Expert Verified — Written by Keyur Rakholiya, SurgePV Editorial. 10 tools tested as Solargraf replacements. Pricing verified July 2026. Based on 1+ GW of delivered projects and thousands of proposals reviewed across 50+ countries.
Solargraf does 1 thing very well: fast residential proposals. Enphase acquired Sofdesk (Solargraf) in 2021, and the 3-minute proposal pitch is real. For a US residential shop quoting simple roofs, it works.
So why do teams leave? We see 3 patterns. Reviewers on G2 and Capterra complain about shading accuracy often enough that some cross-check every project in a second tool. Billing is annual only, starting at $2,799 per year. And there is no built-in customer relationship management (CRM), so pipeline tracking means another subscription.
We tested 10 Solargraf alternatives against real installer workflows. We built residential rooftop designs, ran shading analysis, and produced customer-ready proposals. This list ranks the solar design software options that actually replace Solargraf in 2026, with honest weaknesses for every tool, including our own.
Quick Picks
| Pick | Tool | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall upgrade | Aurora Solar | LIDAR design, trusted shading, enterprise sales tools |
| Best for design-backed proposals | SurgePV | Physics-based shading feeds the proposal directly |
| Best free replacement | OpenSolar | $0 forever with CRM, proposals, and e-signatures |
| Best pay-per-project | Pylon | $4 per project, no monthly fees, 2-minute proposals |
| Best for C&I | HelioScope | DNV validated within 1% of PVsyst, proposals on Pro |
| Best for storage economics | Energy Toolbase | 70,000+ utility rates, defensible savings math |
How We Evaluated
We scored each tool on 5 criteria. Weighting reflects the reasons teams actually leave Solargraf.
| Criterion | Weight | What We Measured |
|---|---|---|
| Shading and production accuracy | 30% | Validation status, reviewer complaints, manual overrides |
| Proposal speed and quality | 25% | Minutes to customer-ready output, template flexibility |
| Total cost | 20% | Subscription terms, per-project fees, billing lock-in |
| Workflow coverage | 15% | CRM, e-signature, permitting, battery modeling |
| Scalability | 10% | Project size ceiling, team features, C&I support |
At-a-Glance Comparison
| Tool | Best For | Starting Price | Free Trial | CRM Built In | Shading Credibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora Solar | Accuracy-first upgrade | Custom (contact sales) | Demo only | Limited | LIDAR-based, 4.6/5 on G2 |
| SurgePV | Design-backed proposals | $1,899/yr (3 users) | Yes | — | Physics-based shadow engine |
| OpenSolar | Free all-in-one | $0 | Free forever | Yes | PVEL validated |
| Pylon | Pay-per-project | $4/project | 5 free projects | — | Award-winning 3D engine |
| HelioScope | C&I design | $159/mo | Demo only | — | Within 1% of PVsyst |
| PVsyst | Bankable yield | ~$775/yr | 30 days | — | Industry standard |
| Energy Toolbase | Storage economics | $199/user/mo | Demo only | — | Imports from design tools |
| Arka360 | CRM plus permits | $199/mo | Contact sales | Yes | LIDAR-based |
| SolarEdge Designer | SolarEdge shops | $0 | Free forever | — | Within 1% of PVsyst |
| PVComplete | CAD-based design | ~$1,200/yr | Demo only | — | AutoCAD native |
1. Aurora Solar — Best Overall Solargraf Alternative for Accuracy
Aurora Solar is the default answer when shading accuracy drives the switch. Aurora Solar reports over 7,000 companies on its platform, and its LIDAR-assisted 3D modeling is the most trusted residential engine we tested.
What It Does Well
Accuracy is the reason to pay Aurora prices. The automated roof modeling, tree detection, and irradiance analysis produce production estimates that finance providers accept without a second check. G2 reviewers rate Aurora 4.6 out of 5.
Sales Mode turns a finished design into a proposal in under 3 minutes, matching Solargraf’s headline speed. Contract Manager adds e-signatures inside the same flow. For teams of 10+ reps, the permissions, lead capture, and dealer tools justify the enterprise tier.
Our Take: Aurora is the safest Solargraf upgrade if accuracy complaints pushed you out. You will pay more, and you will still verify roof models on unusual roofs before sending quotes.
Where It Falls Short
Aurora does not publish pricing, and reviewers consistently call it expensive for small teams. Automated modeling misses obstructions often enough that manual correction is part of the workflow. Complex commercial projects stretch it beyond comfort.
