Energy management is no longer just about keeping the lights on—it's about strategic operational efficiency, compliance, and cost control. With rising utility costs and stringent net-zero targets, the "set it and forget it" approach to energy is obsolete.
The best energy management solution transforms raw consumption data into actionable insights. It helps you track usage in real-time, identify waste, validate utility bills, and automate compliance reporting—all from a centralized platform.
In this guide, we’ll explore the 13 best energy management software solutions for 2025, breaking down their key features, pros, cons, and pricing to help you find the perfect fit for your operational needs.
What is energy management software?
Energy management software is a digital tool that enables organizations to monitor, analyze, and optimize energy consumption across their facilities. Unlike static spreadsheets or monthly utility bills, EMS provides continuous visibility into how, when, and where energy is being used.
At its core, this software allows businesses to:
- Monitor real-time consumption: Track energy spikes and baseloads instantly.
- Validate utility bills: Automatically audit invoices for errors and tariff anomalies.
- Streamline sustainability reporting: Generate compliance reports for ESG frameworks.
- Optimize asset performance: Link energy usage to equipment health for predictive maintenance.
The goal is to shift from passive tracking to active energy intelligence, reducing waste and improving the bottom line.
Quick comparison of top energy management platforms
Here is a snapshot of the most trusted smart energy management solutions in the market.
11 top energy management software solutions
The top 11 energy management software solutions are Facilio, Brightly Energy Manager, Honeywell Forge, Schneider Electric EcoStruxure, Siemens Simatic, Johnson Controls OpenBlue, Spacewell Energy, EnergyCAP, EnergyElephant, WatchWire, and Voltaware.
1. Facilio
Advanced cloud-native energy management software for enterprises
Facilio’s automated energy management software unifies utility data, real-time meter telemetry, building analytics, FDD, and optimization into a single platform built for multi-site portfolios. Instead of stopping at visibility, Facilio activates action — detecting anomalies, triggering automated workflows, and even executing optimization strategies across your buildings.
Facilio’s key features
- Real-time monitoring & EnPI benchmarking: Granular heatmaps, regression analysis, and consumption trends. Track performance against baselines and industry standards (Energy Star).
- Energy analytics module with drill-down insights: Automated baselines, demand insights, and anomaly detection to pinpoint inefficiencies.
- Cloud-based energy optimization: Bi-directional controls and predictive algorithms that automatically correct energy waste.
- Advanced fault detection & diagnostics: Fault detection and diagnostics to catch energy-wasting equipment anomalies.
- Sustainability reporting: One-click reporting for GRESB, LEED, and internal ESG goals.
Facilio stands out in energy management because it:
- Automates utility bill collection, validation, and forecasting across the entire portfolio.
- Delivers real-time, meter-level visibility with granular sub-metering insights.
- Provides advanced analytics — demand curves, baselines, anomalies, and benchmarking.
- Connects FDD with energy data to instantly identify and act on waste.
- Executes optimization through predictive load forecasting, demand shaving, and bi-directional controls.
- Integrates with any BMS, meter, or IoT device without hardware replacement.
- Delivers rapid ROI with modular tiers that achieve measurable savings in weeks.
Facilio’s advantages & limitations
Key industries served by Facilio: Commercial real estate (CRE), enterprise facility management, healthcare & hospitals, higher education campuses, retail portfolios, airports & transit hubs, corporate offices, public sector buildings.
Regions Facilio operates in: Global presence (strong in the US, Canada, Middle East & GCC regions, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Asia Pacific (APAC).
Facilio’s ratings: 4.0/5 based on Capterra reviews
Facilio’s pricing: Custom pricing based on portfolio square footage and module selection. Typically an annual subscription model.
2. Brightly Energy Manager
Smart solution for energy management automation
Brightly Energy Manager (from Brightly, a Siemens company) is a cloud-based energy and utility analytics platform that centralizes utility bills, normalizes energy data, and helps organizations track initiatives and cost savings. It is widely used by public sector and education clients for energy accounting and performance benchmarking.
Brightly’s key features
- Utility data centralization: Automated import and normalization of utility bills and meter data across electricity, gas, water, and other services.
- Cost tracking and benchmarking: Comparison over time and across facilities using weather-adjusted baselines to highlight savings opportunities.
