Solargraf vs OpenSolar: Full Comparison (2026)

Quick Verdict

Company Overview

Feature Comparison

Here’s how Solargraf and OpenSolar stack up across the features that matter most to residential solar teams.

Design Capabilities

Solargraf Design Workflow

Solargraf’s standout feature is its automatic roofline detection. Upload a satellite image or address, and the platform traces roof edges and pitches with minimal manual adjustment. For Enphase installers, the integration goes deeper — Solargraf auto-configures microinverter assignments and generates Enphase-compatible system designs without manual string sizing.

The design tools are clean and purpose-built for residential. You can place panels, define setbacks, and run shade analysis in a streamlined workflow. Where Solargraf falls short is flexibility. If you use SolarEdge optimizers, Huawei string inverters, or any non-Enphase hardware, the auto-configuration advantages disappear. The platform still works, but you lose the features that justify the premium pricing.

Solargraf also lacks any electrical engineering output. No SLDs, no three-line diagrams, no wire sizing calculations. For permitting jurisdictions that require engineering documentation, you need a separate tool.

OpenSolar Design Workflow

OpenSolar takes a different approach with its AI-powered auto-design engine. Enter an address, and the platform generates an optimized panel layout based on roof geometry, shading, and local conditions. The AI does a reasonable job for standard residential rooftops, though complex roof geometries sometimes need manual correction.

The platform supports a wider range of hardware than Solargraf, making it genuinely hardware-agnostic. OpenSolar’s design interface is functional but not as polished as Solargraf’s — the trade-off for being free.

The main limitation is scale. OpenSolar was built for residential projects, and performance degrades noticeably on systems above 500kW. The platform slows down, layout tools become unwieldy, and simulation accuracy suffers on larger arrays. For teams doing even modest commercial work, this is a real constraint.

Proposals & Sales

Solargraf Proposals

Solargraf produces professional, branded proposals that integrate tightly with its sales workflow. The platform includes built-in e-signature capture, access to 30+ financing providers for integrated loan and lease options, and automated follow-up sequences. For residential sales teams, the proposal-to-signature pipeline is Solargraf’s strongest selling point.

The financing integrations are particularly useful. Homeowners can view multiple financing options side-by-side within the proposal, select their preferred plan, and sign — all without leaving the document. This reduces friction in the sales cycle considerably.

OpenSolar Proposals

OpenSolar generates interactive web-based proposals that homeowners can explore on any device. The proposals include 3D visualizations, savings projections, and financing options from OpenSolar’s partner network. The interactive format is engaging, though the visual polish does not match premium paid tools.

OpenSolar’s built-in CRM helps track leads from initial contact through signed contract. The financing integration is central to OpenSolar’s business model — the platform connects installers with lending partners, which is how OpenSolar generates revenue while keeping the core product free.

The downside: reliance on partner financing means OpenSolar’s proposal tools are partially shaped by partner requirements rather than installer preferences.

Pricing Comparison

Solargraf does not publish pricing publicly. Industry reports suggest it falls in the premium tier, especially after Enphase’s acquisition. The value proposition depends heavily on whether you use Enphase equipment — the tighter the Enphase integration, the more you get for the cost.

OpenSolar’s free model is genuinely free to use. The catch is that the platform nudges you toward its financing partners, and some advanced features may require engagement with those partners. For teams already using preferred lenders, this might not align well.

Pros & Cons Side-by-Side

Who Should Choose What?

Notice the empty rows above. Neither Solargraf nor OpenSolar is the right choice for commercial projects, electrical engineering documentation, international markets, or teams that want everything in a single platform. That is where SurgePV comes in.

Best Alternative: SurgePV

Both Solargraf and OpenSolar serve the residential market well within their constraints. But both leave significant gaps — no native electrical engineering, limited commercial support, and geographic restrictions.

SurgePV fills those gaps as a hardware-independent, all-in-one solar platform at $1,499/yr:

• Design + simulation + proposals + engineering in one place — no separate tools needed
• Native SLD generation, three-line diagrams, wire sizing, and permit packages
• Commercial projects up to 5MW with full engineering documentation
• Global financial modeling with multi-currency support and region-specific incentives
• 8760-hour shade simulation with monthly shade maps
• AI-powered auto-design and auto-stringing
• Works with any inverter brand — no hardware lock-in

For teams that have outgrown OpenSolar’s free tier limitations or find Solargraf’s Enphase dependency too restrictive, SurgePV offers a clear upgrade path. The $1,499/yr price point includes all features on every plan — no tiered feature gates, no hidden costs for engineering tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

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