Two PLC Programming Giants
Siemens TIA Portal is the market leader for Siemens PLCs. CODESYS is the universal platform supporting 500+ manufacturers. Both follow IEC 61131-3 standard. Understanding the differences helps you make the right career decision.
Siemens TIA Portal
The gold standard for Siemens S7-1200 and S7-1500 programming. Market leader in India with massive installed base. Expensive licence required. Only works with Siemens hardware. Supports LAD, FBD, ST, SCL. Industry demand is very high — most automation jobs in India require TIA Portal experience.
CODESYS
Universal platform supporting Beckhoff, WAGO, Schneider, ABB, Festo, and 500+ others. Free download with unlimited projects. Supports all five IEC 61131-3 languages. Built-in simulation mode. Strong in European markets and growing in India. 2-hour runtime limit on free version.
Side-by-Side Comparison: CODESYS vs TIA Portal 2026 (Updated July 2026)
The single most-asked question in our PLC/SCADA batches is: which software should I learn first — CODESYS or Siemens TIA Portal? The honest answer is TIA Portal first for Indian jobs, CODESYS second for home practice and multi-brand flexibility. Here's the full picture so you can decide for your situation.
| Feature | Siemens TIA Portal | CODESYS |
|---|---|---|
| Licence Cost | ₹1.25L–12.5L (Basic to Advanced) | Free download; 2-hr runtime on free version |
| Hardware Support | Siemens PLCs ONLY (S7-1200, S7-1500) | 500+ brands: Beckhoff, WAGO, ABB, Schneider, Festo, Bosch Rexroth |
| IEC 61131-3 Languages | LAD, FBD, STL, SCL, S7 Graph | All 5: LD, FBD, ST, IL, SFC |
| Learning Curve | 3–6 months to job-ready | 2–4 months to job-ready |
| Indian Market Demand | Very High — 85%+ of automation job postings | Moderate — growing with European OEM projects |
| Built-in Simulation | PLCSIM (paid; basic version included in some packages) | Built-in, free, unlimited restarts |
| Best For | Siemens-heavy plants, Chakan/MIDC factories | Home practice, multi-brand flexibility, European OEM projects |
Which Indian Companies Use TIA Portal vs CODESYS?
If you're job-hunting in Pune, Chh. Sambhajinagar, or Chakan MIDC, here's what matters. Siemens TIA Portal dominates India's automation floor — Bajaj Auto (Waluj Plant, Plot G-137), Bosch India (Chakan MIDC), Thermax (Chinchwad), Forbes Marshall (MIDC Pimpri), and Tata Motors Pune all run Siemens S7-1200/S7-1500 PLCs as their standard. If you're targeting AURIC's 62,405-job manufacturing zone in Sambhajinagar (₹71,343 crore investment) or any of the 200+ MIDC plants in Pune, TIA Portal proficiency is expected on day one. CODESYS is the preferred platform for Beckhoff and WAGO-equipped machines — common in European OEM assembly lines, precision packaging, and pharma automation. Honeywell (Hadapsar), ABB (Chakan), and Schneider Electric deploy CODESYS-compatible hardware across their Indian facilities. The combination makes you hireable across both Indian and European-owned plants.
Salary: TIA Portal vs TIA Portal + CODESYS Engineers in Pune 2026
| Experience | TIA Portal Only | TIA Portal + CODESYS |
|---|---|---|
| Fresher (0–1 yr) | ₹2.5–4 LPA | ₹3–4.5 LPA |
| Mid-level (2–4 yrs) | ₹5–8 LPA | ₹6–10 LPA |
| Senior (5+ yrs) | ₹9–15 LPA | ₹11–18 LPA |
Source: AmbitionBox, PayScale — Pune/Maharashtra automation sector, July 2026
Practising CODESYS at Home (Free — No Hardware Needed)
The good news about CODESYS: you can practice it completely free on your laptop. Download CODESYS from codesys.com, install the SoftPLC runtime, and simulate full PLC programs in Ladder Diagram, Function Block Diagram, or Structured Text — the 2-hour runtime limit resets on restart, so it never stops you from learning. You can build complete conveyor belt systems, traffic light controllers, and elevator logic without any physical PLC. OpenPLC is another free alternative (runs on Raspberry Pi and Arduino) that ABC Trainings uses in the Industry 4.0 add-on module. TIA Portal requires a paid Siemens licence — our training lab gives you access to licensed installations, which is a key advantage of classroom training over self-study for TIA Portal.
Which Should You Learn?
Answer: Both. Learn Siemens TIA Portal for the Indian job market — it is the most demanded PLC software. Learn CODESYS for versatility — it works with any brand and is free to practice. The combination makes you the most employable automation engineer.
How ABC Trainings Teaches Both
The base PLC/SCADA course covers Siemens TIA Portal. The Industry 4.0 add-on introduces CODESYS and OpenPLC for multi-brand experience and free home practice.
Is CODESYS free?
Yes. Free download with unlimited projects. Only limitation is 2-hour runtime on simulation which resets with restart.
Can I get a job with only CODESYS?
In India, Siemens dominates. CODESYS alone is less marketable. Both together is ideal.
Learn at ABC CAD and IT Trainings
ABC CAD and IT Trainings offers comprehensive courses across five centres in Maharashtra — Osmanpura, CIDCO, Wagholi, Hadapsar, and Sangli. With 11 years of training excellence and over 2000 students trained, we provide hands-on, industry-relevant education using 100 percent free tools. Visit abctrainings.in or call to enrol today.
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