No items
What is SCADA? A Simple Guide to Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition
Ever wondered how water treatment plants keep their operations running 24/7? Or how one operator can monitor hundreds of pumps
Your Quote
Your Quote
Notes for
Schneider, Siemens & Allen Bradley: Which OEM is Best?
Choosing the right automation brand can impact your production uptime, maintenance costs, and future expansion. Global leaders like Schneider Electric, Siemens, and Allen Bradley (by Rockwell Automation) each offer unique strengths—but which one is right for your operations?
This comparison will help you decide which brand best suits your needs when sourcing industrial automation parts from Schneider, Siemens, and Allen Bradley.
Whether you’re upgrading an ageing system or building something new, understanding the differences can help you save time, money, and unnecessary stress.
Why compare these three?
Schneider Electric, Siemens, and Allen Bradley are well-established names in the world of industrial automation. They all offer reliable systems and components, but they differ in approach, product range, regional support, and pricing.
If you’re looking for industrial automation parts from Schneider, Siemens, and Allen Bradley, it’s useful to know what sets each brand apart.
Product range and applications
Schneider Electric offers a broad portfolio of automation products, including Modicon PLCs, Altivar drives, and TeSys motor control units. These parts are commonly used in industries such as water treatment, energy, commercial buildings, and infrastructure. Schneider systems are modular and scalable, making them suitable for a wide variety of applications.
-
- Modicon PLCs for scalable control
-
- Altivar variable speed drives
-
- TeSys motor starters and contactors
-
- Used in energy, water treatment, and infrastructure
Siemens has one of the most extensive automation product ranges in the world. Their SIMATIC PLCs, SINAMICS drives, and industrial networking components are well-known for reliability and precision. Siemens is strong in large-scale manufacturing, transportation systems, and industries where seamless integration is critical.
-
- SIMATIC PLCs for precision and reliability
-
- SINAMICS drives for motion control
-
- SITOP power supplies and industrial networking gear
-
- Strong in automotive, manufacturing, and pharma
Allen Bradley focuses on programmable automation and safety systems. Their ControlLogix and CompactLogix PLCs are used in industries like food and beverage, packaging, and oil and gas. Their systems are popular in North America, where their designs are well-matched to local standards and system architectures.
-
- ControlLogix and CompactLogix PLCs
-
- PowerFlex drives and GuardLogix safety systems
-
- Tight integration with FactoryTalk
-
- Popular in food and beverage, oil and gas, and packaging
All three brands cover a wide variety of automation needs. The right choice depends on your system requirements, preferred programming environment, and the scale of your operations.
Software and system integration
How your system is programmed and monitored can make a big difference over time—especially when scaling up.
Schneider Electric uses EcoStruxure, a platform that links automation, energy management, and IoT solutions. It allows users to design, monitor, and optimise operations across multiple layers of a business. You can explore Schneider’s EcoStruxure platform here to get a better sense of how it connects automation systems with energy management.
Siemens offers the Totally Integrated Automation (TIA) Portal, a powerful engineering framework that supports everything from PLC programming to motion control and simulation. It’s ideal for businesses that want centralised control and data visibility across their entire system.
Allen Bradley systems are configured using Studio 5000. This software is known for its user-friendly interface and tight integration with Rockwell Automation hardware. It’s particularly strong in machine control and safety system applications.
If you already use one brand’s software, it’s usually easier and more cost-effective to continue with that ecosystem.
Global support and part availability
Access to parts and support services is critical to avoid costly downtime.
Schneider Electric has a strong presence in Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Australia–New Zealand. Their global distribution network makes it easier to source parts quickly, including discontinued or surplus components.
Siemens has deep market penetration in Europe and across many global manufacturing hubs. Their parts are easy to source through official and third-party suppliers, and they offer comprehensive engineering support.
Allen Bradley has a strong support network in North America. While its global presence is growing, part availability outside the US can sometimes be more limited—though trusted suppliers like Mizen Automation help bridge this gap.
If your plant is in New Zealand or exports products globally, choosing a brand with local support and reliable parts access is essential.
Pricing and scalability
Cost is always a factor in system design and upgrades. Pricing varies not just by brand, but also by model, software requirements, and support packages.
Schneider Electric is usually mid-range in price. Their systems are well-suited to businesses that want scalable solutions without high upfront costs.
Siemens tends to be more expensive, but the investment often pays off in the form of long-term reliability, advanced features, and scalability. It’s a strong option for larger businesses with complex systems.
Allen Bradley is often the highest-priced of the three, especially when buying directly from major distributors. However, its reliability and ease of use can deliver good long-term value for businesses that use North American-style control systems.
When comparing total cost of ownership, it’s important to look beyond just the price tag—consider installation time, maintenance, software licensing, and future upgrades. If you’re price-sensitive but still need reliable performance, Schneider may be the most balanced option. For long-term performance, Siemens and Allen Bradley deliver high-quality results—especially when system uptime is critical.
Which brand should you choose?
Here’s a quick summary to help you decide:
Choose Schneider Electric if:
- You want flexibility, modularity, and energy efficiency
- You operate in infrastructure, utilities, or commercial buildings
- You’re looking for mid-range priced parts
Choose Siemens if:
- You value digital tools, precision, and global standardisation
- You work in high-volume or high-tech manufacturing
- Your business uses complex or multi-site automation systems
Choose Allen Bradley if:
- You need strong safety features and machine control
- You work in North American-influenced industries
- You’re already using Rockwell Automation systems
Each brand has a loyal following—and for good reason. All three deliver robust performance and long-term value in the right context.
Need help sourcing the right automation parts?
At Mizen Automation, we specialise in helping businesses find new, used, and surplus industrial automation parts from Schneider, Siemens, and Allen Bradley. Whether you’re replacing an old drive, upgrading a PLC, or searching for an obsolete part, we can help.
If you’re unsure which brand suits your application, or you’re having trouble sourcing a specific part, our expert team is ready to help. We understand the demands of fast-moving industrial environments and provide tailored solutions that match your goals and budget.
Contact Mizen Automation today for fast, friendly service and reliable automation parts that keep your business moving.
Share the Post:
Related Posts
Yaskawa V1000 Manual Explained: A Practical Guide for Engineers and Technicians
The Yaskawa V1000 is one of the most commonly used compact AC drives in the world. It is known for
