Software · head to head
Aurora Solar vs Enphase Enlighten

Aurora Solar
Software
The leading solar design and sales platform
- From
- $250/month
- Rated
- -
Enphase Enlighten
Software
Microinverter monitoring and management platform
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Enphase Enlighten has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Aurora Solar both published plans are single user, so a second designer means a second licence; Enphase Enlighten only works with Enphase microinverter systems, not compatible with other solar equipment
- They diverge on capability: Aurora Solar covers 3D solar design, Enphase Enlighten covers Real-time monitoring.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Aurora Solar and Enphase Enlighten actually diverge.
| Attribute | Aurora Solar | Enphase Enlighten |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $250/month | Free |
| Pricing model | subscription | Unknown |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Web, Api | Web, iOS, Android |
| Founded | 2013 | 2006 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Aurora Solar
- 3D solar design
- Shade analysis
- LIDAR integration
- Performance simulation
- Sales proposals
- Financing options
- Permit packages
- NEC code compliance
Only in Enphase Enlighten
- Real-time monitoring
- Per-module performance
- Alert notifications
- Mobile app
- API access
- SunPower
- Tesla
- Cloud deployment
Both cover
- SSL encryption
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Aurora Solar
- Designing and simulating residential and commercial solar installationsnot Enphase Enlighten
- Producing shade analysis and sales proposals for solar projectsnot Enphase Enlighten
Enphase Enlighten
- System monitoringnot Aurora Solar
- Performance optimizationnot Aurora Solar
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Aurora Solar
- Both published plans are single user, so a second designer means a second licence
- Projects are capped at 50 a month on both Basic and Premium, so the tiers differ on features rather than volume
- LIDAR assisted modelling, shade reports and battery storage modelling all require Premium at $259 a month
- API access and integrations are Enterprise only, which is priced per project rather than per month
- Paying monthly rather than annually costs $288 more a year on Basic and $468 on Premium
Enphase Enlighten
- Only works with Enphase microinverter systems, not compatible with other solar equipment
- Requires 10-year paid subscription after initial free period for core monitoring
- Cloud-based system requiring internet connection for real-time data access
Pricing, plan by plan
Aurora Solar
$250/month- Starter$250/month
- Basic design tools
- Sales mode
- Shade analysis
- Pro$500/month
- Advanced LIDAR integration
- Performance simulation
- Custom branding
- Enterprise$undefined/month
- Unlimited users
- Advanced analytics
- Custom integrations
Enphase Enlighten
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Enphase Enlighten review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Aurora Solar if
- You need 3d solar design.
- You work on Web, Api.
- You also want shade analysis.
Choose Enphase Enlighten if
- You need real-time monitoring.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want per-module performance.
Questions people ask
- Is Aurora Solar or Enphase Enlighten better?
- Neither clearly leads. Aurora Solar starts at $250/month and Enphase Enlighten at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Aurora Solar or Enphase Enlighten?
- Enphase Enlighten has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $250/month for Aurora Solar and Free for Enphase Enlighten.
- Does Aurora Solar or Enphase Enlighten run on more platforms?
- Aurora Solar runs on Web, Api. Enphase Enlighten runs on Web, iOS, Android.
- Can I use Enphase Enlighten for free?
- Yes. Enphase Enlighten has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Aurora Solar starts at $250/month.
- What is Aurora Solar best used for?
- Aurora Solar is most often used for designing and simulating residential and commercial solar installations, producing shade analysis and sales proposals for solar projects. Of those, designing and simulating residential and commercial solar installations and producing shade analysis and sales proposals for solar projects are not what Enphase Enlighten is typically brought in for.
- What can Aurora Solar do that Enphase Enlighten cannot?
- Aurora Solar covers 3D solar design, Shade analysis, LIDAR integration, Performance simulation. Enphase Enlighten covers Real-time monitoring, Per-module performance, Alert notifications, Mobile app. Both handle SSL encryption.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Enphase Enlighten: Is Enphase Enlighten free to use?
The standard Enlighten app comes included with any Enphase microinverter system at no extra charge for the first 10 years from installation, after which it costs $49/year minimum.
SourceEnphase Enlighten: What is the cost for Enlighten Manager premium upgrade?
Enlighten Manager upgrade costs $9.99/month with month-to-month cancellation, or a one-time lifetime subscription is available through the Enphase store.
SourceEnphase Enlighten: What data does Enlighten monitor?
Enlighten pulls data from IQ Microinverters, the IQ Gateway, IQ Batteries, and Enphase EV chargers into a single monitoring view, showing near real-time panel-by-panel performance data.
SourceEnphase Enlighten: Does Enlighten send alerts for system issues?
Yes, Enlighten continuously monitors system performance and highlights deviations, with customers able to choose to receive alerts upon certain conditions.
SourceRelated pages
More on Aurora Solar
More on Enphase Enlighten
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