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Energy · head to head

ETAP vs GE Digital GridOS

ETAP logo

ETAP

Energy

Electrical power system design and analysis software

From
$5000/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
GE Digital GridOS logo

GE Digital GridOS

Energy

Advanced distribution management for the modern grid

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: ETAP no pricing is published, and reaching a figure requires completing a multi step quote form; GE Digital GridOS no pricing plans, tiers, or costs are published on the website
  • They diverge on capability: ETAP covers Load flow analysis, GE Digital GridOS covers ADMS.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ETAP and GE Digital GridOS actually diverge.

Attributes where ETAP and GE Digital GridOS differ
AttributeETAPGE Digital GridOS
Starting price$5000/yearOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionquote
PlatformsWindows, ApiWeb, On-premise, Api
Founded19861892

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 ETAP

  • Load flow analysis
  • Short circuit analysis
  • Arc flash analysis
  • Protective device coordination
  • Harmonics analysis
  • Transient stability
  • Cable sizing
  • Panel schedule design

Only in GE Digital GridOS

  • ADMS
  • DERMS
  • Outage management
  • SCADA
  • Volt/VAR optimization
  • FLISR
  • Network modeling
  • Grid analytics

Both cover

  • Cloud deployment

What people use each for

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

ETAP

  • Electrical power system modelling, simulation and analysisnot GE Digital GridOS
  • Arc flash, load flow and protection coordination studiesnot GE Digital GridOS

GE Digital GridOS

  • Grid modernizationnot ETAP
  • DER integrationnot ETAP
  • Outage restorationnot ETAP
  • Grid optimizationnot ETAP
  • Renewable integrationnot ETAP

Where each one falls short

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

ETAP

  • No pricing is published, and reaching a figure requires completing a multi step quote form
  • Subscription durations offered are 3 years and 5 years, so there is no short commitment option
  • Licences are banded by user count rather than sold individually, in brackets of 1, 5 to 15, 15 to 25, 25 to 50 and over 50
  • National and international network licences are priced separately

GE Digital GridOS

  • No pricing plans, tiers, or costs are published on the website
  • Requires direct contact with utility software experts for pricing inquiries

Pricing, plan by plan

ETAP

$5000/year
  • Standard$5000/year
    • Load flow analysis
    • Short circuit analysis
    • Arc flash analysis
  • Professional$15000/year
    • Advanced analysis
    • Protective device coordination
    • Harmonics analysis
  • Enterprise$undefined/year
    • Real-time monitoring
    • SCADA integration
    • Custom modules

GE Digital GridOS

On request
  • ADMS$undefined/custom
    • Distribution management
    • Outage management
    • SCADA integration
  • DERMS$undefined/custom
    • DER management
    • Virtual power plant
    • Grid flexibility
  • Enterprise Suite$undefined/custom
    • Full ADMS + DERMS
    • Analytics platform
    • Digital twin

Which should you pick?

Choose ETAP if

  • You need load flow analysis.
  • You work on Windows, Api.
  • You also want short circuit analysis.
ETAP review

Choose GE Digital GridOS if

  • You need adms.
  • You work on Web, On-premise, Api.
  • You also want derms.
GE Digital GridOS review

Questions people ask

Is ETAP or GE Digital GridOS better?
Neither clearly leads. ETAP starts at $5000/year and GE Digital GridOS at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ETAP or GE Digital GridOS?
ETAP starts at $5000/year and GE Digital GridOS at On request.
Does ETAP or GE Digital GridOS run on more platforms?
ETAP runs on Windows, Api. GE Digital GridOS runs on Web, On-premise, Api.
What is ETAP best used for?
ETAP is most often used for electrical power system modelling, simulation and analysis, arc flash, load flow and protection coordination studies. Of those, electrical power system modelling, simulation and analysis and arc flash, load flow and protection coordination studies are not what GE Digital GridOS is typically brought in for.
What can ETAP do that GE Digital GridOS cannot?
ETAP covers Load flow analysis, Short circuit analysis, Arc flash analysis, Protective device coordination. GE Digital GridOS covers ADMS, DERMS, Outage management, SCADA. Both handle Cloud deployment.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

ETAP: How is ETAP priced?

ETAP uses subscription-based pricing with tiered bundles (Launch, Grow, Scale) and optional add-ons. Specific prices are not published and require completing a quote request form.

Source
GE Digital GridOS: How does GridOS publish pricing information?

GridOS does not disclose pricing on its website. Interested parties are directed to 'Connect with a utility software expert' through a contact form for pricing discussions.

Source
ETAP: What products does ETAP offer pricing for?

ETAP offers three main product lines with tiered bundles: CANECO (Electrical Design), ETAP (Power Systems Analysis), and SEE Electrical (Electrical Engineering). Each supports 1-50+ users with 3-5 year term options.

Source
GE Digital GridOS: What is GridOS' licensing model?

GridOS' licensing model and pricing details are not published on publicly available pages. Custom quotes are required based on utility software implementation needs.

Source
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