TIA Portal vs GX Works3
Comprehensive comparison of two leading PLC programming platforms
TIA Portal
Siemens
Industry-leading integration with Siemens hardware
GX Works3
Mitsubishi Electric
User-friendly interface, easier learning curve
Head-to-Head Match
Both TIA Portal and GX Works3 are excellent choices with different strengths. TIA Portal excels in community support, while GX Works3 leads in community support. Your choice should depend on your specific requirements, budget, and target hardware platform.
Score Breakdown
| Category | TIA Portal | GX Works3 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 77 | 81✓ |
| Pricing | 50 | 75✓ |
| Ease of Use | 50 | 80✓ |
| Features | 79 | 86✓ |
| Industry Adoption | 95✓ | 80 |
| Community Support | 100✓ | 91 |
| Career Value | 85✓ | 74 |
Real-World Scenario Recommendations
See how TIA Portal and GX Works3 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
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...
GX Works3
Sweet spot for small Asian and European OEMs. GX Works3 licensing ($1,000-$5,000) is affordable enough that you can license 2-3 seats without breaking the bank. Mitsubishi's iQ-R and FX5 series offer excellent performance at competitive prices. The learning curve is gentle (1-3 months) - your programmer can be productive quickly, accelerating time-to-market. The software runs smoothly on modest ha...
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.)
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...
GX Works3
Increasingly common for Asian automotive Tier 1 suppliers, particularly those serving Japanese, Korean, and Chinese OEMs (Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Hyundai, Geely, BYD). Mitsubishi Electric has strong presence in Asian automotive manufacturing, and many OEMs specify or prefer GX Works3. The licensing cost ($1,000-$5,000) is significantly lower than Siemens/Rockwell - attractive for cost-sensitive mar...
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
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...
GX Works3
Limited adoption in Western process industries, but more common in Asian process plants. Mitsubishi has process automation solutions, but market penetration is lower than Siemens or Rockwell in critical process applications. The reliability and features are adequate, but the ecosystem of process field instruments, safety systems, and SCADA integrations is less developed. For non-critical process a...
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
GX Works3 ($$) is significantly more affordable than TIA Portal ($$$). GX Works3 costs between $1,000 and $5,000, while TIA Portal ranges from $1,500 to $15,000.
📚Learning Curve
GX Works3 (rated 4/10) is easier to learn than TIA Portal (rated 6/10). GX Works3 typically takes 1-3 months to learn, while TIA Portal requires 3-6 months. This makes GX Works3 better for beginners.
⚙️Features & Capabilities
TIA Portal offers 11 key features including safety programming, motion control. GX Works3 provides 11 key features with safety programming, motion control, robotics integration. Both platforms offer a comprehensive feature set for industrial automation.
🏭Industry Adoption
TIA Portal has 85% market adoption compared to GX Works3's 65%. TIA Portal dominates in Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East, while GX Works3 is strongest in Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe. TIA Portal's higher adoption means more job opportunities and community resources.
🔌Hardware Compatibility
TIA Portal is designed specifically for Siemens hardware, while GX Works3 works with Mitsubishi Electric 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. GX Works3 has 65% adoption and is also backed by certifications. For maximum employability, TIA Portal expertise is more in-demand.
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
GX Works3 Overview
Key Strengths
- ✓User-friendly interface, easier learning curve
- ✓More affordable than competitors
- ✓Strong in Asia-Pacific market
- ✓Good simulation capabilities
Limitations
- ✗Less common in North America
- ✗Smaller community compared to Siemens/Rockwell
- ✗Limited third-party integration
Best For
Recommendations
For Beginners
GX Works3
For Professionals
Both are suitable
Budget-Constrained
GX Works3
Enterprise Use
TIA Portal
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: TIA Portal or GX Works3?
Both TIA Portal and GX Works3 are excellent choices with different strengths. TIA Portal excels in community support, while GX Works3 leads in community support. Your choice should depend on your specific requirements, budget, and target hardware platform.
What is the price difference between TIA Portal and GX Works3?
GX Works3 ($$) is significantly more affordable than TIA Portal ($$$). GX Works3 costs between $1,000 and $5,000, while TIA Portal ranges from $1,500 to $15,000.
Which is easier to learn: TIA Portal or GX Works3?
GX Works3 (rated 4/10) is easier to learn than TIA Portal (rated 6/10). GX Works3 typically takes 1-3 months to learn, while TIA Portal requires 3-6 months. This makes GX Works3 better for beginners.
Which has better career prospects?
TIA Portal offers stronger career prospects with 85% market adoption and official certification programs. GX Works3 has 65% adoption and is also backed by certifications. For maximum employability, TIA Portal expertise is more in-demand.