CE Software Compared: What CE-Copilot Does Differently

Published 23 June 2026

There is a range of software solutions for the CE marking of machinery. They differ mainly in three respects: whether AI helps in the actual workflow, whether the software runs in the browser or is installed locally, and what the contract and pricing model looks like. This overview shows how CE-Copilot, as a modern AI-assisted web platform, differs from classic CE software, without naming a specific product.

AI in the core workflow

In CE-Copilot, a generative AI (Claude by Anthropic) drafts concrete proposals: it derives directives and harmonised standards from a free-text machine description (including an Annex IV notice), suggests typical hazards across all life phases and, on request, generates protective measures along the 3-step hierarchy of EN ISO 12100 (as a draft that a competent person reviews and approves).

Pure web app without installation

You work directly in the browser: no local installation, no database server of your own, no Office dependency. Classic CE software, by contrast, is often run as a program installed on Windows (frequently with its own database server). Login and live demo are available immediately with CE-Copilot.

Transparent prices without a mandatory annual subscription

CE-Copilot is cancellable monthly, without a mandatory annual subscription (annual payment optional and up to 16 % cheaper), with public prices from €119 per month. In this category, purchased licences with annual maintenance or annual contracts are more common, often with "price on request".

CE-Copilot and classic CE software at a glance

Feature	CE-Copilot	Other CE software
AI-assisted hazard and measure suggestions	Yes: AI drafts hazards across all life phases and measures along the 3-step hierarchy (powered by Claude)	Risk workflow often rule- or questionnaire-based with text modules
Standards finder from a free-text machine description	Yes, directives and harmonised standards are derived from the description (including an Annex IV notice)	Standards search mostly via database or filter queries
Access	Pure web app, browser from anywhere, no installation	Often locally installed Windows software (sometimes with its own database server)
Contract model	Cancellable monthly (annual payment optional, up to 16 % cheaper)	Often purchased licence plus annual maintenance, or annual contract
Prices	Transparent and bookable directly from €119 per month	Predominantly "price on request" / quote via sales
Entry point for SMEs and single users	Complete CE process from €119 per month	Typically a higher entry threshold
Team and enterprise expansion	Business (€399 per month): 5 user profiles with roles (admin/editor/read-only) and audit trail; Enterprise on request: more profiles, exclusive special features	Varies by vendor, often via add-on modules or multi-seat/server licences
Demo	Live demo without login + 14-day trial without a credit card	Trial/installation version, webinar or demo on request
Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and Machinery Regulation 2023/1230	Both covered, automatic date-driven switchover (cut-over date 20 January 2027)	Machinery Regulation capability widespread; automatic switchover inconsistent
Risk assessment per EN ISO 12100	Yes: 2D risk score, before/after evaluation, audit log	Yes, established category standard
Functional safety per EN ISO 13849-1	Set PLr via the risk graph, document the SISTEMA result and verify PL ≥ PLr (calculation in SISTEMA, IFA/DGUV)	Varies by vendor, some with their own PL tools or a SISTEMA link
Standards tracker with e-mail alerts (OJEU, cessation dates)	Yes (weekly OJEU sync, personal watchlist)	Standards monitoring widespread, scope and cadence vary
Multilingual declaration of conformity	DE/EN/FR/IT	Multilingual support partly available, language scope varies
Complete export of the CE documentation as ONE PDF/Word file	Yes: consolidated project dossier in one PDF/Word file	Consolidated complete export widespread, scope and format vary

Note: the column “Other CE software” describes general, widespread characteristics of classic CE tools as a category, not a specific product and not all solutions on the market. The scope of functions and the terms of individual vendors differ and change continuously; please check with the respective vendor.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about choosing CE software

What distinguishes CE-Copilot from classic CE software?

CE-Copilot is an AI-assisted web platform: in the core workflow a generative AI proposes standards, hazards and protective measures as a draft, the software runs in the browser without installation (cancellable monthly) with transparent prices from €119 per month. Classic CE software is often run as an installed Windows program with a rule- or questionnaire-based workflow and a purchased licence or annual contract. In both cases the legal responsibility for CE marking remains with the manufacturer.

Do I have to install CE software?

Not with CE-Copilot: it is a pure web application that you use directly in the browser, without local installation, without a database server of your own and without an Office dependency. Many classic CE tools, by contrast, are run as software installed on Windows. With CE-Copilot you can try a live demo of the standards finder directly in the browser without signing up.

What does CE software cost?

That depends heavily on the model. CE-Copilot publishes its prices: the complete CE process from €119 per month (cancellable monthly). For teams there is the Business plan (€399 per month) with five user profiles, role and permission management and an audit trail; anyone who needs more moves to the Enterprise plan (more profiles, exclusive special features) on request. In this category, software is often sold on a quotation basis ("price on request"), frequently with separate licence, maintenance and module costs. A direct price comparison is then only possible after a quote.

Is CE-Copilot prepared for the EU Machinery Regulation 2027?

Yes. CE-Copilot covers the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and the EU Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 and switches automatically, date-driven, to the Machinery Regulation templates on the cut-over date of 20 January 2027, depending on the placing on the market. So you document under the Directive today and switch to the Regulation without a manual selection.

Who is CE-Copilot suitable for?

CE-Copilot is aimed at SMEs and machine builders without a CE department of their own, at manufacturers of series machinery and product lines, at special-purpose machinery builders and at external CE service providers. Via "project from template", the machine profile, standards checklist and risk assessment can be reused for product lines; carried-over entries are marked "to be checked".

Try CE-Copilot for free

Try the standards finder without signing up or start the full CE process: no credit card, cancellable monthly.

Start for free now See the live demo

CE software by audience

Who benefits from what? SMEs, series machinery, special-purpose machinery, CE consultants.

What does CE marking cost?

Real cost blocks: internal time, standards, consulting, notified body.

CE marking guide

The complete guide to the CE process, step by step.

EU Machinery Regulation 2027

All changes and deadlines of the new Regulation at a glance.

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