Key Takeaways
- Pylon uses pay-per-project pricing ($4-$10/project) with no monthly fees
- SurgePV offers flat subscription pricing with unlimited projects and all features included
- Pylon is optimized for Australian and US residential installers with iPad field sales
- SurgePV supports global markets, commercial projects up to 5MW, and utility-scale design
- Both include native SLD generation; SurgePV adds three-line diagrams and permit packages
- Pylon limits designs to 5 per project; SurgePV has no design limits
Quick Verdict
Our Verdict
If you’re a small to medium Australian or US residential installer doing fewer than 25 projects per year and need iPad-optimized field sales with pay-per-project pricing, Pylon is the better fit. For teams that want an all-in-one subscription with unlimited projects, global financial modeling, commercial and utility-scale design, and comprehensive electrical engineering — SurgePV delivers more capability at a predictable annual cost.
Company Overview
Pylon (GetPylon)
Founded
2016
Headquarters
Sydney, Australia
Focus
Pay-per-project solar design
Best For
AU & US residential installers
Pricing Starts
$4.00/project
SurgePV
Founded
2025
Headquarters
London, UK (Global)
Focus
All-in-one solar platform
Best For
Global residential, commercial & utility
Pricing Starts
$1,499/yr (3 users)
Feature Comparison
Here’s a detailed feature-by-feature breakdown of Pylon vs SurgePV across the capabilities that matter most to solar design teams.
| Feature | Pylon | SurgePV |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud-Based Design | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Imagery | ✓ (Nearmap included) | ✓ (Google & Nearmap) |
| 3D Shade Analysis | ✓ (Award-winning) | ✓ (8760-hour simulation) |
| Auto Panel Layout | ✓ (Click-drag + auto-align) | ✓ (AI-powered) |
| String Sizing | ✓ | ✓ (Auto-stringing) |
| Single-Line Diagrams (SLD) | ✓ (One-click native) | ✓ (Native) |
| Three-Line Diagrams | ✗ | ✓ (Native) |
| Bill of Materials | ✓ (Detailed with pricing) | ✓ (Detailed with pricing) |
| Permit Package Generation | ✗ | ✓ |
| Financial Modeling | AU & US-focused | ✓ (Global, multi-currency) |
| Proposal Generation | ✓ (Web + PDF, under 2 min) | ✓ (Web + PDF) |
| CRM Integration | ✓ (Native CRM, $49/user/mo) | API-based |
| E-Signature | ✓ ($0.80/project) | Coming soon |
| Battery Storage Design | ✓ | ✓ |
| Commercial Projects (>100kW) | Pro plan only (limited) | ✓ (Up to 5MW) |
| Utility-Scale Design | ✗ | ✓ |
| API Access | Enterprise only | ✓ (All plans) |
| White-Label Proposals | ✓ (3 templates) | ✓ |
| iPad / Mobile Design | ✓ (iPad-optimized) | Web responsive |
| Design Variations per Project | Maximum 5 | Unlimited |
| Voltage Rise Calculator | ✓ | ✓ |
| EV Charger Design | ✓ | ✓ |
Design Capabilities
Both Pylon and SurgePV are cloud-based platforms for solar design. They share several strengths but diverge on scale, automation, and engineering depth.
Pylon Design Strengths
Pylon has built a strong reputation in the Australian and US residential markets. Its award-winning 3D shading analysis (Finder Awards Best Innovation 2021) predicts shading in seconds. The platform includes 20,000+ solar panels and 20,000+ inverters in its component database, plus extensive battery options from Tesla Powerwall 3 to Sungrow.
Pylon’s design workflow is built for speed. The company claims you can place panels “under a minute” after familiarization and create proposals in under two minutes. The iPad-optimized flat 2D interface is purpose-built for field-based sales teams who need to design on-site with customers.
A notable strength is blueprint and drone photography upload with in-map rotation. Pylon also includes unique tools like the voltage rise calculator and design comparison pages with automatic headers.
SurgePV Design Strengths
SurgePV takes a broader approach to solar design software. The platform features AI-powered auto-design that generates optimized panel layouts automatically, along with an 8760-hour shade simulation providing monthly shade maps.
Where SurgePV differentiates is in engineering depth and project scale. The platform supports commercial projects up to 5MW and utility-scale design — capabilities Pylon does not offer. SurgePV also includes three-line diagrams, automatic wire sizing, and full permit package generation that go beyond Pylon’s SLD and voltage rise reports.
SurgePV has no limit on design variations per project, while Pylon caps this at five.
Proposal & Sales
Pylon Proposals
Pylon generates web and PDF proposals in under two minutes according to both official claims and verified user reviews. The platform offers three basic templates that can be customized with your logo, colors, and company info. A standout feature is the design comparison page that shows side-by-side system options with automatic headers.
Pylon includes a native CRM add-on ($49/user/month) with AI-powered lead summaries, automated sequences, and SMS capabilities. E-signature is available at $0.80 per project. The platform also integrates with financing partners like Brighte and Smart Ease for BNPL options.
