10 Best Pylon Alternatives for Solar Installers

Pylon alternatives are solar design and proposal tools you can use instead of Pylon, a tool that charges per project. Aurora Solar ranks first at 82.9/100. OpenSolar ranks second at 74.0/100, and its core platform is free.

Pylon charges GBP 4 a project on its UK Standard plan, with no cap on users. So most people who look for the best Pylon alternatives want a tool that does more, or one built for their market. Reviewers say aerial image quality varies by area, the Nearmap link is patchy and usage modelling is awkward. Pylon’s pages show design on aerial images, but we found no LIDAR (laser height data) models or lender-grade shade reports.

Market fit is the other reason. Pylon is built for Australia and the UK, with STC (Australian rebate) and MCS (UK certification scheme) tools. It lists the US as a market, but publishes prices only in GBP, and we found no US lender links in its integration list. For a ranked list across every segment, see our best solar design software ranking.

Pylon at a glance

Source: Pylon UK pricing, checked October 2026. Read our full Pylon review.

Quick picks

✓ Verified on the company’s own pricing page. ◐ Published by the company outside its pricing page (help centre, store or press release). ? We could not read the company’s pricing page, so the figure is not confirmed. Prices checked October 2026.

Quote only means the company shows no public price. You ask it for a quote.

How the 10 tools scored

• Use-case fit 35%
• User reviews 20%
• Pricing 15%
• Ease of use 10%
• Support 10%
• Momentum 10%

Each bar shows the weighted score out of 100.

Sub-scores at a glance (0-10)

A 5.0 on reviews, ease, support or momentum is our neutral value where public evidence is thin, not a judgement.

How did we pick and score these Pylon alternatives?

How the score is weighted

• Use-case fit 35%
• User reviews 20%
• Pricing 15%
• Ease of use 10%
• Support 10%
• Momentum 10%

From 22 to 25 October 2026 we scored 13 Pylon alternatives. The 10 highest scores are ranked below, and the last three sit in Also considered. This was desk research from company pages and user reviews, not hands-on testing. Pylon itself is not ranked, and SurgePV is not part of the ranking.

• Use-case fit (35%): How well a tool does Pylon’s job: layout, proposals, shading and yield.
• User reviews (20%): Ratings weighted by review count. Under eight reviews gets a middle score.
• Pricing (15%): Published prices and free entry beat quote only.
• Ease of use, support and momentum (10% each): Review sub-scores and dated releases.

Read the full method.

1. Aurora Solar: best for LIDAR 3D models and bankable shade reports

Best for: US home and light-commercial teams who need more design accuracy than aerial images give. Score: 82.9/100.

vs Pylon: Aurora bills each user per month, while Pylon bills each job. In return, Aurora says Premium adds LIDAR-assisted models and shade reports that lenders accept.

What it is: Aurora Solar Inc. makes this cloud tool for design, simulation and sales proposals. US home and light-commercial installers are its main buyers.

Why we picked it: It scored highest for Pylon’s core jobs: layout, shading, yield and proposals. It also has public prices and a large review base, with 121 reviews on G2.

Key features:

• LIDAR-assisted 3D modelling (Premium).
• Shade analysis, with bankable shade reports on Premium.
• Battery modelling for backup, self-consumption and arbitrage (buy cheap, use when dear) on Premium.
• Proposals with US financing, including tax-credit estimates (US credit rules change, check current law) and TPO (third-party ownership, where the customer pays for power instead of buying panels).

Pricing: Basic costs USD 159 per user per month, or USD 135 a month billed annually (USD 1,620 a year). It covers one user and 50 projects a month. Premium costs USD 259, or USD 220 billed annually. Enterprise is custom and priced per project. Checked October 2026 on the Aurora pricing page. No free plan.

Pros (from user reviews):

• Shade reports and yield estimates are accurate (Capterra).
• Designs are accurate and customer service is strong (G2).
• New staff can learn from its videos and knowledge base (Capterra).

Cons (from reviews and our research):

• Each extra designer or rep is another paid seat, unlike Pylon’s unlimited users.
• Proposal and finance features feel limited for the cost (Capterra).
• One reviewer says it does not link well with other tools (G2).

Reviews: G2 4.7/5 (121 reviews) and Capterra 4.1/5 (7 reviews), checked October 2026.

Read our full Aurora Solar review or our Aurora Solar alternatives.

aurorasolar.com

2. OpenSolar: best free Pylon alternative

Best for: Home and small commercial installers who want design, finance and proposals with no licence fee. Score: 74.0/100.

vs Pylon: OpenSolar drops the per-job fee, and the company says users are unlimited. But its Xero link now costs extra.

