Top 10 VFDs 2026: what actually sells in Ukraine
91% of our sales come from one brand. Not because we push it. Customers vote with their wallets, and numbers don't lie.
We pulled CRM data from March 2025 to March 2026 and counted. Over 1,100 variable frequency drives shipped to 400+ customers. From a farmer in Sumy region putting a VFD on a borehole pump, to a factory in Dnipro upgrading a conveyor line. Every position in this ranking is a real sale, real installation, real feedback.
Why does this ranking matter right now? Because 2024-2025 in Ukraine meant generators and unstable grid. The VFD stopped being just a "speed controller." It became the thing that lets you start a motor from a generator without tripping it. That changed demand. A lot.
Three ranking criteria — zero advertising
Before scrolling to the top 10, here's the logic. This ranking is built on three things:
- Units sold. If a model sells by the hundreds — it works. Period.
- Number of different customers. Not one big contract, but dozens and hundreds of different buyers from different cities and industries.
- Repeat purchases. The best recommendation is when a customer comes back for a second identical unit.
Brands in the ranking: Veichi, Delta Electronics, INVT, Schneider Electric. Data from our CRM — no rounding, no marketing fluff.
Top 10 variable frequency drives by sales
1. Veichi AC10 — bestseller by a wide margin
The AC10 is the Toyota Corolla of VFDs. Not the smartest, not the fanciest. But it outsells all other series combined. And customers don't just buy one — they come back for a second, third, fifth.
Top sellers in the series — AC10-T/S2-R75G-B-VC (0.75 kW) and AC10-T3-1R5G-B (1.5 kW). Classic power ratings for pumps, fans, small machines.
Price: UAH 5,200 — 39,800 depending on power rating.
Where they actually run: borehole and circulation pumps, exhaust ventilation, belt conveyors, mixers. Especially heavy demand for domestic pump stations. After the 2024 blackouts, people figured out that a VFD saves the generator from overload during motor startup.
- Why people buy it: price, 15-minute setup, compact housing, stable operation from generator
- Where it's weaker: V/f control — fine for pumps and fans, but for precise positioning look at AC310
2. Veichi AC310 — when V/f control isn't enough
- AC310 is a different league. Vector control with and without encoder, PID regulator, wide range from 0.75 kW to hundreds of kilowatts.
- Bestseller — AC310-T3-004G/5R5P-B (4 kW). Fits industrial pumps and compressors perfectly.
- Price: UAH 8,700 — 717,750. The upper end covers 315-400 kW models for serious production facilities.
Where it works: extruders, industrial conveyors, compressors, water utility pumping stations. One client installed AC310 on a tea production line for "Monomakh" brand — the project is documented on our site, with photos and diagrams. Another used it for screw compressor retrofit with 40% energy savings.
- Why people buy it: vector control, built-in PLC, Modbus, encoder support
- Where it's weaker: pricier than AC10, needs a qualified technician for setup
3. Veichi AC01 — small and cheap, but it works
AC01 was the answer to "I need something on 220V, small, and affordable." And it delivers.
Price: UAH 5,600 — 14,750.
Where it works: small fans, mixers, belt conveyors in food processing, irrigation pumps. Very popular among farmers — they put them on drip irrigation systems.
- Why people buy it: tiny footprint, single-phase 220V, auto-restart after power loss — a must-have for generator-dependent operations
- Where it's weaker: 2.2 kW max, minimal communication interfaces
4. Delta VFD-E — the one proven over decades
Delta is a Taiwanese brand with 50 years of history. VFD-E is known by anyone who worked with industrial automation before the war. A proven series that won't surprise you — in a good or bad way.
Bestseller — VFD055E43A (5.5 kW, three-phase). Typical choice for a mid-range industrial pump.
Price: UAH 9,400 — 60,700.
Where it works: industrial pumps, ventilation, conveyors. VFD-E often shows up at plants that already run other Delta equipment — drive fleet standardization.
- Why people buy it: years of proven reliability, good documentation, service network
- Where it's weaker: higher price than Veichi for comparable specs. Some models are 2-3 week lead time
5. Delta VFD-EL — budget entry into Delta
- VFD-EL is a stripped-down VFD-E. Fewer features, smaller housing, lower price. For those who want Delta specifically but the budget is tight.
- Bestseller — VFD007EL43A (0.75 kW). Typical choice for a small fan or exhaust system.
- Price: UAH 6,800 — 14,000.
