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Software · head to head

ETAP vs HOMER Energy

ETAP logo

ETAP

Software

Electrical power system design and analysis software

From
$5000/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
HOMER Energy logo

HOMER Energy

Software

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: ETAP no pricing is published, and reaching a figure requires completing a multi step quote form; HOMER Energy now owned by UL Solutions rather than being independent
  • They diverge on capability: ETAP covers Load flow analysis, HOMER Energy covers Microgrid optimization.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where ETAP and HOMER Energy differ
AttributeETAPHOMER Energy
Starting price$5000/yearFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, ApiWindows, Web
Founded19862009

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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 ETAP

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

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

  • License management
  • Data encryption
  • On-premise deployment
  • Cloud deployment
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

ETAP

  • Electrical power system modelling, simulation and analysisnot HOMER Energy
  • Arc flash, load flow and protection coordination studiesnot HOMER Energy

HOMER Energy

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

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

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

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 ETAP if

  • You need load flow analysis.
  • You work on Windows, Api.
  • You also want short circuit analysis.
ETAP 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 ETAP or HOMER Energy better?
Neither clearly leads. ETAP starts at $5000/year and HOMER Energy at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ETAP or HOMER Energy?
HOMER Energy has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $5000/year for ETAP and Free for HOMER Energy.
Does ETAP or HOMER Energy run on more platforms?
ETAP runs on Windows, Api. 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. ETAP starts at $5000/year.
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 HOMER Energy is typically brought in for.
What can ETAP do that HOMER Energy cannot?
ETAP covers Load flow analysis, Short circuit analysis, Arc flash analysis, Protective device coordination. HOMER Energy covers Microgrid optimization, Techno-economic analysis, Component library, Sensitivity analysis. Both handle License management, Data encryption, On-premise deployment, Cloud deployment.
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