- Project tracking: Connects energy projects (retrofits, upgrades) with actual consumption and financial impact.
- Energy STAR integration: Direct connection to ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager for scoring, benchmarking, and compliance submissions.
Brightly’s pros and cons
Key industries served by Brightly: K–12 schools, higher education, cities and municipalities, county governments, healthcare organizations, public works, mid-market commercial portfolios.
Regions Brightly operates in: Primarily North America (USA and Canada), with expanding presence in the UK and Europe via Siemens.
Brightly’s ratings: 4.4/5 based on G2 reviews
Brightly’s pricing: Subscription pricing typically based on number of meters/accounts and portfolio size, with tiered packages for small, mid-sized, and large organizations; implementation and training often scoped as add-ons.
3. Honeywell Forge (Carbon & Energy Management)
AI-driven commercial energy and carbon optimization
Honeywell Forge for Buildings, specifically its Sustainability+ Carbon and Energy Management module, is an AI-driven platform that optimizes building performance, comfort, and carbon emissions. It sits on top of BMS and IoT data to deliver actionable insights and autonomous control in large, complex facilities.
Honeywell’s key features
- Carbon and energy analytics: Real-time dashboards for energy use, carbon intensity, and progress against sustainability targets.
- AI/ML optimization: Autonomous or semi-autonomous HVAC adjustments to reduce energy while maintaining comfort and indoor air quality.
- Portfolio benchmarking: Ranking and comparing buildings to surface underperformers and prioritize investments.
- Integrated building performance suite: Works alongside other Honeywell Forge modules (like operations performance) for a holistic building view.
Honeywell’s pros and cons
Key industries served by Honeywell: Commercial office towers, airports and transit hubs, hospitals and healthcare systems, pharmaceutical and life science facilities, large campuses, hospitality and mixed-use developments.
Regions Honeywell operates in: Global coverage across North America, Europe, Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America.
Honeywell’s ratings: 4.4/5 based on G2 reviews
Honeywell’s pricing: Custom SaaS pricing based on square footage, number of sites, and selected modules; usually structured as multi-year contracts with optional managed services and optimization support.
3. Schneider Electric - EcoStruxure
End-to-end energy management and monitoring solution
EcoStruxure is a powerhouse for organizations deeply embedded in the Schneider Electric hardware ecosystem. It offers an end-to-end architecture from connected products to edge control and analytics.
Schneider EcoStruxure’s key features
- Resource advisor: Enterprise-level sustainability and energy reporting for global data aggregation.
- Power monitoring expert: Deep electrical network health, power quality analysis, and capacity management.
- Microgrid advisor: AI-based optimization for distributed energy resources (DER) and islanding control.
- Building operation: Integrated building management to control HVAC and lighting based on energy targets.
Schneider EcoStruxure’s pros and cons
Key industries served by Schneider EcoStruxure: Industrial manufacturing, data centers, hospitals and healthcare, life sciences, oil and gas, mining, power generation and distribution, smart buildings.
Regions Schneider EcoStruxure operates in: Deployed globally with strong presence in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East.
Schneider EcoStruxure’s ratings: 4.3/5 based on Gartner reviews
Schneider EcoStruxure’s pricing: Custom enterprise pricing; significant upfront investment for hardware/integration plus recurring software maintenance fees.
4. Siemens Simatic / Desigo
Reliable energy data management system for manufacturers
Siemens offers robust solutions like Simatic Energy Manager for industry and Desigo for buildings. These tools are designed for reliability and deep technical control in complex environments.
Siemens’ key features
- Asset level monitoring: Detailed energy data capture from production lines, drives, and building systems.
- ISO 50001 compliance: Built-in workflows to support certified energy management systems.
- Digital twin: Simulation capabilities to model energy flows and optimize performance before implementation.
- Load management: Peak load forecasting to avoid expensive demand charges in industrial settings.
Siemens’ pros and cons
Siemens’ key industries: Heavy manufacturing, automotive, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, chemicals, metals and mining, critical infrastructure, research campuses.
Siemens’ regions: Global, with strong roots in Europe (especially DACH), and major installations across North America, Asia, and other industrial regions.
Siemens’ ratings: 4.0/5 based on G2 reviews
Siemens’ pricing: Custom pricing involving license fees and maintenance agreements; high entry cost suited for large enterprises.
