Software · South Africa · Head-to-head
OpenSolar vs ServCraft
Two South Africa software options, compared side by side for South Africa trades.
Which should you choose?
OpenSolar and ServCraft are both Tier S: our check found each one's prices published on its own website, so you can compare their costs before talking to sales. The tier is not a quality ranking: weigh the pros, cons, pricing and South Africa-specific notes below against your trade and region.
OpenSolar
Tier S · Published pricesFree solar design, proposal and CRM software for solar installers, from Australia's OpenSolar
OpenSolar is solar design and sales software from OpenSolar Pty Ltd of New South Wales, Australia, founded in 2017 by Adam Pryor and Andrew Birch. It covers automatic system design, mounting design, single-line diagrams, proposals with e-signature, integrated finance, a hardware shop and project management CRM. OpenSolar says it is free for solar professionals because manufacturers, finance companies and distributors pay to be on the platform, and that more than 28,000 professionals use it.
Pros
- + Free for solar professionals; OpenSolar says partners fund the platform
- + Automatic design, mounting design and single-line diagrams
- + Proposals with e-signature and integrated finance options
- + Project management CRM and hardware shop in the same platform
Cons
- − Solar-specific, not general trades job management
- − Funded by manufacturers, finance companies and distributors that pay to be on the platform
- − No South African office or SA-specific pages found
- − Aerial imagery is paid per image through a prepaid wallet, with no public prices
South Africa note
OpenSolar is a global web platform that says it is used in more than 185 countries, but none of the pages read mention South Africa, and it lists no South African office or local support. It handles solar design and sales only, so a trades business would still need separate job management software.
ServCraft
Tier S · Published pricesSouth African job management software for trade businesses, from R349 per user a month excluding VAT
ServCraft is job management software from ServCraft Africa (Pty) Ltd, a South African company based in Randburg, Gauteng. It covers quotes with digital sign-off, job cards, custom forms, invoices, purchase orders, inventory and a customer portal, with an offline mobile app and sync to Sage, Xero and QuickBooks. ServCraft has industry pages for security, plumbing, solar, electrical and HVAC businesses, and says more than 1,000 local trade businesses use it.
Pros
- + Published rand pricing: R349 per user a month excluding VAT, up to 20 users
- + Offline mobile app, inventory and purchase orders included in the Standard plan
- + Syncs with Sage, Xero and QuickBooks
- + South African company with local phone support and a 14-day free trial
Cons
- − Teams over 20 users need a custom Enterprise quote
- − Extra branches cost R999 each a month; extra storage, bulk email and SMS are charged on top
- − Fees paid in advance are not refundable after the 7-day cancellation window
- − Support hours are weekdays only
South Africa note
Priced in rand excluding VAT, with terms under South African law. Support is by phone (+27 10 500 3305), email and in-app chat, Monday to Friday 8:30am-5pm. Its solar page covers multi-stage installations, equipment and materials, compliance sign-off and tracking of installed systems.
More South Africa options
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