The limitation is template flexibility. With only three base templates, teams wanting extensive proposal customization may find Pylon restrictive.
SurgePV Proposals
SurgePV generates both web-based and PDF proposals with flexible financial modeling that supports cash, loan, lease, and PPA structures. The platform offers multi-currency support, global tax and incentive modeling, and yield projections at P50/P75/P90 confidence levels.
While SurgePV’s proposal template library is more flexible than Pylon’s three-template limit, the platform currently lacks native e-signature integration (marked as coming soon). For CRM, SurgePV offers API-based integration rather than a built-in CRM module.
Pricing Comparison
Pricing is the most significant difference between Pylon and SurgePV. Pylon uses a pay-per-project model. SurgePV uses a flat annual subscription.
| Plan | Pylon | SurgePV |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level | $4.00/project (Standard) | $1,499/year (3 users) |
| Premium | $10.00/project (Pro) | $1,299/user/year (5 users) |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom |
| CRM Add-On | +$49/user/month | Not required |
| E-Signature | +$0.80/project | Included |
| Nearmap Imagery | Included | Included |
| Unlimited Users | ✓ | ✓ |
| Year 1 Cost (25 projects, 2 users) | $100 - $250 (projects only) | $1,499 |
| Year 1 Cost (100 projects, 2 users) | $400 - $1,000 (projects only) | $1,499 |
| Year 1 Cost (300 projects, 2 users) | $1,200 - $3,000 | $1,499 |
SurgePV breaks even vs Pylon at ~25 Standard projects or ~10 Pro projects per yearSee Why Teams Are Switching to SurgePV
Design, simulate, propose, and generate permit packages — all in one platform, starting at $1,499/year.
Start Free TrialNo credit card required · No per-project fees · Full access
Pros & Cons Side-by-Side
Pylon
Pros
Cons
SurgePV
Pros
Cons
Who Should Choose What?
The right choice depends on your team’s volume, market, and workflow. Use this decision matrix to find the best fit.
| Your Situation | Choose Pylon | Choose SurgePV |
|---|---|---|
| Low volume (<25 projects/yr) | ✓ | |
| High volume (>100 projects/yr) | ✓ | |
| Australian market focus | ✓ | |
| Global or European market | ✓ | |
| iPad field sales workflow | ✓ | |
| Need native CRM | ✓ | |
| Commercial projects (>100kW) | ✓ | |
| Utility-scale projects | ✓ | |
| Need permit package generation | ✓ | |
| Want predictable annual cost | ✓ | |
| Prefer pay-as-you-go pricing | ✓ | |
| Need three-line diagrams | ✓ |
Migration Guide: Pylon to SurgePV
Switching from Pylon to SurgePV is straightforward. Most teams complete the transition within 1-2 days. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Sign Up for SurgePV Free Trial
Create your SurgePV account with full access to all features. No credit card required, no feature limitations during the trial.
Import Project Data and Customer Information
Transfer your existing project data and customer records into SurgePV. The onboarding team can assist with bulk imports from Pylon exports.
Recreate Active Projects Using AI Auto-Design
Use SurgePV’s AI-powered auto-design to quickly recreate your active project layouts. Most designs take minutes to regenerate with optimized panel placement.
Generate Proposals with Your Branding
Set up your company branding, upload your logo, and generate professional proposals with SurgePV’s white-label proposal builder.
Transition Ongoing Projects and Cancel Pylon
Once your team is comfortable with SurgePV and all active projects are migrated, stop using Pylon. There are no contracts to cancel since Pylon is pay-per-project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SurgePV better than Pylon?
It depends on your workflow. Pylon is ideal for Australian and US residential installers who want pay-per-project pricing and iPad-based field sales. SurgePV is better for teams needing an all-in-one subscription with global financial modeling, commercial and utility-scale design, and comprehensive electrical engineering documentation.
Can SurgePV replace Pylon?
Yes. SurgePV covers all core Pylon capabilities — solar design, shading analysis, proposal generation, and SLD creation — while adding utility-scale support, three-line diagrams, permit packages, and multi-currency financial modeling.
Which is cheaper: Pylon or SurgePV?
For teams doing under 25 projects per year, Pylon’s pay-per-project model ($4-$10/project) is cheaper. For teams doing 25+ projects per year, SurgePV’s flat subscription ($1,499/yr for 3 users) delivers better value with unlimited projects and all features included.
Does Pylon work outside Australia and the USA?
Pylon’s primary markets are Australia and the USA, with 90% and 80% high-resolution imagery coverage respectively. SurgePV supports global markets with multi-currency financial modeling and no geographic restrictions.
Which has better electrical engineering tools?
Both offer native SLD generation. SurgePV adds three-line diagrams, automatic wire sizing, and full permit package generation. Pylon includes voltage rise calculations and installer job sheets, but lacks three-line diagrams.
Can I migrate from Pylon to SurgePV?
Yes. SurgePV offers guided onboarding for teams switching from Pylon. Project data can be imported and active designs recreated using AI auto-design within 1-2 days.
