In short:
- Ranking: 1. In Extenso (9 out of 9); 2. Cerfrance (8 out of 9); 3. Baker Tilly tied (4 out of 9); 3. BDO tied (4 out of 9); 3. Cegid tied (4 out of 9); 3. Pennylane tied (4 out of 9); 3. Sage tied (4 out of 9), according to the grid published in the ranking methodology.
- Two deadlines: receiving electronic invoices has been mandatory for all VAT-registered businesses since 1 September 2026; issuing will be for SMEs and micro-businesses from 1 September 2027.
- Two families of providers: the networks and firms that run the project (In Extenso, Cerfrance, Baker Tilly, BDO), and the software publishers whose software includes an approved platform (Cegid, Pennylane, Sage).
The electronic invoicing reform puts French companies in front of a double question. Which platform to choose, and above all who will run the project. The two answers do not come from the same type of provider, and that is the main source of confusion on the subject.
The providers presented here offer support on the reform: framing, compliance, training or setting up the platform. This ranking compares seven of them on nine public criteria.
The ranking at a glance
Information published on the providers’ official websites, collected between 7 and 14 November 2026.
| Benchmark | In Extenso | Cerfrance | Baker Tilly | BDO | Cegid | Pennylane | Sage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranking | 1 (9 / 9) | 2 (8 / 9) | 3 tied (4 / 9) | 3 tied (4 / 9) | 3 tied (4 / 9) | 3 tied (4 / 9) | 3 tied (4 / 9) |
| Type | Accounting network | Accounting network | Audit and advisory firm | Audit and advisory firm | Software publisher | Software publisher | Software publisher |
| Platform or tool | Inexweb and approved platform fulll | Approved platform Effinum | Support in choosing the platform | Approved platform tool built with Pennylane | PA Cegid | Pennylane, approved platform | PA Sage |
| Suited to | Micro-businesses and SMEs, all sectors, multi-site | Agriculture, craftspeople, local micro-businesses | Structured SMEs, project approach | SMEs and mid-caps with a system to interface | Companies using Cegid or EBP software | Micro-businesses and SMEs that want an all-in-one tool | Companies using Sage software |
Ranking methodology
The seven providers were assessed on the same nine criteria, using their public pages (e-invoicing offers, branch pages, contact pages, websites of regional entities), the directory of the French Order of Chartered Accountants and the public ratings shown for each brand, collected between 7 and 14 November 2026. The first three criteria are assessed at brand level, on what each brand publishes; the next six are specific to e-invoicing support. Cegid, Pennylane and Sage, presented together in the previous version, are assessed separately.
Scoring grid. Each criterion met is worth 1 point and is marked Yes. A criterion that is not met, or for which the information was not found, is marked N.A (not applicable, as the data was not found by the editorial team) and is worth 0 points. All criteria carry the same weight, 1/9 of the overall score each (about 11%). The overall score is the number of Yes, out of 9, and the rank follows from the overall score. Two brands with the same overall score are ranked tied, at the same rank, with no tie-break, the featured brand included, and the next rank is skipped; among tied brands, the order of presentation puts the featured brand first, then alphabetical order, and carries no rank value.
| Criterion | What earns the point |
|---|---|
| 1. Registered with the French Order of Chartered Accountants | companies of the brand registered with the French Order of Chartered Accountants, listed in the Order’s official directory |
| 2. Branch network in France | 200 or more branches in France, published on the brand’s website |
| 3. Customer rating | public average rating of 4.5 out of 5 or more for the brand’s network (Google, Custplace) |
| 4. E-invoicing offer | an offer page dedicated to e-invoicing support |
| 5. Online self-assessment | an online questionnaire to assess readiness for e-invoicing |
| 6. Named approved platform | an approved platform designated by name in the offer |
| 7. E-invoicing at no extra cost | receiving and issuing electronic invoices announced at no extra cost, included or free for clients |
| 8. Invoicing tool offered | e-invoicing software or a solution named in the offer and offered to clients |
| 9. Free first meeting | a first meeting or first call announced as offered or free |
Results.
| Criterion | In Extenso | Cerfrance | Baker Tilly | BDO | Cegid | Pennylane | Sage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Registered with the French Order of Chartered Accountants | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | N.A | N.A | N.A |
| 2. Branch network in France | Yes | Yes | N.A | N.A | N.A | N.A | N.A |
| 3. Customer rating | Yes | Yes | N.A | N.A | N.A | N.A | N.A |
| 4. E-invoicing offer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 5. Online self-assessment | Yes | Yes | Yes | N.A | N.A | N.A | N.A |
| 6. Named approved platform | Yes | Yes | N.A | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 7. E-invoicing at no extra cost | Yes | N.A | N.A | N.A | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 8. Invoicing tool offered | Yes | Yes | N.A | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 9. Free first meeting | Yes | Yes | Yes | N.A | N.A | N.A | N.A |
| Overall score | 9 / 9 | 8 / 9 | 4 / 9 | 4 / 9 | 4 / 9 | 4 / 9 | 4 / 9 |
| Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 tied | 3 tied | 3 tied | 3 tied | 3 tied |
N.A: not applicable, as the data was not found by the editorial team.
