Comparison

SimplySolar vs PV Optimizer & Solar compass

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 30-40% energy gain
  • Works with solar panels and thermal heaters
  • Increases ROI
  • Offline functionality
  • Works on cheap smartphones
  • Compass for True North alignment
Features
Read full description

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

About

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.

Highlights
  • Solar panel output maximization
  • Azimuth and tilt adjustment guidance
  • Real-time solar compass
  • Solar panel output forecast
  • Adjustable time frames for optimization
Features
Read full description

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

SimplySolar4 screens
PV Optimizer & Solar compass4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. PV Optimizer & Solar compass sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. SimplySolar asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
SimplySolar versus PV Optimizer & Solar compass: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSimplySolarPV Optimizer & Solar compass
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (458 ratings) — better4.5 (250 ratings)
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews — better53.6% of reviews
Number of ratings458 — better250
Update frequencyEvery 13 monthsEvery 2 months — better
Ads—No
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS9.0 — better14.1
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMatt PrivmanJoao Caetano

Customer experience

SimplySolar

All ratings436 ratings
Positive94.5%
Neutral2.8%
Negative2.8%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%

PV Optimizer & Solar compass

All ratings247 ratings
Positive88.3%
Neutral5.3%
Negative6.5%
Written reviews28 reviews
Positive53.6%
Neutral7.1%
Negative39.3%

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
Show 4 more
  • 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
Show 2 more
  • Ability to get azimuth/tilt for arbitrary date/time
  • Setting for inverter clipping

In-app purchases

None

SimplySolar

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

PV Optimizer & Solar compass

One-time1
  • Remove ads$0.99

Questions

Is SimplySolar free?
SimplySolar is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is PV Optimizer & Solar compass free?
PV Optimizer & Solar compass is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SimplySolar or PV Optimizer & Solar compass?
SimplySolar is rated higher. SimplySolar averages 4.8 out of 5 from 458 ratings, while PV Optimizer & Solar compass averages 4.5 from 250 ratings.
Which is updated more often, SimplySolar or PV Optimizer & Solar compass?
SimplySolar ships an update every 13 months, and PV Optimizer & Solar compass every 2 months. Most recently, SimplySolar was updated on October 23, 2026 and PV Optimizer & Solar compass on October 24, 2026.

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