GX Works & Mitsubishi PLC Software Guide
GX Works3 is Mitsubishi Electric's current IDE for MELSEC iQ-R and iQ-F series PLCs. GX Works2 programs the legacy Q and FX series. This guide covers the full MELSOFT software family, 30-day trial access, GX Simulator3, system requirements, Mitsubishi addressing conventions, and how to practice IEC 61131-3 ladder logic free in your browser.
Join 800+ learners practicing PLC programming
Product overview
GX Works family — which version do you need?
Mitsubishi Electric's programming tools have evolved through GX Developer (legacy, deprecated), GX Works2 (current for Q/FX series), and GX Works3 (current for iQ-R/iQ-F series). Your hardware determines which version you need.
| Software | Hardware target | Programming style | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| GX Developer | A/QnA/Q series (very old) | Classic Mitsubishi LAD | Legacy — discontinued for new projects |
| GX Works2 | MELSEC Q, L, FX2N/FX3G/FX3U series | Simple Project (classic) + Structured Project (IEC) | Current — for legacy hardware maintenance |
| GX Works3 | MELSEC iQ-R, iQ-F (FX5U/5UJ), some Q | IEC 61131-3 structured + Mitsubishi LAD | Current — recommended for new projects |
Addressing
Mitsubishi device addressing explained
Mitsubishi PLCs use a device-letter addressing scheme. Each device type has a letter prefix followed by a decimal or octal number. Understanding this is essential before writing your first GX Works rung.
Requirements
System requirements for GX Works3
Download steps
How to download GX Works3 trial
Register on Mitsubishi FA Global Website
Go to the Mitsubishi Electric FA Global Website (mitsubishielectric.com/fa) and register for a free account. Different regional portals exist — select your country. Mitsubishi requires registration to access trial downloads.
Navigate to MELSOFT Download Centre
Within the FA portal, navigate to "Software" → "MELSOFT" → "GX Works3". Select the current version. Alternatively, contact your local Mitsubishi Electric FA distributor — they can supply trial licenses directly and often provide better technical support during the trial.
Request the 30-day trial license
The GX Works3 trial is a 30-day license key. Request it through the portal or your distributor. The download is an ISO or executable package, typically 1–2 GB.
Install as Administrator
Run the installer as Administrator. GX Works3 installs the IDE, GX Simulator3, and the MELSOFT Navigator launcher. Accept the default paths. Installation takes approximately 15–30 minutes.
Activate the trial license
When you first launch GX Works3, it will prompt for a license key. Enter the 30-day trial key from your request. After 30 days the software reverts to a viewer-only mode until you purchase a license.
Practice now
Practice IEC 61131-3 ladder logic in your browser while you wait for GX Works
GX Works3's iQ-R series uses IEC 61131-3 Structured Project mode, which means the core ladder logic concepts — NO/NC contacts, coils, TON/TOF timers, CTU/CTD counters — are identical to our browser simulator. The Mitsubishi-specific X/Y/M/T/C/D addressing is a notation difference, not a logic difference. Build your ladder fluency first; transfer the addressing notation when you have the software.
Related guides
Related resources
- CX-Programmer / Omron PLC software guide — Omron's equivalent: CX-One suite, Sysmac Studio, trial paths.
- CODESYS download guide — the free IEC 61131-3 IDE that runs on CODESYS-based hardware.
- PLC software download guide — all major vendors compared in one table.
GX Works and Mitsubishi PLC software FAQ
IEC 61131-3 ladder logic — free in your browser while you wait for GX Works.
Core ladder logic transfers directly. No 30-day clock. No Windows required.