Abstract: With the significant reduction in electricity costs brought about by the national commercial electricity price reform, the trend of adopting large motor-driven equipment has become increasingly evident. Due to the weak infrastructure of some power grids and the insufficient short-circuit current, traditional solid-state soft starting methods face numerous limitations in practical applications. In response to the above situation, this paper compares the technical characteristics of solid-state soft starting and variable frequency drive (VFD) soft starting, provides a basis for driving schemes by integrating selection cases, and explores the adaptive advantages of VFD soft starting in handling the critical speed-up of compressors. By combining theoretical analysis with engineering cases, the technical parameters, performance, and selection methodologies of the two soft starting technologies are studied. Research showed that VFD soft starting can adapt to complex power grids, accurately match the compressor speed-up curve, meet the critical speed-up requirements, and offer a superior choice for the design of driving schemes for large units in new chemical plants.