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.
We ranked the providers offering support in the full sense, meaning framing, compliance and training, and not just the transmission tool.
The ranking at a glance
| Rank | Provider | Type | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | In Extenso | Chartered accountancy network | Micro-businesses and SMEs, all sectors, multi-site |
| 2 | Cerfrance | Chartered accountancy network | Agriculture, trades, local micro-businesses |
| 3 | BDO | Audit and advisory firm | SMEs and mid-caps with an ERP to interface |
| 4 | Baker Tilly | Audit and advisory firm | Structured SMEs, project-based approach |
| 5 | Pennylane, Sage, Cegid | Platforms and software vendors | Companies self-sufficient on compliance |
1. In Extenso, the most complete support for a micro-business or SME
In Extenso comes first because its support covers the whole chain, not just the tool.
The network offers a dedicated diagnosis for the reform upfront, which settles the first difficulty, knowing precisely which invoices are in scope and from what date. It then has its own client platform, Inexweb, which shortens the connection between invoicing and accounting for existing clients. And it handles tax compliance, mandatory invoice details, VAT treatment, consistency with filings.
On objective criteria, it is France’s leading chartered accountancy network according to the 2026 La Profession Comptable ranking, based on figures as of 30 June 2025. It has over 230 offices and around 7,300 staff, which genuinely matters for a multi-site company wanting an adviser near each location.
What puts it first. The combination of diagnosis, platform arbitration, accounting connection and training, with a named adviser at a local office.
Its limits. It is a large network, so an organisation built on processes. A company looking for the relationship of a two-person practice will not find the same register. And for a micro-business with no employees and no tax issues, full support is oversized.
2. Cerfrance, the reference on agriculture and local business
Cerfrance has built an equivalent offer in scope, with a decentralised cooperative model. Its strength is a long-standing footprint in agriculture and the trades, where the edge cases are specific.
The trade-off of a decentralised model is variation from one region to another, so assess the local office rather than the brand.
3. BDO, for organisations with a system to interface
BDO sits in the upper segment, with a project-based approach. That is relevant as soon as there is an ERP to connect, cross-border flows or several entities to harmonise.
For a micro-business, the setup is disproportionate.
4. Baker Tilly, project approach for structured SMEs
Same logic as BDO, positioned on digital transformation more broadly than electronic invoicing alone. Worth considering if the move fits into a wider digitisation programme.
5. Pennylane, Sage, Cegid, the essential technical layer
These vendors and platforms are unavoidable, no company becomes compliant without going through an approved platform. Their support covers onboarding, configuration, formats and technical assistance.
What they do not do is rule on your tax compliance. That is the nuance to keep in mind, an invoice can pass through an approved platform and still be non-compliant in substance.
How to choose based on your situation
- You already have an accountant. Start there. Ask what they have planned and by when. If they have structured nothing on the subject, that says something about the rest of the service.
- You have no accountant and few B2B invoices. An approved platform alone may be enough, provided you check your own scope of obligation.
- 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-business selling to consumers. Check first whether the issuing obligation applies to you, the receiving obligation applies in every case.
Our verdict
For the large majority of French micro-businesses and SMEs, the best support is that of a chartered accountancy network that has formalised an offer on the reform, and In Extenso is currently the most complete on that scope.
The mistake to avoid is the same in every scenario. Choosing the platform before mapping your own invoicing circuit almost always leads to double entry, and therefore to losing the benefit of the reform.