Arm Keil MDK
7.9#1 in embedded systems toolchainsFrom 82.39 CHF a monthFree planWebAPIExtensionLinux
VisitArm Keil MDK vs STM32CubeIDE
STM32CubeIDE
6.2#11 in embedded development idesFree planFree planExtensionLinuxmacOSWindows
VisitWhat both publish
| Fact | Arm Keil MDK | STM32CubeIDE |
|---|---|---|
| Debugging | The VS Code integration supports pyOCD with ST-Link, CMSIS-DAP and ULINK, plus J-Link Server. | Listed debug features include breakpoints, CPU core registers, memory view, live data, SFR registers, RTOS debugging, and fault analysis. |
| Integrations | MDK v6 feature listings include CMSIS-FreeRTOS, Keil RTX5, MDK-Middleware, IoT clients, CMSIS-DAP, ULink, and third-party debug adapter support. | ST says the IDE is commonly used with STM32CubeMX and is compatible with TouchGFX Designer, STM32Cube AI Studio, and motor control workbench. |
| License | MDK components are governed by Arm end-user license agreements rather than an open-source license. | ST says STM32CubeIDE is free to download and use, while the application itself is proprietary software from ST. |
| Purpose | Keil MDK simplifies embedded software development for Cortex-M and Ethos-U processors through CLI, IDE, or continuous integration workflows. | STM32CubeIDE is a C/C++ development environment for editing, compiling, and debugging STM32 code. |
Arm Keil MDK plans
- EssentialPriced on request
- ProfessionalPriced on request
- ProfessionalPriced on request
- CommunityFree
- Keil MDK v6 Essential82.39 CHF a month
- Keil MDK v6 Professional165.60 CHF a month
STM32CubeIDE plans
- STM32CubeIDEFree
Pick Arm Keil MDK if…
Keil MDK suits developers building embedded applications for Cortex-M or Ethos-U processors. Community is for non-commercial use, while the listed paid v6 plans cover commercial use.
Pick STM32CubeIDE if…
It suits developers working with STM32 devices who need editing, build, and debugging tools across Windows, Linux, or macOS. The VS Code variant may suit teams using CMake-based projects.