Automation Studio vs Studio 5000
Comprehensive comparison of two leading PLC programming platforms
Automation Studio
B&R Industrial Automation (ABB Group)
Excellent for high-speed packaging machinery
Studio 5000
Rockwell Automation / Allen-Bradley
Dominant in North American market - high job demand
Head-to-Head Match
Both Automation Studio and Studio 5000 are excellent choices with different strengths. Automation Studio excels in community support, while Studio 5000 leads in community support. Your choice should depend on your specific requirements, budget, and target hardware platform.
Score Breakdown
| Category | Automation Studio | Studio 5000 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 70 | 72✓ |
| Pricing | 75✓ | 45 |
| Ease of Use | 50 | 50 |
| Features | 84✓ | 77 |
| Industry Adoption | 55 | 88✓ |
| Community Support | 91 | 100✓ |
| Career Value | 68 | 76✓ |
Real-World Scenario Recommendations
See how Automation Studio and Studio 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...
Studio 5000
Absolutely overkill for small machine builders. Studio 5000's subscription model ($2,000-$20,000 annually) is designed for large integrators and enterprises, not small OEMs. The CompactLogix hardware is robust but expensive. You're essentially renting software that could cost you $100,000+ over 5 years. The learning curve is steep (3-6 months), which delays your time-to-market significantly. Only ...
Key Considerations:
- •Per-machine software licensing cost vs expected production volume
- •Time-to-market pressure - can you afford 6+ month learning curves?
- •Target customer geography and brand preferences
- •Hardware cost optimization - some platforms offer cheaper controllers
Automotive Tier 1 Supplier
Tier 1 automotive supplier providing systems and components directly to OEM vehicle manufacturers (VW, BMW, GM, Ford, Toyota, etc.)
Automation Studio
Strategic choice for Tier 1 suppliers specializing in specific automotive sectors where B&R excels: automotive paint shops (B&R has strong track record in paint atomizer control), electric vehicle battery assembly (precision handling and traceability), and automotive glass manufacturing. ABB's ownership of B&R (since 2017) has strengthened automotive credentials. The Automation Studio licensing ($...
Studio 5000
Mandatory standard for North American automotive Tier 1 suppliers, especially for GM, Ford, Chrysler, and their supply chains. Studio 5000 with ControlLogix and GuardLogix safety PLCs is what these OEMs specify in their automation standards documents. The subscription model ($2,000-$20,000 annually per seat) is expensive, but your customer expects it. For powertrain and final assembly lines in Nor...
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...
Studio 5000
Dominant in North American process industries, particularly oil and gas, petrochemical, and refining. Studio 5000 with ControlLogix and GuardLogix safety PLCs is the de facto standard for US refineries and chemical plants. The PlantPAx process automation system (built on ControlLogix) provides comprehensive DCS-like functionality using PLC architecture - cost-effective compared to traditional DCS ...
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
Automation Studio ($$) is significantly more affordable than Studio 5000 ($$$). Automation Studio costs between $1 000 and $8 000, while Studio 5000 ranges from $2 000 to $20 000.
📚Learning Curve
Both Automation Studio and Studio 5000 have similar learning curves (rated 6/10). Expect 4-6 months to become proficient with either platform.
⚙️Features & Capabilities
Automation Studio offers 11 key features including safety programming, motion control, robotics integration. Studio 5000 provides 11 key features with safety programming, motion control. Both platforms offer a comprehensive feature set for industrial automation.
🏭Industry Adoption
Studio 5000 has 80% market adoption compared to Automation Studio's 45%. Studio 5000 dominates in North America, Latin America, while Automation Studio is strongest in Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific. Studio 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 Studio 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 Studio 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
Studio 5000 Overview
Key Strengths
- ✓Dominant in North American market - high job demand
- ✓Excellent integration with Rockwell ecosystem
- ✓Strong motion control capabilities
- ✓Good safety system programming tools
Limitations
- ✗Very expensive licensing model
- ✗Limited to Allen-Bradley/Rockwell hardware
- ✗Subscription model increases long-term costs
Best For
Recommendations
For Beginners
Both are suitable
For Professionals
Both are suitable
Budget-Constrained
Automation Studio
Enterprise Use
Studio 5000
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: Automation Studio or Studio 5000?
Both Automation Studio and Studio 5000 are excellent choices with different strengths. Automation Studio excels in community support, while Studio 5000 leads in community support. Your choice should depend on your specific requirements, budget, and target hardware platform.
What is the price difference between Automation Studio and Studio 5000?
Automation Studio ($$) is significantly more affordable than Studio 5000 ($$$). Automation Studio costs between $1 000 and $8 000, while Studio 5000 ranges from $2 000 to $20 000.
Which is easier to learn: Automation Studio or Studio 5000?
Both Automation Studio and Studio 5000 have similar learning curves (rated 6/10). Expect 4-6 months to become proficient with either platform.
Which has better career prospects?
Both Automation Studio and Studio 5000 offer similar career value with certification programs. Knowledge of either platform will open automation career opportunities.