Key Takeaways
- Solargraf is a sales-first platform for Enphase residential installs with proposals and permitting
- Scanifly is a drone-based 3D site survey tool with inch-accurate roof measurements
- Scanifly requires a drone and pilot at every project site — adding time and cost
- Neither tool provides native SLD generation or electrical engineering documentation
- The two platforms do not integrate — using both means duplicating design work
- SurgePV provides the full design-to-permit workflow in one platform at $1,499/yr
Quick Verdict
Our Verdict
Solargraf and Scanifly solve different problems in the solar workflow. Solargraf moves homeowners from interest to signed contract. Scanifly produces the most accurate 3D site models in the industry. But neither covers the full project lifecycle alone, and they do not integrate with each other. For teams that want design, simulation, proposals, and engineering documentation in a single platform, SurgePV delivers that at $1,499/yr — without requiring a drone at every site.
Company Overview
Solargraf
Founded
2016 (acquired by Enphase 2022)
Headquarters
Montreal, Canada
Focus
Residential design, proposals & permitting
Best For
Enphase installers in US/Canada
Pricing
Opaque / premium (contact sales)
Scanifly
Founded
2018
Headquarters
USA
Focus
Drone-based 3D solar site surveys
Best For
Accuracy-focused residential & commercial teams
Pricing
Subscription (contact sales) + drone costs
Feature Comparison
Solargraf and Scanifly address different stages of the solar project lifecycle. The overlap is minimal.
| Feature | Solargraf | Scanifly |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud-Based | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite-Based Design | ✓ | ✗ (Drone-based) |
| Drone 3D Modeling | ✗ | ✓ (Inch-accurate) |
| Shade Analysis | ✓ (Satellite-based) | ✓ (Drone-accurate) |
| Panel Layout Design | ✓ (Auto-roofline) | ✓ (On 3D model) |
| Proposal Generation | ✓ (Interactive, branded) | ✗ |
| E-Signatures | ✓ | ✗ |
| Financing Integration | ✓ (30+ providers) | ✗ |
| Permitting Workflow | ✓ | ✗ |
| Single-Line Diagrams | ✗ | ✗ |
| Roof Measurements | Satellite-derived (approximate) | ✓ (Sub-inch accuracy) |
| Obstruction Detection | Basic | ✓ (Vents, pipes, skylights) |
| Financial Modeling | Basic (US/Canada) | ✗ |
| Hardware Independence | ✗ (Enphase-optimized) | ✓ |
| Requires Site Visit | No (remote design) | Yes (drone flight required) |
| Commercial Projects | ✗ | ✓ |
Site Assessment & Accuracy
Solargraf: Satellite Speed
Solargraf uses satellite imagery and automated roofline detection to model roofs remotely. An operator types in an address, the platform pulls satellite data, and auto-traces the roof edges. This approach works well for standard residential rooftops with simple geometry. The entire process takes minutes.
The limitation is accuracy. Satellite imagery resolution varies by region, and auto-roofline detection can miss small obstructions — vents, pipes, antennas, skylights. For straightforward gable and hip roofs, the results are reliable enough for residential proposals. For complex roof geometries, the margin of error increases.
Scanifly: Drone Precision
Scanifly takes the opposite approach. A pilot flies a drone over the project site, captures overlapping aerial photographs, and Scanifly’s software processes the imagery into an inch-accurate 3D model using photogrammetry. Every vent, pipe, conduit run, and obstruction is captured in the model.
The accuracy advantage is real. Scanifly’s 3D models show roof pitch, azimuth, and dimensions with measurement precision that satellite imagery cannot match. Shade analysis on drone-captured models accounts for nearby trees, structures, and obstructions that satellite tools often miss or approximate.
The cost is operational. Every project requires a drone flight, which means a licensed drone pilot, travel to the site, flight time, and processing time. For high-volume residential companies doing hundreds of projects monthly, this adds significant per-project cost and scheduling complexity. It also limits remote sales — you cannot create a proposal without first visiting the property.
Sales & Proposal Workflow
Solargraf: Complete Sales Pipeline
Solargraf’s strength is its end-to-end residential sales workflow. From address entry to signed contract, the platform handles design, proposal generation, financing options (30+ lending partners), e-signatures, and permitting submission. Sales reps can send a branded proposal to a homeowner the same day as the initial consultation.
