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Software · head to head

Helioscope vs Sea Machines

Helioscope logo

Helioscope

Software

Accurate solar design for commercial projects

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Sea Machines logo

Sea Machines

Software

Autonomous vessel control systems

From
$50000/one-time
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; Sea Machines requires hardware fitted to the vessel; the autonomy systems are retrofits or new build installations rather than a software purchase
  • They diverge on capability: Helioscope covers PV system design, Sea Machines covers Autonomous control.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Helioscope and Sea Machines actually diverge.

Attributes where Helioscope and Sea Machines differ
AttributeHelioscopeSea Machines
Starting priceFree$50000/one-time
Pricing modelsubscriptionone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, ApiEmbedded, Web, Mobile
Founded20122015

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 Sea Machines

  • Autonomous control
  • Remote operation
  • Collision avoidance
  • Pattern following
  • Vessel systems
  • Communication networks
  • Shore-based control
  • Embedded support

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 Sea Machines
  • Laying out commercial solar arrays and producing design reportsnot Sea Machines

Sea Machines

  • Intelligent voyage and transit autonomy for workboatsnot Helioscope
  • Pattern autonomy for survey and repetitive route worknot Helioscope
  • Collision avoidance using the AI-ris computer vision sensornot Helioscope
  • Remote command and control of vessels, including in GPS denied environmentsnot Helioscope
  • Fleet management and telemetry through Fleetviewer and the SMLINK APIsnot 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

Sea Machines

  • Requires hardware fitted to the vessel; the autonomy systems are retrofits or new build installations rather than a software purchase
  • Targeted at vessels from 10 to 300 ft, so it does not address the largest commercial tonnage
  • Pricing is not published and is arranged directly with the vendor
  • The SM300-NG is the class-approved unit, so the cheaper SM300-SP does not carry the same approval

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

Sea Machines

$50000/one-time
  • SM300$75000/one-time
    • Autonomous control
    • Collision avoidance
    • Remote operation

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 Sea Machines if

  • You need autonomous control.
  • You work on Embedded, Web, Mobile.
  • You also want remote operation.
Sea Machines review

Questions people ask

Is Helioscope or Sea Machines better?
Neither clearly leads. Helioscope starts at Free and Sea Machines at $50000/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Helioscope or Sea Machines?
Helioscope has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Helioscope and $50000/one-time for Sea Machines.
Does Helioscope or Sea Machines run on more platforms?
Helioscope runs on Web, Api. Sea Machines runs on Embedded, Web, Mobile.
Can I use Helioscope for free?
Yes. Helioscope has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Sea Machines starts at $50000/one-time.
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 Sea Machines is typically brought in for.
What can Helioscope do that Sea Machines cannot?
Helioscope covers PV system design, 3D shade modeling, Performance simulation, Single-line diagrams. Sea Machines covers Autonomous control, Remote operation, Collision avoidance, Pattern following. Both handle Web support.
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