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Software · head to head

Helioscope vs Johnson Controls Metasys

Helioscope logo

Helioscope

Software

Accurate solar design for commercial projects

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Johnson Controls Metasys logo

Johnson Controls Metasys

Software

Building management and control system platform

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; Johnson Controls Metasys a Metasys server supports 1,300 devices and 65,000 objects, so larger estates require additional servers
  • They diverge on capability: Helioscope covers PV system design, Johnson Controls Metasys covers HVAC control.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Helioscope and Johnson Controls Metasys actually diverge.

Attributes where Helioscope and Johnson Controls Metasys differ
AttributeHelioscopeJohnson Controls Metasys
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionquote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, ApiWeb, Mobile
Founded20121885

Identical on both: 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 Johnson Controls Metasys

  • HVAC control
  • Building automation
  • Energy management
  • Security integration
  • Analytics dashboard
  • On-premise deployment
  • Mobile support
  • English language support

Both cover

  • SOC2
  • SSL encryption
  • Cloud deployment
  • 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 Johnson Controls Metasys
  • Laying out commercial solar arrays and producing design reportsnot Johnson Controls Metasys

Johnson Controls Metasys

  • Building automation for offices, data centres, hospitals and universitiesnot Helioscope
  • Managing multi site campuses from one building management systemnot Helioscope
  • Meeting compliance and reporting requirements for regulated facilitiesnot 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

Johnson Controls Metasys

  • A Metasys server supports 1,300 devices and 65,000 objects, so larger estates require additional servers
  • No hardware requirement, licensing model, subscription term or price is published on the product page; the routes offered are a demo booking and a contact form

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

Johnson Controls Metasys

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Johnson Controls Metasys review.

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 Johnson Controls Metasys if

  • You need hvac control.
  • You work on Web, Mobile.
  • You also want building automation.
Johnson Controls Metasys review

Questions people ask

Is Helioscope or Johnson Controls Metasys better?
Neither clearly leads. Helioscope starts at Free and Johnson Controls Metasys at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Helioscope or Johnson Controls Metasys?
Helioscope has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Helioscope and On request for Johnson Controls Metasys.
Does Helioscope or Johnson Controls Metasys run on more platforms?
Helioscope runs on Web, Api. Johnson Controls Metasys runs on Web, Mobile.
Can I use Helioscope for free?
Yes. Helioscope has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Johnson Controls Metasys 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 Johnson Controls Metasys is typically brought in for.
What can Helioscope do that Johnson Controls Metasys cannot?
Helioscope covers PV system design, 3D shade modeling, Performance simulation, Single-line diagrams. Johnson Controls Metasys covers HVAC control, Building automation, Energy management, Security integration. Both handle SOC2, SSL encryption, Cloud deployment, Web support.
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