OpenPLC vs EcoStruxure
Comprehensive comparison of two leading PLC programming platforms
OpenPLC
OpenPLC Project (Open Source)
Completely FREE - no costs ever
EcoStruxure
Schneider Electric
Modern, user-friendly interface
Overall Winner
EcoStruxure leads with an overall score of 77/100
EcoStruxure 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 | OpenPLC | EcoStruxure |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 55 | 77✓ |
| Pricing | 100✓ | 75 |
| Ease of Use | 50 | 70✓ |
| Features | 63 | 86✓ |
| Industry Adoption | 18 | 68✓ |
| Community Support | 94✓ | 89 |
| Career Value | 23 | 74✓ |
Real-World Scenario Recommendations
See how OpenPLC and EcoStruxure 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
OpenPLC
Interesting for proof-of-concept or extremely budget-constrained startups, but risky for commercial machines. The appeal is obvious: completely FREE, runs on Raspberry Pi ($35-$100 hardware cost), zero licensing restrictions. Perfect for: (1) Building your first prototype to secure investor funding, (2) Educational machines or demonstration units, (3) Very simple control tasks with forgiving indus...
EcoStruxure
Underrated option for small OEMs, especially in building automation or energy-related machinery. The Basic version can be FREE for simple projects, with paid licenses starting around $800-$8,000. This CODESYS-based platform means you're learning widely-applicable IEC 61131-3 skills, not proprietary languages. Modicon M241/M251 controllers are competitively priced and compact. The modern IoT featur...
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.)
OpenPLC
Not viable for automotive Tier 1 production equipment. Automotive OEMs have strict certification, safety, and vendor support requirements that OpenPLC cannot meet. Insurance, liability, and customer acceptance issues eliminate this option. Possibly acceptable for internal R&D labs, proof-of-concept demonstrations, or training junior engineers before expensive platform licenses. Otherwise, avoid fo...
EcoStruxure
Emerging option for automotive suppliers, particularly in electric vehicle (EV) and battery manufacturing sectors where Schneider Electric is pushing hard. EcoStruxure Machine Expert's modern architecture and IoT capabilities align with automotive Industry 4.0 initiatives. The CODESYS foundation provides IEC 61131-3 standardization, which some progressive automotive OEMs appreciate (reduces vendor...
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
OpenPLC
Completely unsuitable for process industries. The lack of safety certifications, redundancy, regulatory compliance documentation, and vendor support eliminates OpenPLC from consideration. Process industries cannot accept uncertified control systems due to safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements. Not viable even for non-critical applications in regulated environments.
EcoStruxure
Schneider Electric has deep process industry heritage (legacy Modicon and Foxboro DCS), making EcoStruxure a viable process automation choice, particularly for water/wastewater, food processing, and discrete manufacturing transitioning to continuous processes. The Modicon M580 Hot Standby provides redundancy for process applications. The safety PLC options meet basic SIL requirements. The OPC UA i...
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
OpenPLC (free) is significantly more affordable than EcoStruxure ($$). OpenPLC costs between $0 and $0, while EcoStruxure ranges from $800 to $8,000.
📚Learning Curve
EcoStruxure (rated 5/10) is easier to learn than OpenPLC (rated 6/10). EcoStruxure typically takes 2-4 months to learn, while OpenPLC requires 3-6 months. This makes EcoStruxure better for beginners.
⚙️Features & Capabilities
OpenPLC offers 11 key features. EcoStruxure provides 11 key features with safety programming, motion control, robotics integration. Both platforms offer a comprehensive feature set for industrial automation.
🏭Industry Adoption
EcoStruxure has 55% market adoption compared to OpenPLC's 10%. EcoStruxure dominates in Europe, North America, Middle East, Africa, while OpenPLC is strongest in Global (primarily education and research). EcoStruxure's higher adoption means more job opportunities and community resources.
🔌Hardware Compatibility
OpenPLC is designed specifically for Generic/Open Hardware hardware, while EcoStruxure works with Schneider Electric PLCs. Both are vendor-specific solutions optimized for their respective hardware ecosystems.
💼Career Prospects
EcoStruxure offers stronger career prospects with 55% market adoption and official certification programs. OpenPLC has 10% adoption and is growing in market presence. For maximum employability, EcoStruxure expertise is more in-demand.
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
EcoStruxure Overview
Key Strengths
- ✓Modern, user-friendly interface
- ✓Strong IoT and cloud integration
- ✓Good price-to-feature ratio
- ✓Based on widely-used CoDeSys platform
Limitations
- ✗Relatively new platform, less established
- ✗Smaller community than major competitors
- ✗Limited third-party support
Best For
Recommendations
For Beginners
EcoStruxure
For Professionals
EcoStruxure
Budget-Constrained
OpenPLC
Enterprise Use
EcoStruxure
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: OpenPLC or EcoStruxure?
EcoStruxure 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 OpenPLC and EcoStruxure?
OpenPLC (free) is significantly more affordable than EcoStruxure ($$). OpenPLC costs between $0 and $0, while EcoStruxure ranges from $800 to $8,000.
Which is easier to learn: OpenPLC or EcoStruxure?
EcoStruxure (rated 5/10) is easier to learn than OpenPLC (rated 6/10). EcoStruxure typically takes 2-4 months to learn, while OpenPLC requires 3-6 months. This makes EcoStruxure better for beginners.
Which has better career prospects?
EcoStruxure offers stronger career prospects with 55% market adoption and official certification programs. OpenPLC has 10% adoption and is growing in market presence. For maximum employability, EcoStruxure expertise is more in-demand.