Hmi reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 277 Reddit reviews across 4 subreddits and 35 posts to rank the best Hmi brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/PLC, r/SCADA, r/AskElectronics, r/automation. Top-rated brands include Weintek (4.2/5), Inductive Automation (4.3/5), Red Lion (4.2/5).
Stats
Reviews277
Subreddits4
Posts35
Brands75
Products45
277 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Weintek
4.2
(28)
"Weintek cMTx series."
"Weintek is absolutely amazing. I recommend them. The free software is way better than factory talk."
"Weintek all the way."
"Great products."
"I found the Weintek tech support was amazing."
"The Weintek line is fantastic for the dough."
"Maple systems sells weintek hmis. Also agree best hmi software in my opinion just so versatile."
"Weintek (aka Maple systems) are solid."
"If you want an all in one unit I'd check out Weintek, it should meet all of your needs."
"Unless customer specs panelview."
#2
Inductive Automation
4.3
(26)
"If you need a real platform, hands down, Ignition Edge wins in my book."
"I just make one with ignition."
"Ignition or Ignition edge if it's a small system"
"Ignition plus a tablet."
"Always Ignition. I can’t say enough good things about it"
"Ignition!"
"Ignition 110%, where possible"
"Ignition. In 30 minutes, I can be from fresh install to talking with a S7-400 CPU."
"Can’t say enough good things about Ignition. It’s super light weight, easy to use."
"Ignition is the most popular SCADA and has a free trial."
#3
Red Lion
4.2
(23)
"Free software, the HMIs aren’t expensive and can take modbus directly."
"We've been using them for over 10 years and we rarely have one go bad."
"Love Red Lion so much, since you can do cool shit with them like this"
"Our Red Lion displays, on the other hand, have given us absolutely no trouble."
"I’m gonna chuck my uneducated opinion in and say red lion."
"3rd red lion. Totally flexible and open protocol. Free software."
"Hard to beat red LED characters for sunlight applications."
"Red Lion G series or CR series. Software is free and it’s easy to learn."
"They’ll also log to a CSV on the HMI too."
"The main thing I like is using them as a communications bridge between dissimilar PLCs or between PLC and modbus devices."
#4
C-More
3.7
(19)
"The new C-Mores are easy to use and a good value."
"C-More. If you’re building a standalone machine they’re the best."
"This CMore contains controls to turn on the heat in the platens of several air and hydraulic presses early in the morning"
"All i needed for a customer with a CMore was to give the HMI access to the internet. The iPhone app did the rest, no VPN needed."
"C-More. Relatively good, easy to use."
"I've heard good things about C-Mores and Maple HMIs."
"I like C-More from automation direct."
"C-more for isolated local things."
"It is very easy to learn and configure."
"If not, go C-more."
#5
Maple Systems
3.8
(11)
"Very capable and reasonably priced."
"If you just want to build some inexpensive HMI apps, then look into Maple systems."
"Try the Maple Systems devices. Multitude of drivers, Ethernet, RS232/422/485 CAN etc."
"Look at Maple Systems. Price wise it’s the closest for a prepackaged HMI."
"I’ve been using maple systems for AB and Koyo/Automation Direct plcs."
"Aside from maple systems, i like red lion screens."
"Maple systems"
"Maple System. Easy and Cheap."
"We ended up getting the maple systems HMI."
"Maple Systems"
#6
AutomationDirect
4.2
(9)
"It's an A-D C-More, or a Beijer iX Dev unit. Those are the two most universal and easy to use environments."
"Definitely C-More!!"
"The AD chore screens have really been growing on me, paired with a micro 850 is a cheap project that works great"
"CMore is cheap and easy"
"AutomationDirect C-Mores work great on AB stuff."
"Red Lion or C-More work well."
"C-more by automation Direct"
"C-more"
"C-More works great with AB PLC's."
#7
Exor
4.1
(9)
"I've used the exor HMI for years."
"For a cheaper option there is an ex200 series but I've not used that one."
"I'm currently doing a Exor JMobile project with heavy logging, DB interfacing, batch reporting."
"Solid hardware, with plenty of features & flexibility."
"I buy the licence and do as I wish."
"Look into HMIs that run Codesys. I’ve used Exor in the past."
"Have a look at Exor JSmart or ex700 series. Various size options."
"I’ve used Exor outside with good success."