6. Johnson Controls Metasys / OpenBlue
Intuitive energy monitoring system for every industry
Johnson Controls’ OpenBlue (an evolution of Metasys) focuses on healthy, sustainable buildings. It integrates traditional BMS capabilities with advanced AI for energy savings.
Johnson Controls’ key features
- Central plant optimization: AI-driven chiller and boiler plant management to maximize efficiency (COP).
- Healthy buildings: Monitors indoor air quality (IAQ) alongside energy use to balance health vs. efficiency.
- Predictive maintenance: AI alerts for equipment degradation before it causes energy waste.
- Net zero advisor: Tracks carbon footprint and renewable energy offsets in real-time.
Johnson Controls’ pros and cons
Johnson Controls’ key industries: Commercial office buildings, hospitals & clinics, K-12 & higher education, government facilities, sports venues, hotels & hospitality.
Johnson Controls’ operating regions: Global reach across North America, Europe, Middle East, and Asia.
Johnson Controls’ ratings: 4.1/5 based on G2 reviews
Johnson Controls’ pricing: Custom project-based pricing; typically sold as part of a larger BMS installation or service contract upgrade.
7. Spacewell Energy (Dexma)
Flexible cloud-native energy efficiency software
Spacewell Energy (formerly Dexma) is a hardware-neutral platform known for its "Energy Apps Market" and flexibility. It offers advanced analysis without the weight of legacy BMS software, acting as a versatile energy efficiency software.
Spacewell’s key features
- Energy apps market: Access to native and third-party apps for specialized use cases like load control and forecasting.
- Hardware neutral: Compatible with hundreds of existing meters and data loggers out of the box.
- AI anomaly detection: Automated detection of irregular consumption patterns with alert notifications.
- Sub-metering analytics: Granular analysis of specific areas or equipment to find targeted savings.
Spacewell’s pros and cons
Spacewell’s key industries: Retail chains, banking & financial services, public administration, corporate real estate, ESCOs & energy consultants, facility management companies.
Spacewell’s operating regions: Strongest in Europe (Spain, UK, France, Benelux); growing global presence.
Spacewell’s ratings: 4.6/5 based on Capterra reviews.
Spacewell’s pricing: Subscription model; starts at €459/year with free trial availability.
8. EnergyCAP
Automated utility bill and energy accounting solution
EnergyCAP is the gold standard for utility bill processing and energy accounting. It excels at streamlining the financial side of energy management, automating data entry from bills, and auditing for billing errors.
EnergyCAP’s key features
- Bill CAPture: Automated utility bill entry (OCR) and validation to reduce manual errors.
- Financial analysis: Complex tariff modeling, budget forecasting, and cost avoidance tracking.
- Carbon accounting: Scope 1, 2, and 3 GHG tracking with automatic conversion factor updates.
- Energy STAR integration: Automated two-way data exchange with Portfolio Manager.
EnergyCAP’s pros and cons
EnergyCAP’s key industries: Government & municipalities, higher education & K-12 schools, utility companies, commercial real estate, telecommunications, multi-family housing, logistics chains.
EnergyCAP’s regions: Primarily North America (USA & Canada); global capabilities for utility bill processing.
EnergyCAP’s ratings: 4.7/5 based on Capterra reviews.
EnergyCAP’s pricing: Usage-based pricing (per meter/account); packages typically start around ~$5,000/year for smaller organizations.
9. EnergyElephant
Agile all-in-one sustainability energy app
EnergyElephant is a user-friendly platform that covers electricity, gas, water, waste, and transport. It is favored for its speed of deployment and clean interface, making it a popular energy monitoring software for SMEs and campuses.
EnergyElephant’s key features
- Multi-utility tracking: Unified dashboard for energy, water, waste, and fleet transport data.
- Automated bill scraper: Quickly digitizes PDF bills and invoices using machine learning.
- University campus dashboards: Specialized views for campus environments and student housing.
- Public access display: Kiosk mode to show real-time sustainability stats to building occupants.
EnergyElephant’s pros and cons
EnergyElephant’s key industries: Universities & colleges, local government & councils, small to medium enterprises (SMEs), hospitality & tourism, non-profits, transport fleets.
