Software · head to head
Pulse Energy Software vs Helioscope
Pulse Energy Software
Software
Grid modernization and smart utility software
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Helioscope has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Pulse Energy Software limited public information on platform specifications and technical architecture since becoming part of Enel X's broader offerings; Helioscope licences are single user, so each designer needs their own
- They diverge on capability: Pulse Energy Software covers DER management, Helioscope covers PV system design.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Pulse Energy Software and Helioscope actually diverge.
| Attribute | Pulse Energy Software | Helioscope |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | Free |
| Pricing model | quote | subscription |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Web, Mobile | Web, Api |
| Founded | 2006 | 2012 |
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 Pulse Energy Software
- DER management
- Demand response
- Grid analytics
- Voltage optimization
- Reporting tools
- On-premise deployment
- English language support
Only in Helioscope
- PV system design
- 3D shade modeling
- Performance simulation
- Single-line diagrams
- BOM generation
- Proposal templates
- Component database
- Financial modeling
Both cover
- SSL encryption
- Cloud deployment
- Web support
- Api support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Pulse Energy Software
- Grid modernizationnot Helioscope
- DER managementnot Helioscope
Helioscope
- Simulating photovoltaic system performance and energy yieldnot Pulse Energy Software
- Laying out commercial solar arrays and producing design reportsnot Pulse Energy Software
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Pulse Energy Software
- Limited public information on platform specifications and technical architecture since becoming part of Enel X's broader offerings
- Focus on commercial and industrial customers means less functionality for residential utility programs
- Steep cost of implementation and training for utility companies transitioning from legacy systems
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
Pricing, plan by plan
Pulse Energy Software
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Pulse Energy Software review.
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
Which should you pick?
Choose Pulse Energy Software if
- You need der management.
- You work on Web, Mobile.
- You also want demand response.
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.
Questions people ask
- Is Pulse Energy Software or Helioscope better?
- Neither clearly leads. Pulse Energy Software starts at On request and Helioscope at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Pulse Energy Software or Helioscope?
- Helioscope has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Pulse Energy Software and Free for Helioscope.
- Does Pulse Energy Software or Helioscope run on more platforms?
- Pulse Energy Software runs on Web, Mobile. Helioscope runs on Web, Api.
- Can I use Helioscope for free?
- Yes. Helioscope has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Pulse Energy Software starts at On request.
- What is Pulse Energy Software best used for?
- Pulse Energy Software is most often used for grid modernization, der management. Of those, grid modernization and der management are not what Helioscope is typically brought in for.
- What can Pulse Energy Software do that Helioscope cannot?
- Pulse Energy Software covers DER management, Demand response, Grid analytics, Voltage optimization. Helioscope covers PV system design, 3D shade modeling, Performance simulation, Single-line diagrams. Both handle SSL encryption, Cloud deployment, Web support, Api support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Pulse Energy Software: What is Pulse Energy Software?
Pulse Energy is a customer engagement and energy intelligence platform for utilities' commercial and industrial customers. It helps utilities deliver energy efficiency recommendations, engage occupants in conservation, and measure energy performance.
SourcePulse Energy Software: Who owns Pulse Energy now?
Pulse Energy was acquired by EnerNOC in 2014, which was then acquired by Enel in 2017. EnerNOC was rebranded as Enel X in 2018. Pulse Energy is now part of the Yardi Smart Energy Suite.
SourcePulse Energy Software: What utilities use Pulse Energy?
Major utilities using Pulse Energy include British Gas, PG&E, and BC Hydro. The platform combined with EnerNOC serves 54 utilities worldwide with capabilities to manage 14,000 sites.
SourcePulse Energy Software: What data does Pulse Energy collect?
Pulse Energy collects real-time energy information from commercial buildings, performing fault detection, identifying energy-saving anomalies, and measuring financial and environmental performance for utilities and their commercial customers.
SourcePulse Energy Software: Does Pulse Energy integrate with other platforms?
Pulse Energy provides APIs and integration capabilities. As part of Yardi's energy suite, it integrates with utility billing, energy procurement, and sustainability solutions.
Source