Zählerfreunde
Munich-based cleantech software company (founded 2021) offering a white-label SaaS platform that visualizes and optimizes energy consumption from smart meters and IoT devices, serving DACH municipal utilities, energy suppliers, metering operators, SMEs, and households.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersMunich, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Zählerfreunde does
Zählerfreunde GmbH is a Munich-based cleantech software company founded in 2021 that has developed a white-label energy management platform combining smart meter consumption data with IoT device data. The platform is delivered as a web application and native iOS/Android apps, with backend integration into SAP IS-U utility systems. Core features include real-time consumption visualization, AI-driven EV smart charging and load management via OCPP-enabled wallboxes, dynamic electricity tariff support aligned with §41a EnWG, a mini-PV (Balkonkraftwerk) ROI simulator, RLM meter visualization for renewable operators, and ESG/ISO 50001 compliance reporting for SMEs.
The company operates a hybrid B2B and B2C revenue model. The B2B white-label SaaS channel licenses the platform to municipal utilities (Stadtwerke), energy suppliers, metering operators (Messstellenbetreiber), property management companies, and landlord-to-tenant electricity providers; partner companies deploy the platform under their own brand and manage end-customer relationships. Named B2B customers and partners include Salzburg AG (€2.7B revenue, ~2,500 employees), Stadtwerke Herne AG, and Energielandwerker e.G. (which monitors 380 MW of renewable generation capacity). The B2C direct channel offers freemium subscriptions (Free, Basic at €1.99/month, Pro at €4.99/month, Business at €99/month), supported by an affiliate/tips program earning 1-12% commissions on third-party energy tariff and product sales and an online shop for compatible smart home accessories.
The company has raised a pre-seed round (2022) and a seven-figure seed round (August 2024) from investors including Enpulse Ventures (EnBW Innovation's venture arm), Salzburg AG, Stadtwerke Herne AG, Capacura, and business angel Erich Wex. As of September 2024, the white-label solution was deployed by more than 20 energy companies. Operating geographies cover Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, with the mobile app already available in the UK and further EU expansion planned. The company is actively hiring for software development and business management roles in Munich and remote across Europe.
Zählerfreunde firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Zählerfreunde
- Legal name
- Zählerfreunde GmbH
- Website
- https://zaehlerfreunde.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Munich-based cleantech software company (founded 2021) offering a white-label SaaS platform that visualizes and optimizes energy consumption from smart meters and IoT devices, serving DACH municipal utilities, energy suppliers, metering operators, SMEs, and households.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Zählerfreunde industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Energy Management Software
- NAICS
- Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution (22112)
- SIC
- Electric & Other Services Combined (4931), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Customer Energy Engagement (In-Home Displays, Portals, Usage Insights) (EUADAFAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Meter-to-Cash / Billing & CIS Integration for AMI (EUADAFAM), Smart Energy Management (Meters, EV Chargers, Solar/Battery Monitors) Retail (CRACAGAI), Home Energy & EV Charging (HEMS, Smart Meters, Batteries, Chargers) (HSAPAQAF), Microgrid, DER & Building Electrification Energy Controls (Solar/Storage/EV Load Orchestration) (BPABAGAJ)
Keywords
Where Zählerfreunde is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Munich
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Zählerfreunde business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Premium Subscriptions (B2C): Monthly or annual subscription tiers (Basic €1.99/month, Pro €4.99/month, Business €99/month) with varying feature sets. Auto-renewing subscriptions billed monthly or annually depending on plan selected.
- White-Label B2B SaaS Licensing: White-label platform licensing to municipal utilities, energy suppliers, and metering operators. Partners deploy the software under their own brand and manage end-customer subscriptions.
- Affiliate Commissions: Earn commissions of 1-12% on purchase value when customers purchase recommended products and services via the platform's 'tips' feature. Affiliate partners share the same sustainability values.
- Hardware Sales (Shop): Sale of compatible accessories (smart home devices, energy monitoring hardware) via the Zählerfreunde shop. Separate purchase contracts between user and hardware provider; Zählerfreunde acts as broker.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Free tier for getting started |
| Subscription | Monthly | Basic tracking plan for cost-conscious users |
| Subscription | Monthly | Full-featured plan with automation for power users |
| Subscription | Monthly | Enterprise-grade solution for mid-sized and industrial companies |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Zählerfreunde product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Zählerfreunde provides a modular energy management SaaS platform that combines smart meter (intelligent metering system) data with IoT device data to visualize, analyze, and optimize energy consumption for households, SMEs, and energy companies. The platform is delivered via web app and native mobile apps (iOS/Android) and is also offered as a white-label solution that municipal utilities, energy suppliers, metering operators, and property managers can deploy under their own brand. Core capabilities include real-time consumption visualization, AI-driven smart charging and load management with OCPP wallbox support, dynamic tariff support, mini-PV ROI simulation, and integration with SAP IS-U utility backend systems.
Product overview
Zählerfreunde offers a modular energy management platform consisting of three main tiers: (1) Private customer solutions with Free, Basic (€1.99/month), and Pro (€4.99/month) tiers providing visualization, analysis, and optimization of energy consumption via web and mobile app; (2) Business solution (€99/month) for SMEs with ESG and ISO 50001 compliance; and (3) White-Label platform for energy providers, municipal utilities, metering operators, and property managers. The platform integrates smart meter data with IoT device data and offers AI-enhanced smart charging, mini-PV simulation, and dynamic tariff support. An online shop provides compatible smart home accessories.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Zählerfreunde Private Consumer-focused energy management application offering free, Basic (€1.99/month) and Pro (€4.99/month) tiers that provide real-time smart meter and IoT device consumption visualization, energy tariff tracking, consumption cost calculation, mini-PV simulation, smart charging automation, EV support, and personalized optimization recommendations via web and mobile apps. Available in DACH region and the UK.
