Arduino IDE vs MPLAB X IDE
Arduino IDE
arduino.ccMPLAB X IDE
microchip.comSide by side
| Figure | Arduino IDE | MPLAB X IDE |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · IDE Software | 9.1 (#3) | 7.8 (#27) |
| Spec score · Embedded Development IDEs | 9.1 (#2) | 7.6 (#13) |
| Spec score · IoT Development Tools | 9.1 (#2) | 7.8 (#7) |
| Headquarters | Arduino's privacy policy gives its registered office as Via Andrea Appiani 25, Monza, Italy. | Chandler, Arizona, USA |
| Purpose | Arduino provides software for creating projects with electronic devices that interact with the physical world. | MPLAB X IDE provides tools to discover, configure, develop, debug and qualify embedded designs for most Microchip microcontrollers and digital signal controllers. |
| Security process | Arduino accepts vulnerability reports by encrypted email to [email protected] and requests use of its PGP key. | Microchip says its Product Security Incident Response Team receives, reviews, investigates and responds to potential vulnerabilities affecting its products, including software and tools. |
| Support | Arduino links to documentation, a Help Center, and a support request channel. | Microchip offers design assistance through its Client Success Team and provides forums, technical support and design help. |
Plans
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.
MPLAB X IDE
MPLAB X IDE is a free desktop environment for discovering, configuring, developing, debugging, and qualifying embedded designs for most Microchip microcontrollers and digital signal controllers. It runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS, supporting 64-bit Intel or AMD computers and Arm-based Apple silicon. During debugging, I/O View can display and manipulate target registers. A single action can build a project, connect to a hardware tool, program the target, and begin debugging or execution. Data Visualizer displays real-time streaming data, and MPLAB Integrated Programming Environment supports production-level programming. The IDE supports open-source AVR and SAM MCU GCC and can work with MPLAB XC compilers. Projects and tools such as Code Configurator and Data Visualizer are also supported in Microsoft Visual Studio Code. Source control configuration options and a plug-in manager, including support for NetBeans plugins, extend the environment. The listed 6.35 release supports Windows, Linux, and macOS. Version 6.20 was the last release supporting PICkit 3, MPLAB ICD 3, and MPLAB REAL ICE. Supported targets include PIC, dsPIC, AVR, SAM, PIC32, and other Microchip MCU, DSC, and MPU families.