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ARM mbed

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The ARM mbed IoT Device Platform provides the operating system, cloud services, tools and developer ecosystem to make the creation and deployment of commercial, standards-based IoT solutions possible at scale.

FreeFree tier
Type
Open Source
Company
Arm
Visit Website GitHub (38 stars)

About ARM mbed

ARM mbed is a free, open-source Internet of Things (IoT) platform from Arm that includes the Mbed OS operating system, development tools (Mbed Studio, Keil Studio Cloud, Mbed CLI), and security libraries (Mbed TLS, Mbed Crypto). It provides a well-defined C++ API, thousands of code examples, libraries, and drivers, plus a built-in security stack, storage, and connectivity options. The platform supports a wide range of Arm-based hardware through the Mbed Enabled program, enabling rapid prototyping and commercial IoT deployments. Note: Arm has announced an end-of-life timeline, with the site to be archived in July 2026.

Key Features

Mbed OS with well-defined C++ API and built-in security stack
Keil Studio Cloud: browser-based zero-installation development environment with WebUSB flash and debug
Mbed Studio: desktop IDE for application and library development, compile and debug
Mbed CLI: command line tool for integration with editors and automation
Mbed TLS and Mbed Crypto: comprehensive SSL/TLS library with minimal code footprint
Thousands of code examples, libraries, and drivers for common components
Support for Arm-based hardware via Mbed Enabled program (boards, modules, components)
Connectivity options including cellular, Wi-Fi, Ethernet
Built-in storage and security features

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Free and open-source with no licensing costs
  • Backed by Arm, a leading semiconductor company
  • Comprehensive toolchain: OS, IDEs, CLI, and security libraries
  • Large ecosystem of Mbed Enabled hardware and community support
  • Built-in security stack (Mbed TLS) for secure connectivity
  • Zero-installation cloud IDE (Keil Studio Cloud) lowers barrier to entry
  • Thousands of ready-to-use code examples, libraries, and drivers
Cons
  • Arm has announced end-of-life; the platform will be archived in July 2026, limiting long-term support
  • Requires C++ knowledge, which may be a barrier for some developers
  • Primarily focused on Arm-based microcontrollers; limited support for other architectures

Best For

Smart street lighting control (e.g., Aaeon Node deployment in Taipei)Smart city bike lights with accelerometer-based monitoring (e.g., See.Sense)Industrial asset monitoring for air quality, temperature, humidity, motion, audio, light (e.g., Agora epSensor)Prototyping and commercial production of connected IoT devicesDeveloping secure embedded applications with TLS/cryptography

FAQ

What is Mbed OS?
Mbed OS is a free, open-source operating system for IoT devices that provides a well-defined C++ API, built-in security stack, storage, connectivity options, and thousands of code examples, libraries, and drivers.
How can I start developing with Mbed?
You can use Keil Studio Cloud, a browser-based IDE with WebUSB flash and debug, or Mbed Studio, a desktop IDE, or Mbed CLI for command-line development. All are free.
Is Mbed free to use?
Yes, Mbed OS and all development tools are free and open-source. You can sign up for a free account to use Keil Studio Cloud.
What hardware is supported?
Mbed supports a wide range of Arm-based boards, modules, and components through the Mbed Enabled program, suitable for prototyping to mass production.
When will Mbed be discontinued?
Arm has announced an end-of-life timeline for Mbed. The site will be archived in July 2026.