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Energy & Utilities · head to head

HOMER Energy vs Johnson Controls Metasys

HOMER Energy logo

HOMER Energy

Energy & Utilities

Microgrid and distributed energy optimization software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Johnson Controls Metasys logo

Johnson Controls Metasys

Energy & Utilities

Building management and control system platform

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only HOMER Energy has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: HOMER Energy now owned by UL Solutions rather than being independent; Johnson Controls Metasys a Metasys server supports 1,300 devices and 65,000 objects, so larger estates require additional servers
  • They diverge on capability: HOMER Energy covers Microgrid optimization, Johnson Controls Metasys covers HVAC control.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where HOMER Energy and Johnson Controls Metasys differ
AttributeHOMER EnergyJohnson Controls Metasys
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionquote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, WebWeb, Mobile
Founded20091885

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Energy & Utilities).

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 HOMER Energy

  • Microgrid optimization
  • Techno-economic analysis
  • Component library
  • Sensitivity analysis
  • Energy storage sizing
  • Renewable integration
  • Load profile analysis
  • Financial modeling

Only in Johnson Controls Metasys

  • HVAC control
  • Building automation
  • Energy management
  • Security integration
  • Analytics dashboard
  • SOC2
  • SSL encryption
  • Mobile support

Both cover

  • On-premise deployment
  • Cloud deployment
  • Web support
  • English language support

What people use each for

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

HOMER Energy

  • Sizing and optimising off-grid and microgrid systemsnot Johnson Controls Metasys
  • Modelling the economics of solar, wind and battery combinationsnot Johnson Controls Metasys
  • Electric bill optimisation for grid-connected sites and EV chargingnot Johnson Controls Metasys
  • Utility-scale storage investment analysisnot Johnson Controls Metasys
  • Comparing least-cost configurations against load and resource datanot Johnson Controls Metasys

Johnson Controls Metasys

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

Where each one falls short

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

HOMER Energy

  • Now owned by UL Solutions rather than being independent
  • Split into three separate products, HOMER Pro for off-grid and microgrids, HOMER Grid for bill optimisation and HOMER Front for utility-scale, so the right one depends on project type
  • Pricing is not shown on the product pages

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

HOMER Energy

Free
  • HOMER GridFree
    • Grid-connected optimization
    • Basic components
    • Limited simulations
  • HOMER Pro$1500/year
    • Advanced optimization
    • All components
    • Unlimited simulations
  • Enterprise$undefined/year
    • Multi-user licenses
    • API access
    • Custom modules

Johnson Controls Metasys

On request

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

Which should you pick?

Choose HOMER Energy if

  • You need microgrid optimization.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Web.
  • You also want techno-economic analysis.
HOMER Energy 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 HOMER Energy or Johnson Controls Metasys better?
Neither clearly leads. HOMER Energy 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, HOMER Energy or Johnson Controls Metasys?
HOMER Energy has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for HOMER Energy and On request for Johnson Controls Metasys.
Does HOMER Energy or Johnson Controls Metasys run on more platforms?
HOMER Energy runs on Windows, Web. Johnson Controls Metasys runs on Web, Mobile.
Can I use HOMER Energy for free?
Yes. HOMER Energy has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Johnson Controls Metasys starts at On request.
What is HOMER Energy best used for?
HOMER Energy is most often used for sizing and optimising off-grid and microgrid systems, modelling the economics of solar, wind and battery combinations, electric bill optimisation for grid-connected sites and ev charging, utility-scale storage investment analysis. Of those, sizing and optimising off-grid and microgrid systems and modelling the economics of solar, wind and battery combinations are not what Johnson Controls Metasys is typically brought in for.
What can HOMER Energy do that Johnson Controls Metasys cannot?
HOMER Energy covers Microgrid optimization, Techno-economic analysis, Component library, Sensitivity analysis. Johnson Controls Metasys covers HVAC control, Building automation, Energy management, Security integration. Both handle On-premise deployment, Cloud deployment, Web support, English language support.
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