TrendPower vs EV Connect: Features, Pricing and the Best Alternative

Choosing an EV charging platform is not simply a matter of comparing dashboards, payment features or supported charging protocols. The more important question is how much of the charging business your company wants to own and control.

Do you want an experienced U.S. provider to coordinate charging software, hardware, installation and operational support? Or do you need a flexible platform that can be adapted to your own chargers, brand, deployment environment, payment methods and local business model?

EV Connect is an established U.S. EV charging software and services company. Its offering combines a cloud-based charging management platform with services such as hardware procurement, installation, driver support, network monitoring and maintenance. EV Connect became part of Schneider Electric in 2022, connecting the platform with a broader global energy-management ecosystem.^[1]

TrendPower follows a different product strategy. It provides customizable EV charging management software for charge point operators, EV charger manufacturers, OEM projects, fleets, energy companies and businesses building charging networks in different countries.

For companies researching an EV Connect alternative, the key difference is therefore not simply the age or size of the two providers. It is a choice between two operating models:

• EV Connect: a U.S.-focused charging platform supported by a mature managed-services ecosystem.
• TrendPower: a customizable EV charging platform designed around white labeling, OEM integration, charger manufacturer support, local deployment and international localization.

TrendPower vs EV Connect at a Glance

EV Connect Review: Where the U.S. Platform Excels

An objective EV Connect review should begin with the company’s clearest advantage: EV Connect offers more than a charging management backend.

EV Connect Software+ is presented as a cloud-based platform for connecting and managing charging stations across multiple sites and charger brands. Operators can monitor station status, configure driver access, create pricing models, review charging activity, track revenue and use energy-management tools through a centralized interface.^[2]

The software is supported by a wider commercial service structure that can include:

• Commercial charger procurement
• Turnkey installation
• Charging network migration
• Driver call-center support
• Proactive charger monitoring
• Protection and managed repair plans
• White-label driver experiences
• Operational support for CPOs and site hosts

This combination can be especially valuable for retailers, workplaces, hotels, apartment operators and commercial property owners that do not want to coordinate separate software providers, equipment suppliers, installers, call centers and maintenance contractors.

Instead of requiring the customer to build an internal EV charging operations department, EV Connect can take responsibility for a substantial part of the implementation and support workload.

For a U.S. organization that values convenience, structured support and lower internal operating complexity, EV Connect presents a strong proposition. However, its managed-service model may be less suitable for a business that wants to control its software architecture, deploy the system within a private environment or sell charging software together with its own equipment.

White-Label EV Charging Software

It would be inaccurate to claim that white labeling is exclusive to TrendPower. Both TrendPower and EV Connect offer white-label EV charging solutions, but they approach customization from different commercial perspectives.

EV Connect White Label

EV Connect allows customers to apply their logos, colors and messaging across its driver app, receipts and customer communications. Its APIs can also connect charging functionality with an existing mobile app, billing platform, loyalty program or customer management system.

EV Connect states that its U.S.-based driver call center can operate under a customer’s brand, allowing drivers to receive support in the name of the site host or charging operator.^[3]

This model is suitable for a company that wants a branded customer experience while continuing to use EV Connect’s underlying technology and operational infrastructure.

TrendPower White Label

TrendPower’s white-label EV charging software is designed for businesses that want the software platform to become part of their own commercial offering.

Depending on the project requirements, the TrendPower white-label solution can cover:

• The charging operator management dashboard
• The driver-facing web portal
• iOS and Android mobile applications
• Logos, colors, icons and interface design
• App names and customer-facing charging screens
• Pricing and tariff workflows
• User roles and account structures
• Payment gateway integrations
• Billing, settlement and revenue-sharing workflows

Businesses that need functionality beyond standard configuration can also use TrendPower’s custom EV charging software solution.

The practical difference can be summarized in one sentence:

EV Connect helps businesses brand an established charging service, while TrendPower helps businesses build a charging platform around their own brand, hardware and operating model.

This distinction is particularly important for charger manufacturers, energy companies, distributors and regional CPOs. For these businesses, charging software may be part of the product they sell rather than simply an administrative system used behind the scenes.

OEM and EV Charger Manufacturer Support

The relationship between charging hardware and management software is one of the clearest differences in the TrendPower vs EV Connect comparison.

EV Connect is hardware-agnostic and supports equipment from multiple charger manufacturers. It also offers commercial charging hardware through selected partners, helping site hosts reduce the complexity of equipment selection, configuration and platform onboarding.

TrendPower places greater emphasis on supporting EV charger manufacturers and OEM partners that want to combine their equipment with branded charging software.

