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Software · head to head

Helioscope vs Kpler

Helioscope logo

Helioscope

Software

Accurate solar design for commercial projects

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Kpler logo

Kpler

Software

Commodity market intelligence platform

From
$2500/month
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; Kpler no self-serve signup; access requires requesting a demo or contacting sales
  • They diverge on capability: Helioscope covers PV system design, Kpler covers Cargo flow tracking.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Helioscope and Kpler actually diverge.

Attributes where Helioscope and Kpler differ
AttributeHelioscopeKpler
Starting priceFree$2500/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, ApiWeb, API, iOS, Android
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 Kpler

  • Cargo flow tracking
  • Trade analytics
  • Price forecasting
  • Fleet intelligence
  • API
  • Excel add-in
  • Trading platforms

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Api 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 Kpler
  • Laying out commercial solar arrays and producing design reportsnot Kpler

Kpler

  • Commodity trade and arbitrage analysisnot Helioscope
  • Vessel and fleet tracking for charterers and ownersnot Helioscope
  • Container supply-chain ETA predictionnot Helioscope
  • Sanctions and compliance screeningnot Helioscope
  • Energy flow and inventory analysisnot 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

Kpler

  • No self-serve signup; access requires requesting a demo or contacting sales
  • No pricing published at any tier on the vendor site
  • Product is split across separately branded terminals (Commodity Terminal, Financial Flows, MarineTraffic), implying separate logins/contracts

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

Kpler

$2500/month
  • Professional$2500/month
    • Real-time cargo tracking
    • Trade flow analytics
    • API access

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 Kpler if

  • You need cargo flow tracking.
  • You work on Web, API, iOS, Android.
  • You also want trade analytics.
Kpler review

Questions people ask

Is Helioscope or Kpler better?
Neither clearly leads. Helioscope starts at Free and Kpler at $2500/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Helioscope or Kpler?
Helioscope has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Helioscope and $2500/month for Kpler.
Does Helioscope or Kpler run on more platforms?
Helioscope runs on Web, Api. Kpler runs on Web, API, iOS, Android.
Can I use Helioscope for free?
Yes. Helioscope has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Kpler starts at $2500/month.
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 Kpler is typically brought in for.
What can Helioscope do that Kpler cannot?
Helioscope covers PV system design, 3D shade modeling, Performance simulation, Single-line diagrams. Kpler covers Cargo flow tracking, Trade analytics, Price forecasting, Fleet intelligence. Both handle Web support, Api support.
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