Virtual PLCs

In this page, you will find my work with various Virtual PLCs providers.

Virtual PLCs (vPLCs) are software-based controllers that run your automation logic on general-purpose hardware. Linux IPCs, edge devices like Revolution Pi, even containers — instead of a dedicated PLC CPU. The result: no controller hardware to buy, faster deployment, central fleet management, and modern IT-style workflows (CI/CD, remote monitoring) applied to PLC programming.

I have tested the following vPLC platforms hands-on. Here is a brief summary of my work with each, so you can jump straight to the one that matches your use case.

⚡ Autonomy Edge: OpenPLC redefined

Autonomy takes the open-source OpenPLC runtime and adds cloud orchestration, letting you build, test, and deploy automation logic without ever buying a PLC CPU. My work with this platform covers:

• A complete OpenPLC walkthrough — setting up cloud orchestration and deploying your first virtual PLC

• Interfacing with an IO-Link master over MODBUS TCP/IP for real-time vibration monitoring and signaling on real hardware

• Using Python Function Blocks in the OpenPLC Editor and streaming live PLC data to a ThingsBoard cloud dashboard

Learn more: Autonomy Edge- OpenPLC redefined

🖥️ OTee — Open Architecture Real-time Virtual PLCs

OTee.io is a free platform for creating and deploying virtual PLCs on Linux-based edge devices. I deployed a fully functional vPLC on a Revolution Pi in a step-by-step live demo, covering:

• IEC 61131-3 Structured Text programming with tags, variables, and alarms in OTee's cloud editor

• Modbus TCP communication to field I/O, with remote tag browsing and live troubleshooting

• Platform features like role-based access control, fleet management, and CI/CD pipelines from a centralized secure cloud

Learn more: OTee- Open Architecture Real time Virtual PLCs

https://wiki.codeandcompile.com/product-reviews/smart-platforms/virtual-plcs/otee-open-architecture-real-time-virtual-plcs