Most "EV charging software pricing" searches end in frustration, because almost every vendor hides the number behind a sales call. So let's do the thing nobody else does: put real figures on the table and compare the two models operators actually choose between.
The two models are:
- The proprietary bundle — a fully-managed charging network, the kind offered by the big-name providers: hardware, software, and warranty sold as one ecosystem.
- Self-managed OCPP — an open management platform (CSMS) of your choice running any OCPP-compatible hardware you want.
Here's how the costs really stack up.
The proprietary model: what a managed network costs
Leading proprietary networks require a paid cloud services subscription to keep their networked chargers online, billed per port, per year. Based on published list pricing across major providers:
- ~$299/port/year for entry-tier commercial hardware
- ~$475/port/year for full-featured commercial hardware
That's before hardware (sold at the provider's pricing), before parts-and-labor warranty add-ons, and before any renewal increases. The subscription is mandatory — a networked charger on a proprietary platform without an active cloud plan loses its networked functions.
It's a genuinely turnkey experience. But it's also a closed one, and that's where the second cost lives.
The hidden line item: vendor lock-in
The number that doesn't appear on any quote is the cost of leaving. Operators who standardize on a proprietary platform commonly face 3–5x higher migration costs when they try to switch, because the hardware and software are coupled — change one and you often have to change both.
Lock-in also costs you leverage. As the CSMS market gets more competitive, operators on open platforms can shop for better software pricing without touching their chargers. Operators on closed platforms can't.
The self-managed OCPP model: what it costs
Self-managed means you separate the three things proprietary bundles fuse together:
- Hardware — any OCPP-compatible charger, bought on price and fit, from any manufacturer.
- Software (CSMS) — a subscription that manages monitoring, payments, access, and reporting.
- Payments — processed through the platform, typically a transaction fee on paid charging.
Because the layers are decoupled, you optimize each one and you're never trapped. WAI EV's pricing is a clean reference point for the software layer: first charger free, $19/charger/month after that, a 10% transaction fee on paid public charging, and no onboarding fees.
Side-by-side: 3-year software TCO
Software/network subscription only — using published list prices. Hardware, warranty add-ons, and payment-processing fees are itemized separately below.
| 5 chargers | 20 chargers | |
|---|---|---|
| Proprietary network (full-featured @ ~$475/port/yr) | $2,375/yr → $7,125 / 3 yr | $9,500/yr → $28,500 / 3 yr |
| Proprietary network (entry-tier @ ~$299/port/yr) | $1,495/yr → $4,485 / 3 yr | $5,980/yr → $17,940 / 3 yr |
| WAI EV (1st free + $19/charger/mo) | $912/yr → $2,736 / 3 yr | $4,332/yr → $12,996 / 3 yr |
| 3-yr software saving vs proprietary commercial | ~$4,389 | ~$15,504 |
_WAI EV math: 5 chargers = 1 free + 4 × $19 = $76/mo. 20 chargers = 1 free + 19 × $19 = $361/mo. Figures are illustrative, based on each vendor's published list pricing; your quote will vary by hardware and contract._
What's not in the table (and applies to both):
- Hardware — you buy chargers either way; self-managed lets you shop competitively.
- Warranty — proprietary networks sell warranty as a paid add-on; self-managed warranty terms come from your hardware vendor.
- Payment processing — WAI EV charges 10% on _paid public_ charging only; for free workplace/multifamily charging this is $0. Model it against your expected revenue.
When a proprietary network makes sense
To be fair: if you want a single vendor to own the entire stack — hardware, software, warranty, support — and you're not price-sensitive, the proprietary bundle is a legitimate choice. Large enterprises that value one throat to choke often land here.
When self-managed wins
For most operators — hotels, fleets, municipalities, multifamily, multi-site networks — self-managed OCPP wins on the three things that compound over time:
- Cost — lower, transparent software fees and competitive hardware sourcing.
- Flexibility — best hardware for each site, mixed vendors, no re-platforming.
- No lock-in — keep your chargers if you change software; keep your leverage.
FAQ
Is proprietary network hardware OCPP compatible? Many proprietary chargers support OCPP to varying degrees, but their networked features are usually designed around the provider's own cloud platform. Always confirm the specific OCPP support before assuming portability.
Can I keep my chargers if I switch software? With OCPP-compatible hardware on a self-managed platform, yes — that's the entire point of the open protocol. With a tightly coupled proprietary system, often not without added cost.
What's the cheapest way to manage EV chargers? For small and growing operators, an open CSMS with transparent per-charger pricing on OCPP-compatible hardware is typically the lowest total cost — and avoids the migration penalty later.
_WAI EV is built for operators, not lock-in: first charger free, $19/month each after, full toolset for everyone, any OCPP hardware._ See transparent pricing →