EnergyElephant’s regions: Strongest in Europe (Ireland, UK, EU); global availability.
EnergyElephant’s ratings: 4.7/5 based on Capterra reviews.
EnergyElephant’s pricing: Transparent tiered pricing; Small: €25/meter/mo, Medium: €13.80/meter/mo, Enterprise: Custom volume discounts.
10. WatchWire
Sustainability and energy data management platform
WatchWire is designed for the data-heavy side of energy: procurement, risk management, and sustainability reporting. It provides deep visibility into energy markets and contract structures, serving as a robust energy data management software.
WatchWire’s key features
- Market risk management: Tracks energy market volatility and assists with hedging strategies.
- Budgeting & forecasting: Advanced modeling for future energy spend, factoring in weather and rates.
- Peak load management: Alerts for coincidental peak demand to reduce capacity tags.
- Measurement & Verification (M&V): IPMVP-compliant tracking of energy efficiency projects.
WatchWire’s pros and cons
WatchWire’s key industries: REITs & property management, private equity, manufacturing & industrial, technology & data centers, retail & franchise, public sector.
WatchWire’s regions: North America with global data coverage capabilities.
WatchWire’s ratings: 4.8/5 based on Capterra reviews.
WatchWire’s pricing: Custom subscription based on number of accounts/meters; starts around $100/month for small setups but scales for enterprise.
11. Voltaware
Smart energy monitor for homes and SMEs
Voltaware uses a single smart sensor to disaggregate energy usage down to the appliance level. It’s a powerful tool for homes and small businesses to monitor electricity without complex sub-metering, acting as a leading smart energy management system for granular visibility.
Voltaware’s key features
- Appliance-level disaggregation: Uses NILM technology to identify individual appliances from one sensor.
- Real-time energy monitoring: Live views of total and appliance-level consumption via mobile app.
- Smart alerts: Notifications for unusual usage patterns or safety concerns (e.g., stove left on).
- Monthly insights: Periodic reports with actionable recommendations for savings.
Pros and cons
Key industries: Residential smart homes, small business offices, light commercial, social housing, elderly care monitoring.
Regions: Strong presence in the UK and wider Europe; global availability via partners.
Ratings: 4.4/5 based on Trustpilot reviews.
Pricing: Hardware sold as one-time purchase (~$150 range) plus small subscription/service fee for app access.
Key features look for in energy management software
Choosing the right platform is about aligning features with your specific goals. Here is what matters most:
1. Unified operations (O&M + energy)
Don't treat energy in a silo. The best platforms, like Facilio, integrate energy data with maintenance work orders. If a chiller is using 20% more energy, the system should automatically trigger a maintenance ticket—closing the loop between insight and action.
2. Hardware agnostic integration
Avoid vendor lock-in. Your software should be able to talk to meters and sensors from Honeywell, Siemens, and Schneider simultaneously. Look for platforms that support standard protocols like BACnet, Modbus, and MQTT.
3. Automated compliance
With regulations like NYC's Local Law 97 and Europe's CSRD, manual reporting is risky. Look for software that automatically formats your data for ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, GRESB, and other regulatory frameworks.
4. Scalability
Can the system handle 5 buildings today and 500 tomorrow? Cloud-native platforms offer the elasticity to scale without needing on-premise server upgrades.
Why energy management software is critical in 2026
With the Energy Act 2023 and UK Emissions Trading Scheme now in force, "net zero" is no longer just a goal—it's a compliance minefield.
1. High cost of non-compliance
Regulators are cracking down. In the 2020-21 financial year alone, 33 UK companies were fined over £27 million for breaching schemes like the EU ETS, CRC, and ESOS.
"The fines published today should serve as an important reminder for all organizations to ensure that they are compliant... and are playing their part in tackling climate change."
— Liz Parkes, Deputy Director for Climate Change, Environment Agency
2. Stricter rules for ESOS Phase 3
Updates to the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) (effective Nov 2023) have raised the bar. Businesses must now provide:
- Detailed action plans and yearly progress updates.
- Strict maintenance of energy records.
- Mandatory energy audits.
The penalty? Initial fines for non-compliance (e.g., failure to notify or audit) can now reach up to £50,000, plus daily accruals.
