Expert Verified — Written by Keyur Rakholiya, SurgePV Editorial. 9 solar design apps tested on phones and tablets. Pricing verified July 2026. Based on 1+ GW of delivered projects and site workflows across 50+ countries.
Solar work happens on roofs, not desks. The rep on a ladder with an iPad and the surveyor walking a site with a drone both need software that fits in a hand.
We tested 9 solar design apps on actual phones and tablets. We ran site surveys, built rooftop layouts, and produced proposals from the field. We measured what each app can finish without a laptop.
This list ranks what works in 2026. Every tool gets honest strengths and honest weaknesses. That includes our own product, which has no mobile app at all — more on that below.
Quick Picks
| Pick | Tool | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best free mobile app | OpenSolar | Full design, proposals, and e-signature on iOS and Android at $0 |
| Best for iPad field sales | Pylon | iPad-optimized, proposals in under 2 minutes, $4 per project |
| Best for drone site surveys | Scanifly | Free iOS/Android app feeding 1 to 3 inch accuracy models |
| Best for emerging-market EPCs | Arka360 | ArkaGo app for proposals, leads, and calculators on the go |
| Best for canvassing teams | Sunbase | Offline mobile access with GPS tracking and route optimization |
| Best tablet-browser workflow | SurgePV | Full design, shading, and financials in any browser, no install |
How We Evaluated
We scored each app on 5 criteria. Weighting reflects what field teams actually need.
| Criterion | Weight | What We Measured |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile completeness | 30% | What you can finish on the app without a desktop |
| Field speed | 25% | Minutes from arrival on site to a usable output |
| Design accuracy | 20% | Shading and production quality from a mobile workflow |
| Offline and connectivity | 10% | Behavior on weak signal or no signal |
| Price | 15% | Subscription or per-project cost for a field team |
At-a-Glance Comparison
| Tool | Best For | Native App | Offline Mode | Starting Price | Standout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenSolar | Free all-in-one | iOS + Android | — | $0 | 28,000+ users, full sales loop on mobile |
| Pylon | iPad field sales | iPad + desktop | — | $4/project | Under 2-minute proposals on site |
| Scanifly | Drone site surveys | iOS + Android | Limited | Subscription (contact sales) | NYSERDA-approved shading from drone scans |
| Arka360 | Emerging-market EPCs | Android (ArkaGo) | — | $199/mo (US), ₹7,500/mo (India) | Proposals and lead management on the go |
| Sunbase | Canvassing teams | iOS + Android | ✓ | Contact sales | Offline access plus GPS route optimization |
| SurgePV | Tablet-browser design | Browser only | — | $1,899/yr (3 users) | Full design-to-proposal depth in any browser |
| Solargraf | Mobile-responsive proposals | Responsive web | — | $2,799/yr | 3-minute proposals from any device |
| Enact Solar | Homeowner engagement | iOS + Android (Enact Home) | — | $199/mo | Customer-facing app for monitoring and alerts |
| SolarEdge Designer | SolarEdge installers | Browser (limited mobile) | — | $0 | Free, DNV-validated, syncs to mySolarEdge |
1. OpenSolar — Best Free Solar Design App for Mobile
OpenSolar is the only tool on this list with a genuinely complete free mobile app. Its 28,000+ users across 185+ countries pay nothing for design, proposals, CRM, and e-signatures.
What It Does Well
The iOS and Android apps carry the full workflow. You can design a system, run a shading estimate, build a proposal, collect an e-signature, and order materials from a phone. Most desktop tools cannot match that scope at any price, and OpenSolar charges $0.
Speed holds up in the field. Users report interactive proposals in under 2 minutes once templates are set. The Sales Machine proposals render well on a homeowner’s own phone, which shortens the kitchen-table conversation.
The business model explains the price. OpenSolar monetizes hardware partners and lenders, not installers. It has enabled over $10 billion in solar sales and 6 million+ designs, and accuracy is validated by PVEL and a US government agency.
