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Energy · head to head

ETAP vs SolarWinds

ETAP logo

ETAP

Energy

Electrical power system design and analysis software

From
$5000/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
S

SolarWinds

Energy

Solar asset performance monitoring and management

From
$2/kW/month
Rated
-
Full review

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: ETAP no pricing is published, and reaching a figure requires completing a multi step quote form; SolarWinds website uses outdated NetObjects Fusion 2015 tools, suggesting legacy technical infrastructure
  • They diverge on capability: ETAP covers Load flow analysis, SolarWinds covers Real-time monitoring.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ETAP and SolarWinds actually diverge.

Attributes where ETAP and SolarWinds differ
AttributeETAPSolarWinds
Starting price$5000/year$2/kW/month
PlatformsWindows, ApiWeb, Mobile, Api
Founded19862015

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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 SolarWinds

  • Real-time monitoring
  • Performance analytics
  • Alarm management
  • O&M workflows
  • Reporting
  • Benchmarking
  • Weather integration
  • Financial tracking

Both cover

  • Data encryption
  • 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 SolarWinds
  • Arc flash, load flow and protection coordination studiesnot SolarWinds

SolarWinds

  • Solar monitoringnot ETAP
  • Performance optimizationnot ETAP
  • O&M managementnot ETAP
  • Portfolio reportingnot ETAP
  • Investor reportingnot 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

SolarWinds

  • Website uses outdated NetObjects Fusion 2015 tools, suggesting legacy technical infrastructure
  • No specific product models, brands, or technical specifications listed for offered solutions
  • Geographic service area boundaries unclear; only mentions San Francisco Bay Area and Central California
  • Minimal customer engagement features; lacks testimonials, project galleries, financing calculators, or online quote forms
  • Email contact discrepancy between display text ([email protected]) and actual mailto link ([email protected])

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

SolarWinds

$2/kW/month
  • Monitor$2/kW/month
    • Real-time monitoring
    • Performance tracking
    • Alerts
  • Optimize$4/kW/month
    • Advanced analytics
    • Degradation analysis
    • Benchmarking
  • Enterprise$undefined/custom
    • Portfolio management
    • Custom integrations
    • Financial modeling

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 SolarWinds if

  • You need real-time monitoring.
  • You work on Web, Mobile, Api.
  • You also want performance analytics.
SolarWinds review

Questions people ask

Is ETAP or SolarWinds better?
Neither clearly leads. ETAP starts at $5000/year and SolarWinds at $2/kW/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ETAP or SolarWinds?
ETAP starts at $5000/year and SolarWinds at $2/kW/month.
Does ETAP or SolarWinds run on more platforms?
ETAP runs on Windows, Api. SolarWinds runs on Web, Mobile, 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 SolarWinds is typically brought in for.
What can ETAP do that SolarWinds cannot?
ETAP covers Load flow analysis, Short circuit analysis, Arc flash analysis, Protective device coordination. SolarWinds covers Real-time monitoring, Performance analytics, Alarm management, O&M workflows. Both handle Data encryption, 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
SolarWinds: What geographic areas does SolarWinds Energy serve?

SolarWinds Energy serves the San Francisco Bay Area and Central California regions, but the exact service area boundaries are not clearly defined on their website.

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
SolarWinds: What solar and renewable products does SolarWinds Energy offer?

SolarWinds Energy specializes in energy efficiency and renewable technologies including solar energy systems and attic ventilation solutions, but specific product models and technical specifications are not published online.

Source
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