Softwr

Software · head to head

Aurora Solar vs SolarWinds

Aurora Solar logo

Aurora Solar

Software

The leading solar design and sales platform

From
$250/month
Rated
-
S

SolarWinds

Software

Solar asset performance monitoring and management

From
$2/kW/month
Rated
-

The short version

  • They diverge on capability: Aurora Solar covers 3D solar design, SolarWinds covers Real-time monitoring.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Aurora Solar and SolarWinds actually diverge.

Attributes where Aurora Solar and SolarWinds differ
AttributeAurora SolarSolarWinds
Starting price$250/month$2/kW/month
PlatformsWeb, ApiWeb, Mobile, Api
Founded20132015

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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 SolarWinds

  • Real-time monitoring
  • Performance analytics
  • Alarm management
  • O&M workflows
  • Reporting
  • Benchmarking
  • Weather integration
  • Financial tracking

Both cover

  • SOC2
  • Role-based access

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 SolarWinds
  • Producing shade analysis and sales proposals for solar projectsnot SolarWinds

SolarWinds

  • Solar monitoringnot Aurora Solar
  • Performance optimizationnot Aurora Solar
  • O&M managementnot Aurora Solar
  • Portfolio reportingnot Aurora Solar
  • Investor reportingnot 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

SolarWinds

Nothing recorded yet. See the SolarWinds review.

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

SolarWinds

$2/kW/month
  • Monitor$2/kW/month
    • Real-time monitoring
    • Performance tracking
    • Alerts
  • Optimize$4/kW/month
    • Advanced analytics
    • Degradation analysis
    • Benchmarking
  • Enterprise$undefined/custom
    • Portfolio management
    • Custom integrations
    • Financial modeling

Which should you pick?

Choose Aurora Solar if

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

Choose SolarWinds if

  • You need real-time monitoring.
  • You work on Web, Mobile, Api.
  • You also want performance analytics.

Questions people ask

Is Aurora Solar or SolarWinds better?
Neither clearly leads. Aurora Solar starts at $250/month and SolarWinds at $2/kW/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Aurora Solar or SolarWinds?
Aurora Solar starts at $250/month and SolarWinds at $2/kW/month.
Does Aurora Solar or SolarWinds run on more platforms?
Aurora Solar runs on Web, Api. SolarWinds runs on Web, Mobile, Api.
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 SolarWinds is typically brought in for.
What can Aurora Solar do that SolarWinds cannot?
Aurora Solar covers 3D solar design, Shade analysis, LIDAR integration, Performance simulation. SolarWinds covers Real-time monitoring, Performance analytics, Alarm management, O&M workflows. Both handle SOC2, Role-based access.

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