Comparison

Home Solar System vs Sun Friend

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

Head to head
About

Home Solar System

Features
Read full description

Welcome to Home Solar System, featuring our exclusive Solar Smash technologyβ€”the definitive tool for optimizing solar energy systems before the first panel is even installed. Our app simplifies the complex process of designing rooftop solar arrays by combining advanced geospatial data with intuitive engineering tools to smash through inefficiency and maximize your energy yield. SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED Please note: Home Solar System requires a paid auto-renewable subscription to access its core features and tools. Free app downloads do not include full access without an active subscription. What We Do: Home Solar System allows users to create high-precision layouts for solar panels directly on digital roof models. By integrating real-time sunlight trajectory and local weather data, the app calculates the exact energy potential of any surface. Key Features (Requires Active Subscription): Intelligent Solar Tracking: Analyze the sun’s path throughout the year to identify "sweet spots" on any roof, ensuring maximum exposure. The "Solar Smash" Advantage: Eliminate design inefficiencies and optimize energy yield to maximize return on investment. Efficiency Analytics: Instant calculations on projected energy yield, performance ratios, and potential ROI based on panel models and tilt angles. Custom Project Design: Drag, drop, and rotate panels to fit unique architectural constraints while automatically avoiding shaded areas. Automated Reporting: Generate comprehensive PDF proposals including 3D visualizations, material lists, and estimated carbon savings. Subscription & Purchase Details: Access Model: All features (3D design tools, solar tracking algorithms, ROI calculations, and PDF reporting) are unlocked via a weekly, monthly, or annual subscription. Payment: Payment will be charged to your Apple ID Account at confirmation of purchase. Auto-Renewal: Subscriptions automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Management: You can manage and cancel your subscriptions by going to your App Store Account Settings after purchase. Whether you are a professional installer looking to streamline your workflow or a homeowner planning your transition to clean energy, Home Solar System provides the data-driven confidence you need to go solar. Empower your roof. Maximize your energy. Build the future. Legal Links: Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Sun Friend

This app provides astronomically accurate sunrise and sunset times, along with daily sun messages and golden hour predictions. It features home screen widgets and allows you to explore past and future daylight hours.

Highlights
  • Astronomically accurate sunrise and sunset times
  • Daily sun messages with personality
  • Home screen widgets for sunrise, sunset, and daylight
  • Golden hour and blue hour timing
  • Time-travel through past and future dates
  • Calm starry night mode after sunset
Features
Read full description

The sun has something to say. Are you up yet? Sun Friend isn't your average sunrise app. It's astronomically accurate down to the minute, but it also has personality. Part solar almanac, part smug little star that knows the whole system revolves around it. What you get: Today's sun - See sunrise, sunset, solar noon, and exactly how long today's daylight lasts, all calculated for where you are. Home screen widgets - Sunrise, sunset, and the daylight you've got left. Small and medium sizes, in matching sunny-day and starry-night styles. Daily sun messages - A fresh message every day, written in the sun's own voice. Dramatic. A little smug. Fully convinced it's the main character (it kind of is). Golden hour & blue hour - The light photographers chase, on schedule: morning golden hour, evening blue hour, and twilight, timed to the minute every day. A sun that clocks out - After sunset the whole app winds down to a calm, starry night and counts down to tomorrow's sunrise. Even the sun needs its rest. Time-travel the calendar - Swipe through any date, past or future. Curious about the longest day of summer or the sunset on your birthday? The sun already knows. The sun's risen every day of your life. Might as well be friends. https://mintzi.xyz/sunfriend/terms

Screenshots

Home Solar System4 screens
Sun Friend4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Home Solar System at every 5 days against Sun Friend's every 5 weeks. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

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

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. Home Solar System sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Sun Friend sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Home Solar System ships an update every 5 days, Sun Friend every 5 weeks. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

Scorecard1 real difference Β· 7 level
Home Solar System versus Sun Friend: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHome Solar SystemSun Friend
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviewsβ€”0.0% of reviews
Update frequencyEvery 5 days β€” betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetizationβ€”Freemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad β€” betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.617.0 β€” better
Further details β€” not scored
Size11 MB13 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSavio ColomboMintzi

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Home Solar System

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Subscription$4.991 Month
  • Yearly Subscription3 Days trial$39.991 Year
2 purchases

Sun Friend

Subscriptions1
  • Sun Friend Pro Monthly7 Days trial$1.991 Month
One-time1
  • Sun Friend Pro Lifetime$5.99

Questions

Is Home Solar System free?
Home Solar System is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Sun Friend free?
Sun Friend is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Home Solar System or Sun Friend have ads?
Neither Home Solar System nor Sun Friend shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Home Solar System or Sun Friend?
Home Solar System ships an update every 5 days, and Sun Friend every 5 weeks. Most recently, Home Solar System was updated on October 31, 2026 and Sun Friend on October 31, 2026.

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