FactoryTalk vs OpenPLC
Comprehensive comparison of two leading PLC programming platforms
FactoryTalk
Rockwell Automation
Industry standard for Rockwell SCADA
OpenPLC
OpenPLC Project (Open Source)
Completely FREE - no costs ever
Overall Winner
FactoryTalk leads with an overall score of 62/100
FactoryTalk is the stronger overall choice with better community support. However, OpenPLC may be preferable if you prioritize pricing or if you're already committed to the OpenPLC Project (Open Source) ecosystem.
Score Breakdown
| Category | FactoryTalk | OpenPLC |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 62✓ | 55 |
| Pricing | 45 | 100✓ |
| Ease of Use | 40 | 50✓ |
| Features | 48 | 63✓ |
| Industry Adoption | 83✓ | 18 |
| Community Support | 100✓ | 94 |
| Career Value | 70✓ | 23 |
💰Pricing Comparison
OpenPLC (free) is significantly more affordable than FactoryTalk ($$$). OpenPLC costs between $0 and $0, while FactoryTalk ranges from $3,000 to $25,000.
📚Learning Curve
OpenPLC (rated 6/10) is easier to learn than FactoryTalk (rated 7/10). OpenPLC typically takes 3-6 months to learn, while FactoryTalk requires 4-8 months. This makes OpenPLC better for beginners.
⚙️Features & Capabilities
FactoryTalk offers 11 key features. OpenPLC provides 11 key features. Both platforms offer a comprehensive feature set for industrial automation.
🏭Industry Adoption
FactoryTalk has 70% market adoption compared to OpenPLC's 10%. FactoryTalk dominates in North America, Latin America, while OpenPLC is strongest in Global (primarily education and research). FactoryTalk's higher adoption means more job opportunities and community resources.
🔌Hardware Compatibility
FactoryTalk is designed specifically for Allen-Bradley, Rockwell Automation, Third-party via OPC hardware, while OpenPLC works with Generic/Open Hardware PLCs. Both are vendor-specific solutions optimized for their respective hardware ecosystems.
💼Career Prospects
FactoryTalk offers stronger career prospects with 70% market adoption and official certification programs. OpenPLC has 10% adoption and is growing in market presence. For maximum employability, FactoryTalk expertise is more in-demand.
FactoryTalk Overview
Key Strengths
- ✓Industry standard for Rockwell SCADA
- ✓Seamless integration with Studio 5000
- ✓Powerful alarming and trending
- ✓Centralized asset management
Limitations
- ✗Very expensive licensing
- ✗Complex to learn and master
- ✗Tag-based pricing can get costly
Best For
OpenPLC Overview
Key Strengths
- ✓Completely FREE - no costs ever
- ✓Open source - fully customizable
- ✓Runs on inexpensive hardware (Raspberry Pi)
- ✓Perfect for learning without financial investment
Limitations
- ✗Not suitable for commercial/industrial use
- ✗No official support (community only)
- ✗Limited features compared to commercial PLCs
Best For
Recommendations
For Beginners
Both are suitable
For Professionals
OpenPLC
Budget-Constrained
OpenPLC
Enterprise Use
FactoryTalk
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: FactoryTalk or OpenPLC?
FactoryTalk is the stronger overall choice with better community support. However, OpenPLC may be preferable if you prioritize pricing or if you're already committed to the OpenPLC Project (Open Source) ecosystem.
What is the price difference between FactoryTalk and OpenPLC?
OpenPLC (free) is significantly more affordable than FactoryTalk ($$$). OpenPLC costs between $0 and $0, while FactoryTalk ranges from $3,000 to $25,000.
Which is easier to learn: FactoryTalk or OpenPLC?
OpenPLC (rated 6/10) is easier to learn than FactoryTalk (rated 7/10). OpenPLC typically takes 3-6 months to learn, while FactoryTalk requires 4-8 months. This makes OpenPLC better for beginners.
Which has better career prospects?
FactoryTalk offers stronger career prospects with 70% market adoption and official certification programs. OpenPLC has 10% adoption and is growing in market presence. For maximum employability, FactoryTalk expertise is more in-demand.