Comparison

SMA Energy vs Code Buddy

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 and manage your home energy system and electric vehicle charging. Optimize solar power usage for sustainability and cost savings. Track energy production, consumption, and grid supply in a clear, structured format.

Highlights
  • Energy system overview
  • Track energy production and consumption
  • Optimize solar power utilization
  • Control EV charging
  • Forecast-based charging
  • Optimized charging with solar power
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

Code Buddy

This AI-powered tool helps skilled tradesmen quickly find and understand electrical codes and requirements. It offers real-time translation and up-to-date references for various standards, assisting with compliance and efficiency on the job.

Highlights
  • AI-powered code querying
  • Real-time translation
  • Up-to-date code libraries (NEC, OSHA, ANSI)
  • Specialist support for specific standards
  • Conduit bending assistance
  • Customizable code years
Features
Read full description

BUILT FOR ELECTRICAL PROS & TRADESMEN, BY TRADESMEN – CODE BUDDY is the #1 AI-POWERED CODE & REQUIREMENT TOOL designed to revolutionize how Skilled Tradesmen interact with codes and requirements they refer to daily. WHY CODE BUDDY IS A GAME-CHANGER • ASK QUESTIONS, GET ANSWERS FAST – Rapidly query electrical codes and receive relevant, actionable insights in seconds. • REAL-TIME TRANSLATION – Communicate in YOUR native language and get accurate results, no matter where you’re working. • UP-TO-DATE REFERENCES – Always stay ahead with updated code libraries, including the latest NEC and more!From helper electricians to master electricians, superintendents, inspectors, and other tradesmen, CODE BUDDY delivers QUICK, RELIABLE, AND CITABLE insights tailored to your needs. Whether you’re tackling a residential project, industrial wiring, or complex commercial installations, CODE BUDDY HAS YOUR BACK! BUILT-IN SPECIALIST SUPPORT Fine-tune Code Buddy for specific standards like OSHA, ANSI, and NEC years (e.g., 2017, 2020, 2023), helping code adherence efforts greatly across varying projects and jurisdictions. Note: Access to some specialists and premium tools and other features require a Code Buddy Pro subscription. CONDUIT BENDING BOT INCLUDED Seamlessly integrate conduit bending assistance into your workflow. SIMPLE. POWERFUL. RELIABLE. Designed with electrical pros in mind, CODE BUDDY is more than a tool – it’s your trusted partner in achieving precision, compliance, and efficiency on every job.Seamlessly integrate conduit bending assistance into your workflow. SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS Code Buddy is free to download and use with limited access. Unlock full access to premium features, including additional specialists, saved history, and advanced tools, with a monthly or annual subscription. IMPORTANT NOTE CODE BUDDY IS AN AID, NOT A SUBSTITUTE. While it’s great for locating and understanding electrical codes, it does NOT replace full code reviews, the code books, or professional analysis. Always use your copy of the code books, as well as your expertise and judgment when applying Code Buddy’s insights.Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

SMA Energy4 screens
Code Buddy4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Code Buddy at 67% against SMA Energy's 21%. Code Buddy also leads on rating (4.3 vs 3.7) and update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months). SMA Energy's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ratings volume (1.4K vs 6). On price, ads, monetization model and device support 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. Code Buddy sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. SMA Energy asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Code Buddy holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SMA Energy has 1.4K ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 21% of SMA Energy's written reviews are positive against 67% of Code Buddy's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SMA Energy ships an update every 2 months, Code Buddy weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
SMA Energy versus Code Buddy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSMA EnergyCode Buddy
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (1.4K ratings)4.3 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews20.5% of reviews66.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.4K — better6
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS16.013.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size170 MB27 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSMA Solar Technology AGCode Buddy

Customer experience

SMA Energy

All ratings1,352 ratings
Positive67.2%
Neutral5.3%
Negative27.4%
Written reviews409 reviews
Positive20.5%
Neutral10.3%
Negative69.2%

Code Buddy

All ratings6 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

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

Code Buddy

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

SMA Energy

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Code Buddy

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly Plan$2.997 Days
  • Monthly Plan$9.991 Month
  • Yearly Plan$99.991 Year

Questions

Is SMA Energy free?
SMA Energy is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Code Buddy free?
Code Buddy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SMA Energy or Code Buddy?
Code Buddy is rated higher. SMA Energy averages 3.7 out of 5 from 1.4K ratings, while Code Buddy averages 4.3 from 6 ratings.
Do SMA Energy or Code Buddy have ads?
Neither SMA Energy nor Code Buddy shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SMA Energy or Code Buddy?
SMA Energy ships an update every 2 months, and Code Buddy weekly. Most recently, SMA Energy was updated on September 28, 2026 and Code Buddy on September 25, 2026.

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