Telecom Expense Management (TEM) solutions are essential for businesses to control costs and streamline operations. In this article, we'll compare Calero and Brightfin to determine which offers the best TEM solution for your needs.
A Quick Overview of Calero vs Brightfin
What is Calero?

Calero provides technology business management solutions that help organizations gain insights, track usage, and optimize costs across all subscriptions, devices, and services. Their offerings include unified technology management, SaaS management, mobility management, telecom management, and market data management.
Calero's TEM solution features network visualization tools that provide visibility across the entire telecom estate and lifecycle management for telecom inventory. A unique feature is their wireline e-bonding, which automates data exchange between telecom systems to enhance network efficiency.
What is Brightfin?

Brightfin provides Telecom Expense Management (TEM) solutions that help organizations reduce telecom costs, streamline operations, and manage telecom assets and expenses efficiently. Their platform integrates with ServiceNow to offer automated invoice processing, cost-saving audits, contract management, dispute resolution, and service requests.
One unique feature of Brightfin's TEM solution is its integration with ServiceNow, making it the only TEM built on this platform. Additionally, Brightfin offers automated invoice processing, which validates and processes invoices automatically, saving time and reducing errors.
Features of Calero vs Brightfin
Similarities
Calero and Brightfin both offer robust Telecom Expense Management (TEM) solutions designed to optimize costs and streamline telecom operations. Here are the key similarities in their features:
- Both provide automated invoice processing to reduce manual effort and ensure billing accuracy.
- Each offers cost-saving audits and optimizations to identify billing discrepancies and optimize telecom spend.
- Comprehensive contract management is a feature of both platforms, helping organizations manage contract terms and renewals.
- Both streamline dispute resolution processes, automating workflows to recover funds and ensure billing accuracy.
- Centralized inventory visibility is provided by both, ensuring accurate and up-to-date asset management.
Differences
While Calero and Brightfin share many similarities, they also have distinct features that set them apart. Here are some key differences:
- Network Visualization Tools: Calero provides tools for visualizing the entire telecom estate, which may not be as emphasized in Brightfin's offerings.
- Wireline e-Bonding: Calero automates data exchange between telecom systems through wireline e-bonding, enhancing network efficiency. This feature is unique to Calero.
- ServiceNow Integration: Brightfin is built on the ServiceNow platform, offering seamless integration for telecom expense management within this ecosystem. Calero does not highlight a similar integration.
- Automated Bill Pay: Brightfin offers end-to-end automation of the bill pay process, integrating with ERP and financial systems to prevent late fees and service disruptions. This specific automation is not mentioned for Calero.
- Data Normalization: Brightfin focuses on automatic normalization of data from various carriers to ensure consistency and accuracy, a feature that is not explicitly highlighted by Calero.
Calero vs Brightfin Pricing
Both Calero and Brightfin do not provide specific details about their pricing structures or models on their respective websites. For detailed pricing information, you can contact the companies directly or request a demo.
How Does Lightyear Compare to Calero and Brightfin?

Lightyear offers enterprise telecom management software designed to automate the telecom lifecycle. Their Telecom Operating System helps you drive savings across procurement, inventory management, and bill payment by leveraging data-driven solutions.
Pros of Lightyear
Lightyear offers a comprehensive telecom management solution designed to streamline and optimize your telecom lifecycle.
- Centralized Procurement: Lightyear centralizes quotes and procurement processes, making it easier for you to manage telecom projects efficiently.
- Ease of Use: The self-service portal is incredibly fast and user-friendly, allowing you to request quotes with minimal effort.
- Competitive Pricing: By leveraging actual competition, Lightyear ensures you receive the most competitive pricing available.
- Complete Workflow Visibility: Lightyear provides full visibility into the workflow from quote to installation, ensuring transparency and efficiency.
- Dedicated Project Management: Lightyear assigns dedicated project managers to oversee your telecom projects, ensuring smooth and successful implementations.
Lightyear's Pricing
Lightyear offers custom pricing tailored to your specific telecom needs, leveraging their network and pricing intelligence to deliver the best possible options with minimal effort. Book a demo with Lightyear to see how their solutions can benefit your organization.
Lightyear Reviews
Our users have praised Lightyear for its ease of use, competitive pricing, and efficient procurement process. The overall rating users have given Lightyear is currently 5 out of 5.
- "What a change of pace! Their web portal, inventory management, makes it easy for my team and me to get several quotes simultaneously and centralize them instead of dealing with emails and several different vendor meetings." - Luis G.
- "A Rare Gem in the ISP Experience. Lightyear is fantastic at getting us competitive, reasonable quotes on time every time we use them." - Eric L.
- "Lightyear is a lifesaver. Lightyear has been able to meet all the deadlines we need, even on short notice. The personal attention you receive from who you work with really helps to make your business feel supported." - Skye V.
Find more of our reviews on G2.
Calero, Brightfin, or Lightyear: Which is the best platform for you?
Choosing the right Telecom Expense Management solution can be challenging, but you can't go wrong with any of these options. However, if you're looking for a comprehensive, data-driven approach to managing your telecom lifecycle, we recommend Lightyear. Their automation and optimization capabilities make telecom management seamless and efficient. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific needs, but Lightyear stands out for its innovative solutions and user-friendly platform.