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Energy & Utilities · head to head

Enphase Enlighten vs Aurora Solar

E

Enphase Enlighten

Energy & Utilities

Microinverter monitoring and management platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Aurora Solar logo

Aurora Solar

Energy & Utilities

The leading solar design and sales platform

From
$250/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Enphase Enlighten has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Enphase Enlighten only works with Enphase microinverter systems, not compatible with other solar equipment; Aurora Solar both published plans are single user, so a second designer means a second licence
  • They diverge on capability: Enphase Enlighten covers Real-time monitoring, Aurora Solar covers 3D solar design.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Enphase Enlighten and Aurora Solar actually diverge.

Attributes where Enphase Enlighten and Aurora Solar differ
AttributeEnphase EnlightenAurora Solar
Starting priceFree$250/month
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidWeb, Api
Founded20062013

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Energy & Utilities).

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 Enphase Enlighten

  • Real-time monitoring
  • Per-module performance
  • Alert notifications
  • Mobile app
  • API access
  • SunPower
  • Tesla
  • Cloud deployment

Only in Aurora Solar

  • 3D solar design
  • Shade analysis
  • LIDAR integration
  • Performance simulation
  • Sales proposals
  • Financing options
  • Permit packages
  • NEC code compliance

Both cover

  • SSL encryption

What people use each for

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

Enphase Enlighten

  • System monitoringnot Aurora Solar
  • Performance optimizationnot Aurora Solar

Aurora Solar

  • Designing and simulating residential and commercial solar installationsnot Enphase Enlighten
  • Producing shade analysis and sales proposals for solar projectsnot Enphase Enlighten

Where each one falls short

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

Enphase Enlighten

  • Only works with Enphase microinverter systems, not compatible with other solar equipment
  • Requires 10-year paid subscription after initial free period for core monitoring
  • Cloud-based system requiring internet connection for real-time data access

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Enphase Enlighten

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Enphase Enlighten review.

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Enphase Enlighten if

  • You need real-time monitoring.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want per-module performance.
Enphase Enlighten review

Choose Aurora Solar if

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

Questions people ask

Is Enphase Enlighten or Aurora Solar better?
Neither clearly leads. Enphase Enlighten starts at Free and Aurora Solar at $250/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Enphase Enlighten or Aurora Solar?
Enphase Enlighten has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Enphase Enlighten and $250/month for Aurora Solar.
Does Enphase Enlighten or Aurora Solar run on more platforms?
Enphase Enlighten runs on Web, iOS, Android. Aurora Solar runs on Web, Api.
Can I use Enphase Enlighten for free?
Yes. Enphase Enlighten has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Aurora Solar starts at $250/month.
What is Enphase Enlighten best used for?
Enphase Enlighten is most often used for system monitoring, performance optimization. Of those, system monitoring and performance optimization are not what Aurora Solar is typically brought in for.
What can Enphase Enlighten do that Aurora Solar cannot?
Enphase Enlighten covers Real-time monitoring, Per-module performance, Alert notifications, Mobile app. Aurora Solar covers 3D solar design, Shade analysis, LIDAR integration, Performance simulation. Both handle SSL encryption.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Enphase Enlighten: Is Enphase Enlighten free to use?

The standard Enlighten app comes included with any Enphase microinverter system at no extra charge for the first 10 years from installation, after which it costs $49/year minimum.

Source
Enphase Enlighten: What is the cost for Enlighten Manager premium upgrade?

Enlighten Manager upgrade costs $9.99/month with month-to-month cancellation, or a one-time lifetime subscription is available through the Enphase store.

Source
Enphase Enlighten: What data does Enlighten monitor?

Enlighten pulls data from IQ Microinverters, the IQ Gateway, IQ Batteries, and Enphase EV chargers into a single monitoring view, showing near real-time panel-by-panel performance data.

Source
Enphase Enlighten: Does Enlighten send alerts for system issues?

Yes, Enlighten continuously monitors system performance and highlights deviations, with customers able to choose to receive alerts upon certain conditions.

Source
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