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Maritime & Shipping · head to head

ChartCo vs HOMER Energy

ChartCo logo

ChartCo

Maritime & Shipping

Integrated maritime compliance platform

From
$300/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
HOMER Energy logo

HOMER Energy

Energy & Utilities

Microgrid and distributed energy optimization software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only HOMER Energy has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: ChartCo requires specialized maritime knowledge to fully utilize features; HOMER Energy now owned by UL Solutions rather than being independent
  • They diverge on capability: ChartCo covers Chart management, HOMER Energy covers Microgrid optimization.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ChartCo and HOMER Energy actually diverge.

Attributes where ChartCo and HOMER Energy differ
AttributeChartCoHOMER Energy
Starting price$300/monthFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, DesktopWindows, Web
CategoryMaritime & ShippingEnergy & Utilities
Founded19982009

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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 ChartCo

  • Chart management
  • Publication updates
  • Compliance tracking
  • Fleet administration
  • ECDIS
  • Fleet management systems
  • Procurement

Only in HOMER Energy

  • Microgrid optimization
  • Techno-economic analysis
  • Component library
  • Sensitivity analysis
  • Energy storage sizing
  • Renewable integration
  • Load profile analysis
  • Financial modeling

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Windows support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

ChartCo

No use cases recorded yet. See the ChartCo review.

HOMER Energy

  • Sizing and optimising off-grid and microgrid systemsnot ChartCo
  • Modelling the economics of solar, wind and battery combinationsnot ChartCo
  • Electric bill optimisation for grid-connected sites and EV chargingnot ChartCo
  • Utility-scale storage investment analysisnot ChartCo
  • Comparing least-cost configurations against load and resource datanot ChartCo

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

ChartCo

  • Requires specialized maritime knowledge to fully utilize features
  • High cost for maritime-specific software

HOMER Energy

  • Now owned by UL Solutions rather than being independent
  • Split into three separate products, HOMER Pro for off-grid and microgrids, HOMER Grid for bill optimisation and HOMER Front for utility-scale, so the right one depends on project type
  • Pricing is not shown on the product pages

Pricing, plan by plan

ChartCo

$300/month
  • OneOcean$600/month
    • Chart management
    • Publications
    • Compliance tracking

HOMER Energy

Free
  • HOMER GridFree
    • Grid-connected optimization
    • Basic components
    • Limited simulations
  • HOMER Pro$1500/year
    • Advanced optimization
    • All components
    • Unlimited simulations
  • Enterprise$undefined/year
    • Multi-user licenses
    • API access
    • Custom modules

Which should you pick?

Choose ChartCo if

  • You need chart management.
  • You work on Web, Desktop.
  • You also want publication updates.
ChartCo review

Choose HOMER Energy if

  • You need microgrid optimization.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Web.
  • You also want techno-economic analysis.
HOMER Energy review

Questions people ask

Is ChartCo or HOMER Energy better?
Neither clearly leads. ChartCo starts at $300/month and HOMER Energy at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ChartCo or HOMER Energy?
HOMER Energy has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $300/month for ChartCo and Free for HOMER Energy.
Does ChartCo or HOMER Energy run on more platforms?
ChartCo runs on Web, Desktop. HOMER Energy runs on Windows, Web.
Can I use HOMER Energy for free?
Yes. HOMER Energy has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. ChartCo starts at $300/month.
What can ChartCo do that HOMER Energy cannot?
ChartCo covers Chart management, Publication updates, Compliance tracking, Fleet administration. HOMER Energy covers Microgrid optimization, Techno-economic analysis, Component library, Sensitivity analysis. Both handle Web support, Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

ChartCo: What does ChartCo OneOcean provide?

ChartCo OneOcean is an integrated maritime software platform that combines electronic navigational charts, publications, weather data, and compliance tools for voyage planning and maritime safety.

ChartCo: How many vessels use ChartCo PassageManager?

ChartCo's PassageManager software is used by approximately 6,500 vessels worldwide for passage planning and navigational chart management.

ChartCo: Does ChartCo help with environmental compliance?

Yes, ChartCo OneOcean includes EnviroManager for compliance with MARPOL and regional environmental regulations, helping crews manage waste and minimize discharge risks.

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