Scanifly: Survey Output Only
Scanifly produces 3D models, shade reports, and system design layouts. It does not generate customer-facing proposals, offer financing integrations, or handle e-signatures. Scanifly is a pre-sales and engineering tool, not a sales closing tool.
Teams using Scanifly typically export their 3D data and recreate the design in a separate proposal tool. This workflow is thorough but slow — the drone flight, processing, redesign, and proposal generation can stretch a simple residential project over several days.
Pricing Comparison
| Aspect | Solargraf | Scanifly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Cost | Opaque (contact sales) | Subscription (contact sales) |
| Additional Hardware | None | Drone ($1,000-$5,000+) |
| Per-Project Cost | Near zero (satellite-based) | Pilot time + travel + flight |
| Proposal Tools | Included | Not included (need separate tool) |
| Engineering Docs (SLD) | Not included | Not included |
| Free Trial | Demo available | Demo available |
The total cost comparison depends on volume. For high-volume residential teams, Solargraf’s per-project cost is negligible because satellite imagery is effectively free. Scanifly’s per-project cost (drone pilot, travel, flight time) can add $100-$300+ per site visit, which compounds quickly at scale.
For lower-volume teams doing complex or high-value commercial projects where accuracy directly impacts profitability, Scanifly’s per-project cost is easier to justify.
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Pros & Cons Side-by-Side
Solargraf
Pros
Cons
Scanifly
Pros
Cons
Who Should Choose What?
| Your Situation | Choose Solargraf | Choose Scanifly |
|---|---|---|
| High-volume residential (100+ projects/mo) | ✓ | |
| Need same-day proposals | ✓ | |
| Enphase-only installs | ✓ | |
| Complex roof geometries needing precision | ✓ | |
| Commercial site assessment | ✓ | |
| Accuracy-critical projects | ✓ | |
| Already have drone fleet and pilots | ✓ | |
| Need SLD generation and engineering docs | ||
| Full design-to-permit workflow in one tool |
Best Alternative: SurgePV
Solargraf and Scanifly each handle one part of the solar project lifecycle well. Solargraf closes sales. Scanifly captures accurate site data. But neither offers a complete workflow, and they do not connect to each other.
SurgePV provides the full design-to-permit pipeline in a single cloud platform at $1,499/yr:
- Satellite-based design with AI auto-layout — no drone required for standard projects
- 8760-hour shade simulation with monthly shade maps for accurate yield estimation
- Native SLD generation, three-line diagrams, and permit package creation
- Professional proposals with global financial modeling and multi-currency support
- Commercial projects up to 5MW with complete engineering documentation
- Hardware agnostic — no equipment lock-in
SurgePV does not match Scanifly’s sub-inch drone accuracy. But for the vast majority of residential and commercial projects, satellite-based design with 8760-hour simulation provides sufficient accuracy while eliminating the per-project cost of drone flights.
Pro Tip
SurgePV offers a free trial with full access to all features. Run a side-by-side test against your current workflow. Start your free trial here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Scanifly replace Solargraf?
Not directly. Scanifly is a drone-based 3D modeling and site survey tool. It does not generate proposals, financing options, or e-signatures. Most teams that use Scanifly pair it with a separate design and proposal platform.
Does Solargraf support drone imagery?
No. Solargraf relies on satellite imagery and automated roofline detection. It does not accept drone-captured data or photogrammetric 3D models as input.
How accurate is Scanifly’s 3D modeling?
Scanifly produces inch-accurate 3D models from drone imagery using photogrammetry. This is significantly more accurate than satellite-based roof modeling, especially for complex roof geometries, obstructions, and shading objects.
Do I need a drone to use Scanifly?
Yes. Scanifly requires drone-captured imagery as input. You need a compatible drone, a licensed pilot, and flight time at each project site. This adds cost and time compared to satellite-based tools.
Is SurgePV a better alternative to both?
SurgePV offers a complete design-to-proposal workflow with cloud-based satellite imagery, AI auto-design, native SLD generation, and professional proposals at $1,499/yr. It does not match Scanifly’s drone accuracy but covers the full project lifecycle that neither Solargraf nor Scanifly handles alone.
Can I use Scanifly and Solargraf together?
In theory, but they do not integrate directly. You would use Scanifly for accurate site assessment and then manually recreate the design in Solargraf for proposals. This duplicates work and introduces errors in translation.