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Arduino IDE

arduino.cc

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Spec score 9.1 #3 of 53 in IDE Software

What it is

Arduino IDE is a free desktop environment for building projects with electronic devices that interact with the physical world. The software page lists version 2.3.10, with downloads for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Its editor provides autocompletion, code navigation, and a live debugger; documentation also covers debugging, the Serial Monitor, and the Serial Plotter. Arduino CLI offers a text-based environment to build, compile, and upload sketches, and manage libraries and boards. Documentation describes synchronizing sketches between IDE 2 and Arduino Cloud through a Remote Sketchbook. Arduino IDE 2.0 is open source, with source code hosted on GitHub. Listed targets include Arduino AVR, megaAVR, SAMD, SAM, Mbed OS Nano, and Mbed OS Portenta. Nightly builds preview incoming releases with updated features and bug fixes. Arduino describes its ecosystem as serving students, makers, and professional developers. The software page states that downloads are provided as is and disclaims express and implied warranties.

Spec sheet

What it does
Arduino IDE is a desktop environment for writing, compiling, debugging and uploading sketches to Arduino-compatible boards.Read 15 Oct 2026 · arduino.cc
Purpose
Arduino provides software for creating projects with electronic devices that interact with the physical world.Read 29 Sep 2026 · arduino.cc
Intended users
Arduino describes its ecosystem as serving students, makers, and professional developers.Read 29 Sep 2026 · arduino.cc
API
Arduino IoT Cloud API offers HTTP endpoints for devices, Things, properties and time series, with JavaScript, Python and Go clients.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.arduino.cc
Security
Arduino says it applies security practices across planning, design, building, testing, release, operation, and monitoring.Read 29 Sep 2026 · arduino.cc
Support
Arduino links to documentation, a Help Center, and a support request channel.Read 29 Sep 2026 · arduino.cc
License
Arduino IDE 2 source code and executable distributions are licensed under GNU AGPLv3; bundled third-party components use compatible GPLv2, MIT and BSD-3 licenses.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Headquarters
Arduino's privacy policy gives its registered office as Via Andrea Appiani 25, Monza, Italy.Read 15 Oct 2026 · arduino.cc
Board and library management
Arduino CLI can build, compile, and upload sketches and manage libraries and boards in a text-based environment.Read 29 Sep 2026 · arduino.cc
Board Manager
Official documentation covers installing board packages through the IDE 2 Board Manager.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.arduino.cc
CLI integration
Arduino CLI exposes IDE capabilities such as building, compiling, uploading sketches, and managing boards and libraries from text interfaces.Read 15 Oct 2026 · arduino.cc
Cloud integration
Arduino documentation describes synchronizing sketches between IDE 2 and Arduino Cloud through a Remote Sketchbook.Read 29 Sep 2026 · docs.arduino.cc
Cloud synchronization
IDE 2 can synchronize sketches with Arduino Cloud Remote Sketchbook.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.arduino.cc
Company founded
LinkedIn lists Arduino as founded in 2005.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Company size
LinkedIn lists Arduino at 51–200 employees.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Current version
The software page lists Arduino IDE 2.3.10.Read 29 Sep 2026 · arduino.cc
Debugger
IDE 2 provides an integrated live debugger; debugging became stable in release 2.3.Read 15 Oct 2026 · blog.arduino.cc
Debugging and serial tools
The IDE documentation includes guides for debugging, the Serial Monitor, and the Serial Plotter.Read 29 Sep 2026 · docs.arduino.cc
Documentation depth
Official IDE documentation includes getting started, installation, uploads, autocomplete, formatting, debugging, certificates, libraries, security, serial tools and shared sketches.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.arduino.cc
Editor
IDE 2 includes a modern editor with code autocompletion and code navigation.Read 15 Oct 2026 · arduino.cc
Editor features
Arduino IDE 2 features a modern editor and responsive interface with autocompletion, code navigation, and a live debugger.Read 29 Sep 2026 · arduino.cc
Extensibility
Arduino IDE 2 debugging uses an open framework that lets core maintainers add debugger support for boards.Read 15 Oct 2026 · blog.arduino.cc
Funding
Arduino announced an additional $22 million in 2023, bringing Series B funding to $54 million.Read 15 Oct 2026 · blog.arduino.cc
Install formats
Downloads include Windows executable, macOS disk image, Linux AppImage, portable ZIP archives, Windows MSI and nightly builds.Read 15 Oct 2026 · support.arduino.cc
Library Manager
IDE 2 has a Library Manager for installing Arduino software libraries.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.arduino.cc
Limit: chart refresh
A Google Play reviewer reports that dashboard chart data may not update until another time range is selected.Read 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
Limit: customer service and hardware complaints
