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Energy · head to head

PowerFactory DIgSILENT vs Helioscope

PowerFactory DIgSILENT logo

PowerFactory DIgSILENT

Energy

Advanced power system analysis and grid simulation

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Helioscope logo

Helioscope

Energy

Accurate solar design for commercial projects

From
$159/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: PowerFactory DIgSILENT no prices are published; the product pages only offer Request a Quotation and Demo Request; Helioscope licences are single user, so each designer needs their own
  • They diverge on capability: PowerFactory DIgSILENT covers Load flow calculation, Helioscope covers PV system design.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which PowerFactory DIgSILENT and Helioscope actually diverge.

Attributes where PowerFactory DIgSILENT and Helioscope differ
AttributePowerFactory DIgSILENTHelioscope
Starting priceOn request$159/month
Pricing modelquotesubscription
PlatformsWindows, Linux, ApiWeb, Api
Founded19852012

Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Energy).

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 PowerFactory DIgSILENT

  • Load flow calculation
  • Short-circuit analysis
  • RMS and EMT simulation
  • Harmonic analysis
  • Stability analysis
  • Protection coordination
  • Renewable energy integration
  • Scripting and automation

Only in Helioscope

  • PV system design
  • 3D shade modeling
  • Performance simulation
  • Single-line diagrams
  • BOM generation
  • Proposal templates
  • Component database
  • Financial modeling

Both cover

  • Cloud deployment

What people use each for

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

PowerFactory DIgSILENT

  • Power system load flow, short circuit and stability analysis for transmission and distribution networksnot Helioscope
  • Grid code compliance studies and protection coordinationnot Helioscope
  • Modelling renewables and distributed generation integrationnot Helioscope

Helioscope

  • Solar project design and modelingnot PowerFactory DIgSILENT
  • Rooftop, carport, and ground-mount solar system planningnot PowerFactory DIgSILENT
  • Financial analysis and sales proposal generation for solar installationsnot PowerFactory DIgSILENT

Where each one falls short

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

PowerFactory DIgSILENT

  • No prices are published; the product pages only offer Request a Quotation and Demo Request
  • The commercial licence is sold by node count, in tiers of 100, 250, 500 or unlimited nodes
  • Functions are sold as a configurable package rather than included, so advanced modules are priced separately
  • Support, maintenance and upgrades are included only for the first 12 months of a perpetual licence and then require an annual maintenance contract
  • The number of concurrent users on the Multi-User Edition is limited to the number of licences purchased
  • A floating licence used on a local machine is time limited to a maximum of 30 days
  • Centralised project data on Oracle, SQL Server or PostgreSQL requires the Team Edition; Single-User and Multi-User editions use a local SQLite database
  • Education licences are capped at 50 nodes and forbid commercial use
  • Student licences are capped at 50 nodes, are cloud softkey only and expire 12 months from issue

Helioscope

  • Licences are single user, so each designer needs their own
  • Projects are capped at 10 a month on both Basic and Pro
  • System size is capped by plan, at 1.25 MW DC on Basic and 5 MW on Pro, so a larger array forces an upgrade regardless of project count
  • Trackers, LIDAR modelling and API access sit on the higher tiers
  • Enterprise is priced per project with no published figure

Pricing, plan by plan

PowerFactory DIgSILENT

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the PowerFactory DIgSILENT review.

Helioscope

$159/month
  • Basic$159/month
    • 1 user per license
    • 10 projects per month (120 per year)
    • 15% discount for annual billing ($1,620/year)
  • Pro$259/month
    • 1 user per license
    • 10 projects per month (120 per year)
    • 15% discount for annual billing ($2,640/year)
  • Enterprise$null/month
    • Unlimited users
    • Unlimited projects
    • Custom pricing

Which should you pick?

Choose PowerFactory DIgSILENT if

  • You need load flow calculation.
  • You work on Windows, Linux, Api.
  • You also want short-circuit analysis.
PowerFactory DIgSILENT review

Choose Helioscope if

  • You need pv system design.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want 3d shade modeling.
Helioscope review

Questions people ask

Is PowerFactory DIgSILENT or Helioscope better?
Neither clearly leads. PowerFactory DIgSILENT starts at On request and Helioscope at $159/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, PowerFactory DIgSILENT or Helioscope?
PowerFactory DIgSILENT starts at On request and Helioscope at $159/month.
Does PowerFactory DIgSILENT or Helioscope run on more platforms?
PowerFactory DIgSILENT runs on Windows, Linux, Api. Helioscope runs on Web, Api.
What is PowerFactory DIgSILENT best used for?
PowerFactory DIgSILENT is most often used for power system load flow, short circuit and stability analysis for transmission and distribution networks, grid code compliance studies and protection coordination, modelling renewables and distributed generation integration. Of those, power system load flow, short circuit and stability analysis for transmission and distribution networks and grid code compliance studies and protection coordination are not what Helioscope is typically brought in for.
What can PowerFactory DIgSILENT do that Helioscope cannot?
PowerFactory DIgSILENT covers Load flow calculation, Short-circuit analysis, RMS and EMT simulation, Harmonic analysis. Helioscope covers PV system design, 3D shade modeling, Performance simulation, Single-line diagrams. Both handle Cloud deployment.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

PowerFactory DIgSILENT: How does DIgSILENT PowerFactory licensing work?

PowerFactory offers flexible software editions and licensing options. Customers must request a quotation from DIgSILENT to get pricing based on their specific needs and applications. A demo request option is also available.

Source
Helioscope: What is the starting price for HelioScope?

HelioScope Basic plan costs $159 per month per license with annual billing at $1,620/year (15% discount). The Pro plan is $259/month or $2,640/year. Each license covers 1 user. Source: https://helioscope.aurorasolar.com/pricing

Source
PowerFactory DIgSILENT: What training and support does DIgSILENT offer?

DIgSILENT provides training courses that can be booked directly. Customers also have access to a knowledge base, license migration assistance, and customer portal. Support services include consulting, testing and certification, and IT projects.

Source
Helioscope: How many projects can I design monthly with HelioScope Basic and Pro?

Both Basic and Pro plans include 10 projects per month, equaling 120 projects per year. The project allocation is the same across both tiers; the difference is in design capability (1.25 MW for Basic vs. 5 MW for Pro). Source: https://helioscope.aurorasolar.com/pricing

Source
PowerFactory DIgSILENT: Is there a demo version available?

Yes, DIgSILENT offers demo requests for PowerFactory and StationWare products. Prospective customers can contact DIgSILENT directly to schedule a demonstration of the software capabilities.

Source
Helioscope: What is the maximum solar design capacity by HelioScope tier?

HelioScope Basic supports designs up to 1.25 MW DC, Pro supports up to 5 MW DC, and Enterprise supports unlimited designs up to 30 MW DC. Accuracy within 1% of PVsyst modeling is maintained across tiers. Source: https://helioscope.aurorasolar.com/pricing

Source
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