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Software · head to head

Aurora Solar vs Sea Machines

Aurora Solar logo

Aurora Solar

Software

The leading solar design and sales platform

From
$250/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Sea Machines logo

Sea Machines

Software

Autonomous vessel control systems

From
$50000/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Aurora Solar both published plans are single user, so a second designer means a second licence; Sea Machines requires hardware fitted to the vessel; the autonomy systems are retrofits or new build installations rather than a software purchase
  • They diverge on capability: Aurora Solar covers 3D solar design, Sea Machines covers Autonomous control.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Aurora Solar and Sea Machines actually diverge.

Attributes where Aurora Solar and Sea Machines differ
AttributeAurora SolarSea Machines
Starting price$250/month$50000/one-time
Pricing modelsubscriptionone-time
PlatformsWeb, ApiEmbedded, Web, Mobile
Founded20132015

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 Sea Machines

  • Autonomous control
  • Remote operation
  • Collision avoidance
  • Pattern following
  • Vessel systems
  • Communication networks
  • Shore-based control
  • Embedded support

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 Sea Machines
  • Producing shade analysis and sales proposals for solar projectsnot Sea Machines

Sea Machines

  • Intelligent voyage and transit autonomy for workboatsnot Aurora Solar
  • Pattern autonomy for survey and repetitive route worknot Aurora Solar
  • Collision avoidance using the AI-ris computer vision sensornot Aurora Solar
  • Remote command and control of vessels, including in GPS denied environmentsnot Aurora Solar
  • Fleet management and telemetry through Fleetviewer and the SMLINK APIsnot 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

Sea Machines

  • Requires hardware fitted to the vessel; the autonomy systems are retrofits or new build installations rather than a software purchase
  • Targeted at vessels from 10 to 300 ft, so it does not address the largest commercial tonnage
  • Pricing is not published and is arranged directly with the vendor
  • The SM300-NG is the class-approved unit, so the cheaper SM300-SP does not carry the same approval

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

Sea Machines

$50000/one-time
  • SM300$75000/one-time
    • Autonomous control
    • Collision avoidance
    • Remote operation

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 Sea Machines if

  • You need autonomous control.
  • You work on Embedded, Web, Mobile.
  • You also want remote operation.
Sea Machines review

Questions people ask

Is Aurora Solar or Sea Machines better?
Neither clearly leads. Aurora Solar starts at $250/month and Sea Machines at $50000/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Aurora Solar or Sea Machines?
Aurora Solar starts at $250/month and Sea Machines at $50000/one-time.
Does Aurora Solar or Sea Machines run on more platforms?
Aurora Solar runs on Web, Api. Sea Machines runs on Embedded, 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 Sea Machines is typically brought in for.
What can Aurora Solar do that Sea Machines cannot?
Aurora Solar covers 3D solar design, Shade analysis, LIDAR integration, Performance simulation. Sea Machines covers Autonomous control, Remote operation, Collision avoidance, Pattern following.
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