Best software for ESG management

ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) management has become a strategic and regulatory requirement for companies of all sizes.

The entry into force of the CSRD, the ESRS standards and the global push for corporate transparency have made it essential for organisations to adopt tools that can centralise data, automate reporting and guarantee full traceability.

Today, companies need audit-ready platforms with standardised metrics, evidence repositories and exportable reports.

In this article we compare the best ESG software solutions currently available, with Manglai at the top of the list for its ability to integrate environmental, social and governance metrics into a single auditable system.

What is ESG software and why is it key?

ESG software centralises and automates the measurement, management and reporting of environmental, social and governance indicators. It is not only about collecting data: a modern ESG system ensures traceability, reduces regulatory risk and can generate auditable reports in a matter of minutes.

Today, these systems are indispensable because:

• The CSRD requires verifiable reporting based on the ESRS standards.
• Investors increasingly prioritise companies with clear, auditable ESG metrics when allocating capital.
• Sustainability teams can no longer manually absorb the growth in indicators, risks and evidence.
• Organisations that digitalise their ESG management notably reduce audit preparation time.

In short, ESG software provides reliability, methodological consistency and the ability to scale, something no manual process can achieve.

Main criteria for choosing ESG management software

Selecting the right software is key to determining the quality and reliability of your reporting. Before choosing a solution, it is essential to evaluate the following criteria:

1. Regulatory alignment

The software must be ready for:

• ESRS E1, E2, E3, S1, S2 and G1
• CSRD
• EU Taxonomy
• GHG Protocol
• Relevant sector standards

2. Centralisation capabilities

An ESG system should consolidate:

• Carbon footprint
• Water footprint and water risks
• Waste and traceability
• Occupational health and safety
• Regulatory compliance
• Social indicators
• Policies and governance

Tool fragmentation reduces traceability and increases audit errors.

If you need to go deeper into water footprint or waste management, you can read our articles on the best software for water footprint and waste footprint.

3. Traceability and auditability

ESG software should enable:

• Evidence linked to each metric
• Full version history
• Automated validation rules

4. Integration with corporate systems

ERP, IoT, HRIS, procurement platforms or environmental records.

5. User experience

A decisive criterion: the easier it is to enter data, the higher the reporting quality.

6. Total cost

Not just licences: implementation, maintenance, internal hours and external verification providers.

Which is the best ESG management software?

Choosing the best ESG software depends on an organisation's maturity level, the scope of data it needs to report and its ability to integrate environmental, social and governance metrics into a single traceable system.

In a context shaped by the CSRD and investor pressure for transparency, the most effective tools combine methodological rigour, data automation and instant generation of audit-ready reports.

Based on these criteria, Manglai stands out as the most complete option, followed by several international solutions that cover specific needs depending on sector and reporting complexity, as we will see below.

1. Manglai

Manglai is ideal for sustainability teams that need to report under the CSRD with full traceability and without relying on external consultancies.

Its platform provides a complete chain of evidence, from primary data all the way to the automatic generation of ESRS reports, ensuring an auditable workflow end to end.

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Key strengths:

• Full traceability from primary data through to ESRS reporting.
• Integrated carbon footprint (Scopes 1, 2 and 3) with deterministic reporting.
• Water footprint aligned with ISO 14046, including basin-level water risk assessment.
• Advanced waste management module with traceability by waste manager, waste code (EWC) and treatment route.
• ESG matrices prepared for internal and external audits.
• Clear interface, quickly adopted by non-technical teams.
• Automatic export of ESRS E1, E2 and E5 reports.

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This proposition is backed by real traction: Manglai has active clients in 70 countries, more than 30,000 users and 25 million tonnes of CO2e managed, with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5.

As a final consideration, it is advisable to validate the roadmap for social and governance modules to ensure alignment with each organisation's ESG maturity level.

2. Workiva

Ideal for: multinational companies that need to integrate finance, risk and sustainability into a single environment.

Key strengths:

• Strong focus on financial + ESG reporting
• Real-time collaboration and robust version control
• Integration with internal audit processes

Considerations:

• High cost
• Can be complex for small teams

3. SpheraCloud Sustainability

Ideal for: industrial organisations requiring advanced environmental calculation methodologies.

Key strengths:

• High technical rigour and extensive environmental impact libraries
• Specialised modules for risk, safety and compliance

Considerations:

• Steep learning curve
• More technical than operational in focus

4. Datamaran

Ideal for: companies prioritising ESG risk identification and real-time regulatory assessment.

Key strengths:

• Automated materiality assessment using advanced text analytics
• Continuous monitoring of regulation, news and stakeholder expectations

Considerations: not a comprehensive metrics platform; best used as a complementary tool.

5. EcoVadis

Ideal for: companies with strong third-party dependencies and complex supply chains.

Key strengths:

• Standardised assessments
• Supplier comparability

Considerations: more focused on ratings than on internal corporate ESG reporting.

6. IBM Envizi

Ideal for: companies looking to integrate ESG with operational systems and IoT.

Key strengths:

• Strong integration with IBM and Microsoft ecosystems
• Solid analytics for emissions and energy

Considerations: less specialised in waste management and social indicators.

7. Enablon ESG Suite

Ideal for: organisations with a strong focus on compliance, health and safety.

Key strengths:

• Robust risk management
• Very comprehensive EH&S and ESG suite

Considerations:

• Complex implementation
• Requires consulting support to fully leverage its capabilities

How to start implementing an ESG system in your organisation

Implementing an ESG system does not require transforming the entire organisation at once. Instead, it requires establishing a clear roadmap that enables structured, traceable progress. The right starting point is to define scope, select material indicators and structure a data flow that can be audited without friction.

From there, the key is to work with pilots, validate evidence and progressively scale until covering the full ESG framework required by the CSRD and international standards, as outlined below:

1. Define the scope: determine whether you need only environmental metrics (carbon, water, waste) or a full ESG framework.
2. Select priority indicators: following the 2025 revision of the ESRS, which significantly reduced the number of mandatory data points, it is best to focus on the indicators that are genuinely material to your activity.
3. Choose 1–2 pilot areas: carbon and waste are often the most effective starting points. You can begin by reading our article: What is a product carbon footprint and how is it measured?
4. Configure the evidence workflow: an ESG system without traceable evidence will not pass audits.
5. Run a first iteration: work with 2–3 months of data. Evaluate quality, errors and automation needs.
6. Scale to the full ESG system: once the rules are defined, scaling becomes much simpler.

Why Manglai leads ESG management

ESG management is no longer a reputational issue: it is a regulatory and financial requirement. Companies that digitalise their reporting today reduce risk, accelerate audit processes and strengthen corporate resilience.

Among all market options, Manglai stands out as the most complete solution for organisations seeking real traceability, reliable environmental metrics and CSRD-ready reporting. Its practical approach, methodological robustness and ability to integrate multiple domains make it a standout choice.

If your organisation wants to move toward a traceable, audit-ready ESG system, request a Manglai demo and discover how to centralise, measure and report all your indicators with confidence.

FAQs about choosing ESG management software

Does ESG software replace a consultancy?

Not always, but it notably reduces the need for external intervention.

Which standard should I follow for reporting?

If you operate in Europe: CSRD + ESRS. If you calculate emissions: GHG Protocol. If you report water: ISO 14046.

Can I use multiple tools at the same time?

Yes, but it reduces traceability. Working with a single platform makes it easier to consolidate audits and reduces errors between sources.

Does ESG software help with EU Taxonomy compliance?

Yes, provided it includes financial and technical indicators aligned with the regulation. Manglai already allows exporting environmental metrics compatible with alignment analyses.