You do not always need expensive tools to learn PLCs. This is a verified list of free PLC programming software, from manufacturer trials to fully open-source platforms, each linked to its real, official download page.
Why Use Free PLC Programming Software?
A real PLC rack can cost hundreds of dollars before you write a single rung. Free PLC programming software removes that barrier entirely, letting you practice ladder logic, structured text, and function block diagrams on the computer you already own.
Whether you are a student preparing for an automation career, a technician wanting to try a new brand before your employer buys a license, or a hobbyist connecting a Raspberry Pi to your first sensor, free software gets you writing and testing real logic today. You already met the core building blocks these tools all rely on in our guides on ladder logic for beginners and PLC timer instructions.
Every link below points directly to the software vendor or project's own official page, verified at the time of writing. No shortened links, no third-party download mirrors.
The licensing landscape varies more than most beginners expect. Some free PLC programming software, like OpenPLC and CODESYS, never expires and carries no seat limits. Others, like TIA Portal, are genuinely full-featured but time-boxed trials meant to get you started before a purchase decision. Knowing which category a tool falls into before you invest a weekend learning it will save you real frustration later.
How to Pick the Right Free PLC Programming Software
With 14 options ahead, a quick filtering process saves time. Follow these four steps before you download anything.
Identify Your Target Brand
If your employer or school uses a specific brand, start with that vendor's own free trial or basic edition first.
Check the License Terms
Some tools are free forever, others are time-limited trials. Know which one you are installing before you invest hours learning it.
Download From the Official Source
Always use the vendor's own site or store, never a third-party mirror, to avoid outdated or unsafe installers.
Practice With a Real Scenario
Build something concrete, like a start-stop motor circuit or a traffic light sequence, rather than random rungs.
14 Free PLC Software Tools, Fully Listed
Here is the full list, each with a real, verified link straight to the official download or product page.
TIA Portal Basic (Siemens)
Free 21 day trial covering Step 7 Basic for S7-1200 PLCs and WinCC Basic for HMI screens.
Get TIA Portal Trial →CODESYS
Free, vendor-independent development system supporting all five IEC 61131-3 languages, with a built-in SoftPLC simulator.
Get CODESYS →Factory I/O
A realistic 3D virtual factory that connects to real and soft PLCs, ideal for practicing wiring and control logic visually.
Get Factory I/O Trial →LogixPro
A ladder logic editor and simulator built to look and feel like Allen-Bradley RSLogix 500, great for practicing SLC 500 concepts.
Get LogixPro →PLC Ladder Simulator 2
A free mobile app for building and simulating ladder logic diagrams, with the ability to export Arduino-ready code.
Get the App →OpenPLC
A fully open-source, IEC 61131-3 compliant PLC platform that runs on Arduino, ESP32, Raspberry Pi, Windows, and Linux.
Get OpenPLC →WPLSoft (Delta PLCs)
Delta Electronics' free ladder logic software for DVP series PLCs, with a built-in offline simulation mode.
Get WPLSoft →EasyPLC (Machine Simulator)
Combines a virtual PLC editor with a 3D machine simulator, supporting Ladder, Grafcet, and other languages, with a demo version available.
Get EasyPLC →Zelio Soft 2 (Schneider)
Free configuration software for Zelio Logic smart relays, a gentle entry point before moving to full PLC programming.
Get Zelio Soft 2 →Do-more Designer (AutomationDirect)
Complete, unrestricted programming software for Do-more PLCs, including a full offline simulator, genuinely free with no time limit.
Get Do-more Designer →CLICK Programming Software
AutomationDirect's user-friendly ladder logic software for CLICK PLCs, widely used in schools thanks to low-cost hardware.
Get CLICK Software →WinProLadder (Fatek)
A compact, free ladder logic editor for Fatek PLCs with a built-in simulator, popular for its small install size.
Get WinProLadder →LDmicro
An open-source ladder logic editor, simulator, and compiler that generates native code for Atmel AVR and Microchip PIC16 microcontrollers.
Get LDmicro →PLC Fiddle
A free, browser-based ladder logic editor and simulator, ideal for quick tests, sharing code, or working from a locked-down computer.
