SimplySolar vs PV Optimizer & Solar compass
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SimplySolar
This app helps users manually align solar panels and solar thermal heaters to maximize energy output. It offers a cost-effective solution for increasing solar energy viability, especially in developing regions, by replacing expensive tracking systems with a smart algorithm and simple tools. The app aims to improve lifestyles and create sustainable communities.
- 30-40% energy gain
- Works with solar panels and thermal heaters
- Increases ROI
- Offline functionality
- Works on cheap smartphones
- Compass for True North alignment
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SimplySolar is a solar panel alignment app designed to increase the viability of solar energy and positively change the lifestyles of people in developing countries. As of right now it is more economically viable to buy more solar panels than buy a solar tracking system that automatically aligns solar panel/solar thermal heaters. SimplySolar replaces expensive alignment tools and solar tracking systems with a clever algorithm and a few tools to aid in manually adjusting a solar panel to increase the amount of energy output by up to 30%, helping create sustainable communities with a higher standard of living. Features & Benefits -30-40% energy gain -Works with both solar panels and solar thermal heaters -Increases the ROI of solar panels/solar heaters -Built to work in remote areas - No internet connection required -Prevents lost energy -With copper oxide solar panels - more solar panels available at lower price -Simple to use -Works on both large and small panels -Works on extremely cheap smartphones -Can work on makeshift solar panels, the phone accurately calculates the angles, doesn't rely on angle markings -Compass to align the solar panel with True North
PV Optimizer & Solar compass
Maximize your solar panel output with this tool. It guides you to adjust your panels' azimuth and tilt based on real-time solar data. The app also provides a solar compass and forecasts your potential monthly energy generation.
- Solar panel output maximization
- Azimuth and tilt adjustment guidance
- Real-time solar compass
- Solar panel output forecast
- Adjustable time frames for optimization
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PV Optimizer & Solar compass is a tool intended to maximise the output of your solar panels. To use the optimiser you only need to choose between one of the 4 time frames available (if you pretend to adjust your panels for the moment, every 3 months, 6 months or yearly), place your device above your panels, and adjust its azimuth and tilt according with the values given by the app. PV optimizer's algorithm will make sure you get the most from your panels and don't waste any opportunity to increase your output. This app also comes with a solar compass which you might find useful for optimizing your panels or for other activities, with plenty of real time data regarding solar position and radiation. In version 2.0 we are proud to present you a forecast for your solar panels output. Just input your panel capacity, tilt and azimuth angles, and you'll get a forecast for the monthly energy you might generate in theory. All the functionalities of this app are completely free.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SimplySolar at none against PV Optimizer & Solar compass's 1. SimplySolar also leads on review sentiment (80% vs 54%) and rating (4.8 vs 4.5). PV Optimizer & Solar compass's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 13 months). On price, ratings volume 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
Both are free to download. PV Optimizer & Solar compass sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. SimplySolar asks for nothing beyond the download.
SimplySolar holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 458 and 250 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of SimplySolar's written reviews are positive against 54% of PV Optimizer & Solar compass's.
SimplySolar ships an update every 13 months, PV Optimizer & Solar compass every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SimplySolar | PV Optimizer & Solar compass |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (458 ratings) — better | 4.5 (250 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 80.0% of reviews — better | 53.6% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 458 — better | 250 |
| Update frequency | Every 13 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | — | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 — better | 14.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 5 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Matt Privman | Joao Caetano |
Customer experience
SimplySolar
PV Optimizer & Solar compass
Bugs and requests
SimplySolar
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
PV Optimizer & Solar compass
Reported bugs
9 issues- Guide feature doesn't show on opening page
- Pop-up ads do not close
- Error: iPhone gyroscope off
- Error: Downloading relevant data
- Graph scale breaks down for yearly output
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- Over 7MWH graph shows 1s and 0s
- Crashes on iOS 8.4
- Crashes instantly after opening
- Crashes a few seconds after startup
Requested features
7 requests- More guidance and clarity
- Option for shorter time periods (day/week)
- Adjustment for time settings (night alignment)
- Loss calculation for incorrect orientation
- Option to reverse phone orientation
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- Ability to get azimuth/tilt for arbitrary date/time
- Setting for inverter clipping
In-app purchases
SimplySolar
No in-app purchases
PV Optimizer & Solar compass
- Remove ads$0.99
Questions
Is SimplySolar free?
Is PV Optimizer & Solar compass free?
Which has better reviews, SimplySolar or PV Optimizer & Solar compass?
Which is updated more often, SimplySolar or PV Optimizer & Solar compass?
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