Automation Studio vs RSLogix 500/5000
Comprehensive comparison of two leading PLC programming platforms
Automation Studio
B&R Industrial Automation (ABB Group)
Excellent for high-speed packaging machinery
RSLogix 500/5000
Rockwell Automation / Allen-Bradley (Legacy)
Massive installed base - many jobs still require it
Overall Winner
RSLogix 500/5000 leads with an overall score of 76/100
RSLogix 500/5000 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 | RSLogix 500/5000 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 70 | 76✓ |
| Pricing | 75✓ | 70 |
| Ease of Use | 50 | 60✓ |
| Features | 84✓ | 74 |
| Industry Adoption | 55 | 85✓ |
| Community Support | 91 | 100✓ |
| Career Value | 68 | 74✓ |
Real-World Scenario Recommendations
See how Automation Studio and RSLogix 500/5000 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...
RSLogix 500/5000
Legacy platform, but potentially viable for budget-conscious small OEMs targeting North American markets with older infrastructure. RSLogix 500 with MicroLogix hardware can cost significantly less than Studio 5000 with ControlLogix ($1,000-$5,000 vs $10,000-$30,000). If your machines have modest I/O counts (under 256 points) and don't require advanced features, MicroLogix may suffice. The installe...
Key Considerations:
- •Per-machine software licensing cost vs expected production volume
- •Time-to-market pressure - can you afford 6+ month learning curves?
- •Target customer geography and brand preferences
- •Hardware cost optimization - some platforms offer cheaper controllers
Automotive Tier 1 Supplier
Tier 1 automotive supplier providing systems and components directly to OEM vehicle manufacturers (VW, BMW, GM, Ford, Toyota, etc.)
Automation Studio
Strategic choice for Tier 1 suppliers specializing in specific automotive sectors where B&R excels: automotive paint shops (B&R has strong track record in paint atomizer control), electric vehicle battery assembly (precision handling and traceability), and automotive glass manufacturing. ABB's ownership of B&R (since 2017) has strengthened automotive credentials. The Automation Studio licensing ($...
RSLogix 500/5000
Obsolete for new automotive production lines. While MicroLogix PLCs are still produced, Rockwell is clearly phasing this out. Automotive production lines have 15-20 year lifecycles - starting new designs on sunset platforms is risky. The only justification: Cheap expansions of existing RSLogix 500-based lines where full system replacement isn't economically viable. For greenfield automotive projec...
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...
RSLogix 500/5000
Obsolete for new process plants. Some older chemical or water treatment plants have legacy RSLogix 500/PLC-5 systems requiring maintenance, but starting new process designs on sunset platforms is unacceptable. Process plants have 20-30+ year lifecycles - legacy platforms won't have adequate support. For greenfield process projects, use Studio 5000/PlantPAx. For retrofits of existing RSLogix 500 sy...
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 RSLogix 500/5000 are in the same price range ($$). Automation Studio pricing ranges from $1 000 to $8 000, while RSLogix 500/5000 ranges from $1 000 to $10 000.
📚Learning Curve
RSLogix 500/5000 (rated 5/10) is easier to learn than Automation Studio (rated 6/10). RSLogix 500/5000 typically takes 2-4 months to learn, while Automation Studio requires 4-6 months. This makes RSLogix 500/5000 better for beginners.
⚙️Features & Capabilities
Automation Studio offers 11 key features including safety programming, motion control, robotics integration. RSLogix 500/5000 provides 10 key features with safety programming, motion control. Automation Studio offers a comprehensive feature set for industrial automation.
🏭Industry Adoption
RSLogix 500/5000 has 75% market adoption compared to Automation Studio's 45%. RSLogix 500/5000 dominates in North America, Latin America, while Automation Studio is strongest in Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific. RSLogix 500/5000's higher adoption means more job opportunities and community resources.
🔌Hardware Compatibility
Automation Studio is designed specifically for B&R Automation (ABB) hardware, while RSLogix 500/5000 works with Allen-Bradley, Rockwell Automation PLCs. Both are vendor-specific solutions optimized for their respective hardware ecosystems.
💼Career Prospects
Both Automation Studio and RSLogix 500/5000 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
RSLogix 500/5000 Overview
Key Strengths
- ✓Massive installed base - many jobs still require it
- ✓Well-understood and documented
- ✓Stable, mature platform
- ✓Simpler interface than Studio 5000 for basic tasks
Limitations
- ✗No longer actively developed (legacy software)
- ✗Being phased out in favor of Studio 5000
- ✗Won't work with newer PLC hardware
Best For
Recommendations
For Beginners
Both are suitable
For Professionals
Both are suitable
Budget-Constrained
Both are suitable
Enterprise Use
RSLogix 500/5000
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: Automation Studio or RSLogix 500/5000?
RSLogix 500/5000 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 RSLogix 500/5000?
Both Automation Studio and RSLogix 500/5000 are in the same price range ($$). Automation Studio pricing ranges from $1 000 to $8 000, while RSLogix 500/5000 ranges from $1 000 to $10 000.
Which is easier to learn: Automation Studio or RSLogix 500/5000?
RSLogix 500/5000 (rated 5/10) is easier to learn than Automation Studio (rated 6/10). RSLogix 500/5000 typically takes 2-4 months to learn, while Automation Studio requires 4-6 months. This makes RSLogix 500/5000 better for beginners.
Which has better career prospects?
Both Automation Studio and RSLogix 500/5000 offer similar career value with certification programs. Knowledge of either platform will open automation career opportunities.