Key Takeaways
- HelioScope uses satellite imagery; Scanifly uses drone-captured 3D site models
- Scanifly delivers inch-accurate measurements; HelioScope relies on satellite resolution
- HelioScope includes bankable simulation; Scanifly focuses on 3D survey and measurement
- Scanifly requires drone hardware and a licensed pilot for every site visit
- Neither tool generates proposals, SLDs, or financial models
- SurgePV delivers design, simulation, proposals, and SLDs in one platform at $1,499/yr
Quick Verdict
Our Verdict
HelioScope and Scanifly are complementary tools, not direct competitors. HelioScope is a design and simulation platform for commercial projects. Scanifly is a drone-based 3D survey tool for precise site assessment. If you need the most accurate roof model possible, Scanifly wins. If you need fast design-to-simulation workflows at scale, HelioScope wins. If you need a complete platform with design, simulation, proposals, and engineering in one place, SurgePV is the better choice.
Company Overview
HelioScope
Founded
2013 (Folsom Labs)
Headquarters
San Francisco, USA
Focus
Web-based C&I solar design & simulation
Best For
Commercial & industrial projects
Pricing Starts
$159/month ($1,908/yr)
Scanifly
Founded
2018
Headquarters
Austin, Texas, USA
Focus
Drone-based 3D solar site survey
Best For
Precise residential site assessment
Pricing Starts
Contact sales (+ drone hardware costs)
Feature Comparison
| Feature | HelioScope | Scanifly |
|---|---|---|
| Site Data Source | Satellite imagery | Drone 3D capture (inch-accurate) |
| Remote Design (No Site Visit) | ✓ | ✗ (Requires drone flight) |
| 3D Site Model | 2.5D from satellite | ✓ (Photogrammetry) |
| Measurement Accuracy | Satellite-level | Inch-level precision |
| Bankable Simulation | ✓ (Within 1% PVsyst) | ✗ |
| Panel Layout Design | ✓ (Full design tool) | Basic (design overlay) |
| String Sizing | ✓ | ✗ |
| Shade Analysis | ✓ (Irradiance model) | ✓ (3D model-based) |
| Proposal Generation | ✗ | ✗ |
| Single-Line Diagrams (SLD) | ✗ | ✗ |
| Component Library | ✓ (45,000+) | Limited |
| Commercial Projects | ✓ (Core strength) | Possible but not primary use |
| Obstacle Detection | Manual from satellite | ✓ (Automatic from 3D model) |
| Roof Measurement | Satellite-based estimate | ✓ (Precise from drone) |
| Scale Without Site Visits | ✓ | ✗ |
Design & Site Assessment Capabilities
These two tools solve different problems in the solar workflow. HelioScope handles design and simulation. Scanifly handles site assessment and measurement. Understanding where each fits is key to choosing the right tool — or combining them.
HelioScope Design Strengths
HelioScope lets you design a commercial solar system entirely from your desk. Using satellite imagery, you can draw roof boundaries, place panels, configure strings, and run a bankable simulation — all without visiting the site. This remote workflow is HelioScope’s biggest advantage for teams handling high project volumes.
The simulation engine produces results within 1% of PVsyst, and the 45,000+ component library supports any hardware combination. For teams processing dozens of commercial designs per month, HelioScope’s speed and scale are hard to beat.
The limitation is measurement precision. Satellite imagery resolution varies by location, and roof details like vents, pipes, and HVAC equipment can be difficult to identify accurately from above.
Scanifly Design Strengths
Scanifly takes the opposite approach: maximum precision through drone data. By flying a drone over the project site, Scanifly generates a photogrammetric 3D model with inch-level accuracy. Every roof plane, vent, chimney, and obstacle is captured precisely.
This accuracy matters for residential projects with complex roof geometries where panel fit is tight. The 3D model also produces more accurate shade analysis since real-world obstacles are captured at their actual dimensions and positions.
