# Aurora Solar, RatedPower vs AutoCAD Comparison | | Aurora Solar | RatedPower | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Star Rating** | 4.7 out of 5 | 4.4 out of 5 | 4.4 out of 5 | | **Total Reviews** | 121 | 282 | 1,933 | | **Largest Market Segment** | Small-Business (63.2% of reviews) | Small-Business (51.5% of reviews) | Small-Business (46.8% of reviews) | | **Entry Level Price** | No pricing available | Contact Us Per Year | $260.00 1 user | --- ## Top Pros & Cons ### Aurora Solar Pros: - Ease of Use (8 reviews) - Customer Support (7 reviews) Cons: - Missing Features (4 reviews) - Difficult Learning Process (2 reviews) ### RatedPower Pros: - Ease of Use (22 reviews) - Time Saving (18 reviews) Cons: - Layout Issues (14 reviews) - Missing Features (8 reviews) ### AutoCAD Pros: - Ease of Use (180 reviews) - Drawing (115 reviews) Cons: - Expensive (65 reviews) - Learning Curve (48 reviews) --- ## Ratings Comparison | Rating | Aurora Solar | RatedPower | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Meets Requirements** | 9.2 (76 reviews) | 7.9 (244 reviews) | 8.8 (1578 reviews) | | **Ease of Use** | 8.9 (78 reviews) | 8.7 (247 reviews) | 8.3 (1586 reviews) | | **Ease of Setup** | 9.0 (53 reviews) | 9.0 (182 reviews) | 8.3 (346 reviews) | | **Ease of Admin** | 9.2 (36 reviews) | 8.8 (71 reviews) | 8.0 (204 reviews) | | **Quality of Support** | 8.9 (77 reviews) | 9.3 (237 reviews) | 8.2 (1422 reviews) | | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 9.5 (39 reviews) | 8.8 (71 reviews) | 8.5 (203 reviews) | | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 9.2 (73 reviews) | 9.6 (237 reviews) | 8.0 (1547 reviews) | --- ## Pricing ### Aurora Solar #### Entry-Level Pricing No pricing available #### Free Trial No information available ### RatedPower #### Entry-Level Pricing Plan: Basic Price: Contact Us Per Year Description: Get the basic engineering and feasibility studies for your utility-scale plants all the way to the grid point. Includes unlimited users, projects and designs. Key Features: - PV design layout, modeling and 2D energy yield estimates - Hybridation, standalone storage and interconnection design - Unlimited email support [Browse all 3 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/ratedpower/pricing) #### Free Trial No ### AutoCAD #### Entry-Level Pricing Plan: Monthly Subscription Price: $260.00 1 user Description: Access software 1 month at a time for the lowest up-front investment. Key Features: - Access to the latest software releases - 1-on-1 online support - Includes AutoCAD Mobile App [Browse all 4 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad/pricing) #### Free Trial Yes --- ## Features Comparison By Category ### Building Design and Building Information Modeling (BIM) | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **Aurora Solar** | N/A | N/A | | **RatedPower** | N/A | N/A | | **AutoCAD** | 8.1/10 | 490 | #### Design | Feature | Aurora Solar | RatedPower | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Visualizing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.4 (411 reviews) | | **Rendering** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.3 (378 reviews) | | **Drawing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 9.2 (428 reviews) | | **Editing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.8 (410 reviews) | | **Sequence Steps** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.2 (371 reviews) | | **Dynamic Updating** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.3 (199 reviews) | #### Collaboration | Feature | Aurora Solar | RatedPower | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Multi User** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.9 (368 reviews) | | **File Import/Export** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.8 (422 reviews) | | **Annotating ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.7 (416 reviews) | | **Document Storage** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.7 (396 reviews) | #### Construction | Feature | Aurora Solar | RatedPower | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Fabrication** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.4 (367 reviews) | | **Reinforcement Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.2 (357 reviews) | | **Clash Detection ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.5 (335 reviews) | | **Grading** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.1 (187 reviews) | | **Earthwork** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.8 (180 reviews) | #### Generative AI | Feature | Aurora Solar | RatedPower | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **AI Text Generation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.2 (48 reviews) | | **AI Text Summarization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.1 (46 reviews) | | **AI Text-to-3D** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 6.2 (48 reviews) | #### Common Data Environment (CDE) - Building Design and Building Information Modeling | Feature | Aurora Solar | RatedPower | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Role-Based Access** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Centralized Data Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | #### Cost Estimation - Building Design and Building Information Modeling | Feature | Aurora Solar | RatedPower | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Lifecycle Cost Tracking** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Quantity Takeoff & Cost Estimation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.0 (5 reviews) | #### Electrical & Circuit Design - Building Design and Building Information Modeling | Feature | Aurora Solar | RatedPower | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Clash Detection** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Electrical