What it is: OpenSolar Inc. runs this free design, proposal and sales platform. Partners, paid imagery and a hardware shop fund it. The company cites more than 160 countries.

Why we picked it: It covers layout, shading and proposals with no licence fee. Only its small number of reviews held it back.

Key features:

• Free 3D and 2D rooftop design with shading.
• A premium imagery marketplace, if free images in your area are poor.
• Web proposals with e-signature and payment collection.
• Permit links, including SolarAPP+ in the US.

Pricing: The core platform is free. Since 16 April 2026, API Access and the Xero and QuickBooks connectors are paid, at unpublished rates. Premium imagery is optional and paid. Checked October 2026 on the OpenSolar pricing notice.

Pros (from reviews and our research):

• Adding, removing and moving panels is very easy (G2).
• Reps get useful details in the field from the interactive app (G2).
• Busy teams pay nothing per job.

Cons (from user reviews):

• Layouts lack automatic tweaks, so an engineer must check them (G2).
• The interface looks dated (G2).
• It is "not completely free", as some add-ons cost extra (G2).

Reviews: G2 4.8/5 (3 reviews), checked October 2026. We found no Capterra listing. That is too few reviews to judge.

What we could not confirm: API and connector fees, and shading and storage depth beyond marketing pages.

Read our full OpenSolar review or our OpenSolar alternatives.

opensolar.com

3. PV*SOL premium: best for detailed load and tariff modelling

Best for: Installers in Europe whose quotes depend on battery, heat pump or EV charging loads. Score: 73.3/100.

vs Pylon: Pylon users find usage modelling awkward. PV*SOL premium is built around loads and tariffs, but it is a desktop licence with no CRM (software that tracks leads and customers).

What it is: Valentin Software in Germany makes this desktop tool for 3D design and yield simulation. European installers and planners use it for home and C&I systems.

Why we picked it: It fixes the load modelling gap that Pylon users report, and its prices are public. Its review base is small, at 12 G2 reviews.

Key features:

• Per-consumer tariffs, including EV and heat pump loads.
• A library of load profiles.
• AC- and DC-coupled battery design.
• Yield simulation on Meteonorm 9 climate data.
• JSON export of results to a CRM or ERP.

Pricing: EUR 845 a year per named user plus VAT, or EUR 285 for three months. The 2D version, PV*SOL, costs EUR 585 a year. Checked October 2026 in the Valentin shop. 30-day trial.

Pros (from reviews and our research):

• A three-month licence (EUR 285) suits teams that only need it in peak months.
• G2 users rate it 8.2/10 for ease of use (10 reviews).
• A new major version came out on 24 November 2025.

Cons (from our research):

• It runs on a desktop, so you cannot design in a browser on site.
• Each named user needs a licence, unlike Pylon’s unlimited users.
• We found no e-signature or CRM in its feature list.

Reviews: G2 4.2/5 (12 reviews), checked October 2026. There is no review text to summarise.

Read our full PV*SOL premium review or our PV*SOL alternatives.

valentin-software.com

4. Arka 360: best for a flat fee with unlimited projects

Best for: US and Indian installers with high job volume who want one monthly price. Score: 71.0/100.

vs Pylon: Arka charges a flat monthly fee for unlimited projects, priced in USD and INR. Pylon charges per job and publishes only GBP prices.

What it is: Arka 360 (formerly The Solar Labs) runs design, proposals and a light CRM in the browser. It has offices in Bengaluru and Allen, Texas.

Why we picked it: Its 137 G2 reviews are the most of any tool here, and reviewers rate its support 9.2/10. One flat fee covers design, shading and proposals.

Key features:

• 3D rooftop and ground-mount design with shading.
• Stringing (how panels wire into inverters) for micro-inverters and optimisers.
• SLD (single-line diagram) export and 3D export to SketchUp and PVsyst (Premium).
• AI design and permit checks.

Pricing: The international-list Basic costs USD 159 a month or USD 1,699 a year, with unlimited home and commercial projects. Premium costs USD 199 a month or USD 1,999 a year. Enterprise costs USD 999 a month or USD 9,999 a year. India starts from INR 46,000 a year plus 18% GST, though the page shows two conflicting INR price sets and an INR 10,000 onboarding fee. Checked October 2026 on the Arka 360 pricing page. Demo only.

