Best Software for Allen-Bradley PLCs
Programming software for Allen-Bradley and Rockwell Automation PLC systems.
Quick Picks
RSLogix 500/5000
Rockwell Automation / Allen-Bradley (Legacy)
Massive installed base - many jobs still require it
Studio 5000
Rockwell Automation / Allen-Bradley
Dominant in North American market - high job demand
LogixPro
The Learning Pit
Extremely affordable (~$50 for students)
Complete Rankings
| Rank | Software | Score | Price | Learning | Adoption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1🏆 | RSLogix 500/5000 Rockwell Automation / Allen-Bradley (Legacy) | 76 | $$ | intermediate | 75% |
2🥈 | Studio 5000 Rockwell Automation / Allen-Bradley | 72 | $$$ | intermediate | 80% |
3🥉 | FactoryTalk Rockwell Automation | 62 | $$$ | intermediate-advanced | 70% |
4 | LogixPro The Learning Pit | 51 | $ | beginner | 5% |
Detailed Reviews
RSLogix 500/5000
Rockwell Automation / Allen-Bradley (Legacy)
Key Highlights
- ✓Massive installed base - many jobs still require it
- ✓Well-understood and documented
- ✓Stable, mature platform
Considerations
- !No longer actively developed (legacy software)
- !Being phased out in favor of Studio 5000
Best For
Studio 5000
Rockwell Automation / Allen-Bradley
Key Highlights
- ✓Dominant in North American market - high job demand
- ✓Excellent integration with Rockwell ecosystem
- ✓Strong motion control capabilities
Considerations
- !Very expensive licensing model
- !Limited to Allen-Bradley/Rockwell hardware
Best For
FactoryTalk
Rockwell Automation
Key Highlights
- ✓Industry standard for Rockwell SCADA
- ✓Seamless integration with Studio 5000
- ✓Powerful alarming and trending
Considerations
- !Very expensive licensing
- !Complex to learn and master
Best For
LogixPro
The Learning Pit
Key Highlights
- ✓Extremely affordable (~$50 for students)
- ✓Perfect for absolute beginners
- ✓No hardware needed to learn
Considerations
- !Simulation only - not for real PLCs
- !Limited to Allen-Bradley/RSLogix style ladder logic
Best For
Our Methodology
Our rankings are based on a comprehensive scoring system that evaluates each software across six key criteria:
Pricing (15%)
Cost-effectiveness, free trials, educational discounts, and overall value for money.
Ease of Use (15%)
Learning curve, interface design, documentation quality, and beginner-friendliness.
Features (25%)
Capabilities, hardware support, programming languages, and advanced functionality.
Industry Adoption (20%)
Market share, regional presence, and acceptance across industries.
Community Support (10%)
Forums, documentation, tutorials, user groups, and third-party resources.
Career Value (15%)
Job market demand, certification availability, and long-term career prospects.
All data is collected from official vendor sources, user reviews, industry surveys, and our own testing. Rankings are updated regularly to reflect current market conditions.
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