The difference between VFD and Soft Starter
The difference with Soft Starter vs Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) is the method of starting employed. A soft starter reduces voltage, not Hertz, and as such the starting torque at 23 Hz is next to nothing. The soft starter is essentially robbing the motor of voltage at all points between 0 and 59 Hz, peak (Line) voltage met at 60 Hz.