PLC simulator comparison
Choosing a PLC simulator or trainer? Here is PLC Gym beside the tools people ask us about, with what each can and can’t do.
We check every claim about the other tool on its own website and give the date. Each table includes PLC Gym’s own limits. The pictures are ours.
PLC Gym vs RealPars, Factory I/O and LogixPro
The three best-known names in PLC training: a video library, a 3D simulator and the classic college simulator. Here is what each does, side by side.
| Feature | PLC Gym3D PLC training in the browser | RealParsVideo course library | Factory I/O3D factory simulator for Windows | LogixProLadder simulator, now LadderLab |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Runs in your browser, nothing to install | YesOpen a page and start | YesOnline courses, plus iOS and Android apps | NoA Windows app you install | NoA Windows program you install |
| Works on Mac, Chromebook and iPad | YesAny modern browser. A laptop gives the most room for code | YesAccess on any device | NoWindows only | NoIts maker says it won't run on them |
| Real 3D machines you control | Yes26 working machines, up to a whole factory | NoVideo lessons, no machine to control | Yes20+ scenes, and you can build your own | No2D simulations: a door, a silo, a bottle line |
| Real Siemens, Rockwell and Beckhoff code | YesAll three makers' languages, on PLC Gym's own simulator. Try your own exported code too | PartlyVideo courses on Siemens and Allen-Bradley software | YesWith a real PLC or the maker's simulator, in software you buy separately | PartlyRSLogix-style ladder only |
| Ladder and Structured Text | YesPlus FBD, SFC and Siemens GRAPH | PartlyTaught in video courses | PartlyWhatever your PLC software offers | PartlyLadder only |
| Automatic tests that grade your code | YesEvery mission and challenge, scan by scan | NoNot on its site | NoNot listed. It has an instructor mode for exercises | NoNot on its site |
| A course from zero for beginners | YesThe basics, two guided labs, then a 40-stage course | YesBeginner courses and a guided learning path | PartlyTutorials and samples in its docs, but no course | PartlyExercises and lab sheets, from relay logic up |
| Verified certificates, with Add to LinkedIn | YesYour code is re-tested. A public check page and a PDF | PartlyCertificates you can add to LinkedIn; no public check mentioned | NoNot on its site | NoNot on its site |
| Hiring tests for employers | YesA practical task and a fault to find, on a 3D machine | NoTeam training plans, no hiring tests listed | NoNot on its site | NoNot on its site |
| Daily challenges | YesA new one every day, with leaderboards | PartlyWeekly challenges | NoNot on its site | NoNot on its site |
| A free plan | YesFree for good: the basics, labs, 14 missions and 9 challenges | NoA 7-day free trial | NoA 30-day free trial | NoA free trial |
| Price | Free plan. Pro £15 a month or £144 a year. Free while we test, until 5 December 2026 | $60 a month, or $600 a year | From €40 a year. Siemens or Allen-Bradley edition from €158 a year | $40 for a licence key, paid once |
Checked on 1 November 2026 on each company’s own website: RealPars, RealPars pricing, Factory I/O, Factory I/O editions, Factory I/O trial, LogixPro (LadderLab), LogixPro exercises. Full comparisons: Factory I/O and LogixPro. Names are trademarks of their owners; PLC Gym is not affiliated with them.
Pick a comparison
A Factory I/O alternative that runs in your browserA Factory I/O alternative with 3D machines in your browser and Siemens and Rockwell code built in. What each can and can't do, side by side, both limits.Read the comparison 
A LogixPro alternative for ladder practice in your browserA LogixPro alternative for ladder logic practice: PLC Gym runs in any browser, on 3D machines, in Rockwell and Siemens styles. Both limits, side by side.Read the comparison 
A PLCSIM alternative for practising Siemens codeA PLCSIM alternative for practice: write Siemens SCL, LAD, FBD or GRAPH in your browser and run it on a 3D machine. Plus when PLCSIM is the right tool.Read the comparison 
rungs.dev vs PLC Gymrungs.dev vs PLC Gym: two browser PLC simulators, compared fairly. Studio 5000-style exercises and AI help, against 3D machines and three makers.Read the comparison
Fair, or not at all
Every business compares itself with others, so we do it openly. The facts about each tool come from its own public pages, linked at the foot of each comparison. Where another tool is the better choice, we say so.
Spotted something out of date? and we’ll check it and fix it.