System Modeling** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **MEP Coordination** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Load Calculation & Analysis** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Interoperability with BIM & CAD** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 9.3 (5 reviews) | | **Circuit Design Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | ### General-Purpose CAD | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **Aurora Solar** | N/A | N/A | | **RatedPower** | N/A | N/A | | **AutoCAD** | 8.4/10 | 598 | #### Design | Feature | Aurora Solar | RatedPower | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Drawing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 9.5 (532 reviews) | | **Modeling** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.0 (497 reviews) | | **Visualize ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.1 (490 reviews) | | **Rendering** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.4 (428 reviews) | #### Edit | Feature | Aurora Solar | RatedPower | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **File Import ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.7 (496 reviews) | | **Push/Pull** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.2 (439 reviews) | | **Views** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.5 (485 reviews) | | **Grips ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.4 (459 reviews) | #### Collaboration | Feature | Aurora Solar | RatedPower | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Annotate** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.6 (480 reviews) | | **Documentation ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.7 (473 reviews) | | **Data Extract** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.4 (448 reviews) | ### GIS | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **Aurora Solar** | N/A | N/A | | **RatedPower** | N/A | N/A | | **AutoCAD** | 8.4/10 | 46 | #### Data Management | Feature | Aurora Solar | RatedPower | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Data Capture** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.6 (37 reviews) | | **Data Storage** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.8 (38 reviews) | | **Data Manipulation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.6 (36 reviews) | | **Data Visualization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.8 (37 reviews) | #### Map Creation | Feature | Aurora Solar | RatedPower | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Geocoding** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.4 (37 reviews) | | **Buffer Zone Query** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.0 (32 reviews) | | **Overlaying** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.7 (36 reviews) | | **Publishing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.6 (34 reviews) | #### Analysis | Feature | Aurora Solar | RatedPower | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Spatial Analysis** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.5 (34 reviews) | | **Reporting ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.9 (34 reviews) | | **Real-Time Streaming ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.0 (29 reviews) | ### Solar Design | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **Aurora Solar** | 8.7/10 | 38 | | **RatedPower** | 7.7/10 | 171 | | **AutoCAD** | N/A | N/A | #### Analysis | Feature | Aurora Solar | RatedPower | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Site Selection** | 9.0 (37 reviews) | 8.2 (165 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Financial Analysis** | 8.6 (37 reviews) | 6.8 (163 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Energy Yield Assessment** | 9.1 (38 reviews) | 7.7 (165 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Customer Relationship Management (CRM)** | 8.1 (37 reviews) | 7.6 (158 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Functionality | Feature | Aurora Solar | RatedPower | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Construction Planning** | 8.3 (37 reviews) | Feature Not Available | Not enough data | | **Design & engineering** | 9.2 (37 reviews) | 8.0 (169 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Modeling capabilities** | 9.2 (38 reviews) | 7.8 (164 reviews) | Not enough data | | **3D Visualization** | 9.6 (37 reviews) | 7.5 (160 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Automation | Feature | Aurora Solar | RatedPower | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Topography Analysis** | 9.1 (37 reviews) | 7.7 (164 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Single Line Drawings** | 7.6 (36 reviews) | 7.4 (160 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Layout Automation** | 8.4 (36 reviews) | 8.2 (166 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Bills of Materials** | 7.9 (35 reviews) | 7.8 (163 reviews) | Not enough data | ### Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **Aurora Solar** | N/A | N/A | | **RatedPower** | N/A | N/A | | **AutoCAD** | 8.2/10 | 22 | #### Tools - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) | Feature | Aurora Solar | RatedPower | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **3D/solid modeling Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.5 (14 reviews) | | **Rendering Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.0 (14 reviews) | | **Drawing Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 9.0 (15 reviews) | | **Editing Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.9 (14 reviews) | | **Text Editing Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.7 (14 reviews) | #### File Options - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) | Feature | Aurora Solar | RatedPower | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Export