Our Take: For a residential installer who lives on a phone or tablet, OpenSolar is the obvious starting point. Know the ceiling: 500 kW projects, photogrammetry rather than LIDAR, and no offline mode.
Where It Falls Short
The platform is web-only in practice — no offline mode, so a dead zone on a rural roof stops work. Photogrammetry-based modeling is less precise than LIDAR for complex roofs. Projects above 500 kW exceed its design depth.
Key Features
- Full iOS and Android apps with design, sales, and e-signature
- 3D design studio with real-time shading
- Interactive proposals with financing options
- Built-in CRM, payments, and lender integrations
Pricing
- Free tier: $0 — unlimited projects, users, and features
- Free trial: Not needed; the product is free
Who Should Use OpenSolar
Strong fit: New and small residential installers, field-first sales reps, emerging markets. Probably not right for: C&I above 500 kW, LIDAR-grade modeling, offline field work.
2. Pylon — Best Solar Design App for iPad Field Sales
Pylon (GetPylon) is an Australian-built tool with a pay-per-project model. Over 3,500 solar businesses use it, and a 2025 installer survey voted it the #1 solar design tool.
What It Does Well
The iPad experience is the product. Pylon uses a flat 2D interface instead of fiddly 3D rotation, which makes panel placement fast on a touchscreen. Users report proposals in under 2 minutes and panel placement in under 1 minute after familiarization.
The pricing model fits variable field volume. At $4 per project with no monthly fees, a rep who quotes 15 jobs a month costs $60. Unlimited team users come with no per-seat charges, so the whole crew gets access.
Documentation is unusually complete for the price. One-click single line diagrams (SLDs), voltage rise reports, job sheets, and owner manuals generate automatically. The 3D shading analysis won a Finder innovation award in 2021.
Our Take: Pylon is the best economic fit for installers quoting under 20 residential projects a month from an iPad. Australian compliance depth is a bonus; the flat 2D interface is a deliberate trade for speed over realism.
Where It Falls Short
There are no native iPhone or Android apps — the platform targets iPad and desktop only. Only 3 proposal templates limit brand customization. Imagery coverage has gaps in 10 to 20% of regions, and C&I work is out of scope.
Key Features
- iPad-optimized flat 2D design interface
- Pay-per-project pricing with unlimited users
- Award-winning 3D shading analysis
- One-click SLDs and voltage rise reports
Pricing
- Standard: $4/project — design, imagery, financials, proposals
- Pro: $10/project — adds batteries, custom loads, commercial
- Free trial: 5 free Standard projects, no credit card
Who Should Use Pylon
Strong fit: Small residential installers in Australia and the US quoting on site from iPads. Probably not right for: Phone-first reps, high-volume teams, C&I projects.
3. Scanifly — Best Mobile App for Drone Site Surveys
Scanifly is a drone-first platform for site surveys and design. Its free mobile app turns a phone or tablet into the field capture hub for survey-grade 3D models.
What It Does Well
The mobile app is purpose-built for field operations. A 2025 overhaul added Speed, Quality, and Standard capture modes. Crews fly the drone, the app guides the scan, and the result is a 3D model with 1 to 3 inch accuracy — the basis for designs and shading reports that hold up in permitting.
The accuracy credentials are real. Scanifly’s shading methodology is approved by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the only software with that nationwide approval. EmPower Solar reported a 53% software spend reduction after switching from Aurora, saving $100 to $300 per project.
The mobile app is free with a subscription, and the company claims a 90% reduction in field time versus manual surveys. For teams tired of tape measures on ladders, that trade is easy to test.
Our Take: Scanifly is the strongest mobile app for the survey half of solar work. Pair it with a design platform for the engineering half, and budget for drones if you do not own them.