- Why people buy it: Delta brand at a moderate price, simplicity
- Where it's weaker: V/f control only, reduced functionality compared to VFD-E
6. INVT GD20 — an alternative with a decent range
INVT is a Chinese brand trying to occupy the space between budget and premium. GD20 is their most popular series. From 0.75 kW to 110+ kW — covers both residential and industrial segments.
Bestseller — GD20-004G-4 (4 kW, three-phase).
Price: UAH 6,100 — 152,000.
Where it works: pumps, fans, conveyors. GD20 gets picked by those looking for an alternative to Veichi or Delta who want to compare.
- Why people buy it: wide power range, vector control, fair pricing
- Where it's weaker: fewer service centers in Ukraine, less documentation in Ukrainian
7. INVT GD200A — when the motor weighs a ton
GD200A is for heavy industry. Power ratings up to 800 kW, 150% overload for 60 seconds, built-in braking. When you need to spin a motor that powers an entire workshop — this is it.
Price: UAH 12,600 — 1,045,000. Yes, a million hryvnias for one VFD. But it controls a motor worth five million.
Where it works: bridge and gantry cranes, large compressors, pumping stations, mining industry, with braking resistors on cranes.
- Why people buy it: up to 800 kW, heavy-duty mode, built-in PLC
- Where it's weaker: dimensions, price, requires qualified electrical installation
8. Schneider Altivar 310 — for tenders and certificates
Schneider Electric — a name that opens doors at tenders. Altivar 310 is bought mainly by utility companies and industrial facilities operating under European standards. Or those with "European brand only" requirements in their documentation.
Bestseller — ATV310HD11N4E (11 kW). Water utilities where certification matters.
Price: UAH 12,650 — 38,270.
- Why people buy it: the brand, documentation, global support, EU certificates
- Where it's weaker: 2-3x the price of equivalents. For the cost of one Altivar 310 at 11 kW, you can buy two AC310 units of the same power — and still have enough left for coffee
9. Schneider Altivar 12 — premium brand for small jobs
Altivar 12 is single-phase, 220V, from 0.18 to 2.2 kW. Schneider for those who need one small pump or fan but absolutely must have a Schneider logo on it.
Price: UAH 10,600 — 16,800.
- Why people buy it: the Schneider name, compact size
- Where it's weaker: limited model range (4 models). For UAH 16,800 the Altivar 12 at 2.2 kW — for that money the AC10 gives more features and wider range
10. Delta MS300 — Delta's new generation
- MS300 replaced the VFD-M series. Modern platform: STO (Safe Torque Off), EtherCAT support, aimed at CNC machines and packaging equipment.
- Bestseller — VFD11AMS21AFSAA (single-phase, 220V).
- Price: UAH 13,800 — 57,050.
- Why people buy it: modern platform, STO, EtherCAT
- Where it's weaker: new to the Ukrainian market, less real-world experience among our customers
Comparison table: all 10 series side by side
| # | Series | Brand | Power range | Price from | Supply | Control | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AC10 | Veichi | 0.75–30 kW | UAH 5,200 | 1ph/3ph | V/f | Pumps, ventilation |
| 2 | AC310 | Veichi | 0.75–400 kW | UAH 8,700 | 3ph | Vector | Industrial |
| 3 | AC01 | Veichi | 0.4–2.2 kW | UAH 5,600 | 1ph 220V | V/f | Small machines |
| 4 | VFD-E | Delta | 0.75–55 kW | UAH 9,400 | 3ph | Vector | Industrial pumps |
| 5 | VFD-EL | Delta | 0.4–15 kW | UAH 6,800 | 1ph/3ph | V/f | Ventilation |
| 6 | GD20 | INVT | 0.75–110 kW | UAH 6,100 | 1ph/3ph | Vector | General purpose |
| 7 | GD200A | INVT | 7.5–800 kW | UAH 12,600 | 3ph | Vector | Cranes, heavy duty |
| 8 | ATV310 | Schneider | 0.37–15 kW | UAH 12,650 | 3ph | Vector | Water utilities |
| 9 | ATV12 | Schneider | 0.18–2.2 kW | UAH 10,600 | 1ph 220V | V/f | Small pumps |
| 10 | MS300 | Delta | 0.75–45 kW | UAH 13,800 | 1ph/3ph | Vector | CNC machines |
VFD for pump — what people actually choose in 2026
Pumps are the most popular application among our customers. Makes sense: a VFD on a pump cuts electricity consumption by 30-50%, eliminates water hammer, extends motor life, and holds stable pressure. Instead of running at full blast and cutting out on the pressure switch — the pump runs smoothly at the speed it needs.
