Comparison · · 10 min read
SolarDraft vs Arka360 (2026): Features, Pricing & Which Solar Design Software to Choose
Arka360 is one of the most recognised solar design platforms in India. SolarDraft is a newer, India-focused solar draft software built as a pre-sales tool, priced from ₹20,000 per year + 18% GST. If you are choosing between the two, this comparison covers everything that matters to an EPC: price, design speed, mobile access, drawings, reports and team management.
SolarDraft vs Arka360 at a glance
| SolarDraft | Arka360 | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | ₹20,000 / year + 18% GST | ₹46,000 / year + 18% GST |
| Higher plans | Contact SolarDraft | ₹70,000 and ₹1,00,000 / year + GST |
| Platforms | Web app + Android app | Web (check vendor for mobile) |
| Build full 3D on mobile | ✓ | Check |
| Design without site visit | ✓ Solar Intelligence AI (lat-long / property name) | ✓ Satellite imagery |
| RCC + metal shed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ground mount | Coming soon | Check |
| 30+ obstructions (mumty, tanks, trees, HVAC) | ✓ | Obstructions supported |
| One-click panel fill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stringing + PV layout drawings | ✓ | ✓ incl. DXF export |
| Live loss calculation while designing | ✓ | ✓ Energy simulation |
| Proposal builder | ✓ | ✓ |
| Shareable 3D link | ✓ | Check |
| CRM | ✓ Mini CRM | ✓ Lead management |
| Designer / sales / admin roles + control panel | ✓ | Check |
| Training | ✓ Pre-recorded videos included | ✓ Onboarding |
Pricing: the biggest difference
Arka360 publishes three India plans — ₹46,000, ₹70,000 and ₹1,00,000 per year — each plus 18% GST. SolarDraft starts at ₹20,000 per year + 18% GST.
- Arka360 entry plan incl. GST: ≈ ₹54,280
- SolarDraft entry plan incl. GST: ₹23,600 (₹20,000 + 18% GST)
- Difference: ≈ ₹30,680 per year (about 57% lower)
Over three years, that is more than ₹90,000 saved on the entry plan alone — money a small EPC can put into marketing or an extra site engineer.
Design speed and the first meeting
Both tools let you design from satellite imagery. SolarDraft's focus is doing it live: the Solar Intelligence AI feature builds a solar draft in 3D from a lat-long or a property name, one-click panel fill places the modules, and a shareable link sends the 3D view to the customer's WhatsApp before you leave. Because SolarDraft runs on Android as well as the web, a salesperson can do this on a phone.
Drawings and reports
SolarDraft generates stringing drawings, PV layout drawings and a combined 3D design + energy report, with losses calculated while you design. Arka360 offers energy simulations, proposals and CAD DXF exports — useful if your engineering team works in AutoCAD.
Team management
SolarDraft has three access levels — designer, sales and admin — plus an admin control panel that shows which salesperson is working on which lead and which designer created which design. For EPC owners managing several salespeople, that visibility is often the feature that pays for the software.
Where Arka360 may suit you better
- You need DXF CAD exports for an in-house AutoCAD team.
- You want a long-established platform with a large existing user base.
- You need project types that SolarDraft lists as coming soon, such as ground mounts.
Where SolarDraft may suit you better
- You want the lowest annual cost for a complete 3D pre-sales tool.
- Your sales team designs on phones in front of customers.
- You want to add your own panels without waiting.
- You need a control panel to track salespeople and designers.
- You work on RCC rooftops and metal sheds with many obstructions (mumty, water tanks, HVAC).
Verdict
For most small and mid-size rooftop EPCs, SolarDraft delivers the core of what Arka360 offers — 3D design, drawings, energy reports and proposals — at less than half the entry price, with mobile design and team controls built in. Larger EPCs with CAD-heavy workflows should evaluate both. See the full 5-tool comparison for more options.
Try it yourself
See your next customer's roof in 3D — in the first meeting.
SolarDraft is solar draft software for Indian EPCs, from ₹20,000 per year + 18% GST with training included.
Visit SolarDraft.org →Frequently asked questions
Is SolarDraft cheaper than Arka360?
Yes, based on published prices as of September 2026. SolarDraft starts at ₹20,000 per year + 18% GST, while Arka360's India plans start at ₹46,000 per year plus 18% GST (about ₹54,280). That is roughly 57% lower on the entry plan, comparing both prices including GST (₹23,600 vs ₹54,280).
Is SolarDraft a good Arka360 alternative?
For rooftop EPCs focused on fast pre-sales 3D designs, drawings, energy reports and proposals, SolarDraft is a strong, lower-cost Arka360 alternative. If you need ground-mount design today, check Arka360 or other tools, as SolarDraft lists it as coming soon.
Can I use SolarDraft on my phone?
Yes. SolarDraft has a web application and an Android app, and you can build complete 3D designs on mobile.
Does SolarDraft include training?
Yes. Training is included through pre-recorded videos, so new designers and salespeople can start quickly.
Can I add my own solar panel models?
Yes. SolarDraft lets you add your own panels directly, so you are not waiting for a module to be added to a vendor database.