The Aurora vs HelioScope debate has been running for years. Aurora wins on sales-led residential. HelioScope wins on engineering depth. This guide compares them honestly on pricing, simulation, AI features, proposals, and multi-country support, then introduces the option most teams do not consider: SurgePV ships both at flat per-seat cost. For a line-item breakdown, see the detailed Aurora Solar vs HelioScope comparison.
- SurgePV ships both at $1,299 to $1,899 per user per year flat.
- Book a free SurgePV demo and rebuild one of your real projects on the call.
One tool for engineering + proposals, at a fraction of either
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Aurora vs HelioScope at a Glance
| Capability | Aurora Solar | HelioScope | SurgePV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | ~$159 / user / mo | ~$99 / user / mo | $1,299 / user / yr (5-seat) |
| Top price | ~$259 / user / mo | $300+ / user / mo | $1,899 / user / yr (Individual) |
| AI 3D roof from satellite | AI Mode add-on | Not in published scope | Included all plans |
| 8,760-hour module-level shading | Upper tier | Mid + higher tier | Included all plans |
| Bankable P50 / P75 / P90 | Available | Yes | Included |
| AI design assistant | AI Mode (paid) | Not in published scope | Clara AI included |
| Native proposals | Sales Mode (paid) | Not a positioned use case | Included |
| Multi-country code library | US primary | Engineering focus | NEC, IEC, AS/NZS, IS |
| Cloud, browser-based | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Rows reflect each vendor’s published feature set and pricing at time of writing. Aurora does not publish list pricing, so its figures are indicative from third-party trackers. Confirm current scope and price with each vendor.
Where Aurora Wins
Aurora is the stronger choice for US residential teams that want one tool for design and proposal, especially at the upper tier with AI Mode and Sales Mode. The 3D modelling for residential rooftops is mature and the user base is large. See our Aurora Solar pricing breakdown for the exact plan costs behind that upper tier.
Where HelioScope Wins
HelioScope is the stronger choice for engineering-led teams. The simulation engine is widely respected, C&I layout flexibility is strong, and engineers find the UX productive. It is not positioned as a proposal tool, so most teams pair it with separate quoting software. Our HelioScope pricing guide covers plan costs in detail, and the HelioScope alternative comparison ranks six tools if you are weighing a full switch.
Why SurgePV Is the Third Option Worth Considering
SurgePV is built around the realisation that most teams need both engineering depth and a proposal stack. The product ships:
- 8,760-hour shade analysis at module level on every paid plan, matching HelioScope’s depth
- Branded solar proposals with e-signature in 9 languages, matching Aurora Sales Mode
- AI 3D roof modeling from satellite, no drone or site visit
- Clara AI natural-language design assistant
- Solar financial modeling with multi-country tariffs
- DXF/DWG export for AutoCAD handoff, useful when you route detailed electrical drawings to a specialist engineering partner
- QuickEstimate as the sister CRM via API
All at flat $1,299 to $1,899 per user per year.
Pricing Comparison
1-seat solo
- Aurora Entry + AI Mode: ~$2,500 per year
- HelioScope Entry + Solargraf: ~$2,500 per year
- SurgePV Individual: $1,899 per year (all included)
3-seat team
- Aurora Mid + AI + Sales Mode: ~$10,000 to $12,000 per year
- HelioScope Mid + Solargraf + Excel: ~$8,000 to $10,000 per year
- SurgePV 3-User Team: $4,497 per year (all included)
5-seat team
- Aurora Mid + AI + Sales Mode: $14,000 to $18,000 per year
- HelioScope Mid + Solargraf + Excel + CRM: $12,000 to $16,000 per year
- SurgePV 5-User Team: $6,495 per year (all included)
For the same math applied to every major platform, see our solar design software pricing comparison. Bankable outputs across the field are usually expressed as P50, P75, P90 yield bands, which is the metric worth comparing tool to tool rather than headline price alone.
Skip the both-or-either choice, get one tool
SurgePV ships the engineering depth of HelioScope and the proposal stack of Aurora Sales Mode at $1,299 to $1,899 per user per year flat.
Compare PlansAnnual billing · Cancel anytime · Includes Clara AI
Who Should Choose Each
- Choose Aurora Solar if you are US-residential only and the upper-tier bundle is already in your budget.
- Choose HelioScope if your team is engineering-only and someone else handles sales and proposals.
- Choose SurgePV if you want both, or if you operate across more than one country, or if you want flat per-seat pricing without add-on creep.
For most teams in 2026, the third option is the answer. For pure utility-scale terrain optimisation neither tool covers well, see our PVcase alternative and RatedPower alternative guides, or browse the full best solar design software ranking for every segment. Once the shading and string layout are locked in either tool, matching them to an on-grid or hybrid inverter still happens outside the design software, and Qbits’ C&I solution team can confirm the fit for larger commercial arrays.
Ready to skip the both-versus-either debate?
SurgePV combines AI 3D roof modeling, 8,760-hour shading, bankable yield, financial modelling, and white-label proposals in one platform.
Book a Free DemoFrequently Asked Questions
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Nirav Dhanani CEO, Qbits Energy
Co-founder & CEO driving Qbits Energy's product strategy and growth across India.