If you are looking to install EV chargers at your property, you have undoubtedly come across two of the biggest names in the industry: Blink і ChargePoint. Both are leaders in the North American market, but they offer fundamentally different approaches to EV charging. Choosing the right partner is a critical decision for your business.
This guide provides a direct, head-to-head comparison to help you decide. We will cut through the noise and focus on what matters most to a business or property owner.
Here is the executive summary:
Your choice between Blink vs. ChargePoint comes down to one key question: Do you want full control and ownership of your charging stations, or do you prefer a hands-off, turnkey service where the provider handles everything?
Choose ChargePoint if you want to own your hardware and have maximum control over pricing, access, and revenue. It is an asset-ownership model.
Choose Blink if you want to offer charging with low or no upfront cost and prefer a partner to manage the stations for you, often sharing in the revenue. It is primarily a service-based model.
Now, let’s dive into the detailed comparison.
Feature | Blink Charging | ChargePoint |
---|---|---|
Primary Business Model | Turnkey/Hybrid: Owns & operates stations, shares revenue. Also sells hardware directly. | Partner-Owned: Sells hardware/software subscriptions to host who owns the asset. |
Upfront Cost for Host | Low to Zero (in owner-operator model) | Moderate to High (host buys hardware) |
Revenue Model for Host | Receives share of charging revenue | Keeps 100% of revenue (minus fees) |
Hardware Control | Owns and maintains hardware | Host owns the hardware |
Software Platform | Blink Network | ChargePoint Network & Cloud Dashboard |
Network Size | Rapidly growing global network | Largest global network with roaming partners |
Understanding how each company works with you is the most important part of your decision.
Blink’s signature model is often a turnkey solution. In this arrangement, Blink may cover the cost of the hardware and installation. They then own, operate, and maintain the EV stations on your property.
In return for providing the location, you, the property owner, receive a share of the revenue generated from charging sessions. This model is attractive for businesses that want to offer charging as an amenity without a large capital investment.
ChargePoint operates primarily as a technology provider. They sell you the physical charging stations (the hardware) and a subscription to their powerful cloud-based software.
In this model, you are the station owner. You have complete control. You set the pricing, decide who gets to use the chargers, and you keep all the profits. This model is ideal for businesses that view EV charging as a strategic asset and a direct revenue-generating part of their operations.
Both companies offer a range of reliable Level 2 and DC Fast Chargers. The difference often lies in the software experience for you as the host.
Both Blink and ChargePoint provide high-quality, certified chargers designed for commercial use. ChargePoint offers a slightly wider range of hardware models tailored for specific applications, like their workhorse CPF50 series for apartments and fleets. Blink is known for its modern, user-friendly designs like the Series 8, which integrate large screens and multiple payment options.
This is a key differentiator. ChargePoint’s cloud software is widely regarded as the industry’s most mature and feature-rich platform. It provides business owners with granular control over:
Pricing: Set variable rates by time of day, user group, or energy consumed.
Access Control: Create public, private, or mixed-use groups.
Analytics: Get powerful reports on station usage, revenue, and energy use.
Blink’s network software provides similar core functionalities, but ChargePoint’s platform is generally seen as more robust for businesses that want to actively manage their stations as a profit center.
The size of the network directly impacts the driver experience at your location.
According to their latest public reports and investor relations data, ChargePoint operates the largest public charging network globally, with over 300,000 active and roaming ports. This massive scale means more EV drivers already have the ChargePoint app on their phones, reducing the friction for them to charge at your location.
Blink has a major, rapidly expanding network with tens of thousands of chargers. They have grown aggressively through both direct deployments and acquisitions. However, in terms of sheer public recognition and number of available stations, ChargePoint currently holds a significant lead.
ChargePoint: Is perceived as the established market leader. The brand is synonymous with reliable, widely available public charging.
Blink: Is perceived as a major, fast-growing competitor with a unique, service-focused business model that appeals to a different type of site host.
There is no single “best” answer when comparing Blink vs ChargePoint. The right choice depends entirely on your business goals, budget, and operational preferences.
You want full ownership and control of your charging assets.
You see EV charging as a significant revenue stream and want to keep 100% of the profits.
You want access to the most powerful and detailed software analytics to manage your stations.
You have the upfront capital to invest in the hardware.
You want to offer EV charging as an essential amenity with little to no upfront cost.
You prefer a hands-off, turnkey solution where a partner handles all installation and maintenance.
You are comfortable with a revenue-sharing model in exchange for convenience.
You are more focused on attracting customers than on managing a new line of business.
У "The Blink vs. ChargePoint decision is a strategic choice between two excellent, but different, philosophies.
ChargePoint empowers you as the owner, giving you the control and the tools to run your own charging business. Blink acts as your service partner, taking on the operational burden so you can focus on your core business.
Evaluate your financial goals and how hands-on you want to be. By understanding the core differences in their business models, you can confidently choose the partner that best aligns with your vision for success in the electric future.
Ми надішлемо вам детальну технічну інформацію та пропозицію!