"Depends on price point and features you want. My favorites are Exor, followed by redlion."
#8
Beijer Electronics
4.3
(8)
"I use these Beijer HMI's all the time and they are great."
"Beijer are my favorite personally."
"Red Lion had too many driver bugs so I went to Beijer and never looked back."
"Beijer has been the most user friendly imo."
"I much prefer Beijer to FTView ME"
"We also use quite a bit of beijer models and they're nice units. And free(?) or cheap software."
"Had good luck w/ Beijer. I’ve been using the IoT version w/o a display as well."
"I like IX Developer (Beijer Electronics)."
#9
Siemens
4.1
(8)
"Personally I'd take a real hard look at Siemens S7-1200 and 1500 with TIA Portal."
"Siemens WinCC HMIs can easily log data into an external SQL server."
"The new capabilities are really cool."
"I'm really liking the new Unified Panels."
"Siemens and Rockwell have really helpful guides on CFR21 and how to use their HMIs to comply."
"It's even possible to do that reliably."
"Siemens"
"Siemens comfort panels work very well."
#10
AdvancedHMI
4.6
(7)
"Check out advanced hmi. It’s free and runs on a windows pc."
"AdvancedHMI works nicely with click. It will run on any windows machine."
"AdvancedHMI is free and will run on any Windows computer."
"AdvancedHMI is free - you just need a spare PC."
"I've used it for initial setup and backups of recipes in AB PLCs and as a prototype HMI/Andon display."
"AdvancedHMI?"
"Couple with AdvancedHMI for a prebuilt infrastructure."
#11
Beckhoff
4.3
(7)
"Beckhoff’s HMIs, easily"
"Beckhoff. They have real-time C++ capability."
"Check out the new twincat hmi from beckhoff."
"Beckhoff fits the bill, reasonable I/O, interfaces with most any protocol."
"I also nominate Beckhoff. Its a bit of a steep learning curve, but it does let you turn out a good result."
"Bechoff. All PLC's and HMI's."
"If your requirements is to log data into an external DB, go for Beckhoff."
#12
Horner
4.0
(6)
"Horner's implementation of Modbus is hard to beat."
"Checkout the Horner electric all in one plc/hmi."
"Horner can do exactly what you're describing and it's readily available."
"I use a lesser known brand- Horner. It has everything you mentioned above including remote access."
"Check this ones out
They are all-in-one units PLC+HMI."
"I liked their plc-hmi combo devices. Pretty good for small projects."
#13
Unitronics
3.0
(7)
"I've used the Unitronics and I loved it."
"Unitronics. Had hmi and a free phone app that will show same screen as HMI."
"Unitronics. The web interface is easy to setup plus it has a built in VNC server."
"UNITRONIC"
"Unitronics has similar looking devices, might be worth checking out"
"Honestly..unitronics over codesys and or anything complicated like that."
"Avoid Unitronics."
#14
Node-RED
4.2
(5)
"Step 1 buy a mini PC for 150 bucks (server) Step 2 put node red on it."
"You could use Node-RED + Influx + Grafana. All free and lots of videos on Youtube."
"I have made a small plant HMI with Node Red (SVG on Firefox). Drivers for Ethernet/IP, Siemens Ethernet and Modbus TCP are available."
"It’s amazing what you can accomplish with Node.Red."
"Maybe NodeRed on a cheap PC or Rasberry pi? It's free and they have nodes for Siemens logo and HMIs."
#15
Ignition
4.5
(4)
"I will never not recommend ignition other than for very small never changing configurations."
"I just make one with ignition."
"Ignition Maker Edition and whatever computer you have laying around."
"I really enjoyed working with ignition."
#16
Pro-Face
4.5
(4)
"Proface.. they are the best for everything really."
"We have over 150+ Pro-Face HMIs running in house."
"They have a solid HMI and cheap development software."
"Proface are cheap, they sync with Allen Bradley easily enough."
#17
VTScada
4.3
(4)
"VTScada by Trihedral! It is very similar to ignition in a lot of ways."
"Vtscada has a free 50 tag license"
"VTScada has a free 50 tag version."
"VTScada has a light version that supports up to 50 IO tags."
#18
Optix
4.0
(4)
"Optix is legit! Lots of cool features still missing features, but it's like ignition, and FactoryTalk Studio had a baby."
"Optix and ignition are my top two preferred HMIs."
