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Energy & Utilities · head to head

Aurora Solar vs Google Home

Aurora Solar logo

Aurora Solar

Energy & Utilities

The leading solar design and sales platform

From
$250/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Google Home logo

Google Home

IoT & Smart Home

Google's smart home platform with Google Assistant

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Google Home 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; Google Home web version (home.google.com) has limited controls compared to the mobile app
  • They diverge on capability: Aurora Solar covers 3D solar design, Google Home covers Google Assistant.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Aurora Solar and Google Home actually diverge.

Attributes where Aurora Solar and Google Home differ
AttributeAurora SolarGoogle Home
Starting price$250/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, ApiiOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS
CategoryEnergy & UtilitiesIoT & Smart Home
Founded20132016

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Google Home

  • Google Assistant
  • Voice Control
  • Routines
  • Multi-Room Audio
  • 10,000+ devices
  • Nest products
  • Chromecast
  • Third-party apps

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 Google Home
  • Producing shade analysis and sales proposals for solar projectsnot Google Home

Google Home

  • Controlling and automating smart home devicesnot Aurora Solar
  • Viewing Nest camera feedsnot Aurora Solar
  • Creating automation routinesnot Aurora Solar
  • Managing household device settingsnot Aurora Solar
  • Voice control via Google Assistantnot 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

Google Home

  • Web version (home.google.com) has limited controls compared to the mobile app
  • Battery-camera live streams on the web app auto-stop after 5 minutes
  • Requires compatible Google/Nest or third-party smart-home hardware - it is a control app, not a standalone product

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

Google Home

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Home review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Aurora Solar if

  • You need 3d solar design.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want shade analysis.
Aurora Solar review

Choose Google Home if

  • You need google assistant.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS.
  • You also want voice control.
Google Home review

Questions people ask

Is Aurora Solar or Google Home better?
Neither clearly leads. Aurora Solar starts at $250/month and Google Home at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Aurora Solar or Google Home?
Google Home has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $250/month for Aurora Solar and Free for Google Home.
Does Aurora Solar or Google Home run on more platforms?
Aurora Solar runs on Web, Api. Google Home runs on iOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS.
Can I use Google Home for free?
Yes. Google Home 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 Google Home is typically brought in for.
What can Aurora Solar do that Google Home cannot?
Aurora Solar covers 3D solar design, Shade analysis, LIDAR integration, Performance simulation. Google Home covers Google Assistant, Voice Control, Routines, Multi-Room Audio.
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