Automation Studio vs EcoStruxure
Comprehensive comparison of two leading PLC programming platforms
Automation Studio
B&R Industrial Automation (ABB Group)
Excellent for high-speed packaging machinery
EcoStruxure
Schneider Electric
Modern, user-friendly interface
Overall Winner
EcoStruxure leads with an overall score of 77/100
EcoStruxure is the stronger overall choice with better community support. However, Automation Studio may be preferable if you prioritize community support or if you're already committed to the B&R Industrial Automation (ABB Group) ecosystem.
Score Breakdown
| Category | Automation Studio | EcoStruxure |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 70 | 77✓ |
| Pricing | 75 | 75 |
| Ease of Use | 50 | 70✓ |
| Features | 84 | 86✓ |
| Industry Adoption | 55 | 68✓ |
| Community Support | 91✓ | 89 |
| Career Value | 68 | 74✓ |
Real-World Scenario Recommendations
See how Automation Studio and EcoStruxure perform in specific industry scenarios to help guide your decision.
Small Machine Builder
OEM building compact machines with 50-200 I/O points, typically for niche markets or specialized applications
Automation Studio
Excellent choice for small OEMs focused on packaging, food processing, or pharmaceutical machinery. B&R (now ABB) Automation Studio licensing ($1,000-$8,000) is reasonable, and the Mapp Technology framework dramatically accelerates development. These pre-built function blocks handle common packaging tasks (conveyor control, recipe management, batch processing) that would take weeks to program from...
EcoStruxure
Underrated option for small OEMs, especially in building automation or energy-related machinery. The Basic version can be FREE for simple projects, with paid licenses starting around $800-$8,000. This CODESYS-based platform means you're learning widely-applicable IEC 61131-3 skills, not proprietary languages. Modicon M241/M251 controllers are competitively priced and compact. The modern IoT featur...
Key Considerations:
- •Per-machine software licensing cost vs expected production volume
- •Time-to-market pressure - can you afford 6+ month learning curves?
- •Target customer geography and brand preferences
- •Hardware cost optimization - some platforms offer cheaper controllers
Automotive Tier 1 Supplier
Tier 1 automotive supplier providing systems and components directly to OEM vehicle manufacturers (VW, BMW, GM, Ford, Toyota, etc.)
Automation Studio
Strategic choice for Tier 1 suppliers specializing in specific automotive sectors where B&R excels: automotive paint shops (B&R has strong track record in paint atomizer control), electric vehicle battery assembly (precision handling and traceability), and automotive glass manufacturing. ABB's ownership of B&R (since 2017) has strengthened automotive credentials. The Automation Studio licensing ($...
EcoStruxure
Emerging option for automotive suppliers, particularly in electric vehicle (EV) and battery manufacturing sectors where Schneider Electric is pushing hard. EcoStruxure Machine Expert's modern architecture and IoT capabilities align with automotive Industry 4.0 initiatives. The CODESYS foundation provides IEC 61131-3 standardization, which some progressive automotive OEMs appreciate (reduces vendor...
Key Considerations:
- •Customer-specified platforms are non-negotiable - verify before any engineering investment
- •Long-term parts availability (15-20 years) is critical for automotive
- •Safety certifications (SIL 2/SIL 3) must be well-established and accepted
- •Customer's plant maintenance teams must be trained on your platform
Process Industry (Chemical, Oil & Gas, Pharma)
Continuous process control in chemical plants, refineries, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and other process industries requiring high reliability and regulatory compliance
Automation Studio
Limited process industry adoption despite B&R's capabilities. The Automation Studio platform is primarily oriented toward discrete manufacturing and packaging. While technically capable of process control, the ecosystem lacks deep integration with process instrumentation and safety systems common in chemical, oil and gas, or pharmaceutical applications. The market positioning doesn't emphasize pro...
EcoStruxure
Schneider Electric has deep process industry heritage (legacy Modicon and Foxboro DCS), making EcoStruxure a viable process automation choice, particularly for water/wastewater, food processing, and discrete manufacturing transitioning to continuous processes. The Modicon M580 Hot Standby provides redundancy for process applications. The safety PLC options meet basic SIL requirements. The OPC UA i...
Key Considerations:
- •Redundancy and high availability are mandatory for critical processes
- •Safety certifications (SIL 2/SIL 3) for emergency shutdown systems
- •Long-term vendor support (20-30 year plant lifecycles)
- •Integration with process instrumentation and field devices
💰Pricing Comparison
Both Automation Studio and EcoStruxure are in the same price range ($$). Automation Studio pricing ranges from $1 000 to $8 000, while EcoStruxure ranges from $800 to $8 000.
📚Learning Curve
EcoStruxure (rated 5/10) is easier to learn than Automation Studio (rated 6/10). EcoStruxure typically takes 2-4 months to learn, while Automation Studio requires 4-6 months. This makes EcoStruxure better for beginners.
⚙️Features & Capabilities
Automation Studio offers 11 key features including safety programming, motion control, robotics integration. EcoStruxure provides 11 key features with safety programming, motion control, robotics integration. Both platforms offer a comprehensive feature set for industrial automation.
🏭Industry Adoption
EcoStruxure has 55% market adoption compared to Automation Studio's 45%. EcoStruxure dominates in Europe, North America, Middle East, Africa, while Automation Studio is strongest in Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific. EcoStruxure's higher adoption means more job opportunities and community resources.
🔌Hardware Compatibility
Automation Studio is designed specifically for B&R Automation (ABB) hardware, while EcoStruxure works with Schneider Electric PLCs. Both are vendor-specific solutions optimized for their respective hardware ecosystems.
💼Career Prospects
Both Automation Studio and EcoStruxure offer similar career value with certification programs. Knowledge of either platform will open automation career opportunities.
Automation Studio Overview
Key Strengths
- ✓Excellent for high-speed packaging machinery
- ✓Strong motion control capabilities
- ✓Modern development environment
- ✓C/C++ programming option for complex logic
Limitations
- ✗Less common than Siemens/Rockwell (fewer jobs)
- ✗Smaller user community
- ✗Limited third-party resources
Best For
EcoStruxure Overview
Key Strengths
- ✓Modern, user-friendly interface
- ✓Strong IoT and cloud integration
- ✓Good price-to-feature ratio
- ✓Based on widely-used CoDeSys platform
Limitations
- ✗Relatively new platform, less established
- ✗Smaller community than major competitors
- ✗Limited third-party support
Best For
Recommendations
For Beginners
EcoStruxure
For Professionals
Both are suitable
Budget-Constrained
Both are suitable
Enterprise Use
EcoStruxure
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: Automation Studio or EcoStruxure?
EcoStruxure is the stronger overall choice with better community support. However, Automation Studio may be preferable if you prioritize community support or if you're already committed to the B&R Industrial Automation (ABB Group) ecosystem.
What is the price difference between Automation Studio and EcoStruxure?
Both Automation Studio and EcoStruxure are in the same price range ($$). Automation Studio pricing ranges from $1 000 to $8 000, while EcoStruxure ranges from $800 to $8 000.
Which is easier to learn: Automation Studio or EcoStruxure?
EcoStruxure (rated 5/10) is easier to learn than Automation Studio (rated 6/10). EcoStruxure typically takes 2-4 months to learn, while Automation Studio requires 4-6 months. This makes EcoStruxure better for beginners.
Which has better career prospects?
Both Automation Studio and EcoStruxure offer similar career value with certification programs. Knowledge of either platform will open automation career opportunities.