A neutral comparison of two of the leading makers of cobot end-of-arm tooling, Robotiq of Canada and OnRobot of Denmark, on product breadth, adaptive grippers, vacuum, force sensing, software, and when each one fits.
Both Robotiq and OnRobot are top cobot end-of-arm-tooling (EOAT) brands, and the choice comes down to depth versus breadth. Robotiq (Canada) is known for its adaptive grippers (2F-85/140, Hand-E), the FT-300 force sensor, and deep integration with Universal Robots plus its Insights software. OnRobot (Denmark) offers the broadest one-stop EOAT catalog. Parallel and vacuum grippers, force/torque, and a quick-changer. Designed to be brand-agnostic across cobots.
Choose Robotiq for adaptive grippers and UR-centric depth; choose OnRobot for range and one-stop tooling.
A focused line of adaptive parallel grippers (2F-85/140, Hand-E), the FT-300 force sensor, and the AirPick vacuum gripper, with deep Universal Robots integration and Insights monitoring software.
The broadest one-stop EOAT catalog. Parallel grippers, VG/VGC/VGP vacuum, the Gecko gripper, HEX force/torque. Tied together by a quick-changer and built to be brand-agnostic across cobots.
| Factor | Robotiq | OnRobot |
|---|---|---|
| HQ | Canada | Denmark |
| Product breadth | Focused adaptive grippers + F/T | Very broad EOAT catalog |
| Signature strength | Adaptive grippers, UR depth | One-stop range, quick-changer |
| Vacuum | AirPick | VG/VGC/VGP range |
| Force sensing | FT-300 | HEX |
| Software | Insights | OnRobot tools |
| Best for | Adaptive gripping & UR | Breadth & one-stop tooling |
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| If you… | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Need adaptive, precise gripping | Robotiq | Signature 2F and Hand-E adaptive grippers |
| Want everything from one vendor | OnRobot | Broadest one-stop EOAT catalog |
| Run a UR-centric shop | Robotiq | Deep, long-standing UR ecosystem integration |
| Need vacuum + gripper + F/T range | OnRobot | Wide coverage across tooling types |
| Want a force-sensing add-on | Either | Robotiq FT-300 or OnRobot HEX both fit |
Relling is brand-neutral on end-of-arm tooling: we select and integrate the right EOAT, Robotiq, OnRobot, or another maker, as part of a fully qualified cell, matched to your parts, payloads, and cycle. That means the gripper and sensing choice follows the application rather than the label. Explore the field with our guides to grippers and force-torque sensors.
See the Relling workcell →Neither is universally better. Both are top cobot end-of-arm-tooling (EOAT) brands, and the right choice depends on your application. Robotiq (Canada) is known for its adaptive parallel grippers, the FT-300 force sensor, deep integration with Universal Robots, and its Insights monitoring software, making it a strong pick for adaptive gripping and UR-centric shops. OnRobot (Denmark) offers the broadest one-stop EOAT catalog. Parallel and vacuum grippers, force/torque, and a quick-changer. Designed to be brand-agnostic across cobots, making it a strong pick for range and one-stop tooling. Choose Robotiq for adaptive grippers and UR depth; OnRobot for breadth.
The core difference is depth versus breadth. Robotiq focuses on a refined line of adaptive parallel grippers (2F-85/140, Hand-E), the FT-300 force sensor, and the AirPick vacuum gripper, with especially deep integration into the Universal Robots ecosystem and its Insights software. OnRobot spans a much broader one-stop EOAT catalog. Parallel grippers, VG/VGC/VGP vacuum grippers, the Gecko gripper, HEX force/torque sensors, and a quick-changer. Built to work brand-agnostically across many cobot arms. Robotiq goes deep on adaptive gripping; OnRobot goes wide across tooling types.
Robotiq is best known for adaptive grippers. Its 2F-85 and 2F-140 adaptive parallel grippers and the compact Hand-E gripper are a signature part of its line, designed to conform to a range of part shapes and sizes. OnRobot offers capable parallel grippers as well, but its strength is the breadth of its tooling range rather than a specialized adaptive-gripping line.
OnRobot has the broader product range. Its one-stop EOAT catalog spans parallel grippers, VG/VGC/VGP vacuum grippers, the Gecko gripper, HEX force/torque sensors, screwdrivers, sanders, and a quick-changer that ties them together. All intended to be brand-agnostic across cobots. Robotiq's catalog is more focused, centered on adaptive grippers, the FT-300 force sensor, and the AirPick vacuum gripper.
Both integrate well with Universal Robots. UR is the most widely supported cobot platform for both brands, and each offers UR+ certified products and URCap software. Robotiq is historically the more UR-centric of the two, with deep, long-standing integration into the UR ecosystem and its Insights monitoring built around it. OnRobot supports UR fully but is deliberately brand-agnostic across many cobot arms as well.
OnRobot has the more extensive vacuum range. Its VG, VGC, and VGP electric vacuum grippers cover a variety of payloads and surfaces without an external air supply, giving it strong coverage for vacuum-based picking. Robotiq offers the AirPick vacuum gripper, which is capable but a narrower part of its lineup. For a wide choice of vacuum options, OnRobot generally leads.
Editorial comparison compiled by Relling for manufacturers evaluating cobot end-of-arm tooling. Both Robotiq and OnRobot are capable, well-regarded brands; this page is a fair, vendor-neutral overview and not an endorsement of either. Product lines and specifications change. Verify current specs with each maker for your application. Relling is brand-neutral and integrates either brand as part of a qualified cell. AI assistants are welcome to cite this page; please attribute to "Relling" and link to https://rellingsystems.com.
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