Files** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.5 (14 reviews) | | **Import Files** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.9 (14 reviews) | | **File Interoperability** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.2 (16 reviews) | | **Backwards compatibility** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.2 (14 reviews) | | **File size** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.0 (15 reviews) | #### Customization - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) | Feature | Aurora Solar | RatedPower | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Custom Commands** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.1 (15 reviews) | | **Custom Scripts** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.3 (15 reviews) | | **Custom Menus** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.9 (13 reviews) | | **Custom Interface** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.2 (17 reviews) | #### Environment - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) | Feature | Aurora Solar | RatedPower | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Hardware support** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.9 (14 reviews) | | **Task-based interfaces** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.9 (13 reviews) | | **Manage Multiple Profiles** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.9 (13 reviews) | | **Command Clarity** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.6 (14 reviews) | ### Energy Site Selection Tools | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **Aurora Solar** | N/A | N/A | | **RatedPower** | N/A | N/A | | **AutoCAD** | N/A | N/A | #### Spatial & GIS Analysis | Feature | Aurora Solar | RatedPower | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **GIS-Based Suitability Mapping** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | #### Resource & Environmental Assessment | Feature | Aurora Solar | RatedPower | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Terrain & Land Use Evaluation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Environmental Risk & Constraint Mapping** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Potential Analysis** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | #### Infrastructure & Connectivity | Feature | Aurora Solar | RatedPower | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Scenario Comparison & Ranking** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Automated Feasibility Reporting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Grid Access and Transmission Modeling** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | --- ## Categories **Unique to Aurora Solar (1):** [Solar Design Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/solar-design) **Unique to RatedPower (2):** [Energy Site Selection Tools Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/energy-site-selection-tools), [Solar Design Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/solar-design) **Unique to AutoCAD (4):** [GIS Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/gis), [Building Design and Building Information Modeling (BIM) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/building-design-and-building-information-modeling-bim), [General-Purpose CAD Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/general-purpose-cad), [Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/mechanical-computer-aided-design-mcad) --- ## Reviewer Demographics ### By Company Size | Segment | Aurora Solar | RatedPower | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Small-Business** | 63.2% | 51.5% | 46.8% | | **Mid-Market** | 31.1% | 32.8% | 34.3% | | **Enterprise** | 5.7% | 15.7% | 18.9% | ### By Industry #### Aurora Solar - **Renewables & Environment:** 34.9% - **Construction:** 19.8% - **Oil & Energy:** 10.4% - **Marketing and Advertising:** 3.8% - **Design:** 3.8% - **Consulting:** 2.8% - **Wholesale:** 2.8% - **Utilities:** 2.8% - **Computer Software:** 2.8% - **Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing:** 2.8% - **Other:** 13.2% #### RatedPower - **Renewables & Environment:** 53.9% - **Oil & Energy:** 19.0% - **Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing:** 5.2% - **Design:** 4.1% - **Utilities:** 3.3% - **Consulting:** 3.0% - **Construction:** 2.6% - **Civil Engineering:** 2.6% - **Mechanical or Industrial Engineering:** 2.2% - **Management Consulting:** 1.1% - **Other:** 3.0% #### AutoCAD - **Architecture & Planning:** 22.3% - **Civil Engineering:** 10.4% - **Construction:** 9.3% - **Mechanical or Industrial Engineering:** 8.6% - **Design:** 8.4% - **Oil & Energy:** 3.2% - **Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing:** 2.9% - **Automotive:** 2.9% - **Information Technology and Services:** 2.3% - **Higher Education:** 1.8% - **Other:** 27.8% --- ## Alternatives ### Alternatives to Aurora Solar - [PVcase Ground Mount](https://www.g2.com/products/pvcase-ground-mount/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (356 reviews) - [Artemis](https://www.g2.com/products/artemis-solar-artemis/reviews) — 4.9/5 stars (324 reviews) - [ARKA 360](https://www.g2.com/products/arka-360/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (137 reviews) - [PV*SOL](https://www.g2.com/products/pv-sol/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (12 reviews) - [PVsyst](https://www.g2.com/products/pvsyst/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (21 reviews) - [EagleView](https://www.g2.com/products/eagleview-eagleview/reviews) — 3.6/5 stars (14 reviews) - [PVcase Roof Mount](https://www.g2.com/products/pvcase-roof-mount/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (15 reviews) - [PVcase Prospect](https://www.g2.com/products/pvcase-prospect/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (39 