CODESYS vs Siemens TIA Portal — Which PLC Software to Learn in 2026?

↻ Updated August 2026 — salary data, AURIC job stats, and Pune MIDC demand verified against AmbitionBox, PayScale, and NASSCOM sources.

Two PLC Programming Giants (Updated August 2026)

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.

CODESYS vs TIA Portal — Quick Answer for Students (Updated August 2026)

For automation jobs in Pune MIDC, AURIC Sambhajinagar, or any Maharashtra factory, learn Siemens TIA Portal first — it appears in 85%+ of automation job postings and is the standard at Bajaj Auto (Waluj, Plot G-137), Bosch Chakan MIDC, and Tata Motors Ranjangaon. CODESYS is your free multi-brand companion: runs on any laptop, supports 500+ PLC brands, and costs ₹0 — ideal for home practice while your TIA Portal classroom training progresses at ABC Trainings.

The good news is: you do not have to choose one. ABC Trainings teaches TIA Portal in the core PLC/SCADA course and adds CODESYS in the Industry 4.0 add-on module, so you walk out hireable for Siemens-heavy Indian factories AND European OEM multi-brand lines.

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 August 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.

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

Step-by-Step TIA Portal Learning Path for Beginners (0–6 Months)

What most people do not realize is that TIA Portal has a predictable learning curve. Here is how ABC Trainings structures the journey from zero to job-ready in Pune or Sambhajinagar:

• Month 1 — Basics: PLC hardware overview (CPU, I/O modules, PSU); LAD (Ladder Diagram) fundamentals; simple Start/Stop motor control; online monitoring and force table using S7-1200.
• Month 2 — Timers, Counters, Comparators: TON/TOF/TP timers; CTU/CTD counters; traffic light sequencing; conveyor belt logic with inductive proximity sensors.
• Month 3 — Function Block Diagrams + Data Blocks: FBD programming; DB creation for structured plant data; interfacing with analog I/O (4–20 mA pressure and temperature sensors).
• Month 4 — HMI Programming: WinCC Comfort screen design; alarm management; real-time trending on S7-1200; industrial HMI via PROFINET.
• Month 5 — SCADA Integration: SIMATIC WinCC SCADA basics; OPC-UA server/client; remote monitoring dashboards; logging process data to SQL for Industry 4.0 reporting.
• Month 6 — Project + Placement: End-to-end automation project (PLC + HMI + SCADA); resume build and mock interviews; plant visits at MIDC Chakan or AURIC Bidkin facilities.

CMYKPY (Chief Minister Yuva Karya Prashikshan Yojana) reimburses ₹6,000–10,000 of training fees for eligible Maharashtra candidates. Our counsellors verify eligibility on Day 1. With NASSCOM-Deloitte projecting 1.25 million new AI and automation roles by 2027, a TIA Portal + CODESYS skill stack positions you for AURIC's ₹71,343 crore manufacturing zone (62,405 jobs targeted).

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.

Is CODESYS better than TIA Portal for beginners?

CODESYS is easier to start — it is free, runs on any laptop, and the basics take 2–4 months. But TIA Portal is what Indian employers actually ask for. Trust me: 85%+ of automation job descriptions at Pune MIDC and AURIC Bidkin list TIA Portal as a requirement. The practical answer: use CODESYS at home for free practice and take certified TIA Portal training in a lab like ABC Trainings for placement support.

Which PLC software is most in demand in Pune and Sambhajinagar in 2026?

Siemens TIA Portal dominates both cities. Bajaj Auto Waluj (Plot G-137), Bosch Chakan MIDC, Thermax Chinchwad, Forbes Marshall MIDC Pimpri, and the 200+ plants across AURIC Bidkin all run Siemens S7-1200 or S7-1500 as their standard. CODESYS demand is growing among European OEM suppliers — Honeywell Hadapsar, Schneider Electric Chakan, and ABB lines deploy CODESYS-compatible Beckhoff and WAGO hardware. Dual-skilled freshers (TIA Portal + CODESYS) earn ₹3–4.5 LPA in Pune vs ₹2.5–4 LPA for TIA Portal only (AmbitionBox, July 2026).

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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