Where It Falls Short
There are no public reviews on G2, Capterra, or TrustRadius as of January 2026, so third-party validation is thin. Desktop design work needs a real workstation, not a lightweight laptop or tablet. Drone hardware adds cost, and pricing requires a sales conversation.
Key Features
- Free iOS and Android app for field capture
- NYSERDA-approved shading analysis
- 1 to 3 inch survey accuracy from drone scans
- SimpleDesign for AI-assisted sales layouts
Pricing
- Subscription: Custom pricing, contact sales; mobile app included free
- Free trial: Demo and Scanifly Academy training available
Who Should Use Scanifly
Strong fit: Installers and surveyors who want drone-based site data and permit-grade shading. Probably not right for: Drone-free operations, budget-transparent buyers, and design-only teams.
Want the full picture on drone surveys? Read our guide to solar drone site surveys.
4. Arka360 — Best Mobile Proposal App for Emerging-Market EPCs
Arka360 serves 4,000+ installers across 27 countries, with deep roots in the US and India. Its ArkaGo app puts proposals, lead management, and solar calculators in an installer’s pocket.
What It Does Well
ArkaGo targets the working installer, not the office. Reps build fast proposals on site, track leads, and run smart solar calculators from a phone. For a small EPC without a sales department, that coverage matters.
The desktop platform behind the app is a genuine all-in-one. Design, LIDAR-based shading, a built-in CRM, and proposals live in 1 subscription. Users report proposals in under 5 minutes and full workflows in 20, and the platform holds a 4.7 out of 5 G2 rating across 117 reviews.
Pricing fits emerging-market budgets. India plans start at ₹7,500 per month, and permit packages deliver NEC-compliant sets in 48 hours with PE stamps available. Indian EPCs comparing options can also see this Aurora alternative guide for Indian EPCs.
Our Take: Arka360 is the practical mobile pick for a growing EPC that needs proposals plus CRM without enterprise pricing. Treat ArkaGo as a companion to the desktop platform, not a replacement.
Where It Falls Short
Full platform capabilities are not available on mobile — ArkaGo covers proposals, leads, and calculators, not complete design. Users report performance issues and occasional instability. Panel re-selection for each new polygon slows layout work.
Key Features
- ArkaGo mobile app for proposals, leads, and calculators
- 3D design with LIDAR-based shading analysis
- Built-in CRM with pipeline tracking
- NEC-compliant permit packages with PE stamps
Pricing
- US Basic: $199/month — 1 user, residential and commercial
- US Premium: $358/month — 2 users, battery sizing, CAD export
- India Lite: ₹7,500/month or ₹46,000/year — 360 residential projects
- Free trial: Contact sales
Who Should Use Arka360
Strong fit: Small and mid-size EPCs in the US, India, and other emerging markets. Probably not right for: Phone-only design work, utility-scale developers.
5. Sunbase — Best Mobile Canvassing App with Offline Mode
Sunbase is a solar CRM built around door-to-door sales. Its mobile apps are the strongest option here for canvassing teams, and the only one with real offline access.
What It Does Well
Offline mode is the headline. Reps capture leads, book appointments, and build quotes on iOS or Android without a signal, then sync when connectivity returns. On rural routes where other apps stall, work continues.
The canvassing toolkit is deep. Territory management with GPS, intelligent route optimization, timed knocking sessions, and live manager tracking come standard. Historical playback with mileage calculation keeps rep accountability honest.
One customer reported $85,000 in annual savings, including $50,000 from replacing HubSpot. The apps handle invoice creation and work orders with photos, so the field-to-office handoff stays inside 1 system.
Our Take: If your bottleneck is canvassing productivity rather than design, Sunbase’s offline mobile apps earn their cost. Pair it with a real design tool, because design is not what it does.
Where It Falls Short
There is no free version, only a free trial, and pricing requires a sales conversation. Design and engineering depth is limited — it is a CRM and sales platform first. Public reviews are scarcer than the marketing suggests.
