RSLogix 500/5000 vs TIA Portal
Comprehensive comparison of two leading PLC programming platforms
RSLogix 500/5000
Rockwell Automation / Allen-Bradley (Legacy)
Massive installed base - many jobs still require it
TIA Portal
Siemens
Industry-leading integration with Siemens hardware
Head-to-Head Match
Both RSLogix 500/5000 and TIA Portal are excellent choices with different strengths. RSLogix 500/5000 excels in community support, while TIA Portal leads in community support. Your choice should depend on your specific requirements, budget, and target hardware platform.
Score Breakdown
| Category | RSLogix 500/5000 | TIA Portal |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 76 | 77✓ |
| Pricing | 70✓ | 50 |
| Ease of Use | 60✓ | 50 |
| Features | 74 | 79✓ |
| Industry Adoption | 85 | 95✓ |
| Community Support | 100 | 100 |
| Career Value | 74 | 85✓ |
Real-World Scenario Recommendations
See how RSLogix 500/5000 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
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...
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.)
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...
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
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...
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
RSLogix 500/5000 ($$) is significantly more affordable than TIA Portal ($$$). RSLogix 500/5000 costs between $1 000 and $10 000, while TIA Portal ranges from $1 500 to $15 000.
📚Learning Curve
RSLogix 500/5000 (rated 5/10) is easier to learn than TIA Portal (rated 6/10). RSLogix 500/5000 typically takes 2-4 months to learn, while TIA Portal requires 3-6 months. This makes RSLogix 500/5000 better for beginners.
⚙️Features & Capabilities
RSLogix 500/5000 offers 10 key features including safety programming, motion control. TIA Portal provides 11 key features with safety programming, motion control. TIA Portal offers a comprehensive feature set for industrial automation.
🏭Industry Adoption
TIA Portal has 85% market adoption compared to RSLogix 500/5000's 75%. TIA Portal dominates in Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East, while RSLogix 500/5000 is strongest in North America, Latin America. TIA Portal'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 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. RSLogix 500/5000 has 75% adoption and is also backed by certifications. For maximum employability, TIA Portal expertise is more in-demand.
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
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
RSLogix 500/5000
Enterprise Use
Both are suitable
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: RSLogix 500/5000 or TIA Portal?
Both RSLogix 500/5000 and TIA Portal are excellent choices with different strengths. RSLogix 500/5000 excels in community support, while TIA Portal 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 TIA Portal?
RSLogix 500/5000 ($$) is significantly more affordable than TIA Portal ($$$). RSLogix 500/5000 costs between $1 000 and $10 000, while TIA Portal ranges from $1 500 to $15 000.
Which is easier to learn: RSLogix 500/5000 or TIA Portal?
RSLogix 500/5000 (rated 5/10) is easier to learn than TIA Portal (rated 6/10). RSLogix 500/5000 typically takes 2-4 months to learn, while TIA Portal requires 3-6 months. This makes RSLogix 500/5000 better for beginners.
Which has better career prospects?
TIA Portal offers stronger career prospects with 85% market adoption and official certification programs. RSLogix 500/5000 has 75% adoption and is also backed by certifications. For maximum employability, TIA Portal expertise is more in-demand.