Ella vs Salesforce Net Zero Cloud: Comparison and Alternatives (2026)
Salesforce Net Zero Cloud is sustainability software built on the Salesforce platform, for enterprises already running Salesforce. Ella is AI-native ESG software built as an agent: it collects data from colleagues, chases replies and produces SECR, CDP, CSRD, VSME and EcoVadis outputs, with no CRM to configure and a trial on your own data.
Last updated 2 November 2026 · By Tom Wilford, Founder, Ella
Get startedElla vs Salesforce Net Zero Cloud at a glance
| Ella | Salesforce Net Zero Cloud | |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Sustainability teams at large and fast-growing companies | Enterprises, particularly those already on Salesforce |
| Platform | Standalone ESG software built as an AI agent | Built on the Salesforce platform; Enterprise, Unlimited or Performance editions for add-ons |
| How data gets in | Collect links to colleagues and suppliers, automatic chasing, missing-response tracking, drag-and-drop bills and spend exports, integrations | Data collection flows, supplier data ingestion, connectors; MuleSoft or partners for on-premises sources |
| Frameworks named | GHG Protocol, SECR, CDP, CSRD, VSME, EcoVadis, reduction and net zero plans | GHG Protocol Scopes 1 to 3, CSRD, GRI, SASB, CDP, California climate laws |
| SECR, VSME, EcoVadis | All included | Not mentioned on Salesforce's Net Zero pages |
| AI | The agent is the product: it collects, chases, calculates and drafts | Agentforce for Net Zero Cloud add-on at $150 per user per month |
| Pricing and trial | Modular plans with a 14-day trial per module on your own data | Core edition is contact us for pricing; annual contracts; 30-day free trial listed |
Why teams choose Ella over Net Zero Cloud
Where Net Zero Cloud may fall short
| What to check | With Net Zero Cloud | With Ella |
|---|---|---|
| Platform dependency | Built on Salesforce, with admin set-up, permission sets and managed packages | Standalone; sign in and start collecting |
| Paid add-ons | Agentforce $150/user/month, supplier engagement $60K/org/year, CRM Analytics $165/user/month, extra orgs $24K/org/year | AI agent, supplier collection and reporting included in each module |
| UK and customer requests | SECR, VSME and EcoVadis not named | All three produced from the same data set |
| Core price | Not published | Modular plans, sized to your company |
What Net Zero Cloud does well
Should you choose Ella or Net Zero Cloud?
| If you need | Choose |
|---|---|
| Sustainability data inside an existing Salesforce estate | Net Zero Cloud |
| ESG and carbon data collected and chased without a CRM project | Ella |
| SECR, VSME and EcoVadis alongside CDP and CSRD | Ella |
| Supplier engagement and AI included in the price | Ella |
Net Zero Cloud alternatives worth a look
| Platform | Best for |
|---|---|
| Ella | Sustainability teams that want ESG and carbon data collected, chased and reported for them |
| Watershed | Large enterprises with dedicated climate teams |
| Persefoni | Financial institutions and a free self-serve start |
| Sweep | Large enterprises building a custom ESG data programme |
How we wrote this comparison
How Ella helps
Carbon accounting software
Scope 1, 2 and 3, SECR, CDP and reduction plans, built from your real bills and invoices.
ESG reporting software
CSRD, VSME and customer ESG requests, with the data collected and cleaned for you.
ESG strategy software
Materiality, targets and a reduction roadmap built from the data you already hold.
Related resources
Best carbon accounting software in 2026: an honest comparison
The best carbon accounting software in 2026 is the one that gets real activity data out of your organisation with the least chasing, then turns it into Scope 1, 2 and 3 figures you can defend to an auditor. For large UK and EU teams, compare Ella, Greenly, Persefoni, Sweep, Watershed, Plan A and Normative on data collection first.
Ella vs Watershed: Comparison and Watershed Alternatives (2026)
Ella and Watershed both measure and report emissions, but Ella is faster to get going and does more of the work. Ella is AI-native ESG software built as an agent: it sets your boundaries, chases colleagues for data, reads bills and drafts SECR, CDP, VSME and EcoVadis outputs. Watershed is built for very large enterprise programmes.
Ella vs Persefoni: Comparison and Persefoni Alternatives (2026)
Ella and Persefoni both do carbon accounting, but they are built for different teams. Ella is AI-native ESG software built as an agent for corporate sustainability teams: it sets your boundaries, collects and chases data, and drafts SECR, CDP, VSME and EcoVadis outputs. Persefoni is strongest for financial institutions and financed emissions.
Best ESG Software in 2026: 11 Platforms Compared
The best ESG software depends on who is asking you for data. Workiva and Sweep suit enterprises filing CSRD or ISSB reports. Watershed and Persefoni suit carbon-heavy enterprises. Ella suits sustainability teams handling EcoVadis, CDP, SECR and customer requests: AI-native ESG software that collects, cleans and reports your data for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Ella and Salesforce Net Zero Cloud?
Net Zero Cloud is sustainability software built on the Salesforce platform. Ella is standalone ESG software built as an AI agent that collects data from colleagues and suppliers, chases replies and produces SECR, CDP, CSRD, VSME and EcoVadis outputs from one audit-ready data set.
Is Ella a good Salesforce Net Zero Cloud alternative?
Yes, if you want carbon and ESG reporting without configuring a Salesforce org, or you need SECR, VSME or EcoVadis. If your organisation runs on Salesforce and wants sustainability data there, Net Zero Cloud is worth a close look.
How much does Salesforce Net Zero Cloud cost?
Salesforce lists the core Net Zero Cloud Growth edition as contact us for pricing on annual contracts. Published add-ons include Agentforce for Net Zero Cloud at $150 per user per month and External Engagement Management at $60K per org per year.
Do you need Salesforce to use Net Zero Cloud?
Net Zero Cloud is built on the Salesforce platform, and its add-ons are available with Enterprise, Unlimited and Performance editions. Ella needs no CRM: you sign in and start collecting data.
Does Net Zero Cloud support SECR or EcoVadis?
Neither is mentioned on Salesforce's Net Zero Cloud pages as of November 2026. Ella produces SECR summaries and has a dedicated EcoVadis module.
What frameworks does Net Zero Cloud support?
Salesforce lists report builders for CSRD, GRI, SASB and CDP, plus California's climate disclosure laws, with carbon calculated according to the GHG Protocol.
Does Ella use AI agents like Agentforce?
Ella is built as an AI agent from the ground up. It collects data, chases colleagues, calculates emissions and drafts reports as part of every module, with no separate AI licence.
Can I try Ella before buying?
Yes. Ella offers a 14-day trial per module on your own data, backed by support from Ella's sustainability team.