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✓ |
💰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.