Pros (from user reviews):

• 14 G2 reviewers call it easy to use.
• Reviewers trust its shadow analysis and project estimates.
• 3D views help close deals, and support staff are caring.

Cons (from user reviews):

• It lags or hangs on projects of 3 MWp (megawatts peak) and above.
• Some features are missing, and structure choices confuse some users.
• Some report a steep start and limits on multiple users.

Reviews: G2 4.3/5 (137 reviews), with ease of use 8.5/10 and support 9.2/10, checked October 2026.

What we could not confirm: Which INR price set is current, and whether the onboarding fee applies to US plans.

Read our full Arka 360 review or our Arka 360 alternatives.

arka360.com

5. HelioScope: best for installers moving into larger C&I jobs

Best for: Commercial designers whose jobs now reach megawatt sizes. Score: 69.9/100.

vs Pylon: Pylon Pro covers commercial jobs from 99 kW. HelioScope Pro goes up to 5 MW DC (megawatts of direct-current panel power) and Enterprise up to 30 MW DC.

What it is: HelioScope is a web tool for commercial design and yield, owned by Aurora Solar Inc. since 2019. C&I (commercial and industrial) EPCs (firms that design and build solar plants) are its main users.

Why we picked it: It scores well for shading and yield, which matter more as jobs grow. Each plan shows its price and project size limit up front.

Key features:

• Shading and wiring-loss modelling.
• Yield that the company says is within 1% of PVsyst.
• P90/P95/P99 values (Pro).
• Storage design, plus trackers and PVsyst export on Enterprise.

Pricing: Basic costs USD 159 a month, or USD 1,620 a year if billed yearly per licence. It covers one user and 10 projects a month, up to 1.25 MW DC. Pro costs USD 259 a month or USD 2,640 a year, up to 5 MW DC. Enterprise is custom, priced per project, up to 30 MW DC. Checked October 2026 on the HelioScope pricing page. A free trial is offered.

Pros (from user reviews):

• The interface is simple and quick to learn.
• Layouts and shading and wiring-loss maths are fast and accurate.
• Reports and SLDs come out quickly.

Cons (from reviews and our research):

• The subscription is costly, and tiers do not suit occasional users (G2).
• Yearly project limits pinch on large systems (G2).
• Financial modelling and proposals need the Pro plan.

Reviews: G2 4.5/5 (19 reviews), with ease of use 8.8/10 and support 7.9/10, checked October 2026.

Read our full HelioScope review or our HelioScope alternatives.

helioscope.aurorasolar.com

6. Solargraf: best for US permit plan sets and lender finance

Best for: US home installers who want design, finance and permits in one plan. Score: 68.2/100.

vs Pylon: Solargraf builds permit plan sets and US lender offers into every plan. It sells yearly bundles from USD 2,799, not per-job credits.

What it is: Solargraf is Enphase’s tool for design, proposals, finance and permits. Enphase bought it with Sofdesk in 2021. Most of its buyers are in the US and Canada.

Why we picked it: It ties Aurora Solar for the best fit here, with design, proposals and permit plan sets in one plan. Weak Capterra scores pulled it down to sixth.

Key features:

• Permit-ready SLDs, three-line diagrams and plan sets to NEC 2026.
• A database of 14,000+ AHJs (local permit offices).
• Concert, LightReach and EnFin finance in proposals.
• Auto roofline and obstacle detection.

Pricing: Starter is USD 2,799 a year (240 projects, 2 users). Small Business is USD 4,799 (480 projects, 4 users) and Teams is USD 6,399 (720 projects, 6 users). Enterprise is USD 12,999 (1,500 projects, unlimited users, API). Checked October 2026 on the Solargraf pricing page.

Pros (from user reviews):

• Good shading and 3D tools make design easy.
• One tool runs from proposal to permit.
• Homeowners find the proposals and contracts clear.

Cons (from user reviews):

• It can crash, and wrong property data can confuse the 3D tool.
• Reviewers find it expensive next to other tools.
• Support waits have grown longer.

Reviews: Capterra 3.2/5 (15 reviews), with ease of use 3.7/5 and support 3.4/5, checked October 2026.

Read our full Solargraf review or our Solargraf alternatives.

7. Reonic: best for installers who sell solar with heat pumps

Best for: European firms that sell solar, storage, wallboxes and heat pumps from one system. Score: 66.0/100.

vs Pylon: Pylon is mainly design and proposals, with a CRM add-on. Reonic adds drone-scan roof models, heat pump planning and project management, but shows no prices.

