| Feature | Festo Designer Studio | FluidDraw (legacy) | EPLAN P8 | Automation Studio (Famic) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Native, real-time | No | Basic (add-on) | Advanced | | PLC code export | Yes (CODESYS, Siemens, Rockwell) | No | Yes (via API) | Yes | | Festo BOM integration | Direct, live | Manual | Via part library | No | | Price for single user | Free (basic) / ~$1,200 (pro) | Free | ~$5,000+ | ~$3,500+ | | Learning curve | Low (1-2 days) | Very low | High (weeks) | Moderate |
, which includes shapes, clocks, graphs, buttons, meters, and switches. Tag Integration : The software allows for the seamless import of tags (variables) from PLCs, such as those programmed in
: It supports the import of variable tags from external PLC projects, enabling real-time communication between the HMI and the machine's hardware.
: Features a built-in simulator that allows designers to test HMI logic and communication with a virtual or real PLC before final hardware deployment. Advanced Functionalities Data Management : Includes tools for trending, reporting, and alarms
| Feature | Festo Designer Studio | FluidDraw (legacy) | EPLAN P8 | Automation Studio (Famic) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Native, real-time | No | Basic (add-on) | Advanced | | PLC code export | Yes (CODESYS, Siemens, Rockwell) | No | Yes (via API) | Yes | | Festo BOM integration | Direct, live | Manual | Via part library | No | | Price for single user | Free (basic) / ~$1,200 (pro) | Free | ~$5,000+ | ~$3,500+ | | Learning curve | Low (1-2 days) | Very low | High (weeks) | Moderate |
, which includes shapes, clocks, graphs, buttons, meters, and switches. Tag Integration : The software allows for the seamless import of tags (variables) from PLCs, such as those programmed in festo designer studio
: It supports the import of variable tags from external PLC projects, enabling real-time communication between the HMI and the machine's hardware. | Feature | Festo Designer Studio | FluidDraw
: Features a built-in simulator that allows designers to test HMI logic and communication with a virtual or real PLC before final hardware deployment. Advanced Functionalities Data Management : Includes tools for trending, reporting, and alarms 200 (pro) | Free | ~$5