DIgSILENT PowerFactory vs SKM Power*Tools
DIgSILENT PowerFactory
digsilent.deSKM Power*Tools
skm.comSide by side
| Figure | DIgSILENT PowerFactory | SKM Power*Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $24.92/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 4 | 9 |
| Spec score · Electrical Design Software | 8.0 (#11) | 8.0 (#12) |
| Data exchange | The base package supports network-data import and conversion, and its DGS interface exchanges data in ASCII, XML, CSV and ODBC formats for GIS and SCADA interfacing. | The Data Exchange module supports tab-delimited, CSV, and SKM XML formats and provides interfaces for Autodesk Revit and Intergraph SmartPlant Electrical. |
| Downloads | The public download area offers product documents, while registered users can access current software releases, documentation and model libraries. | Software downloads are restricted to a My SKM account where users view licenses and available downloads. |
| Founded | 1985 | 1972 |
| Headquarters | Gomaringen, Germany | Zephyr Cove, Nevada, USA |
| Purpose | PowerFactory analyses electrical generation, transmission, distribution and industrial power systems. | Power*Tools is electrical engineering software for power system analysis and design, covering fault calculations, load flow, coordination, arc flash hazards, motor starting, transient stability, reliability, harmonics, grounding, and cable pulling. |
| Support | Commercial perpetual licences include maintenance and support for the first 12 months, and subscriptions include them for the subscription term; software support requests go through the Customer Portal. | SKM says its technical support staff consists entirely of electrical engineers, and support requests can be sent through its help desk or by email. |
Plans
DIgSILENT PowerFactory
- Demo licenceFree
- Commercial licence — perpetualPrice not published
- Commercial licence — subscriptionPriced on request
- Commercial licence — time-limitedPriced on request
SKM Power*Tools
- SKM Mobile App iOS/Android$299 a year
- MySKM Cloud Subscription$1,500 a year
- DAPPER 50 Bus$2,450, paid once
- DAPPER 100 Bus$4,670, paid once
- DAPPER 300 Bus$5,890, paid once
- DAPPER 1000 Bus$8,570, paid once
- DAPPER 2000 Bus$11,050, paid once
- DAPPER 5000 Bus$17,160, paid once
- DAPPER 12000 Bus$24,500, paid once
In their own words
DIgSILENT PowerFactory
DIgSILENT PowerFactory is software for analyzing electrical generation, transmission, distribution and industrial power systems. Its study areas include renewable integration, distributed generation, and medium- and low-voltage networks. Available analyses cover load flow, short circuits, contingencies, protection, stability and electromagnetic transients. Users can automate work with Python, DIgSILENT Programming Language, a C++ API or a parallel task automation tool. The base package imports and converts network data; its DGS interface exchanges data in ASCII, XML, CSV and ODBC formats for GIS and SCADA connections. Additional interfaces include OPC DA/UA, IEEE C37.118 simulation and FMI 2.0 co-simulation, though some require separate licences. Editions range from a local SQLite setup to licence-server management and shared project data using Oracle, SQL Server or PostgreSQL. The 28-day demo is free for one user, with predefined functions, and excludes DGS, exports and API. Commercial pricing is available on request; platforms listed are Windows, API and self-hosted.
SKM Power*Tools
SKM Power*Tools has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.