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Energy · head to head

HOMER Energy vs SMA Energy

HOMER Energy logo

HOMER Energy

Energy

Microgrid and distributed energy optimization software

From
$187.5/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SMA Energy logo

SMA Energy

Energy

Inverter monitoring and cloud portal

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only SMA 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; SMA Energy requires SMA Premium subscription for advanced automation features
  • They diverge on capability: HOMER Energy covers Microgrid optimization, SMA Energy covers Real-time monitoring.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which HOMER Energy and SMA Energy actually diverge.

Attributes where HOMER Energy and SMA Energy differ
AttributeHOMER EnergySMA Energy
Starting price$187.5/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, WebWeb, Mobile
Founded20091981

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

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 SMA Energy

  • Real-time monitoring
  • Battery management
  • Energy analytics
  • Mobile portal
  • System optimization
  • SSL encryption
  • Mobile support
  • German language support

Both cover

  • 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 SMA Energy
  • Modelling the economics of solar, wind and battery combinationsnot SMA Energy
  • Electric bill optimisation for grid-connected sites and EV chargingnot SMA Energy
  • Utility-scale storage investment analysisnot SMA Energy
  • Comparing least-cost configurations against load and resource datanot SMA Energy

SMA Energy

  • System monitoringnot HOMER Energy
  • Battery optimizationnot 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

SMA Energy

  • Requires SMA Premium subscription for advanced automation features
  • SMA Sunny Portal monitoring has data delays and does not guarantee real-time updates
  • Limited scalability for larger residential or commercial installations beyond 18.9 kWh
  • Requires all devices to have latest software versions and compatible communication protocols

Pricing, plan by plan

HOMER Energy

$187.5/month
  • Base$187.5/month
    • No modules included; add individually
    • Basic support
    • Software updates
  • Professional$373.5/month
    • Any 4 modules included (Biomass Generation, Run of River Hydro, Advanced Grid, Advanced Load, etc.)
    • Basic support
    • Software updates
  • Expert$568.5/month
    • All modules included: Biomass, Hydro, Hydrogen, Advanced Grid/Load/Storage, Combined Heat & Power, Multi-Year, MATLAB Link
    • Basic support
    • Software updates

SMA Energy

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the SMA Energy review.

Which should you pick?

Choose HOMER Energy if

  • You need microgrid optimization.
  • You work on Windows, Web.
  • You also want techno-economic analysis.
HOMER Energy review

Choose SMA Energy if

  • You need real-time monitoring.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile.
  • You also want battery management.
SMA Energy review

Questions people ask

Is HOMER Energy or SMA Energy better?
Neither clearly leads. HOMER Energy starts at $187.5/month and SMA Energy at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, HOMER Energy or SMA Energy?
SMA Energy has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $187.5/month for HOMER Energy and Free for SMA Energy.
Does HOMER Energy or SMA Energy run on more platforms?
HOMER Energy runs on Windows, Web. SMA Energy runs on Web, Mobile.
Can I use SMA Energy for free?
Yes. SMA Energy has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. HOMER Energy starts at $187.5/month.
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 SMA Energy is typically brought in for.
What can HOMER Energy do that SMA Energy cannot?
HOMER Energy covers Microgrid optimization, Techno-economic analysis, Component library, Sensitivity analysis. SMA Energy covers Real-time monitoring, Battery management, Energy analytics, Mobile portal. Both handle Cloud deployment, Web support, English language support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

HOMER Energy: What are the pricing options for HOMER Energy?

HOMER Energy pricing information is not publicly available on their website. Customers must contact the vendor directly to obtain pricing information, trial access, and licensing options.

Source
SMA Energy: Is SMA Energy Maximizer free?

No. SMA Energy Maximizer requires an SMA Premium subscription. However, there is a 90-day free trial period. After the trial, the service requires a paid subscription to access automated optimization features. The SMA Premium digital service is built into SMA devices powered by ennexOS.

Source
HOMER Energy: Does HOMER Energy offer a free trial or demo?

Trial or demo availability cannot be confirmed from publicly accessible pages. Visit the main website or contact HOMER Energy sales directly to inquire about evaluation options.

Source
SMA Energy: What are the system requirements for SMA Energy?

SMA Energy requires compatible SMA inverters, SMA Energy Meter for consumption tracking, and communication protocols like Modbus or Speedwire for connectivity. All devices must have the latest software version, and a network connection is required for remote monitoring through SMA Sunny Portal.

Source
SMA Energy: Does SMA Energy work offline?

SMA Energy systems can continue generating electricity offline, but remote monitoring and cloud-based optimization through SMA Sunny Portal require internet connectivity. If communication fails between devices, inverters reduce output power to 0 percent as a safety fallback.

Source
SMA Energy: What is the maximum system size for residential installations?

SMA systems typically support a maximum residential configuration of 18.9 kWh battery storage, which is suitable for most single-family homes but may be insufficient for larger properties or commercial applications.

Source
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