C++Builder vs IAR Embedded Workbench
C++Builder
embarcadero.comIAR Embedded Workbench
iar.comSide by side
| Figure | C++Builder | IAR Embedded Workbench |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 5 | 2 |
| Spec score · C++ IDEs | 8.3 (#5) | 8.3 (#6) |
| Founded | 1993 | 1983 |
| Headquarters | Austin, Texas, United States | Uppsala, Sweden |
| Support | The support page says product support is for customers with a current support contract; the first year of Support and Maintenance is included with a C++Builder purchase. | IAR provides customer portal access to technical support, technical articles, and customer support, plus self-service online training through IAR Academy. |
Plans
C++Builder
- Community EditionFree
- ArchitectPriced on request
- EnterprisePriced on request
- ProfessionalPriced on request
- Pro Term LicensePrice not published
IAR Embedded Workbench
- IAR Embedded Workbench evaluationFree
- IAR Platform subscriptionPriced on request
In their own words
C++Builder
C++Builder is an integrated C++ development environment for building native applications, with Windows development emphasized. Its compiler has initial support for C++23 and pairs Clang enhancements with the Dinkumware STL. The VCL component library provides visual and non-visual elements for Windows interfaces, and build configurations can use MSBuild or CMake. FireDAC connects natively to Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL, SQLite, PostgreSQL, DB2, and Firebird. HTTP and REST client libraries can invoke REST services, with components for AWS and Azure also included. The IDE names Subversion and Git as supported repository integrations, and plugins can add tool windows, code completion, syntax highlighting, and debugging hooks. Integrated debugging and testing tools are listed. Community Edition costs nothing for limited commercial use, while annual revenue remains under US$5,000 and the team has no more than five developers. A 30-day free trial is available. Enterprise Edition includes an InterBase ToGo license for encrypted embedded database capabilities.
IAR Embedded Workbench
IAR Embedded Workbench is an embedded development toolchain with an IDE, optimizing compiler, linker, assembler, and debugger. It supports over 20 architectures, including Arm, RISC-V, 8051, MSP430, AVR, and several Renesas families. The C-SPY debugger provides real-time trace, code coverage, function profiling, and RTOS awareness. IAR C-STAT offers static analysis; IAR C-RUN detects runtime errors and is available for Arm and RX. The toolchain works with VS Code and Eclipse, supports CMake builds, and can integrate with CI/CD pipelines. Supported debug probes include I-jet, I-jet Trace, J-Link, PE Micro, and ST-LINK. Built-in plugins provide RTOS awareness for systems including PX5 RTOS and Zephyr RTOS. The IDE runs natively on Linux and Windows. A 14-day evaluation is available for non-commercial use, but excludes runtime library source code, C-STAT, and MISRA C support and includes limited technical support. Paid subscription pricing is available by request; the subscription combines named-user licenses and build capacity for automated builds and CI/CD.