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Head-to-head · Manufacturing Execution Systems

Plex MES vs OpenMES

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 7 checks side by side
Higher score Plex MES #2 in Manufacturing Execution Systems 9.2/10 Pricing on request ✓ 6 of 6 features Visit Plex MES
OpenMES #18 in Manufacturing Execution Systems 7.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 6 of 6 features Visit OpenMES

Plex MES leads on 0 checks, OpenMES on 0, and 7 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 7 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scorePlex MES · 9.2/10
  • Free planonly OpenMES

Plex MES scores higher on our rubric for manufacturing execution systems: 9.2 against 7.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #18.

On deployment, OpenMES gives you Hybrid where Plex MES offers Cloud.

Plex MES is the better fit for cloud-first manufacturers needing mobile workflows. OpenMES is the better fit for budget-conscious teams wanting open-source MES.

  • Plex MES fits best

    Cloud-first manufacturers needing mobile workflows

  • OpenMES fits best

    Budget-conscious teams wanting open-source MES

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Plex MES 9.2/10 Visit ↗ OpenMES 7.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 7.2
Ranking #2 in Manufacturing Execution Systems #18 in Manufacturing Execution Systems
Best for Cloud-first manufacturers needing mobile workflows Budget-conscious teams wanting open-source MES
Pricing model Paid Free
Starting price Pricing on request Free plan
Free plan Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web
Support Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs · 24/7 Email, Docs
Compliance SOC 2, GDPR 2FA
Integrations 4 integrations 10 integrations
Built for Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Plex MES 6/6 · OpenMES 6/6
Work order management ✓ ✓
Quality management ✓ ✓
Lot and serial traceability ✓ ✓
Shop-floor data capture ✓ ✓
Real-time dashboards ✓ ✓
ERP integration ✓ ✓
Specs
Deployment Cloud Hybrid
Our review
Pros
  • Finite scheduling covers jobs, work centers, and resource availability
  • Closed-loop quality connects control plans with production workflows
  • Mobile support covers production, inventory, scanning, and shop-floor work
  • Covers work orders, scheduling, OEE, quality, and traceability
  • Connects with MQTT, Modbus, OPC UA, REST APIs, ERP, and SCADA
  • Supports self-hosted deployment under the AGPL-3.0 license
Cons
  • Pricing requires contacting sales for an annual subscription
  • Cloud deployment is the documented model rather than on-premises deployment
  • Its broad scope may exceed the needs of manufacturers seeking one narrow MES function
  • Self-hosting may require internal technical ownership
  • Enterprise modules and services are separate from the community edition
  • OpenMES Online is described as coming soon
Our verdict

Plex MES is a cloud-based manufacturing execution system from Rockwell Automation for discrete and process manufacturers. It brings production management, finite scheduling, operator control panels, closed-loop quality management,…

Read the review →

OpenMES is a web-based, open-source manufacturing execution system for small, mid-sized, and larger manufacturers. It brings together work-order lifecycle tracking, visual scheduling, shop-floor execution, quality checks, lot and serial…

Read the review →
  1. Plex MESManufacturing Execution Systems 9.2Pricing on request
  2. OpenMESManufacturing Execution Systems 7.2Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Plex MES — where it wins

    • Finite scheduling covers jobs, work centers, and resource availability
    • Closed-loop quality connects control plans with production workflows
    • Mobile support covers production, inventory, scanning, and shop-floor work

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires contacting sales for an annual subscription
    • Cloud deployment is the documented model rather than on-premises deployment
    • Its broad scope may exceed the needs of manufacturers seeking one narrow MES function

  • OpenMES — where it wins

    • Covers work orders, scheduling, OEE, quality, and traceability
    • Connects with MQTT, Modbus, OPC UA, REST APIs, ERP, and SCADA
    • Supports self-hosted deployment under the AGPL-3.0 license

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-hosting may require internal technical ownership
    • Enterprise modules and services are separate from the community edition
    • OpenMES Online is described as coming soon
  • Plex MES9.2/10 · Pricing on request

    A broad cloud MES for manufacturers that need connected production, quality, inventory, and mobile workflows.

    Visit Plex MESFull verdict →
  • OpenMES7.2/10 · Free plan

    A broad open-source MES for teams that need production, quality, traceability, and connectivity.

    Visit OpenMESFull verdict →

More comparisons

All manufacturing execution systems comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update