Comparison

SMA Energy vs KACO NX Setup

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

SMA Energy

Monitor your home energy system and manage energy flows efficiently. Optimize solar power usage, track electricity production and consumption, and control electric vehicle charging. Take control of your personal energy transition.

Highlights
  • Energy system overview
  • Real-time data visualization
  • Solar power forecasting
  • Energy flow optimization
  • Electric vehicle charging control
  • Sustainable energy management
Features
Read full description

Thanks to the SMA Energy app, you can see all the most important data relating to your SMA Energy System in a clearly structured format. You can intelligently manage energy flows in your household or charge your electric vehicle – sustainably with your own solar power or at high speed if you’re in a hurry. Thanks to the SMA Energy app, you can have your own personal energy transition in your pocket. * Energy system at a glance, wherever you are * In the visualization area, you can find all the most important energy and power data for your SMA Energy System. Whether daily, weekly, monthly or yearly, you can see exactly how much electricity your PV system produces, what it was used for and how much grid-supplied power you have remaining. This enables you to keep constant track of your energy budget. * Optimizing and managing energy flows * In the optimization area, you can view current forecasts for solar power production. The app shows you how to use your energy even more sustainably. For example, you can automatically utilize your own, self-generated solar power as efficiently as possible for your own needs and reduce your grid-supplied power. * Charging electric vehicles * Do you drive an electric vehicle and want to refuel it with your own solar power using the SMA EV Charger charging solution? In the e-mobility area, you can control your car’s charging process easily and efficiently. You can choose between two charging modes: Forecast-based charging enables charging at minimal cost and with the peace of mind that your vehicle will be ready to go when you need it by configuring a charging target; optimized charging means intelligent charging of the vehicle with self-generated solar power. Thanks to the SMA Energy app, you can use your self-generated solar power from your SMA Energy System in a highly sustainable manner and optimize your energy budget. The app is your perfect companion for the energy transition at home and the mobility transition on the road.

About

KACO NX Setup

Configure and energize new inverters quickly and comfortably. This app guides you step-by-step through the commissioning process, allowing you to easily set parameters and update inverter software. Feed power into the grid in minutes.

Highlights
  • Step-by-step commissioning
  • Wi-Fi inverter connection
  • Parameter configuration
  • Inverter software updates
  • Grid feed-in
Features
Read full description

The NX Setup app from KACO new energy allows you to configure and energize your new blueplanet NX1 or blueplanet NX3 inverter quickly and comfortably. • Step by step commissioning process • Establish a connection between your inverter and the NX Setup App via Wi-Fi • Configure your inverter or change the parameters with ease • Update the inverter software • Feed-in to the grid in a matter of minutes

Screenshots

SMA Energy4 screens
KACO NX Setup4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: SMA Energy at 29% against KACO NX Setup's 0%. KACO NX Setup's advantage is iOS requirement (12.1 vs 16.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
SMA Energy versus KACO NX Setup: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSMA EnergyKACO NX Setup
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (1.5K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews29.0% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings1.5K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS16.012.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size171 MB35 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSMA Solar Technology AGKACO new energy GmbH

Customer experience

SMA Energy

All ratings1,444 ratings
Positive68.3%
Neutral5.2%
Negative26.5%
Written reviews686 reviews
Positive29.0%
Neutral9.3%
Negative61.7%

KACO NX Setup

Written reviews11 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral9.1%
Negative90.9%

Bugs and requests

SMA Energy

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Incorrect or missing generation data
  • Unreliable login and password reset functionality
  • Inconsistent app behavior across devices
  • Inability to access system logs and diagnostics

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to customize data views and graphs
  • Improved notification and alert system
  • Integration with home automation and smart devices
  • Support for off-grid and battery-only systems
  • Easier system registration and data migration

KACO NX Setup

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

SMA Energy

No in-app purchases

None

KACO NX Setup

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SMA Energy free?
SMA Energy is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is KACO NX Setup free?
KACO NX Setup is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do SMA Energy or KACO NX Setup have ads?
Neither SMA Energy nor KACO NX Setup shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SMA Energy or KACO NX Setup?
SMA Energy ships an update every 2 months, and KACO NX Setup every 2 months. Most recently, SMA Energy was updated on November 3, 2026 and KACO NX Setup on November 3, 2026.

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