Nerves
FreeUses buildroot to deploy Elixir programs running on the Erlang VM to embedded linux boards
FreeFree tier
About Nerves
Nerves is an open-source framework for building embedded systems using Elixir and Erlang. It leverages Linux and Buildroot to create lean, reliable, and secure firmware for IoT and edge computing devices. Nerves handles complex infrastructure tasks like networking, device discovery, I/O, and firmware updates, allowing developers to focus on application code. Firmware images start at 20-30 MB and are immutable, ensuring deterministic behavior. The platform integrates seamlessly with the Elixir ecosystem, including Phoenix, Nx, and Livebook.
Key Features
Portable across commonly available hardware leveraging Linux and Buildroot
Lean firmware starting at 20-30 MB using Elixir Mix releases
Reliable and fault-tolerant via the Erlang runtime system
Immutable firmware for deterministic behavior
Secure opt-in building with regular updates and SBOM information
Efficient I/O via IOData optimization
Extensible with the broader Elixir ecosystem (Phoenix, Nx, Livebook)
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Immutable firmware ensures exactly what software is running
- Leverages battle-tested Erlang/OTP for fault tolerance
- Small firmware sizes (20-30 MB) minimize resource usage
- Strong community and regular newsletter updates
- Integrates with popular Elixir tools like Phoenix and Livebook
Cons
- Requires knowledge of Elixir or Erlang, which may have a steeper learning curve for developers new to functional programming
- Limited to hardware supported by Linux and Buildroot
Best For
Edge computing applicationsIoT device firmware developmentEmbedded Linux systems requiring reliabilityBuilding custom firmware for hardware prototyping