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Software · head to head

Aurora Solar vs Johnson Controls Metasys

Aurora Solar logo

Aurora Solar

Software

The leading solar design and sales platform

From
$250/month
Rated
-
Johnson Controls Metasys logo

Johnson Controls Metasys

Software

Building management and control system platform

From
On request
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Aurora Solar both published plans are single user, so a second designer means a second licence; Johnson Controls Metasys a Metasys server supports 1,300 devices and 65,000 objects, so larger estates require additional servers
  • They diverge on capability: Aurora Solar covers 3D solar design, Johnson Controls Metasys covers HVAC control.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Aurora Solar and Johnson Controls Metasys actually diverge.

Attributes where Aurora Solar and Johnson Controls Metasys differ
AttributeAurora SolarJohnson Controls Metasys
Starting price$250/monthOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionquote
PlatformsWeb, ApiWeb, Mobile
Founded20131885

Identical on both: free tier (No), 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 Johnson Controls Metasys

  • HVAC control
  • Building automation
  • Energy management
  • Security integration
  • Analytics dashboard
  • On-premise deployment
  • Cloud deployment
  • Web support

Both cover

  • SOC2
  • 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 Johnson Controls Metasys
  • Producing shade analysis and sales proposals for solar projectsnot Johnson Controls Metasys

Johnson Controls Metasys

  • Building automation for offices, data centres, hospitals and universitiesnot Aurora Solar
  • Managing multi site campuses from one building management systemnot Aurora Solar
  • Meeting compliance and reporting requirements for regulated facilitiesnot 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

Johnson Controls Metasys

  • A Metasys server supports 1,300 devices and 65,000 objects, so larger estates require additional servers
  • No hardware requirement, licensing model, subscription term or price is published on the product page; the routes offered are a demo booking and a contact form

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

Johnson Controls Metasys

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Johnson Controls Metasys 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 Johnson Controls Metasys if

  • You need hvac control.
  • You work on Web, Mobile.
  • You also want building automation.

Questions people ask

Is Aurora Solar or Johnson Controls Metasys better?
Neither clearly leads. Aurora Solar starts at $250/month and Johnson Controls Metasys at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Aurora Solar or Johnson Controls Metasys?
Aurora Solar starts at $250/month and Johnson Controls Metasys at On request.
Does Aurora Solar or Johnson Controls Metasys run on more platforms?
Aurora Solar runs on Web, Api. Johnson Controls Metasys runs on Web, Mobile.
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 Johnson Controls Metasys is typically brought in for.
What can Aurora Solar do that Johnson Controls Metasys cannot?
Aurora Solar covers 3D solar design, Shade analysis, LIDAR integration, Performance simulation. Johnson Controls Metasys covers HVAC control, Building automation, Energy management, Security integration. Both handle SOC2, SSL encryption.

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