Programmable Logic Controllers vs Microcontrollers

Developers should learn PLCs when working in industrial automation, manufacturing, or control systems engineering, as they are essential for automating machinery and processes in factories, power plants, and infrastructure meets developers should learn microcontrollers for building embedded systems, iot devices, robotics, and automation projects where cost, size, and power efficiency are critical. Here's our take.

Programmable Logic Controllers

Nice Pick

Developers should learn PLCs when working in industrial automation, manufacturing, or control systems engineering, as they are essential for automating machinery and processes in factories, power plants, and infrastructure

Pros

• They are used in scenarios requiring real-time control, such as conveyor belt systems, packaging lines, or water treatment plants, due to their reliability and deterministic response times
• Related to: ladder-logic, scada-systems

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Microcontrollers

Developers should learn microcontrollers for building embedded systems, IoT devices, robotics, and automation projects where cost, size, and power efficiency are critical

Pros

• They are essential for applications requiring direct hardware control, such as sensor data processing, motor control, and real-time monitoring in industrial or consumer electronics
• Related to: embedded-systems, arduino

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

These tools serve different purposes. Programmable Logic Controllers is a tool while Microcontrollers is a platform. We picked Programmable Logic Controllers based on overall popularity, but your choice depends on what you're building.

The Bottom Line

Programmable Logic Controllers wins

Based on overall popularity. Programmable Logic Controllers is more widely used, but Microcontrollers excels in its own space.