Arduino IDE vs CrossWorks for ARM
Arduino IDE
arduino.ccCrossWorks for ARM
rowley.co.ukSide by side
| Figure | Arduino IDE | CrossWorks for ARM |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Spec score · Embedded Development IDEs | 9.1 (#2) | 8.2 (#4) |
| Debugger | IDE 2 provides an integrated live debugger; debugging became stable in release 2.3. | The CrossWorks multi-core debugger can debug applications built in the IDE or with external toolchains. |
| Headquarters | Arduino's privacy policy gives its registered office as Via Andrea Appiani 25, Monza, Italy. | Dursley, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom |
| Support | Arduino links to documentation, a Help Center, and a support request channel. | The company accepts pre-sales and technical questions through its CrossWorks Helpdesk. |
Plans
CrossWorks for ARM
- Named Developer License$2,500, paid once
- Shared Developer License$3,750, paid once
In their own words
Arduino IDE
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.
CrossWorks for ARM
CrossWorks for ARM is a C/C++ and assembly development system for ARM and Cortex microcontrollers. Its CrossStudio IDE brings editing, building, downloading and SWD/JTAG debugging into one environment. The package includes GNU GCC and Clang/LLVM toolchains, and its multi-core debugger also works with applications built using external toolchains. Supported cores range from Cortex-M, Cortex-A and Cortex-R to ARM7, ARM9, ARM11, Feroceon and XScale. Supported connections include CrossConnect Neo, SEGGER J-Link, CMSIS-DAP, ST-LINK and FTDI-based JTAG devices. It also includes an embedded C runtime library that is neither GPL nor LGPL, and a royalty-free tasking library for pre-emptive task switching and synchronization. Downloads for Windows, macOS and Linux include x64 and ARM64 or Apple Silicon builds. The evaluation can remain active with a 16KB code-size limit or be unlocked for 30 days. A Named Developer License is $2,500 as a one-time purchase; a Shared Developer License is $3,750 as a one-time purchase. Both include commercial use, 12 months of support and 12 months of software assurance.