Best NorthStar CIS Alternatives in 2026
The top NorthStar CIS alternatives are Utilities Group, CUSI Utility Billing and SkyBill Utility Billing: 15 utility billing software our editors would look at instead of NorthStar CIS, in our ranking order.
NorthStar CIS: Flexible utility billing with configurable rates, meter imports, workflows, and deployment options. Where it falls short: pricing requires contact with sales rather than published plans.
Switching from NorthStar CIS? For most utility billing software buyers the best NorthStar CIS alternative is Utilities Group, built for complex, multi-utility retailers.
Why People Look for a NorthStar CIS Alternative
- Pricing requires contact with sales rather than published plans
- Portal and payment capabilities may depend on connected solutions
- May be more than smaller utilities need for basic billing
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallUtilities Group9.4
Complex, multi-utility retailers
Visit Utilities Group
All 15 NorthStar CIS Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forComplex, multi-utility retailers
- Better than NorthStar CIS:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 8.4
A broad utility billing platform for retailers managing complex markets, meters and tariffs.
- Meter data import
9.4/10★★★★★Try Utilities Group -
Best forMunicipal utilities needing broad integrations
- Better than NorthStar CIS:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 8.4
A broad utility billing platform for organizations that need connected operations.
- Autopay
- Meter data import
9.2/10★★★★★Visit CUSI -
Best forMetered utility operators needing flexibility
- Better than NorthStar CIS:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 8.4
A broad utility billing platform for operators managing varied meters, rates, and payment workflows.
- Autopay
- Meter data import
9.1/10★★★★★Visit SkyBill -
Best forEnergy suppliers with complex billing
- Better than NorthStar CIS:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 8.4
A broad utility billing system for complex, multi-commodity operations.
- Meter data import
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Billingly -
Best forLarge multi-service utility providers
- Better than NorthStar CIS:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 8.4
A broad meter-to-cash system for providers managing multiple utility services.
- Meter data import
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Cogsdale -
Best forMunicipal and multi-utility billing
- Better than NorthStar CIS:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 8.4
A broad billing platform for municipalities and providers managing mixed utility services.
- Autopay
- Meter data import
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit MuniBilling -
Best forProperty and utility managers wanting a trial
- Better than NorthStar CIS:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 8.4
Broad utility billing coverage with a 60-day trial and contact-sales pricing.
- Autopay
- Meter data import
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Utilmate -
Best forMunicipal utilities needing resident self-service
A broad municipal billing system with strong rate, payment, meter, and portal coverage.
- Autopay
- Meter data import
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit CivicPlus -
Best forDistrict and communal heating operators
Focused meter-to-cash billing for district, communal heating, and cooling operators.
- Autopay
- Meter data import
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Zero Friction -
Best forMunicipalities needing cloud billing and collections
A municipal billing suite covering payments, meters, rates, portals, and collections.
- Autopay
- Meter data import
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit CentralSquare -
Best forMunicipal water and sanitation departments
A broad municipal billing system with strong rate, payment, portal, and field workflows.
- Autopay
- Meter data import
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Muni-Link -
Best forEstablished utilities using Tyler systems
A broad utility billing suite for organizations already invested in Tyler systems.
- Autopay
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forUtilities wanting an integrated CIS platform
An integrated CIS for utilities managing complex billing, customer service, and operations.
- Meter data import
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Cayenta -
Best forUtilities needing prepaid and device flexibility
A flexible billing system for utilities managing mixed services and prepaid accounts.
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Tyler -
Best forUtilities wanting straightforward billing operations
A focused web billing platform covering tariffs, meters, invoices, payments, and portals.
- Autopay
- Meter data import
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit AMCS Group
NorthStar CIS Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to NorthStar CIS?
Utilities Group: #1 in our Utility Billing Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A broad utility billing platform for retailers managing complex markets, meters and tariffs.
Why do people look for NorthStar CIS alternatives?
Pricing requires contact with sales rather than published plans; Portal and payment capabilities may depend on connected solutions; May be more than smaller utilities need for basic billing.
How do I switch from NorthStar CIS?
Export your data from NorthStar CIS (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel NorthStar CIS.
How to Switch from NorthStar CIS
- Export your data from NorthStar CIS (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel NorthStar CIS.
NorthStar CIS vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Paid from | Utility types | Billing model | Rate management | Meter data import | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | NorthStar CIS | Mixed | Yes | Yes | 8.4 | ||
| 1 | Utilities Group | $0.80/unit/mo | electricity, gas, solar, batteries, EV charging and VPPs | Mixed | Yes | Yes | 9.4 |
| 2 | CUSI Utility Billing | Water, sewer, electricity, natural gas, storm water, refuse, and other utility services | Yes | Yes | 9.2 | ||
| 3 | SkyBill Utility Billing | electricity, solar power, gas, water, wastewater, sewerage, district heating, waste, property billing | Mixed | Yes | Yes | 9.1 | |
| 4 | Billingly | electricity, gas, water, district heating | Mixed | Yes | Yes | 9.0 | |
| 5 | Cogsdale CSM Utility Billing | electric, telecommunications, water, wastewater, stormwater, sewer, gas, refuse, internet, telephone, cable | Mixed | Yes | Yes | 8.9 | |
| 6 | MuniBilling | water, wastewater, electric, gas, propane, recycling, waste, internet, cable, stormwater, irrigation, solar, sub-metered services, and other billable services | Mixed | Yes | Yes | 8.7 | |
| 7 | Utilmate | electricity, gas, hot water, cold water, solar, internet/data, shared services | Mixed | Yes | Yes | 8.6 | |
| 8 | CivicPlus Utility Billing | water, sewer, sanitation, electric, irrigation | Mixed | Yes | Yes | 8.3 | |
| 9 | Zero Friction | district heating, communal heating, cooling | Mixed | Yes | Yes | 8.2 | |
| 10 | CentralSquare Utility Billing | gas, electric, water, waste, recycling | Mixed | Yes | Yes | 8.1 | |
| 11 | Muni-Link | water, sewer, stormwater, refuse/trash, and other municipal services | Mixed | Yes | Yes | 8.0 | |
| 12 | Tyler Enterprise Utilities | electricity, gas, sewer, water | Mixed | Yes | 7.9 | ||
| 13 | Cayenta Customer Information System | electric, water, gas, fiber | Yes | Yes | 7.7 | ||
| 14 | Tyler Utilities Pro | electricity, gas, water, one-time charges | Mixed | Yes | 7.6 | ||
| 15 | AMCS Utility Billing | electricity, water, gas, air conditioning, telecommunications | Yes | Yes | 7.5 |
Head-to-Head
- NorthStar CIS vs Utilities Group
- NorthStar CIS vs CUSI Utility Billing
- NorthStar CIS vs SkyBill Utility Billing
- NorthStar CIS vs Billingly
- NorthStar CIS vs Cogsdale CSM Utility Billing
- NorthStar CIS vs MuniBilling
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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