10 alternatives to Diligent ESG for your company's ESG management

Diligent ESG (formerly Galvanize) is an enterprise governance, risk, and compliance platform that includes ESG data collection capabilities — positioned primarily at board-level governance and risk functions rather than sustainability operations teams. Companies looking for alternatives are typically either seeking a more sustainability-specific workflow, better integration with their existing GRC stack, or a platform that connects ESG data collection directly to CSRD reporting outputs.

This guide evaluates 10 alternatives to Diligent ESG for 2026, with focus on sustainability data management depth, CSRD and ESRS reporting support, carbon accounting capability, and the operational workflow that sustainability teams actually need to collect, validate, and disclose ESG data.

Evolution of ESG Software in Recent Years

ESG software has evolved at an accelerated pace in recent years. We've moved from static systems, focused on simple data recording, to dynamic platforms that automate information collection, validation, and analysis.

Today, companies no longer need to manually load dozens of spreadsheets or depend on external audits to know how they're managing their impact.

The trend has shifted towards more intelligent, scalable, and data-based solutions, which allow consolidating all ESG information in a single environment.

This not only reduces error margin, but accelerates the reporting process and improves the quality of indicators presented to investors, customers, or regulators.

Furthermore, modern tools offer a cross-sectional vision: they connect environmental, social, and governance data to show the company's real performance in real time, not as a one-off year-end report.

Digitalisation of ESG Reporting

ESG reporting has been completely transformed. Before it was an annual, slow, and manual process; now it's digital, continuous, and traceable.

New platforms allow companies to automate data flow, generate reports aligned with different regulatory frameworks, and keep information ready for audits or certifications without additional effort.

This digitalisation responds to a growing need: reports must be verifiable, comparable, and updatable, in line with evolving sustainability reporting requirements.

It's no longer enough to collect information; it's essential to demonstrate its reliability.

That's why, companies are adopting tools that centralise data and distribute it automatically according to different frameworks or requirements they must comply with, from EINF to CSRD or European Taxonomy.

In this new scenario, sustainability is understood as an element of business management, not as a marketing report.

The most advanced platforms allow measuring ESG performance in real time, which offers companies a clear competitive advantage.

Incorporation of Artificial Intelligence and Predictive Analysis

In recent years, ESG software has incorporated artificial intelligence and predictive analysis technologies to facilitate decision-making.

These tools not only process large volumes of information, but also detect patterns, anticipate risks, and suggest operational improvements.

Thanks to these advances, companies can analyse future scenarios—for example, how a new regulation or variation in energy consumption would affect—and prepare faster and more informed responses.

Instead of limiting themselves to looking back, current ESG analysis allows projecting trends and optimising impact management in real time.

Artificial intelligence also improves data quality.

It detects inconsistencies, cross-references sources, and offers more robust traceability, which reduces time invested in manual reviews or validations.

Growing Demand for Traceability and Transparency

Regulatory pressure and market expectations have made ESG data traceability and transparency non-negotiable today.

Investors, customers, and public administrations demand clear, measurable, and demonstrable information.

This reality has driven the adoption of platforms capable of guaranteeing data integrity at each stage of the process.

It's no longer enough to present aggregated indicators: it's necessary to be able to show where each figure comes from, how it's calculated, and when it's updated.

In this context, the most modern ESG solutions allow maintaining a continuous and verifiable record of all information, ensuring each piece of data can be traced and used in different contexts (reports, audits, or certifications).

The change is evident: companies that manage their ESG information rigorously and traceably gain competitive advantage, whilst those who continue trusting in manual or fragmented processes risk losing credibility and market opportunities.

In short, ESG software evolution responds to the same idea: if you don't measure, you don't manage, and if you don't manage, you don't compete.

That's why, more and more companies seek solutions that allow them to take total control of their ESG data and transform them into real business decisions.

Understanding how Carbon Footprint measurement integrates with broader ESG strategies enables companies to connect environmental performance with business objectives and demonstrate progress towards environmental sustainability goals.

The adoption of ESG criteria also directly influences the valuation and reputation of publicly traded companies, as investors increasingly prioritise transparency and sustainability as indicators of long-term stability and growth.

6 Criteria for Selecting an ESG Platform

Choosing an appropriate ESG platform is not just a technical matter; it's a strategic decision that defines how we manage and leverage our non-financial data.

The market offers many options, but not all respond to the real needs of companies seeking efficiency, control, and adaptability.

1. Data Centralisation

The first step for effective management is to consolidate all information in a single environment. A good ESG platform must avoid depending on spreadsheets or disconnected systems.