3. Rising operational costs
Beyond fines, energy itself is getting more expensive. In our State of Smart Buildings 2024 survey of 180 real estate leaders, 41% prioritized remote command and control specifically to combat rising costs and improve efficiency.
4. Increasing shift to automation
Manual spreadsheets can't keep up with these demands. The energy management software market was valued at $32.08 billion in 2022 and is growing at 15% annually, driven by:
- Mandatory ESG & sustainability reporting.
- IoT integration for real-time fault detection.
- The need to validate increasingly complex utility bills.
Modern energy management software isn't just about saving power; it's about protecting your bottom line from regulatory risk and volatile markets.
Conclusion: Why your next upgrade should look like
The future of energy management isn't just about reading meters—it's about connected operations.
Choosing a siloed tool might solve today's billing problem, but it won't help you optimize asset performance or extend equipment life. A connected platform like Facilio unifies your people, processes, and systems, turning energy data into a driver for operational excellence.
Get started now.
If you are ready to move beyond spreadsheets and legacy BMS, explore how a unified platform can deliver real ROI for your portfolio.
FAQs
What is the best energy management software?
The "best" energy management software depends on your specific needs. Facilio is top-rated for unified energy management including analytics, utility bills, autonomous energy optimization for commercial portfolios. EnergyCAP excels in energy accounting, and Schneider Electric is a leader for industrial power management.
How do you choose the right energy management system (EMS)?
Start by defining your energy goals—whether it’s reducing utility bills, meeting net-zero targets, or automating regulatory compliance. Evaluate systems that offer vendor-agnostic integration with your existing meters and BMS. The right energy monitoring software should scale from simple bill tracking to complex, real-time control without requiring a complete hardware overhaul.
What is the difference between EMS and BMS?
While both manage building systems, a BMS (Building Management System) focuses on the real-time control of equipment (turning fans on/off, opening valves).
An EMS (Energy Management System) focuses on the analysis of consumption data to identify inefficiencies, costs, and trends. In short: BMS runs the building; EMS tells you how to run it smarter and cheaper.
What is the future of energy management technology?
Energy management solutions is moving toward autonomous, AI-driven optimization. Future systems won't just flag high energy use; they will automatically adjust setpoints, schedule equipment, and participate in grid demand response programs in real-time. Expect deeper integration with renewable assets (solar/storage) and EV charging infrastructure as buildings become active participants in the energy grid.
Who uses energy management software?
Energy management platforms are used by energy managers, sustainability directors, facility managers, and financial controllers across sectors like commercial real estate, retail, manufacturing, healthcare, and education. It is also essential for property owners looking to increase asset value and consultants managing energy performance contracts (EPCs).
What are the key features to look for in an energy platform?
Essential capabilities to look for in energy management platforms include:
- Real-time energy monitoring & heatmaps
- Automated utility bill validation (OCR)
- Carbon & ESG compliance reporting (GRESB, Energy Star)
- Fault Detection & Diagnostics (FDD)
- Weather-normalized benchmarking (EnPI)
- Bi-directional control for automated optimization
Can energy management software integrate with other enterprise systems?
Yes. Modern cloud-based energy data management platforms like Facilio connect easily with ERP (for financial data), BMS (for operational data), IoT sensors, and weather services. This integration eliminates data silos, allowing finance teams to see utility costs while operations teams see equipment performance in the same system.
How does IoT enhance energy management performance?
IoT sensors provide granular visibility that main utility meters miss. By collecting live data from individual assets (chillers, pumps, lights), IoT-enabled EMS can pinpoint exactly which device is wasting energy and why. This shifts energy management from monthly "shock" bills to real-time, proactive resolution.
What are the benefits of cloud-based energy management?
Cloud-based EMS offers scalability, remote access, and lower upfront costs. Unlike on-premise servers, cloud platforms can aggregate data from hundreds of buildings into a single portfolio view instantly. They also allow for automatic updates, ensuring you are always using the latest compliance standards and security protocols.
How does Facilio differ from traditional energy software?
Facilio's energy management platform, unlike tools that only track bills or only visualize meter data, connects energy insights directly to maintenance workflows. If energy spikes, it automatically triggers a work order or adjusts the BMS control strategy. It offers a modular path to value—starting with visibility and scaling to autonomous control—making it ideal for large, multi-site portfolios.