WinCC Sm@rtClient vs Remote PLC
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
WinCC Sm@rtClient
This app enables remote operation and observation of industrial HMI systems over Industrial Ethernet or WLAN. It allows a smartphone or tablet to act as a client, mirroring and controlling the display of a server-configured HMI panel. Enjoy full operational control or a view-only mode for seamless industrial system management.
- Remote operation of HMI systems
- View-only mode
- Coordinated operation with single user control
- Automatic HMI panel detection
- Mirroring of device layout and hardware buttons
- Industrial Ethernet/WLAN connectivity
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The SIMATIC WinCC Sm@rtClient App, in combination with the SIMATIC WinCC Sm@rtServer, allows remote mobile operation and observation of SIMATIC HMI-systems over Industrial Ethernet/WLAN (wireless). The app is available for SIMATIC HMI Comfort Panels and SIMATIC WinCC Runtime Ad-vanced. The scope of the Sm@rtClient concept allows an operation station to make its display available to the app. The station takes on the role of a Sm@rtServer, while the Smartphone/Tablet takes on the role of the Sm@rtClient. Sm@rtServer functionality can easily be activated with a single mouse click in the device’s configuration settings. The screen can be displayed on the Sm@rtClient by means of a Sm@rtClient display in "View only" mode, but a full-fledged, coordinated operation can be set up as well. "Coordinated operation" implies that at any one time only one user has the right of operation, i.e. either the operator station with Sm@rtServer function or the Sm@rtClient app. Additionally the app supports easy connection configuration by automatic HMI panel detection. Not only does the Sm@rtClient app show a selected display, but it additionally shows the complete layout of the station device, including any functional hardware buttons on the device. As such, device operation may be performed as if the user was directly in front of the device, only that the buttons aren’t actually pressed, but rather are activated with a press on the display of a Smartphone or tablet. SIMATIC WinCC Sm@rtServer: http://www.industry.siemens.com/topics/global/en/tia-portal/hmi-sw-tia-portal/wincc-tia-portal-options/simatic-wincc-smartserver/Pages/Default.aspx
Remote PLC
Monitor and control Automationdirect.com's CLICK and CLICK PLUS Programmable Logic Controllers in real time. View and edit PLC registers, check project information, and manage user accounts with customizable monitor windows.
- Real-time monitoring and control
- View and edit PLC registers
- Multiple level user accounts
- Customizable monitor windows
- Access PLC error logs
- Check PLC project information
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Remote PLC is an application for real time monitoring and control for the CLICK and CLICK PLUS Programmable Control product lines offered by Automationdirect.com. For this app to function as designed, a CLICK PLC with ethernet or Bluetooth support is required. The Remote PLC app offers a quick method of connecting to a PLC to view and edit values in the PLC registers, as well as check the PLC project information, including the Error logs. Main Features: -Multiple Level User Accounts. Once connected, the authorized users can view and edit Monitor Windows based on their permission levels setup in the project file. -Custom Monitor windows can be created and stored to the PLC using the CLICK Programming software version 3.60 or later. Monitor Window access can be based on the user permissions. - Monitor and edit designated discrete and integer values within the PLC. Timer / Counter values can easily be viewed and edited. - PLC type and status, such as PLC Error Logs, scan times (Min and Max), as well as Project file information. Requirements: • All current CLICK and CLICK PLUS PLCs with ethernet/Bluetooth support the Remote PLC app. • The PLC must be using firmware Version 3.60 or later. • CLICK Programming Software Version 3.60 or later is required to program and configure the PLC to support the Remote PLC App. • The CPU must have compatible network settings with the device running the Remote PLC App.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Remote PLC at 4.3 against WinCC Sm@rtClient's 3.0. WinCC Sm@rtClient's advantage is review sentiment (25% vs 0%) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 16.1). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Remote PLC holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6 and 4 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 25% of WinCC Sm@rtClient's written reviews are positive against 0% of Remote PLC's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
WinCC Sm@rtClient ships an update every 6 months, Remote PLC every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 17, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | WinCC Sm@rtClient | Remote PLC |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.0 (6 ratings) | 4.3 (4 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 25.0% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 6 — better | 4 |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | Every 5 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 — better | 16.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 24 MB | 92 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Siemens Industry Software Inc. | Automationdirect.com |
Customer experience
WinCC Sm@rtClient
Remote PLC
In-app purchases
WinCC Sm@rtClient
No in-app purchases
Remote PLC
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is WinCC Sm@rtClient free?
Is Remote PLC free?
Which has better reviews, WinCC Sm@rtClient or Remote PLC?
Do WinCC Sm@rtClient or Remote PLC have ads?
Which is updated more often, WinCC Sm@rtClient or Remote PLC?
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