Key Features
- Full iOS and Android apps with offline access
- GPS territory management and route optimization
- Lead capture, appointments, and invoices on mobile
- Real-time sync with the office CRM
Pricing
- Subscription: Custom pricing, contact sales
- Free trial: Available, no credit card required
Who Should Use Sunbase
Strong fit: Door-to-door sales teams and canvassing-heavy residential installers. Probably not right for: Design-led workflows, teams wanting transparent pricing.
Quote From Real Engineering Data
See how SurgePV turns design, shading, and financials into a customer-ready proposal in 1 workflow.
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6. SurgePV — Best Tablet-Browser Design Workflow
Full disclosure: we build SurgePV. We ranked it #6 on a mobile list because we have no mobile app — and we will not pretend a responsive website is one.
What It Does Well
SurgePV is cloud-only, which means the full platform runs in any modern browser, including Safari on an iPad or Chrome on an Android tablet. There is nothing to install, nothing to license per device, and every project syncs the moment you save.
The depth is what mobile apps usually sacrifice. You get 3D rooftop design with layout and string sizing through our solar design software, physics-based solar shadow analysis software, and energy yield plus payback, internal rate of return (IRR), and net present value (NPV) from the generation and financial tool. Branded PDF proposals generate from the same live data, and Clara AI assists with proposal copy.
In our own testing, a rep with a tablet on site can verify a layout and shade report, then finish the proposal back at the office without re-entering a single number. The design, the simulation, and the quote stay in 1 system.
Our Take: If your field team needs engineering depth more than a native app, a tablet browser running SurgePV beats a shallow app. If your reps demand an App Store icon, we are not the right pick today.
Where It Falls Short
There is no native iOS or Android app, and no offline mode — weak signal means no work. Small phone screens are impractical for design work, so a tablet or laptop is the realistic minimum. There is also no native CRM, so pipeline tracking needs an external tool.
Key Features
- 3D rooftop design, layout, and string sizing in the browser
- Physics-based shadow analysis on any device
- Energy yield with payback, IRR, and NPV
- Branded PDF proposals from live design data
Pricing
- For 3 Users plan: $1,899/year — design, simulation, financials, and proposals included
- Free trial: Available with full design and proposal capabilities
Who Should Use SurgePV
Strong fit: Installers and EPCs who want engineering-grade design on a tablet browser. Probably not right for: Teams needing a native app, offline work, or built-in CRM.
7. Solargraf — Best Mobile-Responsive Proposal Tool
Solargraf, owned by Enphase since 2021, is built for speed on straightforward residential jobs. Its mobile-first web app runs on PC, tablet, and phone without a native install.
What It Does Well
The responsive interface is genuinely usable on a tablet. The Express Editor lets reps adjust quotes on the spot without looping in a design team, and the pitch is a full proposal in 3 minutes. Good/Better/Best pricing presents 3 options in 1 proposal.
Battery modeling is a strength for field quotes. Solargraf supports Enphase IQ Batteries, Tesla Powerwall, and 25+ manufacturers with backup scenario comparisons. California installers get NEM 3.0 optimization with CPUC hourly sell rates.
Permitting closes the loop. DIY permit packages generate AHJ-compliant documents with validated SLDs, covering quote through permit in 1 subscription.
Our Take: Solargraf is a solid mid-priced pick for US residential reps quoting from whatever device is in hand. Verify its shading output against a second tool before you trust the production numbers.
Where It Falls Short
Shading accuracy is the most common user complaint, and some teams cross-check estimates in Aurora or HelioScope. There is no built-in CRM, no offline mode, and annual billing only. It costs more than OpenSolar’s free tier.
Key Features
- Mobile-first web app for PC, tablet, and phone
- 3-minute proposals with Express Editor
- Battery design for 25+ manufacturers
- DIY AHJ-compliant permit packages
Pricing
- Starter: $2,799/year — 240 projects, 2 users
- Free trial: Available; new users get 120 project credits
Who Should Use Solargraf
Strong fit: US residential installers, Enphase-heavy shops, California NEM 3.0 work. Probably not right for: Teams needing shading precision guarantees or a built-in CRM.