What it is: Reonic GmbH, from Augsburg and Berlin, makes this all-in-one platform for design, proposals, CRM and project work. Its core market is Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and it also sells in the UK.

Why we picked it: Trustpilot users rate it 4.5/5 from 33 reviews, and it runs from design through to project work. Having no public prices cost it points.

Key features:

• 3D roof models from satellite, orthophoto or drone scans.
• Shading from nearby buildings, trees and roof obstacles.
• Proposals with profit maths, branded PDF and e-signature.
• Heat pump planning next to PV and storage.

Pricing: Quote only. Reonic publishes no prices and offers a free demo. Checked October 2026 on the Reonic product page.

Pros (from user reviews):

• Heat loss and design tools sit in a clean interface (Trustpilot, UK, March 2026).
• Onboarding support is strong (Trustpilot, UK, March 2026).
• Energy-flow simulation and fast proposals lifted sales (Trustpilot, Germany, September 2024).

Cons (from our research):

• You need a sales call to get any price.
• Some services, such as grid registration and KfW support, apply only in Germany.
• All its reviews sit on one site, as its Capterra listing has none.

Reviews: Trustpilot 4.5/5 (33 reviews), checked October 2026. Capterra lists it with 0 reviews.

See our Reonic alternatives.

reonic.com/en-gb

8. SolarPlus: best for battery, tariff and off-grid design in Australia

Best for: Australian and New Zealand installers who size batteries and off-grid systems. Score: 65.8/100.

vs Pylon: Both serve Australia. SolarPlus adds interval-data simulation, off-grid design and install job packs, and bills a flat monthly plan instead of per job.

What it is: SolarPlus, founded in 2011 in Healesville, Victoria, covers solar, battery and off-grid design, quotes and sales. It includes a light CRM.

Why we picked it: It is one of the best fits here for battery and usage modelling in Australia. A single user review kept its score lower.

Key features:

• Site-specific simulation with interval data.
• Battery sizing, peak shaving and tariff modelling.
• Off-grid load profiles and generator design.
• Install job packs, commissioning checklists and handover manuals.

Pricing: Starter is USD 135 a month on annual prepay (USD 150 monthly), with 5 designer accounts. It caps quotes at 300 kW residential or 900 kW commercial. Pro is USD 260 (10 accounts) and Complete is USD 450 (unlimited users), both on annual prepay. Onboarding packs cost AUD 500 or AUD 1,000. Checked October 2026 on the SolarPlus pricing page.

Pros (from our research):

• Interval data and tariffs help where Pylon’s usage modelling feels awkward.
• Off-grid and generator design come in the same tool.
• Job packs and checklists carry the sale through to install.

Cons (from our research):

• Plans cap the kW you quote, so a busy quarter can push you up a tier.
• Paid onboarding packs add AUD 500 to AUD 1,000.
• One G2 review is too little to judge user views.

Reviews: G2 4.5/5 (1 review), checked October 2026.

What we could not confirm: Which features sit on which plan, and whether onboarding is required.

solarplus.co

9. Solo: best for US dealer sales teams

Best for: US residential dealers with large sales teams that sell on lender finance. Score: 65.1/100.

vs Pylon: Both allow unlimited users. Solo adds a US lender marketplace and AHJ checks, but it is quote only while Pylon lists prices.

What it is: Solo, from Lehi in Utah, is an AI-assisted design, proposal and finance tool for US home solar dealers. Roofing, HVAC and generator "Studios" have since been added.

Why we picked it: It covers design and finance-ready proposals for US dealers, and its dated monthly release notes show steady updates. Quote-only pricing cost it points.

Key features:

• AI auto-design with obstacle detection and setbacks, in under 5 minutes.
• A finance marketplace (Sungage, GoodLeap, LightReach, Dividend).
• Checks against lender, utility and AHJ rules.
• CRM links (Salesforce, HubSpot, Enerflo) and an open API.

Pricing: Quote only, "based on usage, support level, and scale". Unlimited users and concierge onboarding are included. Checked October 2026 on the Solo pricing page. Demo required.

Pros (from reviews and our research):

• New reps are easy to train (Capterra review, December 2025).
• Dated monthly release notes run through April 2026.
• Growing teams add reps with no seat cost.

Cons (from reviews and our research):

• Reps can change too many settings, which hurts quality control (Capterra).
• Its lender and utility rules are US-only.
• With no public price, you need a sales call to budget.

Reviews: G2 4.6/5 (12 reviews), checked October 2026. The review text sits behind a login.