If data isn't centralised, it will never be reliable or traceable.

2. Automation

Automation is what allows real progress.

The tool must be capable of collecting, validating, and updating information automatically, without constant manual intervention. This ensures precision, reduces errors, and frees up time and internal resources for higher-value tasks.

3. Regulatory Adaptability

Regulations change constantly.

That's why, the platform must adjust easily to new frameworks or standards without needing additional developments.

Flexibility is key to staying up to date with regulations such as CSRD, European Taxonomy, or EINF reports, without friction or additional costs.

4. Data Traceability

It's not enough to generate attractive reports. We must know where each piece of data comes from, how it's calculated, and when it's updated.

That traceability guarantees credibility and transparency before audits, customers, and investors.

Traceability is not an extra, it's a reliability requirement.

5. Usability

The tool must be intuitive, agile, and easy to implement. If the team can't use it without depending on constant training, technology becomes an obstacle.

Operational simplicity is key so that the system truly integrates into daily work.

6. Integration Capacity

A good ESG platform must connect with internal systems (ERP, CRM, sensors, or databases).

This allows a continuous and updated information flow, avoiding duplications and guaranteeing consistency in all reports.

In short, the six essential criteria are centralisation, automation, flexibility, traceability, usability, and integration.

If a tool meets these principles, it converts ESG management into a strategic and scalable process, not an administrative burden.

5 Advantages of New Platforms Versus Diligent ESG

New ESG platforms have completely transformed the way companies manage their data.

Compared to traditional systems—more rigid and dependent on manual processes—today we work with dynamic, automated, and business-oriented solutions. This change is not only technological: it also reflects a new mindset.

Companies want independence, agility, and control over their information.

1. Implementation Agility

Current solutions are implemented directly in the cloud, without local installations or long technical processes.

In a matter of days, we can start measuring, managing, and reporting ESG data, accelerating return on investment and eliminating initial friction.

2. Total Autonomy

Companies no longer need intermediaries to access or modify their data. A good platform allows managing all information internally, with total control over each indicator and each report.

Autonomy guarantees agility and reduces dependency on third parties.

3. Real Automation

Data flow automation is one of the greatest advantages of new solutions.

These tools collect information directly from its original sources and transform it into standardised metrics. Thus, reporting time is drastically reduced and information gains consistency and precision.

4. Regulatory Adaptability

Modern platforms are designed to adjust quickly to new regulatory frameworks.

They allow reporting under different standards—such as CSRD, SBTI, Taxonomy, ISOs, or EINF—without rebuilding data or redoing systems. This provides stability, continuity, and automatic compliance.

5. Operational Efficiency

Centralising information and automating workflows reduces costs, avoids duplications, and eliminates fragmentation.

New platforms convert the ESG process into a lever of competitiveness, by offering precise and useful information for strategic decision-making.

In summary, the difference is in the approach: new platforms put data at the service of strategy, not the other way around.

It's no longer just about complying with a standard, but using ESG management as a measurable business asset, traceable and directly linked to business results.

What to Look for in a Diligent ESG Alternative

Sustainability-Native Data Collection

ESG data collection for CSRD requires more than forms and workflows — it requires calculation engines for GHG emissions (with emission factor libraries), LCA methodology support, energy consumption consolidation, and social indicator tracking that aligns with specific ESRS disclosure points. Evaluate whether the platform has built-in sustainability calculation capability or relies on manual data entry into generic fields.

ESRS-Aligned Disclosure Architecture

CSRD reporting requires a specific disclosure structure: governance, strategy, IRO management, and metrics and targets, each with mandatory and voluntary datapoints. The platform should organise data collection around ESRS disclosure requirements — not generic ESG categories — so that every data point collected maps to a specific ESRS datapoint in the final report.

Assurance Support and Evidence Management

Limited assurance under CSRD requires traceable evidence for every material metric. The platform must support evidence attachment, data lineage documentation, approval workflows with audit trail, and the ability to export an evidence package for the assurance provider. Without these features, your team will spend weeks before the audit manually assembling documentation.

Why Dcycle Stands Out as an Alternative to Diligent ESG

We differentiate ourselves by a very clear approach: we're not auditors or consultants, we're a technological solution created for companies wanting to have total control over their ESG information.

Our objective is for data to work for the business, not the other way around.

Unlike traditional tools, our platform is designed for any type of company, regardless of its size or maturity level in sustainability.

What we offer is flexibility, automation, and implementation speed, eliminating the need for long, costly processes or dependency on third parties.