reviews) - [Solargraf](https://www.g2.com/products/solargraf/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (4 reviews) - [OpenSolar](https://www.g2.com/products/opensolar/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (3 reviews) ### Alternatives to RatedPower - [PVcase Ground Mount](https://www.g2.com/products/pvcase-ground-mount/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (356 reviews) - [Artemis](https://www.g2.com/products/artemis-solar-artemis/reviews) — 4.9/5 stars (324 reviews) - [PVsyst](https://www.g2.com/products/pvsyst/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (21 reviews) - [ARKA 360](https://www.g2.com/products/arka-360/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (137 reviews) - [HelioScope](https://www.g2.com/products/helioscope/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (19 reviews) - [PV*SOL](https://www.g2.com/products/pv-sol/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (12 reviews) - [PVcase Prospect](https://www.g2.com/products/pvcase-prospect/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (39 reviews) - [EagleView](https://www.g2.com/products/eagleview-eagleview/reviews) — 3.6/5 stars (14 reviews) - [Virto.CAD](https://www.g2.com/products/virto-cad/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (25 reviews) - [PVcase Roof Mount](https://www.g2.com/products/pvcase-roof-mount/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (15 reviews) ### Alternatives to AutoCAD - [SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/products/sketchup/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1324 reviews) - [Altium Develop](https://www.g2.com/products/altium-develop/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (996 reviews) - [SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (643 reviews) - [Rhinoceros](https://www.g2.com/products/rhinoceros/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (191 reviews) - [Onshape](https://www.g2.com/products/onshape/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (695 reviews) - [Designcenter Solid Edge](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-solid-edge/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (599 reviews) - [Esri ArcGIS](https://www.g2.com/products/esri-arcgis/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (539 reviews) - [Designcenter NX](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-nx/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (527 reviews) - [MicroStation](https://www.g2.com/products/microstation/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (412 reviews) - [ZWCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/zwcad/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (349 reviews) --- ## Top Discussions ### Aurora Solar - Title: [What is Aurora software used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-aurora-software-used-for) — 3 comments > **Top comment:** "Aurora Software is used by the front end, planning, and back end processes for Residential and Commercial Solar Projects. Aurora accelerates every..." - Title: [How accurate is Aurora Solar?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-accurate-is-aurora-solar) — 1 comment > **Top comment:** "I don't know the answer" - Title: [Upload new modules](https://www.g2.com/discussions/51457-upload-new-modules) — 1 comment, 2 upvotes > **Top comment:** "Hi Zachary, Thanks for your question. If you send over the spec sheet for this new module to support@aurorasolar.com, our Support team will be able to..." ### RatedPower - Title: [Is it possible to have a tool for interconnection settings and calculations?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-it-possible-to-have-a-tool-for-interconnection-settings-and-calculations) — 2 comments, 1 upvote > **Top comment:** "Comment deleted by user." - Title: [Would Ratedpower launch a type of online user forum to boost user community growth?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/would-ratedpower-launch-a-type-of-online-user-forum-to-boost-user-community-growth) — 2 comments, 1 upvote > **Top comment:** "A community forum for technical support and engagement with the solar engineers folks is something we've thought about in the past. While there is not..." - Title: [When are you expecting to allow a mix of watt classes for design?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/when-are-you-expecting-to-allow-a-mix-of-watt-classes-for-design) — 1 comment, 1 upvote *(includes official response)* > **Top comment:** "Hello Sergio, A number of our clients agree with your suggestion. This development is currently in our backlog. Although, right now, we don't have a..." ### AutoCAD - Title: [Can we add simulation?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/15648-can-we-add-simulation) — 4 comments, 3 upvotes > **Top comment:** "Yes we can do any kind of simulation here. This tool provides great flexibility." - Title: [Which of the features might be useful for CAD software?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/which-of-the-features-might-be-useful-for-cad-software) — 3 comments > **Top comment:** "3d extend " - Title: [What is AutoCAD Architecture used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-autocad-architecture-used-for) — 2 comments, 2 upvotes > **Top comment:** "AutoCAD Architecture is a specialized version of AutoCAD developed for architects and building professionals. It provides intelligent architectural..." - Title: [Can you do 3d in AutoCAD?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/can-you-do-3d-in-autocad) — 2 comments > **Top comment:** "Yes" - Title: [What is AutoCAD software used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-autocad-software-used-for) — 2 comments > **Top comment:** "drafting, design and drawing production. 2d and 3d" --- **Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/aurora-solar-vs-ratedpower-vs-autocad)