OpenPLC Project (Open Source)v3.0Updated 2026Free Trial Available
OpenPLC: Download, Pricing & System Requirements
OpenPLC Runtime is OpenPLC Project (Open Source)'s 5-language PLC programming environment supporting Raspberry Pi, Arduino, ESP32 and more. Released 2017, latest update 2024-05.
Pricing
free
Free
Difficulty
Intermediate
3-6 months
OS
Raspberry Pi OS
0.5+ GB RAM
Languages
LAD, FBD, ST, SFC, IL
IEC 61131-3
In one minute
OpenPLC is best for students learning plc programming and hobbyists and diy automation. Leading open-source PLC platform, growing in education. Adoption is low (10% market share) across Global (primarily education and research).
Capability profile
Six-axis score (0–100) based on pricing, learning curve, hardware support, adoption, community, and feature depth.
Key features
Completely free and open source
IEC 61131-3 compliant
Web-based monitoring interface
Modbus TCP/RTU support
Runs on Raspberry Pi, Arduino, PC
DNP3 protocol support
Persistent storage
Real-time programming
Compatible with OpenPLC Editor (based on MATIEC)
Active development community
No licensing restrictions
Pricing & licensing
| Tier | free |
| Price range | Free |
| Pricing model | open source |
| Free trial | Yes — unlimited |
| Educational discount | Yes |
Completely FREE and open source. No licensing costs ever. Optional paid support available.
System requirements
| Operating systems | Linux, Windows, Raspberry Pi OS |
| Minimum RAM | 0.5 GB |
| Recommended RAM | 1 GB |
| Disk space | 1 GB |
| Processor | Any (ARM, x86, x64) |
Can run on very minimal hardware including Raspberry Pi Zero
Supported hardware
PLC families
- • Raspberry Pi
- • Arduino
- • ESP32
- • UniPi
- • Linux PCs
- • Windows PCs
Capabilities
- ✓ HMI integration
- ✓ SCADA integration
- ✗ Variable frequency drives
- ✗ Safety programming
- ✗ Motion control
- ✗ Robotics integration
Pros
- +Completely FREE - no costs ever
- +Open source - fully customizable
- +Runs on inexpensive hardware (Raspberry Pi)
- +Perfect for learning without financial investment
- +Great for hobbyists and DIY projects
- +No vendor lock-in
- +Active community development
- +Good for prototyping and POC
- +Educational institutions love it
Cons
- −Not suitable for commercial/industrial use
- −No official support (community only)
- −Limited features compared to commercial PLCs
- −No safety functions
- −Limited motion control
- −Not certified for industrial environments
- −Smaller user community than commercial products
- −No formal training or certification
- −Not recognized by employers for job qualifications
Best for
Students learning PLC programming
Hobbyists and DIY automation
Home automation projects
Educational institutions on tight budgets
Prototyping and proof of concept
Open-source enthusiasts
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Frequently asked questions
How much does OpenPLC cost?
OpenPLC pricing falls in the free tier (Free). Completely FREE and open source. No licensing costs ever. Optional paid support available.
How do I download OpenPLC?
OpenPLC offers a unlimited free trial. Download from the official OpenPLC Project (Open Source) website. A licensed copy ranges from Free depending on edition and add-ons.
What are the system requirements for OpenPLC?
OpenPLC runs on Linux, Windows, Raspberry Pi OS with a minimum of 0.5 GB RAM (1 GB recommended) and 1 GB of disk space.
Which PLCs does OpenPLC support?
OpenPLC supports Generic/Open Hardware controllers, including Raspberry Pi, Arduino, ESP32, UniPi, Linux PCs, Windows PCs.
Is OpenPLC hard to learn?
OpenPLC is rated Intermediate difficulty. Typical learning time is 3-6 months. Prerequisites: Basic programming, Linux familiarity helpful, Understanding of IEC 61131-3.
Does OpenPLC support all five IEC 61131-3 languages?
OpenPLC supports LAD, FBD, ST, SFC, IL from the IEC 61131-3 standard.