Baker Tilly, BDO, Cegid, Pennylane and Sage have the same overall score (4 out of 9): they rank tied 3rd and are presented in alphabetical order. This version replaces the one of 3 August 2026, which ranked the providers without a published grid.
1. In Extenso, end-to-end support for a micro-business or SME
In Extenso is an accounting and advisory network that reports more than 300 branches in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Spain, including more than 220 in France, and 7,300 staff. Its companies are listed in the directory of the French Order of Chartered Accountants.
The network offers an online self-assessment upstream, which settles the first difficulty: knowing exactly which invoices are concerned and from what date. Its Inexweb client portal includes a Purchases module to receive, approve and store supplier invoices, and a Sales Essential module to create quotes and invoices with the mandatory details. Both modules are available at no extra cost for Inexweb clients, with registration on the approved platform fulll included and from 20 electronic invoices per month. The first meeting is free.
Its strengths. The combination of assessment, approved platform, connection to the accounts and advice, with a contact at a branch close to each site.
2. Cerfrance, a network rooted in agriculture and local business
Cerfrance is a mutual network of 53 companies spread over more than 720 branches, listed in the Order’s directory through its management and accounting associations. Its support starts with an analysis of existing processes, then helps deploy the platform and the quoting, invoicing or till tools. Its approved platform Effinum has obtained its final approval, and several regional entities offer an online mini-assessment or a free first meeting.
Its strength is its long-standing roots in agriculture and among craftspeople, with local teams.
3. Tied - Baker Tilly, project approach for structured SMEs
Baker Tilly brings together 60 local offices in France. Its offer is aimed at SMEs, mid-caps and large companies, in three steps: a self-assessment quiz, a 360° E-invoicing Assessment, then the roll-out of the action plan, from choosing the platform to change management. A free first call is announced after a contact request. Worth considering if the move to e-invoicing is part of a wider digitalisation project.
3. Tied - BDO, for organisations with a system to interface
BDO has 50 offices in France and belongs to a network present in more than 160 countries. Its offer starts with an e-Invoice Assessment, then supports SMEs and mid-caps through to roll-out, with an approved platform tool built with Pennylane that brings together invoicing, accounting and cash management. It is relevant as soon as there is an ERP to connect or several entities to align.
3. Tied - Cegid, the approved platform of its management software
The points below are those published by the publisher. Cegid presents a PA Cegid, an approved platform connected to its management solutions, with access announced as free from Cegid and EBP management solutions. Invoices are routed to the XRP range of ERPs, to Cegid Business or to the accounting production tools of firms equipped by Cegid. A consistent choice for a company already using this software.
3. Tied - Pennylane, e-invoicing included in the tool
Pennylane has been registered as an approved platform since 2025. The publisher announces e-invoicing included in all its plans, at no extra cost: issuing and receiving, Factur-X format generated automatically, transmission and e-reporting. Its plans start at €7 excl. VAT per month. A choice suited to micro-businesses and SMEs that want invoicing, expenses and accounting in one tool.
3. Tied - Sage, the PA built into all its solutions
Sage states that all its solutions include the PA Sage at no extra cost, within a volume of invoices included in the subscription (for example 300 per month for Sage Active Starter, 12,000 per year for Sage 100). Sage Active, Sage 50 and Sage 100 are connected to the platform, and the publisher provides guides by company size, micro-business, SME and mid-cap. A consistent choice for a company already using Sage software.
How to choose based on your situation
- You already have an accountant. Start there. Ask what they have planned and by when, to build the timeline together.
- You have no accountant and few B2B invoices. An approved platform alone may be enough, provided you check your scope of obligation yourself.
- You have several sites or an ERP. You need a firm with a project approach, and should allow four to eight months.
- You are a micro-entrepreneur selling to consumers. First check whether the obligation to issue applies to you; the obligation to receive applies in all cases.
- You are starting a business. The question arises from the very first invoice: our ranking of business creation support networks helps you choose a network that also covers this topic.
Conclusion
For a micro-business or SME, the most complete support combines assessment, approved platform and advice. In Extenso holds first position in this ranking, according to the published grid, ahead of Cerfrance. You can test your level of readiness before starting the discussion, and see our ranking of electronic invoicing consulting firms if you want a reading by company size. For related management tools, see also our Elevo alternatives for SMEs.
The mistake to avoid is the same in every case. Choosing the platform before mapping your own invoicing circuit almost always leads to double entry, and so to losing the benefit of the reform.