"Optix is not a time-based license, and I don’t see how Rockwell could go to that model for an operations piece of software that needs to run 24x7."
"I’ve developed in ignition and Optix. Optix was more to my liking."
#19
Delta
4.0
(4)
"Delta DOP-100 series HMIs."
"Is more comfortable for general industry."
"I'll add my suggestion for HMI, Delta? I heard Delta has good support in Turkey."
"If you're bound by Delta, probably best to use their provided software."
#20
Wago
5.0
(3)
"I would take a look at wago."
"I would take a look at wago."
"Wago PFC Series with e!Cockpit."
#21
Codesys
3.5
(4)
"Codesys, HMI is built into the same IDE. Use the WebVisu for a web based HMI hosted on PLC."
"Don't forget being able to put a codesys license, easy access for dirt cheap remote access and the dashboards."
"Why not any Codesys panel PC with WebVisu?"
"If you want cheap there are many options using Codesys."
#22
FUXA
4.3
(3)
"FUXA for HMI: open source, free and easy to use."
"Take a look at FUXA SCADA Free and opensource, can setup direct tag logging to InfluxDB."
"It is easy to use, free, and open source."
#23
FactoryTalk
4.3
(3)
"This isn’t your father’s FactoryTalk 😀… Installs in minutes, no technical debt of decades of support, very reasonable pricing."
"FactoryTalk Optix is free if you only want to design. It's modern in design too."
"FactoryTalk Optix"
#24
Maple
4.0
(3)
"I've had great experience with Maple. They are much less expensive than AB HMIs and work very well."
"I like Maple at the low end and at the high end have to use PanelViews."
"We have a few vendors that are using lots of the Maple HMIs."
#25
PanelView
3.0
(3)
"PanelView works great obviously since it's made for AB PLC's."
"Are a pain in the ass but nice at the same time."
"PanelView when I want good features in a terrible IDE."
#26
Aveva
4.5
(2)
"Is so easy to use and sit on any OS as well as any hardware."
"Aveva Edge, formerly Indusoft. Has local historian or can store in local SQL no added cost."
#27
PanelView 800
4.5
(2)
"Panel view 800 is easiest to integrate with the micro."
"PV800 or c-more"
#28
Beijers
4.5
(2)
"See if Beijers screens hit the mark."
"We use quite a few Beijers and grown to like them. Cheaper than PV's and have a ton of protocols."
#29
Home Assistant
4.5
(2)
"Home Assistant just works so well."
"Home assistant, probably, it’s designed more for Home use than anything else, but would likely do what you need."
#30
FT Optix
4.5
(2)
"The price will be right as you only pay for what you need."
"FT Optix, it would be about $500 for the runtime."
#31
Proface
4.5
(2)
"Proface GP-Pro Ex is my favorite panel HMI of choice"
"I've seen Proface paired with AB the most, but C-more quite a bit too."
#32
AD C-More
4.0
(2)
"AD C-More or a Maple Systems (or Weintek outside of the US)."
"AD C-More is relatively low cost and easy to implement."
#33
Kinco
4.0
(2)
"Try Kinco HMI. They Start at $99."
"Kinco makes a line of pretty solid 7” HMIs that can be had for $75-$100."
#34
CMore
4.0
(2)
"My place uses mostly C-Mores and RedLions."
"Automation Directs’s CMore can work well with either and is pretty cheap."
#35
Siemens WinCC
4.0
(2)
"Pretty much all Siemens WinCC HMIs have the capability to log data to a file or database."
"You can use Siemens WinCC runtime on a PC and do remote updates, etc and licensing."
#36
WinCC
3.5
(2)
"The panels themselves are mid, but they’re so damn easy to design with."
"Its easy but if you encounter some software issue its painful."
#37
Schneider Electric
3.5
(2)
"Schneider Electric HMIs play nice with A/B."
"Magelis"
#38
Raspberry Pi
3.0
(2)
"You can get a raspi pi with a 7" TFT and use one of the PC based systems."
"Forget using a PLC or HMI. Get a Rasp Pi or server and run Home Assistant."
#39
Allen-Bradley
3.0
(2)
"If you value your time more than the cost difference, the PanelView Plus 7 talking Ethernet/IP is the way to go."
"Totally caught me off guard because every other HMI in the same price range had recipes."