8. Enact Solar — Best Platform with a Homeowner-Facing App
Enact Solar is a cloud platform founded in 2014, serving 1,000+ users across 25+ countries and processing over $1.5 billion in annual projects. Its Enact Home app serves the customer after the install.
What It Does Well
Enact Home runs on iOS and Android for system owners. Homeowners track generation, monitor performance, and receive offline alerts and automated notifications. That post-sale touchpoint keeps the installer in the customer’s pocket for years.
The installer-side platform covers design, proposals, and project tracking at $199 per month for up to 3 users. Support and training are included, which suits small teams without IT staff.
For sales-led shops, the combination works: the office designs on desktop, and the delivered system hands the homeowner a branded monitoring app instead of a PDF manual.
Our Take: Enact is the pick when the mobile app you need most is the one your customer uses. Its own field design story is thinner than OpenSolar’s or Pylon’s.
Where It Falls Short
The mobile strength sits with the homeowner app, not field design — installers still do design work on desktop. It is not free, unlike OpenSolar. Component databases and support are deepest in the US and India markets.
Key Features
- Enact Home app for iOS and Android
- Offline alerts and automated notifications
- Design, proposal, and project tracking platform
- Free trial with included training
Pricing
- Platform entry: $199/month — up to 3 users, support and training included
- Free trial: Available
Who Should Use Enact Solar
Strong fit: Installers who want a branded homeowner app and an affordable all-in-one platform. Probably not right for: Mobile-first design teams, budget-zero buyers.
9. SolarEdge Designer — Best Free Design Tool for Tablet Browsers
SolarEdge Designer is free for certified SolarEdge installers. It runs in the browser, and over 50,000 users have created 2.8 million layouts across 170+ countries.
What It Does Well
Free and validated is a rare combination. DNV GL found Designer’s energy estimates within 1% of PVsyst, with a slight conservative bias. That makes its numbers lender-credible at zero software cost.
The automation is fast on any device with a decent browser. AI-based roof detection, automatic stringing, and instant design validation cut design time sharply. Designs sync directly into mySolarEdge for commissioning.
For a certified installer quoting SolarEdge hardware, the financial analysis covers fixed, per-watt, and bill-of-materials pricing with ROI forecasts.
Our Take: If 90% of your installs use SolarEdge hardware, Designer is the obvious free layer. Its mobile and tablet support is limited, so treat it as a laptop tool that occasionally works on a tablet.
Where It Falls Short
Mobile and tablet support is limited, and there is no offline mode. Hardware lock-in is absolute: SolarEdge equipment only. Shading analysis is the most-cited weakness, and only fixed-tilt systems are supported.
Key Features
- AI-based roof detection and auto-stringing
- DNV GL validated simulation, within 1% of PVsyst
- Battery backup sizing and financial analysis
- Direct sync with mySolarEdge commissioning
Pricing
- Designer: $0 — free for certified SolarEdge installers
- Free trial: Not needed; the product is free
Who Should Use SolarEdge Designer
Strong fit: SolarEdge-committed residential installers and small commercial teams. Probably not right for: Multi-brand shops, mobile-first field teams, complex shading sites.
The Uncomfortable Truth About Mobile Solar Design
Most “mobile solar design” marketing oversells. Here is what 10+ years of field work taught us.
A phone is a capture device, not a design device. Photos, measurements, drone scans, lead details, signatures — phones do these well. Accurate panel layout on a 6-inch screen does not happen, no matter how good the app is.
Offline mode barely exists in this category. Imagery, irradiance data, and simulation all live in the cloud. Only Sunbase on this list offers genuine offline mobile access, and only for CRM work. If your territory has dead zones, test connectivity before you buy, not after.
