RSLogix 500/5000 vs EcoStruxure
Comprehensive comparison of two leading PLC programming platforms
RSLogix 500/5000
Rockwell Automation / Allen-Bradley (Legacy)
Massive installed base - many jobs still require it
EcoStruxure
Schneider Electric
Modern, user-friendly interface
Head-to-Head Match
Both RSLogix 500/5000 and EcoStruxure are excellent choices with different strengths. RSLogix 500/5000 excels in community support, while EcoStruxure leads in community support. Your choice should depend on your specific requirements, budget, and target hardware platform.
Score Breakdown
| Category | RSLogix 500/5000 | EcoStruxure |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 76 | 77✓ |
| Pricing | 70 | 75✓ |
| Ease of Use | 60 | 70✓ |
| Features | 74 | 86✓ |
| Industry Adoption | 85✓ | 68 |
| Community Support | 100✓ | 89 |
| Career Value | 74 | 74 |
Real-World Scenario Recommendations
See how RSLogix 500/5000 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
RSLogix 500/5000
Legacy platform, but potentially viable for budget-conscious small OEMs targeting North American markets with older infrastructure. RSLogix 500 with MicroLogix hardware can cost significantly less than Studio 5000 with ControlLogix ($1,000-$5,000 vs $10,000-$30,000). If your machines have modest I/O counts (under 256 points) and don't require advanced features, MicroLogix may suffice. The installe...
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.)
RSLogix 500/5000
Obsolete for new automotive production lines. While MicroLogix PLCs are still produced, Rockwell is clearly phasing this out. Automotive production lines have 15-20 year lifecycles - starting new designs on sunset platforms is risky. The only justification: Cheap expansions of existing RSLogix 500-based lines where full system replacement isn't economically viable. For greenfield automotive projec...
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
RSLogix 500/5000
Obsolete for new process plants. Some older chemical or water treatment plants have legacy RSLogix 500/PLC-5 systems requiring maintenance, but starting new process designs on sunset platforms is unacceptable. Process plants have 20-30+ year lifecycles - legacy platforms won't have adequate support. For greenfield process projects, use Studio 5000/PlantPAx. For retrofits of existing RSLogix 500 sy...
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
Both RSLogix 500/5000 and EcoStruxure are in the same price range ($$). RSLogix 500/5000 pricing ranges from $1,000 to $10,000, while EcoStruxure ranges from $800 to $8,000.
📚Learning Curve
Both RSLogix 500/5000 and EcoStruxure have similar learning curves (rated 5/10). Expect 2-4 months to become proficient with either platform.
⚙️Features & Capabilities
RSLogix 500/5000 offers 10 key features including safety programming, motion control. EcoStruxure provides 11 key features with safety programming, motion control, robotics integration. EcoStruxure offers a comprehensive feature set for industrial automation.
🏭Industry Adoption
RSLogix 500/5000 has 75% market adoption compared to EcoStruxure's 55%. RSLogix 500/5000 dominates in North America, Latin America, while EcoStruxure is strongest in Europe, North America, Middle East, Africa. RSLogix 500/5000's higher adoption means more job opportunities and community resources.
🔌Hardware Compatibility
RSLogix 500/5000 is designed specifically for Allen-Bradley, Rockwell Automation hardware, while EcoStruxure works with Schneider Electric PLCs. Both are vendor-specific solutions optimized for their respective hardware ecosystems.
💼Career Prospects
Both RSLogix 500/5000 and EcoStruxure offer similar career value with certification programs. Knowledge of either platform will open automation career opportunities.
RSLogix 500/5000 Overview
Key Strengths
- ✓Massive installed base - many jobs still require it
- ✓Well-understood and documented
- ✓Stable, mature platform
- ✓Simpler interface than Studio 5000 for basic tasks
Limitations
- ✗No longer actively developed (legacy software)
- ✗Being phased out in favor of Studio 5000
- ✗Won't work with newer PLC hardware
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
Both are suitable
For Professionals
EcoStruxure
Budget-Constrained
Both are suitable
Enterprise Use
RSLogix 500/5000
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: RSLogix 500/5000 or EcoStruxure?
Both RSLogix 500/5000 and EcoStruxure are excellent choices with different strengths. RSLogix 500/5000 excels in community support, while EcoStruxure leads in community support. Your choice should depend on your specific requirements, budget, and target hardware platform.
What is the price difference between RSLogix 500/5000 and EcoStruxure?
Both RSLogix 500/5000 and EcoStruxure are in the same price range ($$). RSLogix 500/5000 pricing ranges from $1,000 to $10,000, while EcoStruxure ranges from $800 to $8,000.
Which is easier to learn: RSLogix 500/5000 or EcoStruxure?
Both RSLogix 500/5000 and EcoStruxure have similar learning curves (rated 5/10). Expect 2-4 months to become proficient with either platform.
Which has better career prospects?
Both RSLogix 500/5000 and EcoStruxure offer similar career value with certification programs. Knowledge of either platform will open automation career opportunities.