Try PLC Fiddle →A practical tip: If you have never programmed a PLC before, start with PLC Fiddle or CODESYS. Neither requires hardware, both cover the same fundamental instructions you would meet on any commercial platform, and you can be writing your first rung within minutes.
Another consideration: Once you have a few weeks of practice behind you, try switching to whichever brand your target employer or region actually uses. The core logic transfers, but each vendor's tag naming, addressing conventions, and instruction set has its own small quirks worth getting comfortable with early.
Comparing All 14 Tools at a Glance
| Tool | Type | Best For | License Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| TIA Portal Basic | Manufacturer | Learning Siemens S7-1200 | 21 day free trial |
| CODESYS | IEC 61131-3 Platform | Vendor-neutral standard learning | Free forever |
| Factory I/O | 3D Simulator | Visual, hands-on practice | 30 day free trial |
| LogixPro | Trainer | Allen-Bradley SLC 500 style logic | Free demo version |
| PLC Ladder Simulator 2 | Mobile App | Practicing on the go | Free |
| OpenPLC | Open Source Platform | Arduino, Raspberry Pi projects | Free forever |
| WPLSoft | Manufacturer | Delta DVP series PLCs | Free |
| EasyPLC | Virtual PLC + 3D | Multi-brand simulation practice | Free demo version |
| Zelio Soft 2 | Smart Relay Software | Simple relay-based automation | Free |
| Do-more Designer | Manufacturer | Full-featured, no time limit | Free forever |
| CLICK Software | Manufacturer | Absolute beginners | Free forever |
| WinProLadder | Manufacturer | Fatek PLCs, lightweight installs | Free |
| LDmicro | Open Source | AVR and PIC microcontrollers | Free forever |
| PLC Fiddle | Online Simulator | Quick tests, no install | Free |
A quick way to read this table: the "Free forever" entries carry no expiration date at all, so they are the safest long-term choice if you plan to build a lasting skill set. The trial and demo entries are still worth using, especially if you specifically need experience with that vendor's exact interface before a job or project requires it.
Who Should Use Free PLC Programming Software?
The honest answer is almost anyone getting started in industrial automation. Here are the six groups who benefit most from these tools in practice.
Students
Practice ladder logic and structured text before ever touching lab hardware.
Career Changers
Build a portfolio of working programs to show during automation job interviews.
Field Technicians
Get comfortable with a new brand's software before it arrives on the plant floor.
Hobbyists
Turn an Arduino or Raspberry Pi into a real PLC using OpenPLC or LDmicro.
Engineers Evaluating a New Platform
Trial a competitor's software before recommending a switch to management.
Instructors
Equip an entire classroom without a budget for licensed seats or PLC hardware.
Notice that none of these six groups need to buy anything before starting. That is really the whole point of this list: the barrier to entry for learning real PLC programming has quietly disappeared over the last several years.
Advantages and Limitations of Learning on Free Software
Why Free Software Works for Learning
Limitations to Keep in Mind
Try It: Find Your Free PLC Software
Check what matters most to you, then click the button for a shortlist from the 14 tools above. This is meant as a starting point, not a final answer, since more than one tool on this list can often satisfy the same goal.
Further Reading for Getting Started
This resource goes deeper into general PLC fundamentals once you have picked a tool from the list above.
The PLC Handbook
Free eBook from AutomationDirect covering PLC fundamentals, wiring, and ladder logic structure
Watch: Free PLC Software Without Physical Devices
This video shows how far you can get with simulation software alone, before ever touching real PLC hardware.
FAQs on Free PLC Programming Software
External References
- Siemens, Industry Online Support (TIA Portal Trial Downloads)
- CODESYS, Development System Product Page
- Real Games, Factory I/O Official Site
- OpenPLC Project, Official Site
- AutomationDirect, The PLC Handbook
What we learn today
- Free PLC programming software spans manufacturer trials, vendor-neutral IEC 61131-3 platforms, open-source projects, and browser-based simulators.
- CODESYS and OpenPLC offer the most durable, standards-based skills, since they are free forever and transfer across many commercial brands.
- Not every free tool includes a simulator. CLICK Programming Software specifically requires real hardware to run.
- Matching the tool to your actual goal, whether that is a specific brand, a microcontroller project, or zero-install practice, saves far more time than downloading everything at once.
- Always download from the official vendor or project page rather than a shortened link or third-party mirror.