Arm Keil MDK
7.9#1 in embedded systems toolchainsFrom 82.39 CHF a monthFree planWebAPIExtensionLinux
VisitArm Keil MDK vs Zephyr SDK
Zephyr SDK
6.0#22 in embedded systems toolchainsFree planFree planLinuxmacOSWindows
VisitWhat both publish
| Fact | Arm Keil MDK | Zephyr SDK |
|---|---|---|
| License | MDK components are governed by Arm end-user license agreements rather than an open-source license. | The Zephyr Project says its software is available under the Apache 2.0 open source license and free for commercial and non-commercial solutions. |
| Purpose | Keil MDK simplifies embedded software development for Cortex-M and Ethos-U processors through CLI, IDE, or continuous integration workflows. | Zephyr SDK provides GNU and LLVM toolchains for Zephyr-supported architectures, plus host tools including custom QEMU and OpenOCD. |
| Support | Keil MDK support offers support cases, a community forum, documentation, and learning videos. | Community support is provided through mailing lists and Discord. |
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
Zephyr SDK plans
- Zephyr SDKFree
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 Zephyr SDK if…
It suits developers building Zephyr applications for resource-constrained devices and needing toolchains for supported architectures and host operating systems.