Its EV Charging Point Management System can provide charger monitoring, remote control, session management, user management, billing, reporting, alerts and operational analytics.

For a charger manufacturer, this creates the opportunity to offer a complete commercial package:

EV charger + branded CPMS + driver app + payment system + remote operating tools

Instead of selling an isolated charging device, the manufacturer can deliver an integrated solution to distributors, charging operators and overseas customers. This can help create recurring software revenue, improve customer retention and make the hardware more competitive in projects that require both charging equipment and a management backend.

Before deployment, charger manufacturers should still conduct technical testing for their exact charger models, firmware versions and required OCPP functions.

OCPP Compatibility Requires Project-Level Testing

Both platforms are positioned around open charger communication, but buyers should understand what OCPP compatibility does and does not guarantee.

The Open Charge Alliance defines OCPP as the global open communication protocol between charging stations and charging management systems. It is intended to support interoperable, scalable charging infrastructure that is less dependent on proprietary systems.^[5]

However, two products that both claim to support OCPP may not implement every function in exactly the same way. A technical evaluation should include:

• Charger registration and authorization
• Remote start and stop
• Transaction handling
• Meter-value reporting
• Tariff configuration
• Smart charging profiles
• Firmware management
• Security profiles
• Offline transaction recovery
• Fault and error-code reporting
• Connector availability status
• Recovery after a network interruption

The Open Charge Alliance operates an independent certification program for OCPP implementations. Certification provides stronger evidence of protocol conformance than a general compatibility claim, although project-specific interoperability testing is still necessary.^[6]

Local Deployment and International Localization

One of TrendPower’s most visible advantages as an EV Connect alternative is deployment flexibility.

EV Connect Software+ is primarily delivered as a cloud-based platform. For many organizations, this is beneficial because the customer does not need to build server infrastructure, manage application upgrades or maintain a private software environment.

TrendPower also supports cloud deployment, but customized projects can include private-cloud, on-premises or localized server deployment.

Local or private deployment may be valuable when a customer has requirements involving:

• Data residency
• Internal IT and cybersecurity policies
• Government or utility infrastructure
• Private network environments
• ERP, CRM or energy-platform integration
• Local payment gateways
• Country-specific invoicing and settlement
• Direct access to operational data
• Customized backup and disaster-recovery policies

TrendPower also focuses on international localization. Its software can be adapted to regional languages, currencies, pricing structures, payment channels and user-account workflows.

The company’s EV charging payment solution supports charging-specific billing, payment, wallet, reconciliation, settlement and revenue-sharing requirements. Project integrations can be designed around global or local payment service providers.

Private deployment does not automatically make a platform more secure. It also creates responsibilities involving server maintenance, backups, access control, vulnerability management, platform updates and disaster recovery.

The U.S. Department of Energy has highlighted cybersecurity risks associated with connected EV charging infrastructure, including risks affecting user information, charging availability, equipment and the wider electrical system.^[7]

Local deployment should therefore be selected because it satisfies a clear commercial, technical or regulatory requirement—not simply because it appears to provide more control.

Managed Services: EV Connect’s Clearest Advantage

EV Connect is likely to be the stronger option when a customer wants to outsource a significant part of charging deployment and daily operations.

Its service ecosystem can cover equipment procurement, installation, software, driver assistance, network monitoring, repair coordination and charger protection plans.^[4]

For organizations without an internal EV charging team, this structure can reduce vendor coordination and establish clearer operational responsibility.

TrendPower provides charger monitoring, remote diagnostics, alert management and intelligent operations management. Its main differentiation, however, is not a nationwide U.S. field-service network. It is the ability to adapt the software and deployment model to a customer’s hardware, market and organizational structure.

The distinction is straightforward:

• EV Connect helps customers operate charging with less internal effort.
• TrendPower helps customers create a charging operation with greater platform control and customization.

EV Connect Pricing vs TrendPower Pricing

Businesses searching for EV Connect pricing should be cautious about third-party websites that publish unsupported universal prices.

EV Connect does not present one fixed enterprise price for every project. Prospective customers are directed to request a quotation, which may cover software, charging hardware, installation, support, monitoring, white labeling and other managed services.^[8]

TrendPower also uses project-based pricing. Its final quotation can depend on:

• The number of chargers and connectors
• Required management modules
• Mobile app and web-portal customization
• Branding scope
• Charger and firmware testing
• Payment gateway integration
• API development
• Cloud, private-cloud or local deployment
• Existing data migration
• Technical support and SLA requirements

Comparing only a monthly software fee can therefore be misleading. Buyers should evaluate the total cost of ownership.

EV Connect may provide better value when its managed services replace internal staffing and vendor coordination.

