Best PLC Software for Learning
Educational PLC software platforms ideal for students and self-learners.
15 Options ComparedUpdated 2025Expert Rankings
Quick Picks
Top Pick
CODESYS
CODESYS GmbH (3S-Smart Software Solutions)
85$
🏆 Best Overall
FREE basic version - perfect for learning
Runner-Up
GX Works3
Mitsubishi Electric
81$$
🥈 Excellent Choice
User-friendly interface, easier learning curve
Budget Pick
CODESYS
CODESYS GmbH (3S-Smart Software Solutions)
85$
💰 Best Value
FREE basic version - perfect for learning
Complete Rankings
| Rank | Software | Score | Price | Learning | Adoption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1🏆 | CODESYS CODESYS GmbH (3S-Smart Software Solutions) | 85 | $ | beginner-intermediate | 70% |
2🥈 | GX Works3 Mitsubishi Electric | 81 | $$ | beginner-intermediate | 65% |
3🥉 | TIA Portal Siemens | 77 | $$$ | intermediate | 85% |
4 | EcoStruxure Schneider Electric | 77 | $$ | beginner-intermediate | 55% |
5 | TwinCAT Beckhoff Automation | 77 | $ | advanced | 60% |
6 | CX-Programmer Omron | 77 | $$ | beginner-intermediate | 50% |
7 | RSLogix 500/5000 Rockwell Automation / Allen-Bradley (Legacy) | 76 | $$ | intermediate | 75% |
8 | Sysmac Studio Omron | 73 | $$ | intermediate | 50% |
9 | Studio 5000 Rockwell Automation / Allen-Bradley | 72 | $$$ | intermediate | 80% |
10 | Unity Pro Schneider Electric | 71 | $$ | intermediate | 55% |
11 | Automation Studio B&R Industrial Automation (ABB Group) | 70 | $$ | intermediate | 45% |
12 | PLCnext Phoenix Contact | 64 | $ | intermediate-advanced | 25% |
13 | FactoryTalk Rockwell Automation | 62 | $$$ | intermediate-advanced | 70% |
14 | OpenPLC OpenPLC Project (Open Source) | 55 | free | intermediate | 10% |
15 | LogixPro The Learning Pit | 51 | $ | beginner | 5% |
Detailed Reviews
#1
CODESYS
CODESYS GmbH (3S-Smart Software Solutions)
85
Overall Score
Pricing
100
Ease of Use
70
Features
86
Adoption
83
Community
100
Career
77
Key Highlights
- ✓FREE basic version - perfect for learning
- ✓Supports wide range of hardware (500+ manufacturers)
- ✓Pure IEC 61131-3 standard compliance
Considerations
- !Less recognized brand than Siemens/Rockwell
- !Professional features require paid add-ons
Best For
Learning PLC programming and IEC 61131-3Students and hobbyists (free version)OEM machine buildersEmbedded automation projects
Learning Time
2-4 months
Price Range
$0-$2,000
Free Trial
Yes
Certification
Available
#2
GX Works3
Mitsubishi Electric
81
Overall Score
Pricing
75
Ease of Use
80
Features
86
Adoption
80
Community
91
Career
74
Key Highlights
- ✓User-friendly interface, easier learning curve
- ✓More affordable than competitors
- ✓Strong in Asia-Pacific market
Considerations
- !Less common in North America
- !Smaller community compared to Siemens/Rockwell
Best For
Asian manufacturing facilitiesAutomotive component manufacturersElectronics and semiconductor industriesSmall to medium-sized automation projects
Learning Time
1-3 months
Price Range
$1,000-$5,000
Free Trial
Yes
Certification
Available
#3
TIA Portal
Siemens
77
Overall Score
Pricing
50
Ease of Use
50
Features
79
Adoption
95
Community
100
Career
85
Key Highlights
- ✓Industry-leading integration with Siemens hardware
- ✓Comprehensive all-in-one solution
- ✓Excellent documentation and training materials
Considerations
- !Expensive licensing costs
- !Steep learning curve for beginners
Best For
Professional Siemens automation engineersLarge-scale industrial automation projectsIntegrated machine and plant automationSafety-critical applications
Learning Time
3-6 months
Price Range
$1,500-$15,000
Free Trial
Yes
Certification
Available
#4
EcoStruxure
Schneider Electric
77
Overall Score
Pricing
75
Ease of Use
70
Features
86
Adoption
68
Community
89
Career
74
Key Highlights
- ✓Modern, user-friendly interface
- ✓Strong IoT and cloud integration
- ✓Good price-to-feature ratio
Considerations
- !Relatively new platform, less established
- !Smaller community than major competitors
Best For
Building automation projectsEnergy management systemsWater and wastewater treatmentRenewable energy applications
Learning Time
2-4 months
Price Range
$800-$8,000
Free Trial
Yes
Certification
Available
#5
TwinCAT
Beckhoff Automation
77
Overall Score
Pricing
95
Ease of Use
40
Features
86
Adoption
70
Community
99
Career
75
Key Highlights
- ✓FREE engineering software - only pay for runtime
- ✓Exceptional motion control capabilities
- ✓PC-based architecture provides high performance
Considerations
- !Steep learning curve
- !Requires strong PC/Windows knowledge
Best For
High-speed motion control applicationsSemiconductor manufacturing equipmentPackaging machinery with complex motionAdvanced robotics and CNC systems
Learning Time
6-12 months
Price Range
$0-$3,000
Free Trial
Yes
Certification
Available
#6
CX-Programmer
Omron
77
Overall Score
Pricing
75
Ease of Use
80
Features
84
Adoption
65
Community
91
Career
68
Key Highlights
- ✓Easy to learn and use
- ✓Affordable pricing
- ✓Good simulation capabilities
