Renode
Renode is an open source framework for emulating complex computer systems, including CPUs, peripherals, sensors, interconnects, and multi-node systems.
What Renode is
Renode is an open source framework for emulating complex computer systems, including CPUs, peripherals, sensors, interconnects, and multi-node systems. Development teams can run unmodified target software before physical hardware is available, and use repeatable CI/CD testing to catch regressions. Platforms can be assembled from reusable building blocks or created as bespoke setups. The project lists support for ARM, x86, RISC-V, SPARC, POWER, Xtensa, and MSP430X architectures, and reports more than 1,200 supported boards. Renode is released under the permissive MIT license and is free. Packages are provided for Linux, macOS, and Windows, including portable packages and Windows installers. It requires dotnet 6.0 or later; the Linux portable package requires GTK2 to run with the UI enabled. Listed integrations include hardware-description and simulation tools, IDEs, CI systems, and robotics platforms. The project describes use by product development teams, silicon teams, and hyperscalers. Antmicro offers commercial and enterprise support, including platform and peripheral modeling, integrations, and CI infrastructure.
Good
- Free and released under the MIT license.
- Supports Linux, macOS, and Windows.
- Runs unmodified target software before hardware is available.
- Supports a broad list of architectures.
- Supports repeatable CI/CD testing.
Watch out
- Requires dotnet 6.0 or later.
- Linux portable UI requires GTK2.
- Commercial and enterprise support is offered separately.
Who it suits
Renode suits product development and silicon teams that need to emulate target systems or run repeatable CI/CD testing before hardware is available. It may also suit users building custom virtual platforms from reusable components.
Verdict
Renode provides a free framework for system emulation, platform modeling, and repeatable testing across several host operating systems. Check its runtime requirements and the support options if your project needs commercial assistance.
Plans and prices
From Renode's own pricing page, checked 3 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Renode | Free | Open source framework · MIT license |
The facts
Each one read from Renode's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Development
- It lets teams run unmodified target software before physical hardware is available.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The project provides Linux, macOS and Windows packages, including portable packages and installers for Windows.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The official site lists integrations including Verilator, Questa, VCS, SystemC, VS Code, Arduino IDE, Eclipse, GitLab, GitHub Actions, Robot Framework, Jenkins, CircleCI, CARLA, ROS 2 and Kenning.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Modeling
- Users can assemble platforms from reusable building blocks or create bespoke setups.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Open source license
- Renode is released under the permissive MIT license.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Renode is an open source framework for emulating complex computer systems, including CPUs, peripherals, sensors, interconnects and multi-node systems.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Requirements
- Renode requires dotnet 6.0 or later; its Linux portable package requires GTK2 to run with the UI enabled.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Support
- Antmicro provides commercial and enterprise support, including platform and peripheral modeling, integrations and CI infrastructure.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Supported architectures
- The project lists ARM, x86, RISC-V, SPARC, POWER, Xtensa and MSP430X among supported architectures.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Supported boards
- The Renode site reports 1200+ boards supported and says validation uses CI-driven Zephyr and U-Boot testing infrastructure.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Testing
- Renode supports repeatable CI/CD testing to catch regressions early.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Users
- The Renode site describes use by product development teams, silicon teams and hyperscalers.checked 3 Oct 2026
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