OpenPLC vs Unity Pro
Comprehensive comparison of two leading PLC programming platforms
OpenPLC
OpenPLC Project (Open Source)
Completely FREE - no costs ever
Unity Pro
Schneider Electric
Large installed base in process industries
Overall Winner
Unity Pro leads with an overall score of 71/100
Unity Pro 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 | Unity Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 55 | 71✓ |
| Pricing | 100✓ | 75 |
| Ease of Use | 50 | 50 |
| Features | 63 | 76✓ |
| Industry Adoption | 18 | 68✓ |
| Community Support | 94✓ | 91 |
| Career Value | 23 | 73✓ |
Real-World Scenario Recommendations
See how OpenPLC and Unity Pro 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...
Unity Pro
Legacy Schneider platform being replaced by EcoStruxure. Not recommended for new machine designs - choose EcoStruxure instead. Unity Pro is for maintaining existing Modicon M340/M580 installations. If a customer specifically requests Modicon compatibility with legacy systems, Unity Pro may be necessary, but negotiate this carefully as it's sunset technology. The licensing cost ($1,500-$7,000) is b...
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...
Unity Pro
Legacy platform - not recommended for new automotive projects. Some European automotive plants have existing Modicon M580 installations that require Unity Pro for maintenance and expansions. If you're supporting existing lines, Unity Pro knowledge is necessary. For new projects, choose EcoStruxure instead. Don't invest in learning sunset technology unless you're maintaining specific legacy systems...
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.
Unity Pro
Legacy Schneider platform with significant installed base in process industries, particularly oil and gas offshore platforms, water treatment, and power generation. Unity Pro with Modicon Quantum/M580 Hot Standby provides the redundancy needed for critical processes. However, Schneider is transitioning customers to EcoStruxure. For existing Unity Pro installations, maintenance and expansions are n...
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 Unity Pro ($$). OpenPLC costs between $0 and $0, while Unity Pro ranges from $1 500 to $7 000.
📚Learning Curve
Both OpenPLC and Unity Pro have similar learning curves (rated 6/10). Expect 3-6 months to become proficient with either platform.
⚙️Features & Capabilities
OpenPLC offers 11 key features. Unity Pro provides 10 key features with safety programming, motion control. OpenPLC offers a comprehensive feature set for industrial automation.
🏭Industry Adoption
Unity Pro has 55% market adoption compared to OpenPLC's 10%. Unity Pro dominates in Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific, while OpenPLC is strongest in Global (primarily education and research). Unity Pro's higher adoption means more job opportunities and community resources.
🔌Hardware Compatibility
OpenPLC is designed specifically for Generic/Open Hardware hardware, while Unity Pro works with Schneider Electric PLCs. Both are vendor-specific solutions optimized for their respective hardware ecosystems.
💼Career Prospects
Unity Pro 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, Unity Pro 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
Unity Pro Overview
Key Strengths
- ✓Large installed base in process industries
- ✓Reliable, proven platform
- ✓Good for oil and gas applications
- ✓Strong redundancy and safety features
Limitations
- ✗Being phased out for EcoStruxure
- ✗Legacy software with older interface
- ✗New projects should use EcoStruxure
Best For
Recommendations
For Beginners
Both are suitable
For Professionals
Unity Pro
Budget-Constrained
OpenPLC
Enterprise Use
Unity Pro
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: OpenPLC or Unity Pro?
Unity Pro 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 Unity Pro?
OpenPLC (free) is significantly more affordable than Unity Pro ($$). OpenPLC costs between $0 and $0, while Unity Pro ranges from $1 500 to $7 000.
Which is easier to learn: OpenPLC or Unity Pro?
Both OpenPLC and Unity Pro have similar learning curves (rated 6/10). Expect 3-6 months to become proficient with either platform.
Which has better career prospects?
Unity Pro 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, Unity Pro expertise is more in-demand.