Automation Studio vs Unity Pro
Comprehensive comparison of two leading PLC programming platforms
Automation Studio
B&R Industrial Automation (ABB Group)
Excellent for high-speed packaging machinery
Unity Pro
Schneider Electric
Large installed base in process industries
Head-to-Head Match
Both Automation Studio and Unity Pro are excellent choices with different strengths. Automation Studio excels in community support, while Unity Pro leads in community support. Your choice should depend on your specific requirements, budget, and target hardware platform.
Score Breakdown
| Category | Automation Studio | Unity Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 70 | 71✓ |
| Pricing | 75 | 75 |
| Ease of Use | 50 | 50 |
| Features | 84✓ | 76 |
| Industry Adoption | 55 | 68✓ |
| Community Support | 91 | 91 |
| Career Value | 68 | 73✓ |
Real-World Scenario Recommendations
See how Automation Studio and Unity Pro 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...
Unity Pro
Legacy Schneider platform being replaced by EcoStruxure. Not recommended for new machine designs - choose EcoStruxure instead. Unity Pro is for maintaining existing Modicon M340/M580 installations. If a customer specifically requests Modicon compatibility with legacy systems, Unity Pro may be necessary, but negotiate this carefully as it's sunset technology. The licensing cost ($1,500-$7,000) is b...
Key Considerations:
- •Per-machine software licensing cost vs expected production volume
- •Time-to-market pressure - can you afford 6+ month learning curves?
- •Target customer geography and brand preferences
- •Hardware cost optimization - some platforms offer cheaper controllers
Automotive Tier 1 Supplier
Tier 1 automotive supplier providing systems and components directly to OEM vehicle manufacturers (VW, BMW, GM, Ford, Toyota, etc.)
Automation Studio
Strategic choice for Tier 1 suppliers specializing in specific automotive sectors where B&R excels: automotive paint shops (B&R has strong track record in paint atomizer control), electric vehicle battery assembly (precision handling and traceability), and automotive glass manufacturing. ABB's ownership of B&R (since 2017) has strengthened automotive credentials. The Automation Studio licensing ($...
Unity Pro
Legacy platform - not recommended for new automotive projects. Some European automotive plants have existing Modicon M580 installations that require Unity Pro for maintenance and expansions. If you're supporting existing lines, Unity Pro knowledge is necessary. For new projects, choose EcoStruxure instead. Don't invest in learning sunset technology unless you're maintaining specific legacy systems...
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...
Unity Pro
Legacy Schneider platform with significant installed base in process industries, particularly oil and gas offshore platforms, water treatment, and power generation. Unity Pro with Modicon Quantum/M580 Hot Standby provides the redundancy needed for critical processes. However, Schneider is transitioning customers to EcoStruxure. For existing Unity Pro installations, maintenance and expansions are n...
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 Unity Pro are in the same price range ($$). Automation Studio pricing ranges from $1 000 to $8 000, while Unity Pro ranges from $1 500 to $7 000.
📚Learning Curve
Both Automation Studio and Unity Pro 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. Unity Pro provides 10 key features with safety programming, motion control. Automation Studio offers a comprehensive feature set for industrial automation.
🏭Industry Adoption
Unity Pro has 55% market adoption compared to Automation Studio's 45%. Unity Pro dominates in Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific, while Automation Studio is strongest in Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific. Unity Pro's higher adoption means more job opportunities and community resources.
🔌Hardware Compatibility
Automation Studio is designed specifically for B&R Automation (ABB) hardware, while Unity Pro works with Schneider Electric PLCs. Both are vendor-specific solutions optimized for their respective hardware ecosystems.
💼Career Prospects
Both Automation Studio and Unity Pro 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
Unity Pro Overview
Key Strengths
- ✓Large installed base in process industries
- ✓Reliable, proven platform
- ✓Good for oil and gas applications
- ✓Strong redundancy and safety features
Limitations
- ✗Being phased out for EcoStruxure
- ✗Legacy software with older interface
- ✗New projects should use EcoStruxure
Best For
Recommendations
For Beginners
Both are suitable
For Professionals
Both are suitable
Budget-Constrained
Both are suitable
Enterprise Use
Unity Pro
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: Automation Studio or Unity Pro?
Both Automation Studio and Unity Pro are excellent choices with different strengths. Automation Studio excels in community support, while Unity Pro 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 Unity Pro?
Both Automation Studio and Unity Pro are in the same price range ($$). Automation Studio pricing ranges from $1 000 to $8 000, while Unity Pro ranges from $1 500 to $7 000.
Which is easier to learn: Automation Studio or Unity Pro?
Both Automation Studio and Unity Pro 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 Unity Pro offer similar career value with certification programs. Knowledge of either platform will open automation career opportunities.