses with limited internal ESG resources
Location: Headquartered in the Netherlands, with clients across multiple EU countries
Key features:
Types of customers: Ideal for small and mid-sized EU businesses looking for an intuitive, low-effort tool to meet stakeholder expectations and future-proof their sustainability strategy. A great choice for SMEs with no in-house ESG team who still want to confidently produce a high-quality VSME report.
Pricing: Tailored plans based on company size, modules, and region
Location: Headquartered in Germany, with a European client base and growing global reach
Key features:
Types of customers: SMEs and mid-sized companies across Europe that need a scalable, modular solution for ESG and CSRD/VSME reporting – especially those in high-impact sectors seeking alignment with science-based targets and EU taxonomy compliance.
Pricing: Custom packages based on company size and reporting needs
Location: Headquartered in France, with clients and offices across Europe and the US
Key features:
Types of customers: Greenly is trusted by over 3,500 businesses – from fast-growing SMEs to large enterprises – across multiple sectors and geographies. It’s ideal for companies seeking to stay ahead of evolving regulations, streamline ESG workflows, and produce investor-grade sustainability reports with minimal effort.
Switching from spreadsheets to a dedicated VSME reporting platform isn’t just about ticking a compliance box, it’s about improving your entire sustainability workflow. Here’s what you gain:
With more platforms offering VSME reporting features, it can be tricky to know which one is the best fit for your organisation. Here's what to consider when making your choice:
If you're a small company with limited resources, opt for an intuitive platform with built-in guidance and support. Larger companies with more complex structures may prefer a modular platform that integrates across departments.
Not all ESG platforms are built with the VSME framework in mind. Look for:
Some tools are adapted from CSRD workflows, but the best ones are purpose-built for SMEs – meaning faster results and fewer headaches.
Sustainability reporting isn’t a solo job. Choose a platform that makes it easy to:
While some tools offer free trials or freemium access, compliance with VSME requirements often demands more advanced features. Make sure you:
VSME is just one step. Look for a tool that can grow with you:
Final tips before you choose:
The Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for SMEs (VSME) is a simplified, non-binding framework developed by EFRAG to help non-listed SMEs report on ESG topics. It’s not mandatory, but it can make it easier to respond to client or investor requests.
It’s designed for small and medium-sized businesses that are not listed on stock markets but still need to share sustainability data. That includes companies with up to just under 1,000 employees.
The Basic Module includes 11 essential disclosures (e.g. energy use, workforce data). The Comprehensive Module adds 9 more, such as climate risk and human rights. You must complete the Basic before adding the Comprehensive.
Yes, it’s designed as a complementary tool to the CSRD. Even though it’s voluntary, it mirrors the structure and intent of EU sustainability reporting rules – making future compliance easier.
It can. Having a clear ESG report improves transparency and helps banks, clients, and investors assess your sustainability practices.
Yes – Greenly offers tools, training, and expert guidance to help companies adopt the VSME, gather ESG data, and prepare reports.
While the VSME was developed by EFRAG for the EU market, it can still offer value to non-EU companies:
In both cases, it’s a helpful tool to structure ESG reporting – even if it’s not legally required.
Greenly offers everything SMEs need to confidently adopt the Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard (VSME) – from streamlined ESG data collection to expert-led guidance. Whether you're looking to build investor trust or future-proof your reporting, our platform is designed to make the process streamlined, strategic, and scalable.
| What we offer | How it helps |
|---|---|
|
1. Smarter ESG data collection
|
Identify the key ESG metrics that matter, track performance in real-time, and avoid common data pitfalls with our intuitive dashboards. |
|
2. Expert guidance and training
|
Build internal expertise with our training resources, workshops, and step-by-step support – helping your team understand sustainability reporting from the ground up. |
|
3. From data to action
|
We help you turn raw ESG data into a clear, actionable roadmap for improving performance and preparing for future compliance (like the CSRD). |
|
4. Streamlined reporting
|
Generate structured, investor-ready sustainability reports, backed by centralised data and a system designed to evolve with your needs. |
Find out more about our VSME offer on our dedicated page or get in touch with our team to get started.
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