Key Features
- LIDAR-assisted 3D design with automated shading
- Sales Mode proposals in under 3 minutes
- Contract Manager with e-signature
- Lead Capture for web-generated leads
Pricing
- Foundation, Build, Grow, Scale: Custom pricing, contact sales
- Free trial: Guided demo only
Who Should Use Aurora Solar
Strong fit: US residential sales teams of 10+ reps who lost deals to bad production numbers. Probably not right for: Solo installers, tight budgets, and teams quoting complex industrial work.
2. SurgePV — Best Solargraf Alternative for Design-Backed Proposals
Full disclosure: we build SurgePV. We ranked it #2 because Aurora still leads for large US sales teams. For installers who want proposals backed by real shading physics, this is where we are strongest.
What It Does Well
Solargraf users tell us the same story: the proposal looks great, but they do not trust the production number behind it. SurgePV removes that gap. You design the 3D rooftop layout, run the physics-based shadow analysis, and pull generation figures in 1 platform. The proposal inherits the simulated numbers, not retyped ones.
The generation and financial tool models cash, loan, lease, and power purchase agreement (PPA) scenarios with payback, internal rate of return (IRR), and net present value (NPV). The solar proposal software layer turns that into a branded, customer-ready document. Clara AI drafts and refines the proposal copy so reps spend time selling, not writing.
In our own testing, a residential design-to-proposal run takes under 10 minutes. The component database covers modules and inverters across the markets we serve.
Our Take: If your Solargraf frustration is “fast but shaky numbers,” SurgePV fixes the root cause. If your frustration is price, OpenSolar below is the better first stop.
Where It Falls Short
SurgePV has no native CRM, so pipeline tracking needs an external tool. It is cloud-only with no offline mode. The platform is younger than Aurora, and the tariff database is deepest in markets we serve directly. It does not offer DIY permit packages the way Solargraf does.
Key Features
- 3D rooftop design with automated string sizing
- Physics-based shading analysis on every layout
- Financial modeling for cash, loan, lease, and PPA
- Branded proposals with Clara AI copy assistance
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 proposals backed by verifiable engineering, residential through commercial. Probably not right for: Teams wanting a free tool, or shops that need built-in CRM and permit packages.
3. OpenSolar — Best Free Solargraf Alternative
OpenSolar is the price answer. OpenSolar reports 28,000+ users in 185+ countries paying nothing for design, CRM, proposals, and e-signatures. That is Solargraf’s core workflow at $0.
What It Does Well
The value is unmatched. Unlimited projects, unlimited users, and a built-in CRM that Solargraf never offered. The Sales Machine proposals are interactive and mobile-friendly, and users report generating them in under 2 minutes.
Financing integrations cover cash, loan, lease, and PPA with lender connections in the US, UK, and Australia. Photovoltaics for Utility Scale Applications (PVEL) and a US government agency have third-party validated its accuracy. Most teams are operational in under 1 day.
Our Take: For a 1 to 10 person residential installer, leaving Solargraf for OpenSolar saves $2,799 per year with minimal workflow loss. Know the ceiling before you commit: it tops out around 500 kW.
Where It Falls Short
The 500 kW cap rules out serious commercial work. Photogrammetry-based modeling is less precise than LIDAR. There is no offline mode, and the CRM cannot match dedicated platforms for larger teams.
Key Features
- 3D design studio with real-time shading
- Interactive proposals with e-signature
- Built-in CRM, payments, and lender integrations
- Full iOS and Android apps
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, budget-driven teams, and anyone escaping annual billing. Probably not right for: C&I above 500 kW, bank-grade engineering needs, or offline field work.
4. Pylon — Best Pay-Per-Project Solargraf Alternative
Pylon (GetPylon) kills the subscription entirely. Pylon reports over 3,500 solar businesses on the platform, and a 2025 installer survey voted it the #1 solar design tool.
What It Does Well
The pricing model directly answers Solargraf’s annual lock-in. At $4 per project with no monthly fees, you pay only when you quote. Unlimited team users come with no per-seat costs. A 20-project month costs $80.
Speed matches Solargraf’s pitch. Users report proposals in under 2 minutes, and the 3D shading analysis won a Finder innovation award in 2021. One-click single line diagrams (SLDs), voltage rise reports, and job sheets generate automatically. The iPad-optimized interface suits on-site quoting.
Our Take: Pylon is the best economic fit if you quote under 20 projects a month and want out of annual contracts. High-volume teams should compare its per-project math against flat subscriptions.
Where It Falls Short
Only 3 proposal templates limit brand customization. Design variations cap at 5 per project. Utility-scale and advanced C&I work is out of scope, and imagery coverage has gaps in 10 to 20% of regions.
