Many beginners are asking: Which development tool should I use to learn STM32?
First, let me share my opinion:
1. There is no best, only what is suitable; what suits you is the best.
2. There are many development tools, each with its own characteristics, and with advantages, there are also disadvantages.
Today, let’s talk about the pros and cons of several popular development environments for STM32.
1. Keil
Keil is a veteran integrated development environment (IDE), and it is a general-purpose IDE compatible with most microcontrollers on the market.
1. Advantages
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Compatible with most MCUs on the market; switching MCUs does not require changing the IDE, saving time to familiarize with the development environment.
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Established IDE with many tutorials, making it easy to find solutions to various problems.
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Many software projects based on Keil are available for immediate use.
2. Disadvantages
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The interface is not modernized and has been criticized by many users.
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The directory structure does not support multiple levels.
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The editing features still need improvement.
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It is a paid software, but some Cortex-M0 processors can be used for free.
Keil MDK with the AC5 compiler has a relatively slow compilation speed. Keil may launch a Keil Studio desktop IDE to improve the interface and other shortcomings.
Recommended Reading: Keil Series Tutorials
2. IAR
IAR is also a veteran integrated development environment and is a general-purpose IDE compatible with most microcontrollers on the market.
The advantages and disadvantages of IAR are similar to those of Keil, but the editing features are relatively worse than Keil.
1. Advantages
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Compatible with most MCUs on the market; switching MCUs does not require changing the IDE.
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Established IDE with many tutorials, making it easy to find solutions to various problems.
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Many software projects based on IAR are available for immediate use.
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The directory structure can be multi-level.
2. Disadvantages
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The interface is less modern compared to Keil.
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Although the editing features have been upgraded recently, there are still many areas that need improvement.
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It is paid software, but you can try it for 14 days or with a limited code size.
Recently, IAR upgraded its editor, but there are still many areas needing optimization.
Recommended Reading: IAR Series Tutorials
3. STM32CubeIDE
STM32CubeIDE is an integrated development environment launched by ST specifically for STM32.
1. Advantages
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ST official software, very friendly for STM32 development.
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Based on the Eclipse toolchain, the interface is more modernized.
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Free, free, free.
2. Disadvantages
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Limited to STM32, does not support microcontrollers from other manufacturers.
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Has only been released for a short time, with some bugs.
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Relatively more CPU resource-intensive than Keil.
Overall, STM32CubeIDE is quite good, but it still needs improvement.
Recommended Reading: Installing STM32CubeIDE, Configuring Code Generation, Online Debugging
4. RT-Thread Studio
RT-Thread Studio is similar to STM32CubeIDE, a dedicated integrated development environment that supports the RT-Thread operating system.
1. Advantages
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Domestic, Chinese, very friendly to locals, easy to learn.
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Based on the Eclipse toolchain, the interface is modernized.
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Supports most STM32 models, as well as many domestic MCUs.
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Free, free, free.
2. Disadvantages
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Has not been released for long, and some functions still need improvement.
RT-Thread Studio is one of the better domestic IDEs, and very few companies in China have an IDE that can achieve such widespread promotion and usage, so it is necessary to recommend it.