OpenSolar Review
Free, full-featured solar design and sales software
Score
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Quick verdict
OpenSolar is best for Solar contractors of any size that want a genuinely free, full-featured design and sales platform and are comfortable with a partner-funded business model. Pricing starts at $0/mo. Strongest fit: Solar.
About OpenSolar
OpenSolar is the one genuinely free full-featured platform in solar design and sales. Founded in 2017 in Sydney, it offers design, sales, and project-management software at $0 — no licensing fees, no seat limits, no design caps, no long-term contracts — and is used by more than 28,000 solar professionals across 185+ countries. In January 2026 it launched OS 3.0, billed as the first free AI-powered solar operating system, including an AI assistant (Ada) with voice-activated design.
The obvious question is how free software is any good — and the answer is the business model, not charity. Hardware distributors, financing companies, and equipment lenders pay OpenSolar for preferred placement and access to its large installer network; that partner revenue funds product development. Installers get a full-featured platform; partners get a distribution channel. For a cost-conscious installer, that means a credible alternative to Aurora's premium pricing without giving up core design-to-proposal capability.
The trade-offs follow from the model. As of April 2026, OpenSolar began charging for some API access and connectors that move data in and out of the platform, so 'free' now has edges. The partner-funded model also means hardware and finance partners are surfaced inside the tool — useful, but not neutral. And like most design-first tools, its permit-ready electrical depth is limited. Still, for the price, the value is unmatched, and the broad global user base signals real satisfaction among residential and light-commercial installers.
Pricing
| Tier | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Entry tier |
Free for the full design/sales/project-management feature set — no seat limits, no design caps, no subscription. As of 2026, charges apply for some API access and third-party connectors. OpenSolar monetizes via hardware distributors, lenders, and finance partners, not installer subscriptions.
OpenSolar offers a genuinely free tier — uncommon in this category. The free tier typically covers the basics (quoting, invoicing, sometimes scheduling) but lacks the multi-user team management, automation, and reporting depth that paid tiers add. Use it to evaluate the UX before committing, but plan to upgrade once you cross 2-3 users or need recurring service tracking.
Pricing verified 2026-05-28. Vendors change pricing without notice; verify with OpenSolar before purchasing.
Estimate uses the published starting tier and detects per-user vs per-company pricing automatically. For an exact quote at your team size and feature requirements, request a quote from OpenSolar.
Key features
Integrations
Pros
- + Genuinely free, full-featured
Design, sales, and project management at $0 with no seat limits or design caps is unique in the category. For a small or new installer, it removes software cost as a barrier to running professional proposals.
- + Huge global user base
28,000+ solar professionals across 185+ countries use it, which signals real-world satisfaction and a healthy partner ecosystem funding ongoing development.
- + Modern AI design (OS 3.0)
The 2026 OS 3.0 release added AI-powered, voice-activated design (Ada), keeping a free tool surprisingly current with the AI features the paid leaders tout.
- + Strong design-to-proposal flow
OpenSolar covers roof modeling, production estimates, and homeowner proposals — the core sales workflow — at a quality that holds up against paid competitors for residential and light-commercial work.
- + Integrated financing options
Lender integrations let reps present financed monthly-payment options in the proposal, which matters because nearly all residential solar deals are financed.
Cons
- − 'Free' now has paid edges
As of 2026, some API access and third-party connectors that move data in and out of OpenSolar are paid. The core platform is still free, but integration-heavy operations may hit charges.
- − Partner-funded model isn't neutral
Because hardware distributors and lenders pay for placement, those partners are surfaced inside the platform. That's the trade for free software — useful, but be aware the defaults aren't vendor-neutral.
- − Limited permit-ready electrical depth
Like most design-first tools, OpenSolar focuses on the sales proposal rather than stamped engineering. Teams needing permit-ready single-line diagrams and wire sizing will likely need additional tooling.
- − Less hand-holding than paid platforms
A free, partner-funded model means support and onboarding are lighter than a premium contact-sales vendor. Self-sufficient teams do fine; those wanting white-glove implementation may not.
- − Not a full lead-to-PTO ops platform
OpenSolar covers design, sales, and project management but isn't a complete operations platform connecting financing, install tracking, and interconnection the way Enerflo aims to. Larger orgs may still need additional systems.
Implementation timeline
1–3 weeks for a small team
OpenSolar is self-serve and free to start, so onboarding is the lowest-friction in the category — you can create an account, configure your equipment and pricing, and produce a proposal without a sales call. Plan time to set up your component catalog, pricing, proposal templates, and financing partners so proposals reflect your real offers. Because the platform is partner-funded, review which hardware and finance partners are surfaced by default and adjust to match how you actually sell. If your operation is integration-heavy, check the 2026 API/connector pricing before assuming everything is free, and budget accordingly. As with other design-first tools, decide separately how you'll produce permit-ready electrical packages, since OpenSolar isn't built for stamped engineering. Support is lighter than a premium vendor, so lean on its documentation and community for setup.
Best for / Watch out for
Best for
Solar contractors of any size that want a genuinely free, full-featured design and sales platform and are comfortable with a partner-funded business model
Watch out for
Some advanced API access and third-party connectors are now paid; partner-funded model means hardware/finance partners get in-platform placement; permit-ready electrical depth is limited like most design-first tools
Available for these trades
Top alternatives to OpenSolar
Matched by vertical fit, price tier, and team size — not just rating.
Also strong for solar.
Enterprise-tier upgrade path; stronger solar specialty fit.
Enterprise-tier upgrade path; also strong for solar.
Also strong for solar.
Enterprise-tier upgrade path; also strong for solar.
Enterprise-tier upgrade path; also strong for solar.
User reviews
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Frequently asked questions
Is OpenSolar genuinely free?
Yes — the core design, sales, and project-management platform is free with no seat limits or design caps. It makes money from hardware distributors, lenders, and finance partners who pay for placement and network access. As of 2026, some API access and third-party connectors are paid, but the main platform remains free to use.
How is OpenSolar free — what's the catch?
The model is partner-funded, not ad-supported or a limited trial. Hardware and finance partners pay OpenSolar for preferred placement and access to its 28,000+ installer network. The trade-off is that those partners are surfaced inside the tool, so the defaults aren't vendor-neutral — worth knowing, but the software itself is fully featured.
OpenSolar vs Aurora Solar?
Aurora is the premium market leader with the deepest design engine and contact-sales pricing; OpenSolar is the free, full-featured alternative funded by partners. Cost-conscious shops and newer installers often start with OpenSolar; larger, well-funded sales orgs that want the most polished design platform lean Aurora. Both produce strong residential proposals, so many teams trial both.
Can OpenSolar handle permits and electrical design?
Only partially. Like most solar design tools, OpenSolar optimizes the sales proposal rather than stamped engineering, so permit-ready single-line diagrams and wire sizing usually require additional tooling. Confirm your permitting workflow separately rather than assuming the free platform covers it end to end.
Who should use OpenSolar?
Cost-conscious residential and light-commercial solar contractors of any size who want a professional design-and-proposal workflow without a software bill, and who are comfortable with a partner-funded model and lighter support. Integration-heavy or enterprise teams should check the 2026 API/connector pricing and whether they need a fuller ops platform.
Ready to try OpenSolar?
Free tier available — no credit card required.
Visit OpenSolar →