Scanifly’s per-project pricing model works at low volume and becomes painful at scale. This guide breaks down the real cost and shows the head-to-head against SurgePV at flat per-seat pricing with AI 3D roof modeling from satellite.
- SurgePV ships AI 3D from satellite plus the full design stack at $1,299 to $1,899 per user per year flat, unlimited projects.
- Book a free SurgePV demo and design one of your projects from satellite alone.
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Scanifly Pricing Structure
Scanifly does not publish list pricing, so the software line below is a placeholder for your own quote. The surrounding lines are illustrative estimates of typical buyer-side drone operating cost, not Scanifly figures.
| Cost component | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Scanifly software fee | Quote only, not published | Volume and site dependent |
| Drone capex amortised | $50 to $200 per project | Initial $2,000 to $10,000 drone |
| Pilot time | $50 to $150 per project | Travel + capture time |
| FAA Part 107 compliance | Variable | US-specific |
| Insurance | Variable | Per pilot annual |
| Travel | Variable | Distance-dependent |
The Scanifly fee is only one line of the total. Whatever the software costs you, the drone operation around it carries its own per-project cost, and it is higher on C&I rooftops than on residential because capture and travel time scale with site size. For crews that still send a pilot onsite, that spend competes with a proper site survey and land feasibility check already budgeted for the project.
Real Volume Math
The structural point is simple, and it does not depend on knowing Scanifly’s rates. A volume-based measurement stack costs more every time you win another project, and that spend lands before any design tool, financial model, or proposal stack. A flat per-seat licence does not move. Our full Scanifly alternative comparison breaks down the feature gap beyond price.
| Volume | Volume-based measurement stack | SurgePV 5-User Team |
|---|---|---|
| 50 projects / yr | Your quoted rate plus drone ops, times 50 | $6,495 (full stack) |
| 100 projects / yr | Times 100 | $6,495 (full stack) |
| 200 projects / yr | Times 200 | $6,495 (full stack) |
| 500 projects / yr | Times 500 | $6,495 (full stack) |
Put your own quoted rate and your real crew cost into that first column. Past whatever crossover point your numbers produce, the flat per-seat plan wins on cost, and it also includes the entire design-to-proposal workflow that a measurement product is not built to cover.
What You Get for Less With SurgePV
For the accuracy math behind the satellite-only workflow, see our satellite roof measurement guide.
- AI 3D roof modeling from satellite in under 60 seconds, no drone
- Drone model import for the sites that genuinely benefit
- Clara AI natural-language design assistant
- 8,760-hour module-level shading analysis on every paid plan
- Bankable P50, P75, P90 yield reports
- Solar financial modeling with country tariffs
- DXF/DWG export for AutoCAD handoff
- Branded proposals with e-signature in 9 languages
- QuickEstimate pairs as the sister CRM
This satellite-first, AI-assisted approach mirrors the direction the wider AI solar design software market is heading in 2026, and the same proposal engine is covered in our solar bid software guide.
Replace per-project drone fees with one flat license
SurgePV starts at $1,299 per user per year for teams of 5, unlimited projects, AI 3D from satellite included.
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How to Switch From Scanifly
- Book a free SurgePV demo and design one of your projects from satellite.
- Start the free trial, rebuild five recent Scanifly projects.
- Keep drone ops available for sites that genuinely benefit, import those models.
- Drop the per-project Scanifly fees on the rest of the pipeline.
For most installers in 2026, SurgePV is the alternative that wins on volume economics, scope, and team workflow at the same time. See the full field in our ranked guide to the best solar design software.
Ready to design without a drone on most sites?
SurgePV combines AI 3D roof modeling from satellite, 8,760-hour module-level shading, bankable yield, financial modelling, and white-label proposals in one platform at flat per-seat pricing.
Book a Free DemoFrequently Asked Questions
How much does Scanifly cost in 2026?
Is per-project pricing better than per-seat for solar measurement?
What is the total cost of running Scanifly?
Does Scanifly include design and proposal tooling?
Can SurgePV's satellite-based 3D match Scanifly's drone accuracy?
Is Scanifly worth the price for high-volume installers?
How do I switch from Scanifly to SurgePV?
Nirav Dhanani CEO, Qbits Energy
Co-founder & CEO driving Qbits Energy's product strategy and growth across India.