GreenRated vs. LEED vs. BREEAM vs. Green Globes vs Living Building Challenge

The tables contained on this page show comparisons between GreenRated and four major Green Building Certification Systems including: BREEAM® vs. GreenRated, Green Globes® vs. GreenRated, LEED® vs. GreenRated, and Living Building ChallengeSM vs. GreenRated. We have masked the platform identities as A, B, C, and D, since which one is which is for you to discover for yourself.

Criteria GreenRated Platform A Platform B Platform C Platform D
Questionnaire Process 138 point checklist (each item 15 words max) Online, interactive questionnaire + several manuals Online questionnaire + many manuals 650+ page manual One comprehensive standard + online course
Transparency Online transparency Upon request Upon request Upon request Not fully transparent
Verification Verification is provided by the online marketplace Requires independent verification Requires independent verification Requires independent verification Requires independent verification
Prerequisites No prerequisites required for measurement No prerequisites required for certification No prerequisites required for certification Some prerequisites required for certification All prerequisites required for certification
New and/or Existing Building Portfolio measurement for existing buildings only Portfolio certification for new construction and existing buildings Portfolio certification for new construction and existing buildings Portfolio certification for new construction and existing buildings Portfolio certification for new construction and existing buildings
3rdParties Required No 3rd parties needed, performed by onsite or remote facility manager 3rd party consultants and expense needed(architects, engineers, etc.) 3rd party consultants and expense needed(architects, engineers, etc.) 3rd party consultants and any expenses thereof typically needed 3rd party consultants and expense needed(architects, engineers, etc.)
Time to Implement 30 minutes or less per location Can be completed within 30 days of building occupancy Many months to implement Many months to implement Certification occurs twelve months after project completion
Certification Affirmed by market acclamation Their accredited assessors certify Certification by other qualified parties Their accredited consultants certify Certification by qualified associated auditors
License Cost $300 – $1,200 per location $8,500 – $15,000+ per location, plus potential assessor travel fee $1,750 + undetermined assessor fee per part $4,050 – $42,500+ per location $1,250 – $20,000+ per location
Certification Success Factor Success achieved through measurement Certification failure rate is low based on collaborative process Approximately 2 out of every 3 certification assessments are successful Certification failure rate is high based on buildings that register and do not achieve certification Unknown certification rate
Savings Calculator Identifies $$$ that can be saved N/A N/A N/A N/A
* Per our Internet research as of March 2021

There are about 100 Green Building Certification Systems in America that the US Government researched and identified, but these four are best known to us, so we had our researcher use them for comparison.

GreenRated is different, mostly because it is NOT a certification, but a “sustainability measurement system and savings calculator platform.” That said, our product is typically categorized in the market space of sustainability certification platforms.

Let it be fully understood, these four comparisons: GreenRated vs BREEAM, GreenRated vs Green Globes, Green Rated vs LEED, and GreenRated vs Living Building Challenge are not to diminish in any way any of these great other platforms, but only to compare ours in industry terms. Not all programs are for everyone, including GreenRated. Our purpose here is to bring you thoughtful information of why we think we are a qualified alternative to other systems, and maybe even a better alternative for you.