PLCnext: Download, Pricing & System Requirements
PLCnext Engineer is Phoenix Contact's 4-language PLC programming environment supporting AXC F 1152, AXC F 2152, AXC F 3152 and more. Released 2018, latest update 2024-10.
In one minute
PLCnext is best for industry 4.0 and iot applications and modern automation with cloud connectivity. Emerging platform focused on Industry 4.0 and open automation. Adoption is low-medium (25% market share) across Europe and North America.
Capability profile
Six-axis score (0–100) based on pricing, learning curve, hardware support, adoption, community, and feature depth.
Key features
Pricing & licensing
| Tier | $ |
| Price range | USD 0 – 2 000 |
| Pricing model | freemium |
| Free trial | Yes — unlimited (basic version) |
| Educational discount | Yes |
Programming software is FREE. Only pay for advanced features and runtime licenses. Very competitive model.
System requirements
| Operating systems | Windows 10, Windows 11 |
| Minimum RAM | 4 GB |
| Recommended RAM | 8 GB |
| Disk space | 10 GB |
| Processor | Multi-core |
Lightweight software, modern interface
Supported hardware
PLC families
- • AXC F 1152
- • AXC F 2152
- • AXC F 3152
- • RFC 4072S
Capabilities
- ✓ HMI integration
- ✓ SCADA integration
- ✓ Variable frequency drives
- ✗ Safety programming
- ✓ Motion control
- ✗ Robotics integration
Pros
- +FREE programming software
- +Open, modern architecture
- +Multiple programming language support
- +IoT and Industry 4.0 ready
- +Container support for modern apps
- +Strong focus on openness and flexibility
- +Growing ecosystem of apps and tools
- +Good for innovative projects
- +Active development and updates
Cons
- −Relatively new platform (limited adoption)
- −Small user community
- −Fewer job postings
- −Learning curve steep for multiple languages
- −Limited third-party support
- −Not widely taught in education
- −Hardware ecosystem still developing
- −Advanced features require significant expertise
Best for
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Certifications & training
PLCnext Technology Certified (Basic, Advanced). Cost tier: $$.
Training providers: Phoenix Contact training centers, Online courses.