Trustpilot reviews include reports of slow support, delivery problems, faulty boards and dissatisfaction with product quality or returns.Read 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
Limit: missing advanced editor features
G2 reviewers ask for better autocomplete or AI help, fuller project and header-file navigation, and improved terminal-style debugging.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Limit: mobile app usability
Apple reviewers report limited dashboard customization, no dark mode or widgets, delayed updates, sign-in friction and occasional blank or nonworking screens.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Limit: scale and stability
Software Advice reviewers report that the IDE is aimed at beginners and can struggle with large complex programs; some report freezes or boards appearing disconnected.Read 15 Oct 2026 · softwareadvice.com
Linux limitation
Linux AppImage launches can require installing the libfuse2 dependency.Read 15 Oct 2026 · support.arduino.cc
Nightly builds
Arduino offers nightly builds as previews of incoming releases with updated features and bug fixes.Read 29 Sep 2026 · arduino.cc
Notable news: Qualcomm acquisition
Qualcomm announced an agreement to acquire Arduino on October 7, 2025, while saying Arduino would retain its brand, tools and mission.Read 15 Oct 2026 · qualcomm.com
Open source
Arduino IDE 2.0 is open source, and its source code is hosted on GitHub.Read 29 Sep 2026 · arduino.cc
Praise: community and documentation
Trustpilot reviewers mention good prototype hardware, extensive documentation and helpful forums.Read 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
Praise: ease of use
G2 reviewers repeatedly praise the simple interface, beginner-friendly learning curve, examples and rapid prototyping workflow.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Praise: prototyping and libraries
GetApp reviewers highlight easy editing, compiling and uploading, serial monitoring, broad libraries and usefulness for beginner prototypes.Read 15 Oct 2026 · getapp.com
Privacy and ownership
Arduino's privacy policy identifies Arduino S.r.l. as data controller and says the company is wholly owned by Qualcomm Technologies.Read 15 Oct 2026 · arduino.cc
Rating on Apple App Store
4.6 out of 5 from 433 ratings for Arduino IoT Cloud RemoteRead 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Rating on G2
4.5 out of 5 from 144 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Rating on GetApp
4.6 out of 5 from 51 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · getapp.com
Rating on Google Play
4.6 out of 5 from 2.94K reviews for Arduino IoT Cloud RemoteRead 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
Rating on Software Advice
4.6 out of 5 from 51 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · softwareadvice.com
Rating on Trustpilot
2.9 out of 5 from 19 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
Security process
Arduino accepts vulnerability reports by encrypted email to [email protected] and requests use of its PGP key.Read 15 Oct 2026 · arduino.cc
Security testing
Arduino says it uses automated security testing, including static application security testing and secure component analysis.Read 29 Sep 2026 · arduino.cc
Security update
Arduino IDE 2.3 fixed security issue CVE-2023-4863.Read 15 Oct 2026 · blog.arduino.cc
Serial tools
Documentation includes Serial Monitor and Serial Plotter tools for viewing board data.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.arduino.cc
Support channels
Arduino directs users to its Help Center, documentation, forum, Discord and contact email for support.Read 15 Oct 2026 · support.arduino.cc
Supported boards
The IDE supports Arduino boards and compatible third-party hardware through board packages.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Supported systems
The download page lists Windows, macOS, and Linux download options for Arduino IDE 2.Read 29 Sep 2026 · arduino.cc
System requirements
IDE 2 requires 64-bit Windows 10 or newer, 64-bit macOS 10.15 Catalina or newer, or a 64-bit Linux system.Read 15 Oct 2026 · support.arduino.cc
Terms
The software page says downloads are provided as is and disclaims express and implied warranties.Read 29 Sep 2026 · arduino.cc

Plans and prices

Arduino IDE 2 Free Desktop IDE · Windows, macOS and Linux · IDE 2.3.10 shown Read 15 Oct 2026 · arduino.cc

Every Arduino IDE plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free and open source.
  • Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
  • Editor includes a live debugger.
  • CLI manages boards and libraries.
  • Sketches can sync with Arduino Cloud.

Limits

  • Downloads are provided as is.
  • The software page disclaims express and implied warranties.
  • Nightly builds are previews of incoming releases.

Who it suits

It suits students, makers, and professional developers creating projects with electronic devices. It supports Windows, macOS, and Linux desktops and lists several Arduino and Mbed OS targets.

Verdict

Arduino IDE combines a desktop editor with debugging and sketch-management tools, and it is free across three desktop platforms. Review the listed targets and the software page’s warranty terms before choosing it.

Where Specifiction places it

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