Key Takeaways
- Scanifly surveys residential sites with drones; Energy Toolbase models storage financial performance
- Zero feature overlap — drone measurement vs financial modeling
- Both are US-centric platforms with limited international support
- Neither generates proposals, SLDs, or permit packages
- Scanifly needs drone hardware; Energy Toolbase is standalone cloud software
- SurgePV combines design, simulation, financials, and proposals at $1,499/year
Quick Verdict
Our Verdict
Scanifly and Energy Toolbase are not alternatives to each other. Scanifly measures and models residential rooftops from drone data. Energy Toolbase calculates the financial returns of storage projects using real utility rates. If you need a platform that covers site assessment, system design, financial modeling, and customer proposals, SurgePV is the integrated alternative.
Company Overview
Scanifly
Headquarters
United States
Focus
Drone-based 3D solar survey
Best For
US residential site measurement
Pricing
~$99-199/month + drone hardware
Energy Toolbase
Headquarters
United States
Focus
Storage financial modeling & dispatch
Best For
US commercial solar + storage economics
Pricing
Subscription (custom pricing)
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Scanifly | Energy Toolbase |
|---|---|---|
| Solar Panel Design | ✓ (DroneDesign) | ✗ |
| 3D Site Survey | ✓ (Drone photogrammetry) | ✗ |
| Shade Analysis | ✓ (From 3D model) | ✗ |
| Roof Measurement | ✓ (Inch-accurate) | ✗ |
| Utility Rate Database | ✗ | ✓ (100,000+) |
| Storage Dispatch Modeling | ✗ | ✓ |
| Real-Time EMS | ✗ | ✓ (Acumen) |
| Demand Charge Analysis | ✗ | ✓ |
| Proposal Generation | ✗ | Basic savings reports |
| SLD Generation | ✗ | ✗ |
| Hardware Required | Drone ($500-2,000+) | None |
Core Capabilities
Scanifly: Measurement + Basic Design
Scanifly turns drone photos into accurate 3D site models. You fly a standard drone over a residential property, upload the images, and Scanifly produces a centimeter-accurate point cloud with roof dimensions, pitch angles, and obstruction heights. DroneDesign then lets you place panels on the 3D model with basic production estimates.
The value proposition is accuracy without roof access. For complex roofs where satellite imagery is insufficient, drone capture eliminates measurement errors that can cause costly change orders during installation.
Energy Toolbase: Financial Analysis + Dispatch
Energy Toolbase models the economics of solar+storage projects against real utility rate data. With 100,000+ US rate schedules, it calculates exact bill savings including time-of-use optimization, demand charge reduction, and net metering credits.
The Acumen EMS extends into operations — a real-time battery dispatch controller that maximizes savings based on live utility conditions. This is unique in the market and bridges the gap between financial modeling and actual system operation.
Pricing Comparison
| Cost Factor | Scanifly | Energy Toolbase |
|---|---|---|
| Software Cost | ~$99-199/month | Custom subscription |
| Hardware Needed | Drone ($500-2,000+) | None |
| Includes Design? | Basic (DroneDesign) | No |
| Includes Financials? | Basic (US rates) | Yes (comprehensive) |
Looking for a Better Alternative? Try SurgePV
Site modeling, design, simulation, financials, and proposals — one cloud platform, $1,499/year, no drone needed.
Start Free TrialNo credit card required · No hardware needed · Full access
Pros & Cons Side-by-Side
Scanifly
Pros
Cons
Energy Toolbase
Pros
Cons
Who Should Choose What?
| Your Situation | Choose Scanifly | Choose Energy Toolbase |
|---|---|---|
| Residential site surveys | ✓ | |
| Commercial storage economics | ✓ | |
| Accurate roof measurements | ✓ | |
| Utility rate & demand charge analysis | ✓ | |
| Real-time battery dispatch | ✓ | |
| Full design + financials + proposals | Neither — consider SurgePV | |
Best Alternative: SurgePV
Scanifly measures rooftops. Energy Toolbase models storage economics. Neither designs full systems, generates proposals, or produces engineering documentation. For teams that need the complete workflow, both tools are incomplete.
SurgePV is a cloud-based solar design software that covers everything:
- Satellite and aerial imagery for accurate site modeling — no drone needed
- 8760-hour shade simulation with monthly shade maps
- AI auto-design and auto-stringing
- Financial modeling with cash, loan, lease, and PPA structures
- Native SLD and three-line diagram generation
- Branded proposals in web and PDF formats
- Residential, commercial, and utility-scale support
- $1,499/year — no hardware costs, all features included
SurgePV replaces the need for multiple specialized tools with one integrated platform.
Measure, Design, and Propose in One Platform
SurgePV combines site modeling, design, financials, and proposals at $1,499/year — no drone required.
Book a DemoNo credit card required · No drone needed · Full access
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Scanifly better than Energy Toolbase?
They solve completely different problems. Scanifly creates 3D site models from drone imagery for residential solar design. Energy Toolbase models storage financial performance using 100k+ US utility rate schedules. There is no feature overlap between them.
Does Energy Toolbase do site surveys or design?
No. Energy Toolbase is purely a financial modeling and battery dispatch tool. It does not design solar systems, perform site surveys, or generate panel layouts. You need a separate design tool.
Can Scanifly model storage economics?
No. Scanifly is a site measurement and basic design tool. It does not model utility rates, battery dispatch, demand charges, or storage financial returns.
Can I use Scanifly and Energy Toolbase together?
Yes, but they address different project stages with no direct integration. You could use Scanifly for site measurement, a design tool for system layout, and Energy Toolbase for storage financial modeling — but that’s three separate tools with manual data transfer.
Is there one tool that does measurement, design, and financials?
SurgePV combines satellite-based site modeling, solar design, simulation, financial modeling, and proposal generation in one cloud platform at $1,499/year.
Which is more useful for residential solar installers?
Scanifly provides more direct value for residential installers — accurate site measurements and basic design. Energy Toolbase is primarily useful for commercial storage projects with complex utility rate structures, not typical residential installations.