Which series to install? Depends on the job.
Borehole pump for a house (1-2.2 kW, 220V) — Veichi AC10 single-phase or AC01. Most common pick. Setup takes about 15 minutes following our guide.
Industrial pump (4-15 kW, 380V) — Veichi AC310 or Delta VFD-E. Need vector control and PID? AC310. Already running Delta equipment? VFD-E for fleet consistency.
Water utility pumping station (15-90 kW) — AC310, INVT GD20, or Schneider Altivar 310 if the tender requires a European brand.
Payback calculation on a real example
Borehole pump 2.2 kW for a private home. Without a VFD — start-stop mode: the motor starts 10-15 times per hour, drawing 5-7x rated current each time. With a VFD — smooth regulation, the motor runs continuously but quieter.
Numbers: the pump runs about 6 hours per day. Without VFD that's 13.2 kWh. With VFD (minus 35%) — 8.6 kWh. Savings: 4.6 kWh × UAH 4.32 (2026 tariff) ≈ UAH 20/day. That's about UAH 600/month.
An AC10 at 2.2 kW costs around UAH 9,400. Payback — under 16 months. Plus you're not replacing the motor every 3 years from startup wear.
Generator startup — why it's the #1 topic in 2025-2026
You've probably dealt with this already. Generator 5-10 kVA, motor on a pump 2-4 kW. You hit "start" — and the generator either stalls or trips on protection. Why? A motor on direct start draws 5-7x rated current. Meaning your 2.2 kW pump tries to pull 10-15 kW in the first second. A 5 kVA generator can't handle that. Physics.
A VFD eliminates this problem completely. It ramps the motor up gradually — inrush current stays at rated level. A 5 kVA generator is enough for a 2.2 kW motor.
What actually works on generators at scale
Veichi AC10 and AC01 — the two leaders. Hundreds of our customers run them this way. The key feature — automatic restart after power restoration. Generator kicks in — the VFD starts the pump automatically. Grid comes back — same thing. No human needed.
We wrote a step-by-step setup guide — one of the most visited pages on our site, because people are actually searching for exactly this.
What generator capacity to get
| Motor | Min. generator | Recommended series |
|---|---|---|
| 0.75 kW | 2.5 kVA | AC01, AC10 |
| 1.5 kW | 4 kVA | AC10, AC01 |
| 2.2 kW | 5 kVA | AC10, VFD-EL |
| 4 kW | 7.5 kVA | AC10, AC310 |
| 7.5 kW | 15 kVA | AC310, VFD-E |
| 11 kW | 20 kVA | AC310, GD20 |
The generator should be at least 2-2.5x the motor power — even with a VFD. The reason: VFDs draw current in pulses, not as a sine wave. Cheap generators get nervous from that and trip the protection. Honda, Hyundai, SDMO with headroom run fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which VFD to choose for a 2.2 kW pump?
For a residential pump at 2.2 kW and 220V — Veichi AC10 single-phase or AC01. Both work from a generator, set up in 15 minutes, cost under UAH 10,000. AC10 offers more features, AC01 is more compact.
Can you start a motor from a generator through a VFD?
Yes. The VFD reduces inrush current to rated level, so the generator has enough capacity. The generator should be at least twice the motor power. Veichi AC10 and AC01 are field-proven in this mode at scale.
What's the difference between Veichi, Delta, and Schneider?
Veichi is a Chinese brand with the best price-to-features ratio. Delta is Taiwanese, proven over years, but pricier. Schneider is European premium, mainly needed for tenders and certified facilities. At the same power rating, the spec sheet differences are minimal.
How much does a VFD save on a pump?
30-50% on electricity depending on the operating mode. On a 2.2 kW pump that's about UAH 600/month at 2026 rates. VFD payback period is 12-16 months.
AC10 or AC310 — which one to pick?
AC10 is for straightforward jobs: pumps, fans, conveyors up to 30 kW. V/f control, cheaper, simpler. AC310 is for industrial use: extruders, compressors, applications needing precise positioning. Vector control, PID, Modbus.
The bottom line
Numbers are stubborn things. Out of 1,100+ VFDs sold in a year, the vast majority are Veichi. That's not advertising — it's statistics. People buy what works, costs reasonable money, and is in stock right now.
Delta is for those already in the Delta ecosystem. INVT is an interesting option, especially GD200A in the heavy-duty segment. Schneider is for when you specifically need a European brand with certificates.
And if you need a VFD that just does its job — check out our variable frequency drive catalog. Most of our customers have already made their choice.
