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Software · head to head

Helioscope vs MarineTraffic

Helioscope logo

Helioscope

Software

Accurate solar design for commercial projects

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
MarineTraffic logo

MarineTraffic

Software

Global ship tracking intelligence

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Helioscope licences are single user, so each designer needs their own; MarineTraffic specific numeric prices for the Basic/Essential tiers are not published on a directly accessible page (plans pages are bot-protected)
  • They diverge on capability: Helioscope covers PV system design, MarineTraffic covers Real-time vessel tracking.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Helioscope and MarineTraffic actually diverge.

Attributes where Helioscope and MarineTraffic differ
AttributeHelioscopeMarineTraffic
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
PlatformsWeb, ApiWeb, iOS, Android, API
Founded20122007

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 MarineTraffic

  • Real-time vessel tracking
  • Global AIS coverage
  • Voyage history
  • Port call data
  • ETA predictions
  • REST API
  • GIS systems
  • Ios support

Both cover

  • Google Earth
  • 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 MarineTraffic
  • Laying out commercial solar arrays and producing design reportsnot MarineTraffic

MarineTraffic

  • Real-time vessel trackingnot Helioscope
  • Port call and ETA tracking for logisticsnot Helioscope
  • Fleet monitoring for shipping and charteringnot Helioscope
  • Maritime research and analytics via API feedsnot Helioscope
  • Vessel and company database lookupsnot 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

MarineTraffic

  • Specific numeric prices for the Basic/Essential tiers are not published on a directly accessible page (plans pages are bot-protected)
  • Enterprise tier is sales-assisted, quote-only
  • API access is credit-consumption based with cost varying by AIS data source and detail level, making cost opaque
  • Commercial API access now routes through parent company Kpler via demo request

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

MarineTraffic

Free
  • Basic$undefined/mo
    • Free vessel tracking account
  • Essential$undefined/mo
    • Expanded tracking features
  • Enterprise$undefined/mo
    • Quote-only, sales-assisted

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 MarineTraffic if

  • You need real-time vessel tracking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, API.
  • You also want global ais coverage.
MarineTraffic review

Questions people ask

Is Helioscope or MarineTraffic better?
Neither clearly leads. Helioscope starts at Free and MarineTraffic at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Helioscope or MarineTraffic?
Helioscope starts at Free and MarineTraffic at Free.
Does Helioscope or MarineTraffic run on more platforms?
Helioscope runs on Web, Api. MarineTraffic runs on Web, iOS, Android, API.
Can I use Helioscope for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 MarineTraffic is typically brought in for.
What can Helioscope do that MarineTraffic cannot?
Helioscope covers PV system design, 3D shade modeling, Performance simulation, Single-line diagrams. MarineTraffic covers Real-time vessel tracking, Global AIS coverage, Voyage history, Port call data. Both handle Google Earth, Web support.
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