OpenPLC vs Studio 5000
Comprehensive comparison of two leading PLC programming platforms
OpenPLC
OpenPLC Project (Open Source)
Completely FREE - no costs ever
Studio 5000
Rockwell Automation / Allen-Bradley
Dominant in North American market - high job demand
Overall Winner
Studio 5000 leads with an overall score of 72/100
Studio 5000 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 | Studio 5000 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 55 | 72✓ |
| Pricing | 100✓ | 45 |
| Ease of Use | 50 | 50 |
| Features | 63 | 77✓ |
| Industry Adoption | 18 | 88✓ |
| Community Support | 94 | 100✓ |
| Career Value | 23 | 76✓ |
💰Pricing Comparison
OpenPLC (free) is significantly more affordable than Studio 5000 ($$$). OpenPLC costs between $0 and $0, while Studio 5000 ranges from $2,000 to $20,000.
📚Learning Curve
Both OpenPLC and Studio 5000 have similar learning curves (rated 6/10). Expect 3-6 months to become proficient with either platform.
⚙️Features & Capabilities
OpenPLC offers 11 key features. Studio 5000 provides 11 key features with safety programming, motion control. Both platforms offer a comprehensive feature set for industrial automation.
🏭Industry Adoption
Studio 5000 has 80% market adoption compared to OpenPLC's 10%. Studio 5000 dominates in North America, Latin America, while OpenPLC is strongest in Global (primarily education and research). Studio 5000's higher adoption means more job opportunities and community resources.
🔌Hardware Compatibility
OpenPLC is designed specifically for Generic/Open Hardware hardware, while Studio 5000 works with Allen-Bradley, Rockwell Automation PLCs. Both are vendor-specific solutions optimized for their respective hardware ecosystems.
💼Career Prospects
Studio 5000 offers stronger career prospects with 80% market adoption and official certification programs. OpenPLC has 10% adoption and is growing in market presence. For maximum employability, Studio 5000 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
Studio 5000 Overview
Key Strengths
- ✓Dominant in North American market - high job demand
- ✓Excellent integration with Rockwell ecosystem
- ✓Strong motion control capabilities
- ✓Good safety system programming tools
Limitations
- ✗Very expensive licensing model
- ✗Limited to Allen-Bradley/Rockwell hardware
- ✗Subscription model increases long-term costs
Best For
Recommendations
For Beginners
Both are suitable
For Professionals
Studio 5000
Budget-Constrained
OpenPLC
Enterprise Use
Studio 5000
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: OpenPLC or Studio 5000?
Studio 5000 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 Studio 5000?
OpenPLC (free) is significantly more affordable than Studio 5000 ($$$). OpenPLC costs between $0 and $0, while Studio 5000 ranges from $2,000 to $20,000.
Which is easier to learn: OpenPLC or Studio 5000?
Both OpenPLC and Studio 5000 have similar learning curves (rated 6/10). Expect 3-6 months to become proficient with either platform.
Which has better career prospects?
Studio 5000 offers stronger career prospects with 80% market adoption and official certification programs. OpenPLC has 10% adoption and is growing in market presence. For maximum employability, Studio 5000 expertise is more in-demand.