Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Peppol | Factur-X |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Network / Protocol | File Format |
| Technical | Document exchange infrastructure | PDF/A-3 with embedded XML |
| Format Used | Peppol BIS Billing 3.0 (UBL) | UN/CEFACT CII |
| Human Readable | No (XML only) | Yes (PDF) |
| Primary Use | Belgium, Nordic, NL, UK | France, Germany |
| Requires Connection | Yes (Access Point) | No (just file exchange) |
| EN 16931 Compliant | Yes | Yes (profile EN 16931) |
What is Peppol?
Peppol is an international network for exchanging business documents electronically. Think of it as "email for invoices"—you connect via an Access Point and can send to anyone else on the network.
Key characteristics:
- Secure, standardized delivery network
- Uses Peppol BIS Billing 3.0 format (UBL-based)
- 40+ countries, 300,000+ organizations
- Mandatory for B2B in Belgium (2026)
What is Factur-X?
Factur-X is a hybrid file format that combines PDF and XML. The invoice is readable as a normal PDF, but contains embedded structured data for automation.
Key characteristics:
- PDF/A-3 with embedded UN/CEFACT CII XML
- Identical to ZUGFeRD (German name)
- Human and machine readable
- Required for France B2B (2026-2027)
Key Differences Explained
1Network vs Format
Peppol is infrastructure—it's how documents get delivered. You need an Access Point to connect.
Factur-X is a file format—it's what the document looks like. You can email it, upload it, or convert it to other formats.
They're not competitors—they solve different problems.
2Geographic Focus
Peppol is strong in Belgium, Netherlands, Nordic countries, and UK. Belgium mandates it for all B2B from 2026.
Factur-X is dominant in France and Germany (as ZUGFeRD). France's mandate specifically mentions Factur-X as an accepted format.
When to Use Peppol
- Sending invoices to Belgian businesses (mandatory 2026)
- Trading with Nordic countries or UK
- Need guaranteed delivery with confirmation
- Want one connection for all customers on the network
- Your ERP has Peppol integration
When to Use Factur-X
- Sending invoices to French businesses
- Need human-readable PDF version
- Recipients not on Peppol network
- Email-based invoice exchange
- Archive requirements need PDF
Can You Use Both?
You can convert between formats as needed:
- Factur-X XML can be converted to Peppol BIS UBL
- Peppol BIS invoices can be embedded into PDF for Factur-X
- Both are EN 16931-compliant, so data maps cleanly
Many Access Points and platforms handle conversion automatically.
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