Read our full Solo review or our Solo alternatives.

gosolo.io

10. Solar Proof: best for per-project credits with rebate maths

Best for: Small and mid Australian installers who like paying per job. Score: 61.7/100.

vs Pylon: The closest like-for-like swap: credits from 4 per project and five free projects, plus automatic rebate maths.

What it is: Solar Proof Solutions, from Kingscliff in New South Wales, makes this design, proposal and rebate quoting tool for Australian rules. Its latest product update is dated August 2026.

Why we picked it: It is the closest per-project match to Pylon, with public prices and five free projects. It has no user reviews yet, so it ranks last.

Key features:

• Automatic STC, Cheaper Home Batteries and VEEC rebate maths.
• A browser SLD editor filled from the quote, with A3 or A4 PDF export.
• 3D shade analysis with per-panel shade loss.
• Interval data analysis, commercial tariffs and IRR/NPV.

Pricing: Pay As You Go costs 4 per project, and credits never expire. You get 5 free projects to start. The SLD editor needs an In-Depth project (3 credits). Pro starts from 99 a month, and yearly billing saves 20%. The page does not name the currency (AUD is likely) or say if GST applies. Checked October 2026 on the Solar Proof pricing page.

Pros (from our research):

• Credits never expire, so you can buy them in a quiet month.
• Rebate figures fill in by themselves on each quote.
• Interval data and commercial tariffs help with usage modelling.

Cons (from our research):

• It is built for Australia only.
• The Pro tier prices are not broken down on the pricing page.
• With no user reviews, you cannot check other installers’ views.

Reviews: No user reviews found as of October 2026.

What we could not confirm: The price currency, and whether GST is included.

solarproof.com.au

How do the 10 Pylon alternatives compare?

This table shows what changes when you leave Pylon.

Also considered

• Scanifly: Scored 58.2/100. It builds drone-based 3D site models for US installers. But it is quote only, has three G2 reviews, and its plan sets are a done-for-you service.
• SolarEdge Designer: Scored 55.3/100. SolarEdge’s 2018 press release calls it free, but it is built around SolarEdge kit. We could not confirm its current status on the company’s site.
• Solar Monkey: Scored 54.3/100. This Dutch home design tool merged with Eturnity in March 2026. We could not check its prices or features on its own site.

How do you choose a Pylon alternative?

• If you left Pylon over image quality or 3D accuracy, pick Aurora Solar (LIDAR on Premium).
• If you want costs near zero, pick OpenSolar.
• If usage modelling was the problem, pick PV*SOL premium in Europe, or SolarPlus or Solar Proof in Australia.
• If you sell in the US on lender finance, pick Solargraf for permits or Solo for large dealer teams.
• If your commercial jobs now reach megawatts, pick HelioScope.
• If you run high volume and want one monthly price, pick Arka 360.
• If you sell heat pumps with solar in Europe, pick Reonic.

For wider lists, see the best solar design software in Australia, the UK ranking and our residential design software picks. More tools sit in our design and simulation category.

Want more choices? Browse every tool we checked in our design and simulation category.

How do you switch from Pylon?

• Export first. Save signed proposals as PDFs, and export leads and customers from the CRM add-on. We found no documented import of Pylon projects into any tool on this page.
• Keep Pylon for live jobs. It has no monthly minimum, so you can finish open projects there while you trial the new tool.
• Rebuild your templates. Set up branding, price lists, panels, inverters and batteries in the new tool before go-live.
• Run a parallel job. Design one or two real jobs in both tools. Compare yield, price and time taken.
• Reconnect your apps. Relink Xero or your CRM, then move the team on one date.

Pylon alternatives FAQs

Sources

All read 22 to 25 October 2026.

• Pylon: UK pricing, July 2026 update, Capterra, G2
• Aurora Solar: pricing, G2, Capterra, G2 review, What’s New
• OpenSolar: pricing notice, free platform, news, G2
• PV*SOL premium: shop, 2026 release, G2, G2 comparison
• Arka 360: pricing, commercial design, G2, G2 comparison
• HelioScope: pricing, G2
• Solargraf: pricing, Capterra, Q2 2026 highlights, Enphase release
• Reonic: product, integrations, Trustpilot, Capterra
• SolarPlus: pricing, features, G2
• Solo: pricing, integrations, G2, Capterra review, April 2026 release notes
• Solar Proof: pricing, site, SLD editor article
• Scanifly: site, G2
• SolarEdge Designer: press release (2018)

Last updated 28 October 2026. Next scheduled review: 23 January 2027.