CODESYS V3.5 SP20: Features, Licensing & Official Download Guide
CODESYS is one of the most widely used IEC 61131-3 development environments in industrial automation, and its licensing model is a rare bright spot in the PLC software world: the Development System itself is free. This guide covers what's in V3.5 SP20, how CODESYS licensing actually works, and where to get it directly from the source.
What Is CODESYS?
CODESYS (originally CoDeSys, developed by 3S-Smart Software Solutions and now maintained by CODESYS GmbH in Germany) is a vendor-independent IDE for programming PLCs, PACs, ECUs, and other industrial controllers. Rather than being tied to one hardware manufacturer, CODESYS is licensed to dozens of device manufacturers who build it into their own controller lines — which is why you'll find it (often under a rebranded interface) powering hardware from many different automation brands.
Key Features
- All 5 IEC 61131-3 programming languages: Structured Text (ST), Ladder Diagram (LD), Function Block Diagram (FBD), Sequential Function Chart (SFC), and Continuous Function Chart (CFC)
- Multi-architecture compiler support, targeting TriCore, ARM, x86, and PowerPC CPUs
- Visual debugging tools: variable monitoring, breakpoints, step-by-step execution, and online data recording
- Wide industrial protocol support, including OPC UA, MQTT, PROFINET, EtherCAT, and CANopen
- Built-in HMI and WebVisu tools for building interfaces accessible from browsers or mobile devices
- Extensibility through integration with tools like Node-RED, Python, and C
What's New in V3.5 SP20
SP20 brought several engineering-focused upgrades to the platform, including a new Ladder Diagram editor, a Project Compare feature for object properties, an improved License Manager, and a new License Provider with expanded scripting capabilities.
Understanding CODESYS Licensing (Important)
This is where a lot of confusion tends to show up online, so it's worth being precise:
- The CODESYS Development System (the IDE itself) is free to use and can be installed without copy protection on as many workstations as you need. There's no crack, patch, or license key required to run the engineering software.
- Runtime deployment to certain SoftPLC systems, and select paid add-ons from the CODESYS Store, may require a CodeMeter-based license (a hardware or software dongle system). These are genuinely licensed products purchased through the Store — not something bypassed with a keygen or patch.
- If you see comments online asking for a "license patch" or "crack" for CODESYS, that's almost always confusion between the always-free IDE and a separate paid runtime or add-on — not something CODESYS itself gates behind piracy.
Where to Download CODESYS (Official Source)
Because CODESYS licenses several free and paid components through one storefront, the CODESYS Store is the only source that reliably gives you the correct, current, untampered installer:
- Official CODESYS Store: https://store.codesys.com/en/
- CODESYS Download Overview: https://www.codesys.com/ecosystem/services/download/
Downloading requires a one-time free registration. Once registered, you'll have access to the current V3.5 release, associated SoftPLC systems, sample projects, device description files, and any add-ons relevant to your project — all version-tracked under your own account.
Download via GoogleDrive 
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✅ ➡️ Download CodeSys V3.5 SP20 Software
Final Thoughts
CODESYS stands out in industrial automation because the core engineering software really is free — there's no need to source it from unofficial Google Drive mirrors or deal with extraction passwords. Registering directly on the CODESYS Store also means you get legitimate access to add-ons and runtime licensing if your project needs them, without the ambiguity that comes with third-party downloads.
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