Considerations
- !Less common in North America than Siemens/Rockwell
- !Smaller community than major competitors
Best For
Material handling and logistics systemsPackaging machineryAutomotive component manufacturingWarehouse automation
Learning Time
2-3 months
Price Range
$1,000-$5,000
Free Trial
Yes
Certification
Available
#7
RSLogix 500/5000
Rockwell Automation / Allen-Bradley (Legacy)
76
Overall Score
Pricing
70
Ease of Use
60
Features
74
Adoption
85
Community
100
Career
74
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
Maintaining existing MicroLogix/SLC 500 systemsCompanies with large legacy installationsLearning fundamentals before Studio 5000Retrofit and upgrade projects
Learning Time
2-4 months
Price Range
$1,000-$10,000
Free Trial
No
Certification
Available
#8
Sysmac Studio
Omron
73
Overall Score
Pricing
75
Ease of Use
50
Features
84
Adoption
65
Community
99
Career
69
Key Highlights
- ✓All-in-one machine automation solution
- ✓Excellent for integrated robotics
- ✓Strong motion control capabilities
Considerations
- !Limited to newer Omron NJ/NX hardware
- !Can't program older Omron PLCs
Best For
Machine automation with roboticsIntegrated motion control systemsAutomated assembly machinesSemiconductor equipment
Learning Time
3-5 months
Price Range
$1,200-$6,000
Free Trial
Yes
Certification
Available
#9
Studio 5000
Rockwell Automation / Allen-Bradley
72
Overall Score
Pricing
45
Ease of Use
50
Features
77
Adoption
88
Community
100
Career
76
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
North American automation professionalsAllen-Bradley/Rockwell installationsOil and gas industry applicationsMining and material handling
Learning Time
3-6 months
Price Range
$2,000-$20,000
Free Trial
No
Certification
Available
#10
Unity Pro
Schneider Electric
71
Overall Score
Pricing
75
Ease of Use
50
Features
76
Adoption
68
Community
91
Career
73
Key Highlights
- ✓Large installed base in process industries
- ✓Reliable, proven platform
- ✓Good for oil and gas applications
Considerations
- !Being phased out for EcoStruxure
- !Legacy software with older interface
Best For
Maintaining existing Modicon installationsOil and gas process controlWater and wastewater treatmentLegacy system support and upgrades
Learning Time
3-5 months
Price Range
$1,500-$7,000
Free Trial
Yes
Certification
Available
#11
Automation Studio
B&R Industrial Automation (ABB Group)
70
Overall Score
Pricing
75
Ease of Use
50
Features
84
Adoption
55
Community
91
Career
68
Key Highlights
- ✓Excellent for high-speed packaging machinery
- ✓Strong motion control capabilities
- ✓Modern development environment
Considerations
- !Less common than Siemens/Rockwell (fewer jobs)
- !Smaller user community
Best For
High-speed packaging machineryFood and beverage processingPharmaceutical manufacturingComplex motion control applications
Learning Time
4-6 months
Price Range
$1,000-$8,000
Free Trial
Yes
Certification
Available
#12
PLCnext
Phoenix Contact
64
Overall Score
Pricing
100
Ease of Use
40
Features
69
Adoption
38
Community
94
Career
58
Key Highlights
- ✓FREE programming software
- ✓Open, modern architecture
- ✓Multiple programming language support
Considerations
- !Relatively new platform (limited adoption)
- !Small user community
Best For
Industry 4.0 and IoT applicationsModern automation with cloud connectivityProjects requiring multiple programming paradigmsInnovative and cutting-edge applications
Learning Time
4-8 months
Price Range
$0-$2,000
Free Trial
Yes
Certification
Available
#13
FactoryTalk
Rockwell Automation
62
Overall Score
Pricing
45
Ease of Use
40
Features
48
Adoption
83
Community
100
Career
70
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
Large-scale SCADA systemsMulti-site monitoring and controlEnterprise Rockwell installationsOil and gas operations
Learning Time
4-8 months
Price Range
$3,000-$25,000
Free Trial
No
Certification
Available
#14
OpenPLC
OpenPLC Project (Open Source)
55
Overall Score
Pricing
100
Ease of Use
50
Features
63
Adoption
18
Community
94
Career
23
Key Highlights
- ✓Completely FREE - no costs ever
- ✓Open source - fully customizable
- ✓Runs on inexpensive hardware (Raspberry Pi)
Considerations
- !Not suitable for commercial/industrial use
- !No official support (community only)
Best For
Students learning PLC programmingHobbyists and DIY automationHome automation projectsEducational institutions on tight budgets
Learning Time
3-6 months
Price Range
$0-$0
Free Trial
Yes
Certification
No
#15
LogixPro
The Learning Pit
51
Overall Score
Pricing
95
Ease of Use
100
Features
40
Adoption
15
Community
60
Career
16
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
Complete beginners learning PLC basicsStudents in technical schools and collegesSelf-learners wanting to try PLCs without investmentUnderstanding ladder logic fundamentals
Learning Time
2-4 weeks
Price Range
$50-$100
Free Trial
Yes
Certification
No
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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