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Software · head to head

Helioscope vs Homey

Helioscope logo

Helioscope

Software

Accurate solar design for commercial projects

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Homey logo

Homey

Software

Connect all your smart home devices in one app

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Helioscope has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Helioscope licences are single user, so each designer needs their own; Homey homey Cloud without a subscription connects at most 5 devices
  • They diverge on capability: Helioscope covers PV system design, Homey covers Multi-protocol support.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Helioscope and Homey actually diverge.

Attributes where Helioscope and Homey differ
AttributeHelioscopeHomey
Starting priceFreeOn request
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, ApiIOS, Android, Web
Founded20122014

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 Helioscope

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

Only in Homey

  • Multi-protocol support
  • Advanced flows
  • Voice control
  • Energy insights
  • Timeline
  • Zones
  • Google Assistant
  • Amazon Alexa

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Helioscope

  • Simulating photovoltaic system performance and energy yieldnot Homey
  • Laying out commercial solar arrays and producing design reportsnot Homey

Homey

  • Bringing Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices from different brands into one appnot Helioscope
  • Building home automations visually with Flownot Helioscope
  • Charting device and sensor history through Insightsnot Helioscope

Where each one falls short

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

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

Homey

  • Homey Cloud without a subscription connects at most 5 devices
  • Unlimited devices require the Homey Premium subscription at $2.99 per month
  • Advanced Flow, Insights, and Logic and Variables are locked behind Homey Premium
  • The free month of Premium is only offered to new subscribers signing up through iOS or Android

Pricing, plan by plan

Helioscope

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 3 projects
    • Basic design tools
    • Shade analysis
  • Professional$95/month
    • Unlimited projects
    • Advanced shading
    • Custom reports
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Everything in Pro
    • API access
    • Custom integrations

Homey

On request
  • Homey Pro$399/month
    • Local processing
    • 1000+ apps
    • Advanced flows
  • Homey Bridge$69/month
    • Cloud processing
    • 500+ apps
    • Basic flows

Which should you pick?

Choose Helioscope if

  • You need pv system design.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want 3d shade modeling.
Helioscope review

Choose Homey if

  • You need multi-protocol support.
  • You work on IOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want advanced flows.
Homey review

Questions people ask

Is Helioscope or Homey better?
Neither clearly leads. Helioscope starts at Free and Homey at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Helioscope or Homey?
Helioscope has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Helioscope and On request for Homey.
Does Helioscope or Homey run on more platforms?
Helioscope runs on Web, Api. Homey runs on IOS, Android, Web.
Can I use Helioscope for free?
Yes. Helioscope has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Homey starts at On request.
What is Helioscope best used for?
Helioscope is most often used for simulating photovoltaic system performance and energy yield, laying out commercial solar arrays and producing design reports. Of those, simulating photovoltaic system performance and energy yield and laying out commercial solar arrays and producing design reports are not what Homey is typically brought in for.
What can Helioscope do that Homey cannot?
Helioscope covers PV system design, 3D shade modeling, Performance simulation, Single-line diagrams. Homey covers Multi-protocol support, Advanced flows, Voice control, Energy insights. Both handle Web support.
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