The short version: SolarPlus and Solar Proof are both Australian, but they sit at opposite ends of a depth-versus-simplicity trade-off. SolarPlus is the deeper tool, with a rare off-grid load-profile builder; Solar Proof is the faster one, built to get a compliant proposal out the door with less to learn.
Comparing Solar Proof vs SolarPlus isn't about which is "better", it's about which trade-off suits your business. Both handle AS/NZS compliance and both are built here in Australia, so the honest comparison is depth against speed. Here's how that plays out in practice.
What is the difference between SolarPlus and Solar Proof?
The difference is philosophy: SolarPlus maximises capability, Solar Proof minimises friction. SolarPlus, built by Solaris Pty Ltd since 2011 with Smart Energy Council heritage, is a deep platform with off-grid, commercial and compliance tooling that rewards installers who learn it thoroughly. Solar Proof, founded in 2017 and used by over 1,000 solar professionals, is built so a team can produce a compliant, branded proposal quickly, the live platform averages about a two-minute proposal, with STCs and the Federal Battery Rebate applied automatically.
Solar Proof vs SolarPlus: the facts
| Solar Proof | SolarPlus | |
|---|---|---|
| Built in | Australia (founded 2017) | Australia (since 2011) |
| Design philosophy | Speed & simplicity | Depth & configurability |
| Off-grid design | Grid & hybrid focus | Dedicated off-grid load-profile builder |
| Learning curve | Fast to learn | Steeper; power-user oriented |
| Pricing | From ~A$4/project; Pro from ~A$99/mo | Tiered subscription plans |
| STCs & Federal Battery Rebate | Calculated automatically | Compliance-focused tooling |
| AS/NZS 5033 SLDs | Built-in browser editor | Compliance documentation |
| Free trial | Yes | Plan-based, no per-project trial |
What is SolarPlus better at?
SolarPlus is better at depth, especially off-grid. Its standout is a dedicated off-grid load-profile builder that models daily and seasonal loads for stand-alone power systems, something grid-focused tools simply don't attempt. On top of that it offers peak-shaving and tariff analysis, one-click handover manuals and job safety templates, and strong AS/NZS compliance flagging. For documentation-heavy commercial work and genuine off-grid design, that depth is hard to beat.
What is Solar Proof better at?
Solar Proof is better at the everyday job of turning a design into a signed deal quickly. New staff get productive fast because there's less to learn, the AI Template Builder produces a branded, NETCC-compliant proposal template from your website in about a minute, and STCs and the tiered Federal Battery Rebate are calculated inside the quote. It's priced per project in Australian dollars rather than as a subscription, so you're not paying for capability you don't use.
Does the learning curve actually matter?
Yes, more than most installers expect. SolarPlus's depth means real onboarding time before a new team member is producing quotes confidently, which is a genuine cost in a busy or growing business. Solar Proof is built so that ramp-up is short. If your team is small, changes often, or you simply want quotes out faster, the learning curve is a deciding factor, not a footnote.
How much does each one cost?
The pricing models differ as much as the products. SolarPlus uses tiered subscription plans, a fixed cost regardless of how many jobs you quote, which rewards steady high volume; confirm current figures with SolarPlus directly. Solar Proof is pay-as-you-go from around four dollars per project (first projects free), with Pro plans from about ninety-nine dollars per month. For variable or growing workloads, paying per project is usually easier to justify than a subscription.
What do installers say about Solar Proof?
"Solar Proof is hands down the best solar design software we've used. The combination of ease of use and powerful custom templates have made it indispensable."
When should you NOT switch from SolarPlus to Solar Proof?
Don't switch if SolarPlus's depth is doing real work for you, because Solar Proof deliberately trades some of that depth for speed. If a meaningful share of your jobs are off-grid or stand-alone power systems, or you depend on SolarPlus's commercial analysis and detailed compliance documentation, a simpler tool would be a step backwards. The same goes if your team has already mastered it and that investment is paying off.
Verdict: which should you choose?
In Solar Proof vs SolarPlus, choose SolarPlus if you need maximum capability for off-grid and complex commercial work and will invest in learning it; choose Solar Proof if you want compliant Australian proposals out the door fast with minimal onboarding. It's a depth-versus-speed decision, so match the tool to which of those your business actually values.
