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Head-to-head · Electrical Design Software

ETAP vs SKM Power*Tools

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score ETAP #1 in Electrical Design Software 8.9/10 Pricing on request · 30-day trial Free trial✓ 4 of 4 features Visit ETAP
SKM Power*Tools #16 in Electrical Design Software 7.7/10 Paid ✓ 3 of 4 features Try SKM Power*Tools

ETAP leads on 1 check, SKM Power*Tools on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreETAP · 8.9/10
  • Free trialonly ETAP
  • Most featuresETAP · 4 of 4

ETAP scores higher on our rubric for electrical design software: 8.9 against 7.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #16.

ETAP offers schematic capture; SKM Power*Tools doesn't. On deployment, ETAP gives you Hybrid where SKM Power*Tools offers Desktop.

ETAP is the better fit for power-system engineering teams needing field workflows. SKM Power*Tools is the better fit for industrial power studies and arc-flash work.

  • ETAP fits best

    Power-system engineering teams needing field workflows

  • SKM Power*Tools fits best

    Industrial power studies and arc-flash work

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature ETAP 8.9/10 Visit ↗ SKM Power*Tools 7.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 7.7
Ranking #1 in Electrical Design Software #16 in Electrical Design Software
Best for Power-system engineering teams needing field workflows Industrial power studies and arc-flash work
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price — —
Free plan — —
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Desktop, Cloud, Mobile Desktop
Platforms Web, Windows, iOS, Android Windows
Support Phone, Docs Email, Docs
Integrations 7 integrations 3 integrations
Built for Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features ETAP 4/4 · SKM Power*Tools 3/4
Schematic capture ✓ (best) —
Panel design ✓ ✓
Standards libraries ✓ ✓
MCAD integration ✓ ✓
Specs
Electrical simulation Advanced Advanced
Deployment Hybrid Desktop
Our review
Pros
  • Combines single-line modeling with load-flow and short-circuit analysis
  • Supports coordination, harmonics, cable sizing, and panel schedules
  • Connects desktop, web, mobile, APIs, and engineering software
  • Covers load flow, faults, coordination, arc flash and feeder sizing
  • Supports ANSI and IEC studies with equipment and protective-device libraries
  • Exchanges data with Autodesk Revit, XML and SPEL
Cons
  • Pricing requires a sales quote rather than published numeric prices
  • Advanced protection and harmonics features require higher plans
  • The 30-day offer is a trial/demo, not a perpetual free plan
  • Windows-only desktop deployment limits platform flexibility
  • The broad module range may exceed the needs of narrow projects
  • No free plan is available
Our verdict

ETAP is an electrical power-system software platform for utilities, infrastructure, buildings, industrial organizations, transportation operators, and engineering teams. Its scope covers intelligent single-line diagram modeling, load-flow…

Read the review →

SKM Power*Tools is Windows-based electrical engineering software for modeling and analyzing power distribution systems. It is designed for electrical power engineers working across commercial, industrial, institutional, utility and…

Read the review →
  1. ETAPElectrical Design Software 8.9Pricing on request · 30-day trial
  2. SKM Power*ToolsElectrical Design Software 7.7Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • ETAP — where it wins

    • Combines single-line modeling with load-flow and short-circuit analysis
    • Supports coordination, harmonics, cable sizing, and panel schedules
    • Connects desktop, web, mobile, APIs, and engineering software

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires a sales quote rather than published numeric prices
    • Advanced protection and harmonics features require higher plans
    • The 30-day offer is a trial/demo, not a perpetual free plan

  • SKM Power*Tools — where it wins

    • Covers load flow, faults, coordination, arc flash and feeder sizing
    • Supports ANSI and IEC studies with equipment and protective-device libraries
    • Exchanges data with Autodesk Revit, XML and SPEL

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows-only desktop deployment limits platform flexibility
    • The broad module range may exceed the needs of narrow projects
    • No free plan is available
  • ETAP8.9/10 · Pricing on request · 30-day trial

    A broad electrical engineering platform for modeling, analysis, field workflows, and automation.

    Visit ETAPFull verdict →
  • SKM Power*Tools7.7/10 · Paid

    Deep electrical studies for industrial projects, with Windows-only desktop deployment.

    Try SKM Power*ToolsFull verdict →

More comparisons

All electrical design software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update