Unitronics vs. Micro800 vs. CompactLogix: Which PLC Fits Your Facility Best?

Choosing the right PLC is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when modernizing your automation systems or designing new equipment. The PLC is the brain of your control system, and the wrong choice can either limit your future capabilities or add unnecessary costs to your project.

For many facilities, the options boil down to three contenders: Unitronics, Rockwell’s Micro800, and Rockwell’s CompactLogix. Each is a solid platform, but each is built for a different purpose. Understanding where they shine and where they fall short can save you time, money, and headaches down the road.

Micro800: Rockwell’s Entry-Level Workhorse

The Micro800 family is Rockwell’s answer for the “just what you need” PLC market. Many small machines–like those built with Unitronics, Panasonic, or Eaton controllers–require cost-competitive solutions with only the essentials. Rockwell recognizes this, and the Micro800 line fills that role while keeping customers in the Rockwell ecosystem.

Micro800 controllers start at prices as low as $175 for the most basic models and around $300 for more capable units, making them directly competitive with other entry-level PLCs. Like Unitronics, they also come with free programming software, Connected Components Workbench (CCW). While CCW is less powerful than Studio 5000, it’s straightforward to learn and is designed for smaller, standalone applications.

Micro800 controllers support plug-in modules for added I/O or communication, and select models include Ethernet/IP and Modbus TCP. While they don’t have the full networking or safety features of CompactLogix, they deliver exactly what many cost-sensitive applications need. And importantly, they provide a bridge: customers can start with Micro800 today, then seamlessly scale up to CompactLogix when their operations grow.

In short, Micro800 isn’t just Rockwell’s “budget” option. It’s a cost-effective, entry-level controller that lets customers start small without locking them out of future expansion.

Unitronics: An All-in-One Alternative

Like Rockwell’s Micro800, Unitronics targets the cost-sensitive “just what you need” PLC market. Their controllers combine the PLC, HMI, and I/O into one package, and they include free programming software. For OEMs building small machines that need to stay competitive on cost, that simplicity can be attractive.

Where Unitronics often stands out is in its built-in communications and ease of deployment. Many models include Ethernet, Modbus, and even remote access options, and the UniLogic software environment is designed to speed up project development. For small, standalone machines, that can mean faster setup and a lower upfront investment.

But those benefits come with limits. Unitronics doesn’t have the same scalability as Rockwell solutions. While it works well in isolated applications, customers who eventually need to expand into larger, connected systems often find themselves boxed in. Unlike Micro800, there’s no natural progression to a higher-end platform like CompactLogix without switching ecosystems entirely.

Unitronics can be a fit if price is the only deciding factor, but Rockwell’s Micro800 delivers the same cost competitiveness with a built-in path forward.

CompactLogix: Scalable Power and Integration

CompactLogix is where Rockwell begins to show its full strength. These controllers are part of the broader Logix family, programmed in Studio 5000 and designed to scale from modest applications up to plant-wide systems.

Unlike Micro800, CompactLogix offers full support for integrated motion control, advanced communications, and modular I/O. With Compact GuardLogix models, you also get integrated safety that can reach SIL 3/PLe, eliminating the need for separate safety controllers or relays.

CompactLogix controllers support Device Level Ring (DLR) networks, CIP Motion, CIP Safety, and the full EtherNet/IP protocol suite, making them a natural fit for facilities that want to integrate with MES, SCADA, or the Connected Enterprise vision Rockwell has been driving for years.

The tradeoff, of course, is cost and complexity. CompactLogix hardware and Studio 5000 licenses are more expensive than Micro800 or Unitronics options, and the learning curve is steeper. But for facilities that need reliability, advanced diagnostics, and the ability to grow their systems over time, the investment often pays off.

To summarize, CompactLogix is the most flexible and scalable of the three, best suited for complex systems that need advanced motion, safety, and enterprise connectivity.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Unitronics and other low-cost PLC brands (like Panasonic and Eaton) are well-suited for simple, standalone machines where cost is the top concern. They often appeal to OEMs who need a competitive edge in price-sensitive markets.

Rockwell offers Micro800 as its counterpart in that space, with free programming software and hardware pricing that matches or beats those competitors. The difference is that Micro800 lives inside the Rockwell ecosystem, giving end users a path forward. When they need more advanced features like integrated safety, distributed I/O, or high-speed motion, they can move into CompactLogix without having to learn an entirely new software platform or redesign their control architecture.

CompactLogix, meanwhile, continues to set the standard for scalable performance, with options ranging from modest systems to plant-wide control. It’s the logical upgrade when entry-level control isn’t enough.

Pros and Cons at a Glance

Unitronics

• Pros: All-in-one design with built-in HMI, free software, strong communications options, and competitive pricing for simple machines.
• Cons: Limited scalability, smaller support network, less industry adoption, and no direct path to larger, integrated systems.

Micro800

• Pros: Extremely cost-competitive (as low as $175–$300), free Connected Components Workbench software, simple for small applications, and backed by Rockwell’s support. Most importantly, provides a clear upgrade path to CompactLogix when you outgrow the entry-level tier.
• Cons: Not designed for complex systems, limited networking and expansion options, and lacks integrated safety or advanced motion capabilities.

CompactLogix

• Pros: Scalable from small to large systems, full Studio 5000 environment, integrated safety up to SIL 3/PLe, advanced networking and motion control, and the standard choice for Rockwell-connected enterprises.
• Cons: Higher upfront cost, steeper learning curve, and more engineering effort compared to entry-level controllers.

Final Thoughts

There isn’t a single “best” PLC; only the one that fits your current needs. For ultra-cost-sensitive machines, Unitronics and other competitors can be a fit, though they often limit future flexibility. Rockwell offers a more strategic path: Micro800 delivers the same low entry cost and free programming software as its competitors, but with the long-term advantage of scaling into CompactLogix.

For facilities that want to start small and keep options open, that scalability makes all the difference. Whether you’re building a simple standalone machine or planning for a fully integrated production line, Rockwell provides a solution that grows with you.

The key is aligning your controller choice with both your current requirements and your long-term goals. While HESCO doesn’t sell Unitronics PLCs, our goal is to help you make an informed choice based on your needs. If you’re unsure which solution is right for your facility, our team can help you compare your options and plan a path that keeps your operations reliable today and ready for growth tomorrow.