Aurora and OpenSolar sit at opposite ends of the residential solar design software market. Aurora is the premium US-residential pick. OpenSolar leads with a free tier, describing its model as free to installers and funded through partner and marketplace relationships. Both have ceilings. This guide compares them honestly and introduces the third option: SurgePV ships engineering depth plus proposals at flat per-seat cost.
Engineering depth of Aurora upper tier, total cost of OpenSolar at volume
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Aurora vs OpenSolar at a Glance
| Capability | Aurora Solar | OpenSolar | SurgePV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | ~$159 / user / mo | Free | $1,299 / user / yr (5-seat) |
| Top price | ~$259 / user / mo + add-ons | Add-ons stack | $1,899 / user / yr (Individual) |
| AI 3D roof from satellite | AI Mode add-on | Limited | Included all plans |
| 8,760-hour module-level shading | Upper tier | Simplified | Included all plans |
| Bankable P50 / P75 / P90 | Available | Not a positioned use case | Included |
| AI design assistant | AI Mode (paid) | Limited | Clara AI included |
| Native proposals | Sales Mode (paid) | Yes (templates) | Included |
| Multi-country code library | US primary | Available | NEC, IEC, AS/NZS, IS |
| Hardware neutrality | Yes | Partner integrations | Yes |
| Free trial, no credit card | Limited | Free tier | 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
Strong US residential 3D, mature AHJ library, large installed base, and integrated Sales Mode at the upper tier. Best for established residential installers committed to the premium tier. See our Aurora Solar pricing breakdown for exact plan costs, or Aurora vs HelioScope if engineering depth matters more than proposals.
Where OpenSolar Wins
Free entry tier for installers running simple residential roofs. Active community and reasonable design experience at the entry level. Our OpenSolar pricing guide covers the true cost of “free” once add-ons stack up, and the OpenSolar alternative comparison ranks six tools if you are ready to move on.
Why SurgePV Is the Third Option
SurgePV is built for installers who outgrew OpenSolar’s free tier but cannot justify Aurora’s premium pricing. The product ships:
- AI 3D roof modeling from satellite, no drone (see our satellite roof measurement guide for how this compares to drone capture)
- 8,760-hour shade analysis at module level on every plan
- Bankable P50, P75, P90 yield reports
- Clara AI natural-language design assistant
- Solar financial modeling with country-specific tariffs
- DXF/DWG export for AutoCAD handoff
- Branded solar proposals with e-signature in 9 languages, well beyond a basic proposal generator
- QuickEstimate as the sister CRM
Pricing Comparison
| Team | Aurora (Entry or Mid + AI Mode + Sales Mode) | OpenSolar (free + extensions, realised) | SurgePV (flat) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-seat solo residential designer | ~$2,500 to $3,000 per year | $1,000 to $1,800 per year | $1,899 per year |
| 3-seat residential team | ~$10,000 to $12,000 per year | $3,500 to $6,000 per year | $4,497 per year |
| 5-seat residential + small C&I team | $14,000 to $18,000 per year | $6,000 to $10,000 per year | $6,495 per year |
1-seat solo residential designer
- Aurora Entry + AI Mode + Sales Mode: ~$2,500 to $3,000 per year
- OpenSolar free plus paid extensions at 10 projects per month: $1,000 to $1,800 per year realised
- SurgePV Individual: $1,899 per year flat (all included)
3-seat residential team
- Aurora Mid + AI + Sales Mode: ~$10,000 to $12,000 per year
- OpenSolar Pro + extensions x 3: ~$3,500 to $6,000 per year realised
- SurgePV 3-User Team: $4,497 per year flat (all included)
5-seat residential + small C&I team
- Aurora Mid + AI Mode + Sales Mode: $14,000 to $18,000 per year
- OpenSolar Pro + extensions × 5: $6,000 to $10,000 per year realised
- SurgePV 5-User Team: $6,495 per year (all included)
Skip the upgrade-from-OpenSolar dilemma
SurgePV ships the engineering depth of Aurora upper tier and the simplicity of flat per-seat pricing.
Compare PlansAnnual billing · Cancel anytime · Includes Clara AI
Who Should Choose Each
- Choose Aurora Solar if you are US-residential at the upper tier with established workflows.
- Choose OpenSolar free if pure small residential is your entire scope and add-ons stay manageable.
- Choose SurgePV if you want engineering depth, multi-country support, and flat per-seat pricing.
Ready to skip the Aurora-vs-OpenSolar decision?
SurgePV combines AI 3D roof modeling, 8,760-hour shading, bankable yield, financial modelling, and white-label proposals in one platform at flat per-seat pricing.
Book a Free DemoFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Aurora Solar or OpenSolar?
Is Aurora or OpenSolar cheaper?
Does OpenSolar produce bankable yield reports?
Why would I consider SurgePV over both?
Can I run both Aurora and OpenSolar in parallel?
Is Aurora's Sales Mode similar to OpenSolar's proposal output?
How do I switch from Aurora and OpenSolar to one tool?
Nirav Dhanani CEO, Qbits Energy
Co-founder & CEO driving Qbits Energy's product strategy and growth across India.