PLCnext vs TIA Portal
Comprehensive comparison of two leading PLC programming platforms
PLCnext
Phoenix Contact
FREE programming software
TIA Portal
Siemens
Industry-leading integration with Siemens hardware
Overall Winner
TIA Portal leads with an overall score of 77/100
TIA Portal is the stronger overall choice with better community support. However, PLCnext may be preferable if you prioritize pricing or if you're already committed to the Phoenix Contact ecosystem.
Score Breakdown
| Category | PLCnext | TIA Portal |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 64 | 77✓ |
| Pricing | 100✓ | 50 |
| Ease of Use | 40 | 50✓ |
| Features | 69 | 79✓ |
| Industry Adoption | 38 | 95✓ |
| Community Support | 94 | 100✓ |
| Career Value | 58 | 85✓ |
Real-World Scenario Recommendations
See how PLCnext and TIA Portal 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
PLCnext
Forward-thinking choice for innovative small OEMs, especially those targeting Industry 4.0-focused customers. The software is FREE - you only pay for controller hardware. Phoenix Contact's open architecture philosophy means you can program in IEC 61131-3, C++, C#, or Python on the same controller. This flexibility is unprecedented. The Docker container support lets you run custom applications (dat...
TIA Portal
Challenging choice for small OEMs. While TIA Portal offers exceptional capabilities, the licensing cost ($1,500-$15,000) can consume 10-30% of your entire automation budget on a single machine. The S7-1200 hardware is excellent and compact, but you're paying premium prices for enterprise features you may never use. Consider TIA Portal only if your end customers specifically require Siemens (common...
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.)
PLCnext
Interesting but risky for automotive Tier 1 suppliers. Phoenix Contact's open architecture and free engineering software are attractive, especially for cost-conscious EV startups. The IoT and Industry 4.0 capabilities align with automotive digital transformation initiatives. The Docker container support enables innovative edge computing applications (predictive maintenance, quality analytics). How...
TIA Portal
Often mandatory for European automotive OEMs, particularly German manufacturers (VW, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Porsche). These companies explicitly specify Siemens in their supplier requirements documents - you have no choice. TIA Portal with S7-1500 Safety PLCs is the standard for assembly lines, body shops, and paint shops. The cost ($1,500-$15,000 per license, multiplied by 10-50 engineers) is signi...
Key Considerations:
- •Customer-specified platforms are non-negotiable - verify before any engineering investment
- •Long-term parts availability (15-20 years) is critical for automotive
- •Safety certifications (SIL 2/SIL 3) must be well-established and accepted
- •Customer's plant maintenance teams must be trained on your platform
Process Industry (Chemical, Oil & Gas, Pharma)
Continuous process control in chemical plants, refineries, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and other process industries requiring high reliability and regulatory compliance
PLCnext
Too immature for critical process industries. Phoenix Contact's open architecture and IoT capabilities are interesting, but process industries require proven platforms with decades of regulatory acceptance. The limited process industry track record, lack of redundancy configurations, and minimal safety certifications eliminate PLCnext from consideration for refineries, chemical plants, or pharmace...
TIA Portal
Strong choice for process industries, particularly in Europe and pharmaceuticals. TIA Portal with S7-1500/S7-400 Redundancy (H-Systems) provides the high availability needed for critical processes. The hot-standby redundancy ensures control continuity during PLC failures - essential for processes that can't be interrupted (chemical reactions, pharmaceutical batch processes). The safety PLC capabil...
Key Considerations:
- •Redundancy and high availability are mandatory for critical processes
- •Safety certifications (SIL 2/SIL 3) for emergency shutdown systems
- •Long-term vendor support (20-30 year plant lifecycles)
- •Integration with process instrumentation and field devices
💰Pricing Comparison
PLCnext ($) is significantly more affordable than TIA Portal ($$$). PLCnext costs between $0 and $2 000, while TIA Portal ranges from $1 500 to $15 000.
📚Learning Curve
TIA Portal (rated 6/10) is easier to learn than PLCnext (rated 7/10). TIA Portal typically takes 3-6 months to learn, while PLCnext requires 4-8 months. This makes TIA Portal better for beginners.
⚙️Features & Capabilities
PLCnext offers 11 key features including motion control. TIA Portal provides 11 key features with safety programming, motion control. Both platforms offer a comprehensive feature set for industrial automation.
🏭Industry Adoption
TIA Portal has 85% market adoption compared to PLCnext's 25%. TIA Portal dominates in Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East, while PLCnext is strongest in Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific. TIA Portal's higher adoption means more job opportunities and community resources.
🔌Hardware Compatibility
PLCnext is designed specifically for Phoenix Contact hardware, while TIA Portal works with Siemens PLCs. Both are vendor-specific solutions optimized for their respective hardware ecosystems.
💼Career Prospects
TIA Portal offers stronger career prospects with 85% market adoption and official certification programs. PLCnext has 25% adoption and is also backed by certifications. For maximum employability, TIA Portal expertise is more in-demand.
PLCnext Overview
Key Strengths
- ✓FREE programming software
- ✓Open, modern architecture
- ✓Multiple programming language support
- ✓IoT and Industry 4.0 ready
Limitations
- ✗Relatively new platform (limited adoption)
- ✗Small user community
- ✗Fewer job postings
Best For
TIA Portal Overview
Key Strengths
- ✓Industry-leading integration with Siemens hardware
- ✓Comprehensive all-in-one solution
- ✓Excellent documentation and training materials
- ✓Strong simulation capabilities
Limitations
- ✗Expensive licensing costs
- ✗Steep learning curve for beginners
- ✗Resource-intensive software (requires powerful PC)
Best For
Recommendations
For Beginners
Both are suitable
For Professionals
Both are suitable
Budget-Constrained
PLCnext
Enterprise Use
TIA Portal
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: PLCnext or TIA Portal?
TIA Portal is the stronger overall choice with better community support. However, PLCnext may be preferable if you prioritize pricing or if you're already committed to the Phoenix Contact ecosystem.
What is the price difference between PLCnext and TIA Portal?
PLCnext ($) is significantly more affordable than TIA Portal ($$$). PLCnext costs between $0 and $2 000, while TIA Portal ranges from $1 500 to $15 000.
Which is easier to learn: PLCnext or TIA Portal?
TIA Portal (rated 6/10) is easier to learn than PLCnext (rated 7/10). TIA Portal typically takes 3-6 months to learn, while PLCnext requires 4-8 months. This makes TIA Portal better for beginners.
Which has better career prospects?
TIA Portal offers stronger career prospects with 85% market adoption and official certification programs. PLCnext has 25% adoption and is also backed by certifications. For maximum employability, TIA Portal expertise is more in-demand.