TrendPower may provide better value when white labeling, OEM enablement, local payments, private deployment and control over the software roadmap are strategic requirements.

Neither platform should be described as less expensive without comparing quotations based on the same chargers, integrations, service coverage and support levels.

Who Should Choose EV Connect?

EV Connect is likely to be a good fit when:

• The charging network is primarily located in the United States.
• The customer wants a mature cloud-based management platform.
• Hardware procurement and turnkey installation are required.
• Driver call-center support is important.
• Managed monitoring and repair services are priorities.
• The organization wants to minimize its internal charging workload.
• Standard platform configuration meets the business requirements.

For a property owner, retailer, hotel, workplace or enterprise that views charging as an additional customer service rather than its primary technology product, EV Connect’s managed-services ecosystem can be highly attractive.

Who Should Choose TrendPower?

TrendPower is likely to be a better fit when:

• The customer is an EV charger manufacturer or OEM.
• The software will be packaged with charging hardware.
• A branded dashboard, app and web portal are required.
• The platform must support customized business workflows.
• Local payment gateways need to be integrated.
• Private-cloud or on-premises deployment is required.
• The business operates in markets with different languages, currencies and payment habits.
• The customer wants greater control over software development and operational data.
• Distributor, agent or multi-party settlement structures are required.

Final Verdict: Is TrendPower a Good EV Connect Alternative?

TrendPower is a credible EV Connect alternative, but not because EV Connect lacks white-label software, OCPP support or charging management features.

EV Connect is an experienced American charging platform with a particularly strong combination of cloud software and managed services. It is well suited to organizations that want a provider to simplify deployment and assume a significant portion of the operational workload.

TrendPower is differentiated by its focus on customizable software, OEM cooperation, charger manufacturer integration, private deployment and local-market adaptation.

For a U.S. property owner seeking a turnkey charging program with driver support and managed repair services, EV Connect may be the more practical choice.

For an EV charger manufacturer, international CPO, energy company or technology-led operator that treats charging software as a competitive asset, TrendPower may provide the more adaptable foundation.

The final decision should not be based on the platform with the longest feature list. It should be based on the business model the platform is expected to support.

Choose EV Connect to simplify the operation of a managed charging service. Choose TrendPower to build a more independent, branded and locally adapted charging business.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is TrendPower an EV Connect alternative?

Yes. TrendPower is an EV Connect alternative for CPOs, charger manufacturers, OEMs, fleets and energy companies that need customizable white-label software, charger integration, private deployment or local-market adaptation. EV Connect may remain the stronger choice for U.S. customers prioritizing turnkey installation and managed services.

Does EV Connect offer white-label charging software?

Yes. EV Connect offers white-label driver applications, branded communications, API integration and branded driver support. TrendPower also offers white-label software, with a stronger emphasis on customized management portals, OEM platforms, mobile apps, payments and project-specific operating workflows.

How much does EV Connect cost?

EV Connect pricing is generally provided through a project-specific quotation. Costs can depend on software, charger hardware, installation, monitoring, driver support, maintenance and optional services. Buyers should compare total project costs rather than relying on an unsupported universal per-charger price.

Which platform is better for EV charger manufacturers?

TrendPower is particularly suitable for charger manufacturers that want to combine their equipment with a branded CPMS, mobile application, payment system and remote operating tools. Manufacturers should complete OCPP and firmware interoperability testing before commercial deployment.

References and Authoritative Sources

The following external links are provided for product verification, protocol information and industry guidance. 

1. Schneider Electric. “Schneider Electric Named a Leader in the IDC MarketScape for Worldwide Electric Vehicle Charging Management Solutions.” April 11, 2024.
   View the Schneider Electric announcement.
2. EV Connect. “EV Charging Software and Management Solutions.”
   View EV Connect Software+.
3. EV Connect. “White Label EV Charging Software.”
   View EV Connect white-label services.
4. EV Connect. “EV Charging Software and Services for Charge Point Operators.”
   View EV Connect services for CPOs.
5. Open Charge Alliance. “Open Charge Point Protocol.”
   Read the official OCPP overview.
6. Open Charge Alliance. “OCPP Certification Program.”
   Read about official OCPP certification.
7. U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response. “Securing EV Charging Infrastructure Part 1: Why Cybersecurity Matters.” April 10, 2024.
   Read the U.S. Department of Energy guidance.
8. EV Connect. “Get a Quote for EV Charging Solutions.”
   View the EV Connect quotation page.

Editorial note: Product capabilities, integrations, service coverage and pricing may change. Buyers should request current technical documentation, conduct charger interoperability testing and obtain a project-specific commercial quotation before selecting a platform.