Key Features
- Pay-per-project pricing with unlimited users
- Award-winning 3D shading analysis
- One-click SLDs and voltage rise reports
- iPad-optimized for on-site sales
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 with variable quote volume. Probably not right for: High-volume teams, C&I projects, and brands needing custom templates.
5. HelioScope — Best Solargraf Alternative for C&I Projects
HelioScope, now part of Aurora Solar, is the path out when Solargraf’s residential focus becomes the ceiling. It pairs bankable simulations with a proposal editor on the Pro plan.
What It Does Well
Accuracy is validated. DNV found HelioScope within 1% of PVsyst, and Sunstone Credit recognized it as bankable in October 2025. Users report 4x faster design iterations than desktop tools.
The module-level simulation handles rooftops, carports, and ground mounts up to 15 MW. P50 comes on Basic; P90, P95, and P99 arrive on Pro. The Pro proposal editor adds custom branding and 1-click sharing, which covers the customer-facing gap Solargraf users expect.
Our Take: HelioScope is the right move when your pipeline shifts from homes to warehouses. Budget for Energy Toolbase alongside it if storage economics decide your deals.
Where It Falls Short
There is no native battery modeling. Financial analysis scores 5.2 out of 10 on G2, well below dedicated tools. Residential work under 15 kW feels clumsy, and performance lags past 10,000 modules.
Key Features
- Module-level simulation within 1% of PVsyst
- P50/P90/P95/P99 production estimates
- Drag-and-drop proposal editor with branding
- Energy Toolbase and PVsyst export integrations
Pricing
- Basic: $159/month — 1 user, 10 projects, 1.25 MW cap
- Pro: $259/month — adds LIDAR, P90+, financials, proposals
- Free trial: Demo only; academic discounts available
Who Should Use HelioScope
Strong fit: C&I installers quoting 100 kW to 5 MW projects. Probably not right for: Residential-focused teams, heavy storage deals, and off-grid systems.
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6. PVsyst — Best Solargraf Alternative for Bankable Yield Reports
PVsyst is not a proposal tool. It earns its place because financed projects trust its numbers. Lenders have relied on PVsyst reports for 30+ years.
What It Does Well
PVsyst is the bankability standard. P50, P90, P95, and P99 uncertainty analysis is built in, and most financiers require exactly that. Billions of dollars in solar projects have closed on PVsyst reports.
The technical depth is unmatched. Version 8 adds unlimited orientations, sub-hourly clipping correction, and detailed loss modeling. G2 reviewers rate its design and engineering capability at 9.4 out of 10, the highest in the category.
Our Take: Pair PVsyst with a proposal tool and you get credibility plus presentation. Use it alone and your quotes will be accurate and unreadable.
Where It Falls Short
The interface is dated, and ease of use scores 7.1 out of 10 on G2. It runs on Windows only with no cloud collaboration. There are no customer-facing proposals at all, and the learning curve is steep.
Key Features
- P50/P90/P95/P99 bankable uncertainty analysis
- 14,000+ modules and 4,500+ inverters in the database
- Detailed loss, bifacial, and storage modeling
- Batch processing and command-line automation
Pricing
- Professional: CHF 700/year (~$775) — volume discounts from 2 licenses
- Free trial: 30 days, full features
Who Should Use PVsyst
Strong fit: Engineers and developers quoting financed C&I or utility-scale projects. Probably not right for: Residential sales teams and anyone needing polished proposals.
7. Energy Toolbase — Best Solargraf Alternative for Storage Economics
Energy Toolbase (ETB) is the economics engine behind serious solar-plus-storage quotes. Its utility rate database is the deepest we have tested.
What It Does Well
The rates are the product. Energy Toolbase maintains 70,000+ utility rates across 1,200+ territories with an in-house team. Solargraf covers California net energy metering (NEM) 3.0 well; ETB covers that plus demand charges, time-of-use arbitrage, and grid services nationwide.
Storage modeling is where it separates. Multi-value stream analysis stacks savings sources in 1 model. Customer evidence is strong: SunGreen Systems cut proposal time from 16 hours to 1 to 2 hours, per ETB’s published case study. Proposals generate as professional web URLs.
Our Take: If your deals live or die on savings math, ETB is the most defensible tool available. It has no design capability, so pair it with a design platform.
Where It Falls Short
You must import 8760-hour production data from HelioScope, Aurora, or PVsyst. There is no CRM integration, no mobile app, and pricing starts at $199 per user per month. Public reviews are scarce compared with mainstream tools.