The trade-off is that Scanifly requires a drone flight at every site. You need the hardware ($1,000-5,000+ for a quality mapping drone), a licensed pilot (Part 107 in the US), and the time to fly, process, and analyze each site. This per-site cost makes Scanifly less efficient for high-volume operations compared to satellite-based tools.
Pricing Comparison
| Cost Factor | HelioScope | Scanifly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Cost | $159-259/month | Contact sales |
| Hardware Required | None (browser only) | Drone ($1,000-5,000+) |
| Per-Site Cost | $0 (satellite-based) | Pilot time + flight + processing |
| Certification Required | None | Part 107 drone pilot license |
| Simulation Included | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scales to 100+ Projects/Month | ✓ | Constrained by flight logistics |
HelioScope: ≈$16-26/project (at 100/month) vs Scanifly: $50-150+/project (drone + time + processing)Looking for a Better Alternative? Try SurgePV
Get satellite-based design, bankable simulation, customer proposals, and native SLDs in one cloud platform — no drone required, no add-on tools needed.
Start Free TrialNo credit card required · No drone needed · $1,499/year all-inclusive
Pros & Cons Side-by-Side
HelioScope
Pros
Cons
Scanifly
Pros
Cons
Who Should Choose What?
| Your Situation | Choose HelioScope | Choose Scanifly |
|---|---|---|
| High-volume commercial design | ✓ | |
| Complex residential roofs | ✓ | |
| Need bankable simulation | ✓ | |
| Precise roof measurements matter | ✓ | |
| Remote design (no site visits) | ✓ | |
| Reducing change orders is priority | ✓ | |
| Already own a mapping drone | ✓ | |
| Budget-conscious team | ✓ | |
| Need design + proposals + SLDs | Choose SurgePV | |
Best Alternative: SurgePV
HelioScope gives you simulation without proposals. Scanifly gives you precision without simulation. Neither generates SLDs, permit packages, or financial models for customers. Most teams need additional tools to complete their workflow.
SurgePV delivers the complete solar workflow in one cloud platform:
- Design: AI-powered auto-design with satellite imagery for residential, commercial, and utility-scale projects
- Simulation: 8760-hour energy yield simulation with P50/P75/P90 confidence levels
- Proposals: Web and PDF proposals with multi-currency financial modeling (cash, loan, lease, PPA)
- Engineering: Native SLD generation, three-line diagrams, wire sizing, and permit packages
- Pricing: $1,499/year with all features included — no drone required, no per-project limits
For teams that value fast, remote solar design with accurate shadow analysis and complete engineering output, SurgePV replaces the need for multiple specialized tools.
Pro Tip
SurgePV works with satellite imagery for remote design. Teams that also use Scanifly can import precise measurements into SurgePV for the best of both worlds. Book a demo to see the workflow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is HelioScope or Scanifly more accurate for site assessment?
Scanifly produces more accurate 3D models using drone imagery with inch-level precision. HelioScope relies on satellite imagery, which is sufficient for most designs but less precise for complex roofs with obstacles.
Does Scanifly require a drone?
Yes. Scanifly’s core workflow depends on drone-captured imagery to generate 3D site models. You need a drone, a licensed pilot, and the ability to fly at each project site. This adds time and cost that satellite-based tools like HelioScope avoid.
Can I use HelioScope and Scanifly together?
Yes. Some teams use Scanifly for site assessment and 3D model generation, then export to HelioScope for simulation. However, this doubles your software costs and adds workflow complexity.
Which is better for commercial projects?
HelioScope is better for high-volume commercial design with its fast layout tools and bankable simulation. Scanifly is better for complex residential roofs where precise measurements matter for panel fit and permitting.
Is there a platform that combines both capabilities?
SurgePV combines satellite-based design with accurate simulation, proposals, native SLDs, and permit packages in one platform at $1,499/year. For teams that need drone-level accuracy, Scanifly can feed into SurgePV’s design workflow.
What does Scanifly cost?
Scanifly pricing varies by plan and is not fully public. You also need to factor in drone hardware ($1,000-5,000+), pilot licensing, and per-site flight time. The total cost per project is higher than satellite-based tools.