TIA Portal Test Suite alternative
Why AnyAutomation Studio
Git-native testing
- Diffable suites
- Code review for tests
- No binary black box
CI/CD runner
- JUnit XML & HTML
- rerun-affected
- Headless, no TIA UI
AI-authored cases
- From the interface
- Boundary generation
- Editable in chat
Trends & flaky detection
- Run history & diff
- Flaky quarantine
- Trend charts
No Ultimate license
- Included from Pro+
- Plans in CHF
- Cancel monthly
PLCSIM & real PLC
- PLCSIM Advanced V3.0+
- S7 Native & OPC UA
- Safety prompt
Siemens Test Suite vs. AnyAutomation Studio
An alternative to Siemens Test Suite makes sense when you want to test PLC code like software (versioned, automated and in the pipeline) rather than signing off once. AnyAutomation Studio delivers scriptable SCL unit tests with Git diffs, a CI/CD runner, AI-authored cases and trend reports, without a Test Suite Ultimate license.
What is the difference?
Siemens Test Suite (Advanced) is deeply integrated into TIA Portal and strong for certified acceptance and application-test workflows. AnyAutomation Studio leans on the software-engineering workflow: every suite is a .tia-tests/*.json file next to the project: diffable, reviewable, checked into Git. The tia-test-runner command-line tool runs headless in your pipeline and writes JUnit XML that your existing CI dashboard understands directly.
When to use which?
If you need a certified, TIA-integrated acceptance with formal reporting, Siemens Test Suite stays the reference. If you want to guard PLC logic against regressions continuously, pull tests into code review and CI/CD, and generate cases faster with AI, AnyAutomation Studio is the lightweight alternative. Many teams use both. More detail: SCL unit testing and the unit testing documentation.
Frequently asked questions
What is an alternative to Siemens Test Suite?
An alternative lets you test TIA Portal / PLC code outside the classic Test Suite workflow. AnyAutomation Studio offers scriptable SCL unit tests with Git, CI/CD and AI against PLCSIM Advanced or real S7 hardware.
Do I need a Test Suite Ultimate license?
No. SCL unit testing is included in AnyAutomation Studio from the Pro+ tier. For PLCSIM Advanced runs you still need a PLCSIM Advanced license from Siemens.
Can I version PLC unit tests in Git?
Yes. Test suites are plain-text JSON files next to your project file and can be staged, committed, diffed and reviewed like any other code.
Does it run in CI/CD?
Yes. The tia-test-runner runs headless in GitLab CI, Jenkins and similar pipelines and produces JUnit XML and HTML reports; --rerun-affected runs only changed suites.
Does it fully replace Siemens Test Suite?
Not for every case. For certified, TIA-integrated acceptance, Siemens Test Suite stays the reference. For versioned, CI-driven unit testing, Studio is the lightweight alternative. Many teams combine both.