Arm Keil MDK vs Eclipse IDE
Arm Keil MDK
keil.arm.com
Eclipse IDE
eclipseide.orgSide by side
| Figure | Arm Keil MDK | Eclipse IDE |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $99/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 8 | 1 |
| Spec score · IDE Software | 9.4 (#1) | 8.9 (#5) |
| API and extensibility | The store lists API access for Essential and Professional, while CMSIS-Toolbox exposes command-line tools and cpackget for pack management. | The runtime plug-in model uses plugin.xml manifests, declarative extension points, and lazy plug-in activation. |
| Company headquarters | Arm lists its global headquarters at 110 Fulbourn Road, Cambridge, UK, CB1 9NJ. | LinkedIn lists headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. |
| Documentation | Arm provides getting-started, user, licensing, installation, CMSIS-Toolbox and CI/CD guides plus videos and forums. | The documentation site provides HTML help for Eclipse IDE 2026-09 (4.41) and earlier quarterly releases. |
| License | MDK components are governed by Arm end-user license agreements rather than an open-source license. | Eclipse IDE is free and released under the Eclipse Public License 2.0, which includes royalty-free copyright and patent grants. |
| Purpose | Keil MDK simplifies embedded software development for Cortex-M and Ethos-U processors through CLI, IDE, or continuous integration workflows. | Eclipse IDE is an open, industry-backed, community-driven IDE and platform. |
| Support | Keil MDK support offers support cases, a community forum, documentation, and learning videos. | The site points users to community chat, issue reporting, documentation, and the Eclipse IDE Working Group mailing list for help. |
| What it does | Keil MDK is Arm’s toolchain for creating, building and debugging software for Cortex-M and Ethos-U microcontrollers and processors. | Eclipse IDE is an open, community-driven development environment and platform. |
Plans
Arm Keil MDK
- EssentialPriced on request
- ProfessionalPriced on request
- ProfessionalPriced on request
- CommunityFree
- Keil MDK v6 Essential82.39 CHF a month
- Keil MDK v6 Essential$99 a month
- Keil MDK v6 Professional165.60 CHF a month
- Keil MDK v6 Professional$199 a month
In their own words
Arm Keil MDK
Arm Keil MDK is a toolchain for embedded software targeting Cortex-M and Ethos-U processors. MDK v6 supports command-line, IDE, and continuous-integration workflows across major operating systems. It includes Keil Studio extensions for Visual Studio Code, Keil μVision, Arm Compiler for Embedded, and Arm Fixed Virtual Platform models. Software packs add device and board support, middleware, components, code templates, and example projects independently of the toolchain. Keil Studio supports CMSIS workflows with an integrated debugger and extensions for creating, building, and testing embedded applications. Listed integrations include CMSIS-FreeRTOS, Keil RTX5, MDK-Middleware, IoT clients, CMSIS-DAP, ULink, and third-party debug adapters. Community is for non-commercial use. The listed MDK v6 Essential plan costs $99 a month per license; Professional costs $199 a month per license and adds Arm Virtual Hardware, functional-safety compiler tools, and legacy tools including Arm Compiler 5. Keil μVision is available only for Windows hosts.
Eclipse IDE
Eclipse IDE has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.