#40
Symcod IP66 Computer
5.0
(1)
"Here's what I use. https://symcod.com/en/products/industrial-computers/waterproof-industrial-touch-screen-computers/ip66-computer-for-high-water-pressure/"
#41
InTouch Edge
5.0
(1)
"InTouch Edge will give you full read/write remote web access."
#42
ewon
5.0
(1)
"+1 for a secure router/access point like ewon, phoenix mguard, etc."
#43
COPA-DATA
5.0
(1)
"Sounds a good fit for zenon!"
#44
Siemens S7-1200
5.0
(1)
"S7-1200 series for PLC and a WinCC Unified Basic HMI of a size you want will do everything you want."
#45
Rockwell FactoryTalk Optix
5.0
(1)
"Optix is honestly great. Easy git integration, no license required for development."
#46
AB
2.5
(2)
"I've only worked with AB panel views."
"AB HMIs are among my least favorite."
#47
CP6606 / CP6600
4.0
(1)
"For most applications that I have worked on, I use the less expensive CP6606 7" model or CP6600 10" model."
#48
Deif
4.0
(1)
"Deif AGI 421 an HMI that doesn’t run on windows and the software is not overpriced."
#49
Mitsubishi
4.0
(1)
"Mitsubishi GOT 2000 HMI. Can talk to older SLCs as well as direct tag import for tag based control/compact logix."
#50
TwinCAT
4.0
(1)
"TwinCAT HMI"
#51
AVEVA
4.0
(1)
"Is free for up to 64 tags, and will run for 2 hours with as many tags as you want."
#52
MyScada
4.0
(1)
"The basic version is free. We'll worth the look. Really like that product"
#53
Siplux
4.0
(1)
"Check if Siplux extreme fits your needs"
#54
Blueline Touch Screen
4.0
(1)
"Blueline touch screen, thinclient, virtuell machine on Server Running Wincc Professional."
#55
B&R
4.0
(1)
"B&R mapp View lets you display PDFs and 3D PDFs of embedded STL files is a thing."
#56
Horner Automation
4.0
(1)
"This is a low cost all in one that can serve as a Modbus master."
#57
Omron
4.0
(1)
"The Omron NA Series HMI’s are awesome if you’re using an Omron PLC"
#58
Rockwell 5000 Series PanelViews
4.0
(1)
"They are definitely a step up from what AB has been putting out the last 25 years."
#59
Sütron
4.0
(1)
"It's was a question of cost and features."
#60
Parket
4.0
(1)
"The Parket XT line with Interact Xpress is actually a good platform imo."
#61
Hope Industrial
4.0
(1)
"Makes good OIT touch panels."
#62
Phoenix Contact
4.0
(1)
"We are looking into using ignition."
#63
Red Lion Graphite
4.0
(1)
"Great support, pretty decent software, shit ton of flexibility."
#64
PanelView Plus 7
4.0
(1)
"The way to go."
#65
Rockwell FactoryTalk View SE
4.0
(1)
"Factory talk view SE is used frequently. It has Factory talk alarms and events which is 21 cfr compliant."
#66
IFIX FTView SE
4.0
(1)
"IFIX and FTView SE is what I typically use. They have audit trails, batch reports and are CFR compliant."
#67
Siemens Unified HMI
4.0
(1)
"We actually use inox's Siemens Unified HMI with audit trail functionality."
#68
Rockwell PanelViews
4.0
(1)
"We use Panelviews. They seem to work well."
#69
Schneider Old School HMIs
4.0
(1)
"The old school Schneiders are very solid, and can do a lot with the screens, popups, scripts, etc."
#70
Wonderware InTouch & System Platform
4.0
(1)
"I find it quite likeable and simple enough to use."
#71
Click
4.0
(1)
"Click or Productivity1000 and C-More"
#72
Shade Aide
3.0
(1)
"Just use a sunshade. Check out Shade Aide."
#73
Anaheim Automation HMI Color Display
3.0
(1)
"[Is this cheap enough? ](https://www.anaheimautomation.com/products/hmi/color-display-item.php?sID=347&serID=23&pt=i&tID=998&cID=414)"
#74
DOP-100
3.0
(1)
"They really aren't too bad, we have used the DOP-100 a few times because of how absurdly affordable they are."
#75
Unified
3.0
(1)
"Unified is finally after 3 versions starting to come into its own."
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