Software · head to head
OSIsoft PI System vs Enphase Enlighten
OSIsoft PI System
Software
Real-time operational intelligence for industrial operations
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
Enphase Enlighten
Software
Microinverter monitoring and management platform
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Enphase Enlighten has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: OSIsoft PI System oSIsoft is now AVEVA and osisoft.com redirects to the AVEVA PI System pages; Enphase Enlighten only works with Enphase microinverter systems, not compatible with other solar equipment
- They diverge on capability: OSIsoft PI System covers Real-time data collection, Enphase Enlighten covers Real-time monitoring.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which OSIsoft PI System and Enphase Enlighten actually diverge.
| Attribute | OSIsoft PI System | Enphase Enlighten |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | Free |
| Pricing model | quote | Unknown |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Windows, Web, Api | Web, iOS, Android |
| Founded | 1980 | 2006 |
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 OSIsoft PI System
- Real-time data collection
- Time-series data storage
- Advanced analytics
- Asset framework
- Visualization tools
- Event frames
- Data compression
- Notifications and alerts
Only in Enphase Enlighten
- Real-time monitoring
- Per-module performance
- Alert notifications
- Mobile app
- API access
- SunPower
- Tesla
- Cloud deployment
Both cover
- SSL encryption
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
OSIsoft PI System
- Collecting and historising high frequency industrial process and sensor datanot Enphase Enlighten
- Operations dashboards and trend analysis for plants and utilitiesnot Enphase Enlighten
- Feeding real time operational data into analytics and digital twin applicationsnot Enphase Enlighten
Enphase Enlighten
- System monitoringnot OSIsoft PI System
- Performance optimizationnot OSIsoft PI System
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
OSIsoft PI System
- OSIsoft is now AVEVA and osisoft.com redirects to the AVEVA PI System pages
- No pricing is published; osisoft.com/pricing resolves to AVEVA product pages with no rate, minimum or cost driver
- Licensing runs through the AVEVA Flex Subscription Program rather than a published per-seat or per-tag price
- The PI System is split across separately listed products including PI Server, PI Vision, PI Data Infrastructure and Edge Data Store
Enphase Enlighten
- Only works with Enphase microinverter systems, not compatible with other solar equipment
- Requires 10-year paid subscription after initial free period for core monitoring
- Cloud-based system requiring internet connection for real-time data access
Pricing, plan by plan
OSIsoft PI System
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the OSIsoft PI System review.
Enphase Enlighten
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Enphase Enlighten review.
Which should you pick?
Choose OSIsoft PI System if
- You need real-time data collection.
- You work on Windows, Web, Api.
- You also want time-series data storage.
Choose Enphase Enlighten if
- You need real-time monitoring.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want per-module performance.
Questions people ask
- Is OSIsoft PI System or Enphase Enlighten better?
- Neither clearly leads. OSIsoft PI System starts at On request and Enphase Enlighten at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, OSIsoft PI System or Enphase Enlighten?
- Enphase Enlighten has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for OSIsoft PI System and Free for Enphase Enlighten.
- Does OSIsoft PI System or Enphase Enlighten run on more platforms?
- OSIsoft PI System runs on Windows, Web, Api. Enphase Enlighten runs on Web, iOS, Android.
- Can I use Enphase Enlighten for free?
- Yes. Enphase Enlighten has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. OSIsoft PI System starts at On request.
- What is OSIsoft PI System best used for?
- OSIsoft PI System is most often used for collecting and historising high frequency industrial process and sensor data, operations dashboards and trend analysis for plants and utilities, feeding real time operational data into analytics and digital twin applications. Of those, collecting and historising high frequency industrial process and sensor data and operations dashboards and trend analysis for plants and utilities are not what Enphase Enlighten is typically brought in for.
- What can OSIsoft PI System do that Enphase Enlighten cannot?
- OSIsoft PI System covers Real-time data collection, Time-series data storage, Advanced analytics, Asset framework. Enphase Enlighten covers Real-time monitoring, Per-module performance, Alert notifications, Mobile app. Both handle SSL encryption.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Enphase Enlighten: Is Enphase Enlighten free to use?
The standard Enlighten app comes included with any Enphase microinverter system at no extra charge for the first 10 years from installation, after which it costs $49/year minimum.
SourceEnphase Enlighten: What is the cost for Enlighten Manager premium upgrade?
Enlighten Manager upgrade costs $9.99/month with month-to-month cancellation, or a one-time lifetime subscription is available through the Enphase store.
SourceEnphase Enlighten: What data does Enlighten monitor?
Enlighten pulls data from IQ Microinverters, the IQ Gateway, IQ Batteries, and Enphase EV chargers into a single monitoring view, showing near real-time panel-by-panel performance data.
SourceEnphase Enlighten: Does Enlighten send alerts for system issues?
Yes, Enlighten continuously monitors system performance and highlights deviations, with customers able to choose to receive alerts upon certain conditions.
Source