IAR Embedded Workbench vs SwiftForth
IAR Embedded Workbench
iar.comSwiftForth
forth.comSide by side
| Figure | IAR Embedded Workbench | SwiftForth |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $10.75/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 2 |
| Spec score · IDE Software | 8.5 (#10) | 7.4 (#38) |
| Debugging | The C-SPY debugger provides real-time trace, code coverage, function profiling, and RTOS awareness. | Debugging tools include a cross-reference tool, source browser, disassembler/decompiler, and single-step debugger. |
| Documentation | IAR’s documentation portal covers most releases after June 30, 2025, while older product documentation is supplied in installed software. | PDF documentation is included and comprises the SwiftForth Reference Manual, Forth Standard, and Forth Programmer’s Handbook. |
| Support | IAR provides customer portal access to technical support, technical articles, and customer support, plus self-service online training through IAR Academy. | A new license includes one year of engineer-level email support; support can be renewed annually for $129/year. |
| What it does | IAR Embedded Workbench combines an IDE, optimizing C/C++ compiler, assembler, linker, libraries, project manager and C-SPY debugger for embedded software development. | SwiftForth is an interactive Forth development environment for creating native applications on Windows, Linux, and macOS. |
Plans
IAR Embedded Workbench
- IAR Embedded Workbench evaluationFree
- IAR Platform subscriptionPriced on request
SwiftForth
- SwiftForth support renewal$129 a year
- SwiftForth license$399, paid once
In their own words
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.