- Zählerfreunde Business Enterprise/SME energy management solution at €99/month with a 15-day free trial, designed for medium-sized and industrial companies. Supports multiple properties, property hierarchies, property comparisons, reference values per m², virtual aggregate meter, RLM meter integration, ESG and ISO 50001 compliance reporting, and BAFA funding eligibility.
- Zählerfreunde White-Label Customizable white-label SaaS energy management platform for energy companies (municipal utilities, energy suppliers, metering operators, landlord-to-tenant electricity providers, and property managers). Deployable under partner branding with configurable appearance and functionality, integrating with existing systems including SAP IS-U. Partners manage end-customer subscriptions directly while Zählerfreunde provides technical infrastructure.
- Zählerfreunde Shop Online store selling compatible smart home accessories and energy monitoring hardware that integrates with the Zählerfreunde platform. Zählerfreunde acts as broker between users and hardware providers via separate purchase contracts.
Quantifiable outcome
- Companies can save up to 23% on energy costs through transparent consumption data and optimization recommendations.
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Zählerfreunde
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
Zählerfreunde technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
AI capability4 records
Feature8 records
Zählerfreunde partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Salzburg AGcoreSalzburg AG uses Zählerfreunde's white-label solution to offer digital energy management to its customers in Austria, where the smart meter rollout is already highly advanced. Salzburg AG (€2.7B revenue, 2,500 employees) is a complete provider in e-mobility and PV.
- Stadtwerke Herne AGcoreStadtwerke Herne and Zählerfreunde are co-developing a digital energy management software deployed under the Stadtwerke Herne brand. Customers can view real-time energy consumption, see when electricity is cheapest or greenest, and optimize their usage. The partnership exemplifies local energy transition with modern digital tools embedded in the trust of a municipal provider.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Zählerfreunde competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- gridX: German-based energy management platform provider for utilities and OEMs, offering white-label home energy management with DER orchestration — directly comparable to Zählerfreunde's white-label utility play, but at larger scale.
- Discovergy: Established German smart meter gateway operator and energy management platform serving utilities, businesses, and households — closest direct competitor with overlapping smart-meter-data visualization and B2B2C positioning.
- Tibber: Norwegian dynamic-tariff energy retailer with an app-driven energy management experience and integrations like Tibber Pulse — overlaps with Zählerfreunde's B2C app, dynamic tariff brokerage, and IoT device integration features.
Emerging players
- Pionierkraft: German startup enabling peer-to-peer energy sharing between households with smart meter integration — adjacent emerging player in DACH household-level energy orchestration.
- SMIGHT: German smart meter gateway and submetering solution from enercity — adjacent emerging player with overlapping municipal utility customer base in DACH.
- The Mobility House: EV charging and energy management specialist — overlaps with Zählerfreunde's smart charging and OCPP wallbox modules but with a deeper focus on EV/battery integration.
Regional players
- smartENERGY (Smart Energy Solutions): Austrian-based white-label energy management and customer portal provider for utilities — direct comparable in scope and DACH regulatory framing, but with primary Austrian focus.
Broad incumbents
- SENEC: EnBW-owned home energy storage and energy management provider — sibling/incumbent in the same EnBW investor ecosystem, offering comparable residential energy orchestration features.
- Lichtblick: Large German green energy supplier with its own energy management and home battery offerings (ZuhauseKraftwerk) — broader incumbent with overlapping consumer energy management value proposition.
- Solarwatt: Established German PV and home energy management provider offering the 'Manager' energy management system — broader incumbent with overlapping residential solar/battery/PV monitoring.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Zählerfreunde social profiles
Digital presenceZählerfreunde compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Zählerfreunde financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Zählerfreunde leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Zählerfreunde funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors5 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Zählerfreunde M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Zählerfreunde
What does Zählerfreunde do?
Zählerfreunde provides a modular energy management SaaS platform that combines smart meter (intelligent metering system) data with IoT device data to visualize, analyze, and optimize energy consumption for households, SMEs, and energy companies. The platform is delivered via web app and native mobile apps (iOS/Android) and is also offered as a white-label solution that municipal utilities, energy suppliers, metering operators, and property managers can deploy under their own brand. Core capabilities include real-time consumption visualization, AI-driven smart charging and load management with OCPP wallbox support, dynamic tariff support, mini-PV ROI simulation, and integration with SAP IS-U utility backend systems.
Is Zählerfreunde a public or private company?
Zählerfreunde is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Zählerfreunde founded?
Zählerfreunde was founded in 2021. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Zählerfreunde based?
Zählerfreunde is headquartered in Munich, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Zählerfreunde make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Premium Subscriptions (B2C) is the primary driver. The others are white-Label B2B SaaS Licensing, affiliate Commissions and hardware Sales (Shop).
Who are Zählerfreunde's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are gridX, Discovergy and Tibber. Emerging players are Pionierkraft, SMIGHT and The Mobility House. smartENERGY (Smart Energy Solutions) is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are SENEC, Lichtblick and Solarwatt.
Does Zählerfreunde have an API?
No public API is recorded for Zählerfreunde.
What industry is Zählerfreunde in?
Zählerfreunde's product category is Energy Management Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUADAFAH, Customer Energy Engagement (In-Home Displays, Portals, Usage Insights), with a secondary code of EUADAFAM, Meter-to-Cash / Billing & CIS Integration for AMI. Its NAICS code is 22112 and its SIC code is 4931.