Arduino IDE vs Wokwi
Arduino IDE
arduino.ccWokwi
wokwi.comSide by side
| Figure | Arduino IDE | Wokwi |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | €5.60/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 6 |
| Spec score · IoT Development Tools | 9.1 (#2) | 8.6 (#3) |
| Documentation depth | Official IDE documentation includes getting started, installation, uploads, autocomplete, formatting, debugging, certificates, libraries, security, serial tools and shared sketches. | The documentation includes getting-started guides, supported-hardware tables, project configuration references, CI instructions and detailed GPIO, analog, time, UART, I2C, SPI and framebuffer API references. |
| Support channels | Arduino directs users to its Help Center, documentation, forum, Discord and contact email for support. | The VS Code marketplace listing points users to documentation, Discord and GitHub issues for help. |
| What it does | Arduino IDE is a desktop environment for writing, compiling, debugging and uploading sketches to Arduino-compatible boards. | Wokwi is a browser-based simulator for Arduino, ESP32, STM32, Raspberry Pi Pico and other embedded boards, parts and sensors. |
Plans
Wokwi
- CommunityFree
- Hobby€5.60 a month
- Hobby+€8.10 a month
- Wokwi Pro€20 a month
- CommunityFree
- ClassroomPriced on request
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.
Wokwi
Wokwi is a simulator for building and debugging firmware for simulated microcontrollers. It supports Arduino (C/C++), MicroPython, CircuitPython and Rust, with boards including Arduino Uno, Nano and Mega, ATtiny85, ESP32-family boards, several STM32 models and Raspberry Pi Pico. Supported protocols include WiFi, HTTP, HTTPS, WebSocket, MQTT, NTP, CoAP, DNS, TCP, UDP, UART, I2C and SPI. The simulated targets are AVR, ESP32, STM32 and RP2040 microcontrollers; firmware can also be exported for Raspberry Pi Pico. Wokwi lists web, Linux, macOS and Windows platforms. Its free Community plan includes unlimited simulations, unlimited public projects and Virtual WiFi. Paid plans are billed annually: Hobby is €5.60 per month with 100 fast build minutes monthly; Hobby+ is €8.10 per month with 500; and Wokwi Pro is €20.00 per month with 1,000 fast build minutes and 2,000 CI minutes monthly.