ETAP vs SKM Power*Tools
ETAP
etap.comSKM Power*Tools
skm.comSide by side
| Figure | ETAP | SKM Power*Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | $24.92/mo |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 2 | 9 |
| Spec score · Electrical Design Software | 8.7 (#2) | 8.0 (#12) |
| Data exchange | DataX supports integrations and data exchange across GIS, BIM, CAD, and legacy tools, including Revit, AutoCAD, ESRI ArcMaps, Caneco BT, and ERACS. | The Data Exchange module supports tab-delimited, CSV, and SKM XML formats and provides interfaces for Autodesk Revit and Intergraph SmartPlant Electrical. |
| Founded | 1986 | 1972 |
| Headquarters | Irvine, California, USA | Zephyr Cove, Nevada, USA |
| Integrations | DataX provides interfaces and conversion tools for third-party engineering and CAD software, including Excel, Revit, AVEVA, SmartPlant Electrical, and ArcGIS. | The Data Exchange module supports tab-delimited, CSV and SKM XML formats and interfaces with Autodesk Revit and Intergraph SmartPlant Electrical. |
| Purpose | ETAP provides software and hardware solutions for electrical systems across design, engineering, operations, and maintenance. | 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 | Power Simulator subscriptions include dedicated priority support, according to ETAP. | 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
ETAP
- ETAP Power Simulator GrowPriced on request
- ETAP Power Simulator LaunchPriced 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
ETAP
ETAP provides software and hardware for electrical systems across design, engineering, operations, and maintenance. Its modular energy management platform centers on a unified electrical digital twin for power system design, analysis, operations, and automation. ETAP 2026 includes analysis for renewable integration, feeder hosting capacity, Volt-VAR optimization, battery energy storage, and grid-code studies. Power Simulator is designed to predict system behavior, optimize grid performance, and run offline or real-time predictive simulations. DataX exchanges information across GIS, BIM, CAD, and legacy tools, with interfaces for products including Revit, AutoCAD, Excel, AVEVA, and ArcGIS. NetPM supports multi-user model creation, concurrent studies, change management, and role-based access. Grid Intelligence lists Modbus TCP, BACnet/IP, and REST protocols and integrations with systems such as SCADA, GIS, and OMS. ETAP serves utilities, infrastructure, industries, and buildings. Design and analysis products list supported 64-bit Windows systems; etapAPP is available for iOS, Windows, and Android tablets. Pricing is by customized quote, with a free 30-day demo and no free plan.
SKM Power*Tools
SKM Power*Tools has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.