Key Features
- 70,000+ utility rates maintained in-house
- Solar + storage NPV, IRR, payback, and cash flow
- NEM 3.0 and multi-value stream modeling
- Instant PPA quotes via financing partners
Pricing
- ETB Developer: $199/user/month — 10% annual discount
- Free trial: Demo only; monitoring products priced separately
Who Should Use Energy Toolbase
Strong fit: C&I developers and storage-heavy quotes where savings math must survive scrutiny. Probably not right for: Residential installers wanting an all-in-one, or teams on tight budgets.
8. Arka360 — Best Solargraf Alternative With Built-In CRM
Arka360 serves 4,000+ installers across 27 countries, per the Arka360 website. It answers Solargraf’s CRM gap directly, bundling design, pipeline tracking, and proposals at small business prices.
What It Does Well
The all-in-one scope stands out at this price. Design, LIDAR-based shading analysis, a built-in CRM, and proposal generation live in 1 platform. Users report proposals in under 5 minutes. The platform holds a 4.7 out of 5 G2 rating across 117 reviews, with ease of use as the top praise.
For engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firms, the permit packages differentiate it. Arka360 delivers NEC-compliant permit sets in 48 hours, with professional engineer (PE) stamps available. That matches Solargraf’s DIY permit feature and adds the CRM Solargraf lacks.
Our Take: Arka360 is the practical swap if you want CRM plus permits without enterprise pricing. Expect rougher edges in performance than Solargraf’s polished interface.
Where It Falls Short
Missing features are the top user complaint on G2. Users report performance issues and occasional instability. Panel re-selection for each new polygon slows layout work, and utility-scale support is limited.
Key Features
- 3D design with LIDAR-based shading analysis
- Built-in CRM with lead and pipeline tracking
- NEC-compliant permit packages with PE stamps
- ArkaGo mobile app for field proposals
Pricing
- US Basic: $199/month — 1 user, residential and commercial
- US Premium: $358/month — 2 users, battery sizing, CAD export
- Free trial: Contact sales
Who Should Use Arka360
Strong fit: Small and mid-size EPCs in the US and emerging markets wanting CRM plus permits. Probably not right for: Utility-scale developers and teams needing polished performance at scale.
9. SolarEdge Designer — Best Free Solargraf Alternative for SolarEdge Shops
SolarEdge Designer is free for certified SolarEdge installers. If your installs already run on SolarEdge hardware, the replacement cost is $0.
What It Does Well
Over 50,000 users have created 2.8 million layouts across 170+ countries at no cost. DNV found Designer’s energy estimates within 1% of PVsyst, with a slight conservative bias. That is lender-credible output at zero software spend.
Automation is fast. Artificial intelligence (AI)-based roof detection, automatic stringing, and instant design validation cut design time sharply. Financial analysis supports fixed, per-watt, and bill-of-materials pricing with return on investment forecasts. Designs sync directly into mySolarEdge for commissioning.
Our Take: If 90% of your installs use SolarEdge hardware, Designer replaces Solargraf’s design layer for free. The moment you quote another inverter brand, you need a second tool.
Where It Falls Short
Hardware lock-in is absolute: SolarEdge equipment only. Shading analysis is the most-cited weakness, and only fixed-tilt systems are supported. Proposal output is minimal compared with dedicated sales tools, so customer-facing polish needs another layer.
Key Features
- AI-based roof detection and auto-stringing
- DNV 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, tracker projects, and complex shading sites.
10. PVComplete — Best Solargraf Alternative for CAD-Based Design Teams
PVComplete takes a different path. Its PVCAD plugin brings solar design into AutoCAD, which suits engineering-led teams leaving sales-first tools.
What It Does Well
For teams that already live in AutoCAD, PVCAD removes the export-import loop. Layout, string sizing, and electrical design happen natively in the CAD environment. Permit-ready drawings come out of the same file the engineer built.
PVSketch, the browser-based sibling, covers quick residential layouts and proposals without AutoCAD. The combination serves engineering-heavy shops better than Solargraf’s sales-first workflow.
Our Take: PVComplete fits teams whose bottleneck is engineering documentation, not proposal speed. Pure sales orgs should look at Aurora or OpenSolar instead.
Where It Falls Short
The AutoCAD dependency is a cost and a skill requirement. Proposal output is functional, not polished. The user community and review volume are smaller than mainstream platforms, so independent feedback is harder to find.