We stand out because we automatically collect all ESG information from multiple sources, structure it in a secure environment, and distribute it according to different frameworks or reporting needs: EINF, CSRD, SBTI, Taxonomy, or ISOs.

Everything is done from the same system, without duplicating tasks or data.

Furthermore, we provide something fundamental: total data traceability. Each indicator has a source, calculation, and date.

This allows presenting verifiable information to any audit, customer, or investor, with the guarantee that data is precise and consistent.

Another key difference is operational efficiency.

Whilst other platforms require complex configuration, our solution allows starting to measure, manage, and report in a matter of days, integrating easily with the company's internal systems (ERP, CRM, or accounting tools).

Finally, we believe sustainability is not an isolated department, but a strategic lever that drives profitability and decision-making.

Our mission is for companies to measure better, manage more agilely, and communicate more clearly, using ESG data as an asset that provides tangible value to the business.

In short, we stand out as an alternative to Diligent ESG because we offer a more agile, modular, and accessible solution, capable of adapting to any use case without losing rigour or traceability.

The result is simple: more efficient, clearer ESG management, completely under control.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What does Diligent ESG do and how does it differ from other platforms?

Diligent ESG is a tool centred on managing environmental, social, and governance data, designed mainly for large organisations needing to consolidate complex information from multiple areas.

It allows collecting and reporting data such as emissions, energy consumption, waste, or social indicators, and generating reports aligned with international standards such as GRI, CDP, or GHG Protocol.

Its main difference compared to other platforms is in its corporate approach and modular structure, designed for companies with internal resources dedicated to ESG management.

However, this same complexity can limit its adoption in companies seeking more automated, flexible, and accessible processes, without depending on external consultancies or extensive technical configurations.

What alternatives exist with greater automation and flexibility?

New generations of ESG software have been designed to offer more automation, traceability, and agility.

These solutions allow collecting information from multiple data sources, structuring it automatically, and distributing it among different reporting frameworks or certifications without needing to duplicate efforts.

The value lies in adaptation capacity. A good ESG platform must adjust to each company's pace, regardless of its size or maturity in sustainability.

The current trend focuses on cloud-based systems, which eliminate local installations, reduce maintenance costs, and offer immediate access to updated data, at any time and from anywhere.

Furthermore, these tools facilitate complete data traceability, allowing verifying its origin, calculation method, and updates, which guarantees reliable and auditable reports.

In summary, we're talking about more dynamic, scalable solutions centred on automation, not dependency on external services.

How to choose the most appropriate ESG platform for my company?

Choosing an ESG platform is a strategic decision.

It's not just about comparing functionalities, but understanding what level of control we want to have over our data. The first thing is to ensure the tool centralises all non-financial information in a single environment.

If data is dispersed, results won't be consistent.

Another key aspect is automation.

The platform must collect and process data continuously, avoiding manual processes that consume time and generate errors. We must also assess regulatory adaptation capacity, as regulations constantly change and we need flexibility to update our reports without complications.

Finally, usability must be considered. If the system isn't intuitive, it won't be used correctly.

An effective ESG solution is one that allows teams to work autonomously, without needing constant support from external consultants or auditors.

Why is Dcycle a highlighted alternative to Diligent ESG?

We stand out as a solid alternative because we're not auditors or consultants, but a Solution for companies designed to automate complete ESG data management.

Our platform allows collecting, validating, and distributing all non-financial information from a single digital environment, adapting it to any use case or reporting framework, such as EINF, CSRD, Taxonomy, SBTI, or ISOs.

Unlike more traditional systems, we prioritise simplicity and efficiency. Our model is based on each company having total control over its data, without depending on third parties.

The entire process is automatic, traceable, and auditable, which guarantees each metric is reliable and verifiable.

Furthermore, we help organisations transform sustainability into a strategic lever, not an administrative obligation.

Our objective is for ESG data to work for the business, allowing making fast and informed decisions, with information always updated and available.

What benefits does changing to a more modern and accessible tool provide?

Changing to a modern tool means gaining autonomy, reducing costs, and improving data quality. Current platforms eliminate technical barriers, allow integrating data sources automatically, and generate reports in minutes, not weeks.

This translates into operational efficiency and time savings.

Another benefit is flexibility. A modern tool adapts to the company's real needs, not the other way around.

It allows scaling without losing precision, connecting with internal systems, and keeping information always ready for audits, certifications, or presentations to customers and investors.

Finally, the most important difference is in strategic value. With an updated platform, ESG data stops being a compliance exercise and becomes a knowledge source to improve decision-making, optimise resources, and anticipate risks.

In an environment where measuring is synonymous with competing, staying without reliable data is not an option.