An affordable Aurora Solar alternative
Premium platforms like Aurora Solar and Scanifly are powerful but expensive — per-seat pricing, sales contracts, and (for Scanifly) full drone flights. If you want the core deliverable — accurate measurements, a to-scale panel layout, and NEC-compliant string sizing — without that cost and overhead, RoofDecko does it from one drone photo for $19/month.
How RoofDecko compares
| RoofDecko | Aurora Solar | Scanifly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry price | Free; $19/mo Pro | Premium, per-seat, sales-gated | Quote-only (enterprise) |
| Input | One drone photo | Satellite/aerial + LIDAR | Full drone photogrammetry flight |
| Self-serve | Yes | Usually sales call | Usually sales call |
| NEC 690.7 string sizing | Built in | Yes | Yes |
| Setup effort | Snap one photo | Account onboarding | Plan + fly a structured mission |
Competitor details are based on publicly available information and may change — verify on each vendor's site.
Who it's for
- Independent installers and small EPC teams replacing per-report or premium per-seat tools.
- Solar sales reps who need a fast, credible visual at the kitchen table.
- Freelance/permit-set designers who want margin-friendly, self-serve pricing.
- Drone operators turning a single photo into a sellable solar deliverable.
FAQ
What is the cheapest Aurora Solar alternative?
RoofDecko is among the most affordable: a free plan plus Pro at $19/month or $171/year, with no per-seat sales contract. It covers roof measurement, to-scale panel layout, NEC 690.7 string sizing, and kWp estimates from a single drone photo.
Is there an alternative to Aurora and Scanifly that doesn't need a drone flight?
Yes. Unlike photogrammetry tools that require a structured multi-image drone flight, RoofDecko works from one top-down photo and derives scale from its metadata, so a quick consumer-drone shot is enough.
Do I have to talk to sales to try it?
No. RoofDecko is fully self-serve — sign up and start measuring in minutes.