COMPARISON
CPO software comparison:
transaction fees or flat fee?
Choosing software for your charging network? Whether you are looking at AMPECO, Driivz, Monta or building your own system, the key differences are the pricing model, protocols and access to data.
What to look at
Six questions to ask every vendor.
Pricing model
A revenue share or per-kWh fee grows with your network. A flat subscription leaves the margin with you.
Protocols
OCPP 1.6 and 2.0.1 for chargers, plus OCPI in several versions for roaming.
Data and API
Session and customer data should belong to you, with full export and an API.
Your brand
A white-label driver app, not one branded by the vendor.
Minimum scale
Does the platform make sense with a handful of chargers, or only with dozens?
Migration and support
How stations are migrated and how quickly support reacts when a charger is down.
Three models at a glance
A general comparison of models, not of specific vendors.
| Criterion | Platform with transaction fees | In-house system | Powerize (flat subscription) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost as sales grow | Grows with revenue | High build and maintenance cost | Flat and predictable |
| Time to launch | Fast | Months or years | Weeks |
| OCPP 1.6 / 2.0.1 | Depends on the vendor | Has to be built | Yes |
| OCPI and Hubject roaming | Depends on the vendor | Has to be built | Yes, OCPI 2.1.1–2.2.1 and Hubject |
| App under your brand | Often at extra cost | Has to be built | Yes |
| Minimum number of chargers | Sometimes required | None | None |
Terms differ between vendors and change over time, so always ask for a current quote and contract.
How to compare offers step by step
- Model the cost over 3 years. Include growth in chargers and energy sold.
- Check protocols. Ask about OCPP and OCPI versions and the list of tested chargers.
- Ask about data. Make sure you get full export and API access.
- Test it. Ask for a live demo and a test account.
Choosing CPO software: FAQ
Which is cheaper: transaction fees or a subscription?
With low sales the difference is small. As the network grows, a revenue share or per-kWh fee keeps rising, while a flat subscription stays predictable.
Is it worth building your own CPO system?
Usually only for very large networks with an in-house development team. You have to maintain OCPP, OCPI, payments, apps and security for years.
How long does switching platforms take?
Chargers switch their OCPP endpoint and are moved in batches, so switching does not require new hardware or long downtime.
Does Powerize have a minimum number of chargers?
No. The platform works from your first charger and grows with your network.
See also
CPO platformCSMS softwareMigration from another system10 questions to ask