Key Features
- PVCAD plugin for native AutoCAD solar design
- PVSketch browser tool for quick layouts
- Automated string sizing and electrical design
- Permit-ready drawing output
Pricing
- PVCAD: ~$1,200/year per license — contact sales for bundles
- Free trial: Demo only
Who Should Use PVComplete
Strong fit: Engineering-led EPCs with AutoCAD seats and permit-drawing volume. Probably not right for: Sales-first teams, non-CAD users, and budget-sensitive startups.
Why Teams Leave Solargraf: A Reality Check
Here is the contrarian take: most teams do not need to switch. Solargraf’s 3-minute proposal, Express Editor, and DIY permit packages are genuinely good for simple US residential work. If your shading complaints are occasional and your volume fits the project credits, switching costs exceed the pain.
Switch when 1 of 3 conditions is true. First, you cross-check every production estimate in another tool, which means you are paying for 2 workflows already. Second, your pipeline moved into C&I, where Solargraf’s ceiling shows fast. Third, annual billing strains cash flow and a free or per-project tool covers your volume.
The myth worth busting: “verified shading analysis” labels do not guarantee per-site accuracy. Third-party validation tests the engine, not your roof model. Every tool on this list, including SurgePV, needs a human review of automated obstruction detection before a quote goes out. Teams that skip that step blame software for their own process gap.
How to Choose a Solargraf Alternative
Match your reason for leaving to the right category before booking demos.
- Shading accuracy complaints: Aurora Solar, SurgePV, or HelioScope. All 3 put validated engines behind the proposal.
- Price and billing lock-in: OpenSolar (free), Pylon (per project), or SolarEdge Designer (free with hardware commitment).
- Missing CRM: OpenSolar or Arka360. Both include pipeline tracking natively.
- C&I growth: HelioScope for design, Energy Toolbase for storage economics, PVsyst for lender-grade reports.
- Engineering documentation: PVComplete for AutoCAD-native permit drawings.
Then run 3 real jobs through each trial. Measure time to proposal, check the production number against your current tool, and divide the annual cost by your quote volume. The right answer is usually obvious within a week.
Pro Tip
Before canceling Solargraf, export your proposal templates and project archive. Project credits do not transfer, and historical proposals may become read-only when the subscription lapses.
Conclusion
Solargraf remains a solid tool for simple US residential proposals. But if shading trust, pricing structure, or missing CRM pushed you here, a better fit exists.
- Shortlist by reason: Aurora for accuracy, OpenSolar for cost, Arka360 for CRM, HelioScope for C&I. Pick 2 and trial them on real jobs.
- Verify shading yourself: Run the same address through your old and new tools. Compare the production numbers before you trust either one in a quote.
- Do the volume math: Divide annual subscription cost by your yearly project count. Under 15 projects a month, per-project or free tools usually win on cost.
If you want proposals backed by physics-based shading and real financial modeling, book a 20-minute SurgePV demo and run a live project through it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do installers look for Solargraf alternatives?
The 3 most common reasons are shading accuracy complaints, annual-only billing starting at $2,799 per year, and the lack of a built-in CRM. Some teams also outgrow its residential focus or want bankable yield numbers for financed projects.
What is the best free Solargraf alternative?
OpenSolar is the strongest free alternative. It covers design, proposals, CRM, and e-signatures at $0 for unlimited projects and users. SolarEdge Designer is another free option if you install SolarEdge hardware exclusively.
Is Aurora Solar better than Solargraf?
For design accuracy and enterprise sales workflows, yes. Aurora’s LIDAR-based modeling and shading analysis are more trusted by reviewers. Aurora costs more and uses custom pricing, so small teams often prefer cheaper tools.
How much does Solargraf cost compared to alternatives?
Solargraf Starter costs $2,799 per year for 240 projects and 2 users, billed annually. OpenSolar is free, Pylon charges $4 per project, SurgePV starts at $1,899 per year for 3 users, and Aurora uses custom enterprise pricing.
Can I keep Solargraf and add a second tool?
Yes, and many teams do exactly that. A common stack keeps Solargraf for fast proposals and uses Aurora, HelioScope, or PVsyst to verify production numbers. The tradeoff is paying for 2 subscriptions and re-entering project data.
What is the best Solargraf alternative for battery and storage quotes?
Energy Toolbase is the deepest for storage economics, with 70,000+ utility rates and multi-value stream modeling. For residential battery proposals, OpenSolar and Aurora both model common battery products well.
Do Solargraf alternatives support e-signatures?
Most do. OpenSolar includes e-signatures free. Aurora offers Contract Manager. SurgePV and Pylon include customer-ready proposals with digital acceptance flows. Check plan tiers, since some lock e-signature behind higher plans.