The best mobile workflow is often 2 devices. Capture on a phone with Scanifly or OpenSolar, design on a tablet or laptop, present the proposal on the customer’s own phone. Teams that force everything onto 1 device usually compromise the design step, and design errors become savings-promise errors.
Decision by Audience
Match your field workflow to a shortlist before you book demos.
- New or budget-constrained installer: OpenSolar. Free, complete, and genuinely mobile.
- iPad-based field sales rep: Pylon. Pay per project, quote on site in under 2 minutes.
- Crew doing drone site surveys: Scanifly, paired with a desktop design tool.
- Emerging-market EPC needing CRM plus proposals: Arka360 with ArkaGo.
- Door-to-door canvassing team: Sunbase. Offline mode decides it.
- Engineering-led installer on a tablet: SurgePV in the browser. Depth without an install.
- US residential shop quoting simple roofs: Solargraf on any device.
- Installer prioritizing the homeowner experience: Enact Solar with Enact Home.
- SolarEdge-committed installer: SolarEdge Designer on a laptop, free.
How to Choose a Solar Design App
Evaluate any app against these 5 checks before you commit.
- Define the device’s job. Capture, design, or present? Apps that claim all 3 usually do 1 well. Buy for the job that bottlenecks your week.
- Test on your actual hardware. Run the free tier or trial on the exact phone or tablet your crew carries, on a real roof, with your real signal strength.
- Check what stays desktop-only. Many “mobile” tools cap the app at leads and photos. List the tasks your reps must finish in the field, and verify each one.
- Price the whole team. Per-seat fees punish growing crews. Per-project pricing suits variable volume; flat subscriptions suit steady volume.
- Verify the shading numbers. A fast mobile quote built on weak shading data loses money at install time. Cross-check production estimates against a validated tool for your first 10 projects.
Pro Tip
Give your best rep and your newest rep the same app for 1 week on real jobs. If the new rep cannot produce an accurate quote unaided, the app is a demo tool, not a field tool.
Conclusion
Mobile solar software splits into 3 honest jobs: capture, design, and close. OpenSolar covers all 3 for free. Pylon owns iPad field sales. Scanifly owns drone capture. Sunbase owns offline canvassing. For engineering depth on a tablet, a cloud platform like SurgePV in a browser beats any native app we tested.
Your next 3 steps:
- Pick 2 apps from the decision list that match your field workflow, and sign up for both free tiers this week.
- Run 5 real site visits per app with the actual devices and signal conditions your crew faces daily.
- Cross-check the first 10 production estimates against a validated tool before you trust any app’s numbers in a signed quote.
If you want to see a full design-to-proposal workflow running in a tablet browser, book a 20-minute demo.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best solar design app for mobile in 2026?
OpenSolar is the best free mobile solar design app, with full design, proposals, and e-signature on iOS and Android. Pylon is the best iPad app for field sales, and Scanifly is the best mobile app for drone-based site surveys.
Can you design a full solar system on a tablet?
Yes. OpenSolar and Pylon let you complete residential designs on a tablet from imagery through proposal. Complex commercial projects still work better on a desktop with bankable simulation tools like PVsyst or HelioScope.
Is there a free solar design app?
OpenSolar offers a full-featured app at no cost on iOS and Android, funded by hardware partners rather than installers. SolarEdge Designer is free for certified SolarEdge installers through a tablet browser.
Do solar design apps work offline?
Almost none do. Most solar apps are cloud-based and need a live connection for imagery and simulation. Sunbase is a notable exception, with offline mobile access for canvassing and lead capture.
What is the best iPad app for solar sales?
Pylon is built for iPad field sales, with a flat 2D interface that produces proposals in under 2 minutes at $4 per project. OpenSolar is the best free alternative.
Should sales reps design on a phone?
Phones work for site photos, measurements, and lead capture, but screens under 7 inches are too small for accurate panel layout. Use a phone for data collection and a tablet or laptop for design.
