Serial Studio

Free

Visualize, analyze and stream over the internet data generated by your MCU project

FreeFree tier

Inputs: audio

Type

Open Source

Visit Website GitHub (40 stars)

About Serial Studio

Serial Studio is an open-source, multi-platform telemetry dashboard that transforms raw data from hardware into real-time visualizations. It supports serial (UART), Bluetooth LE, TCP/UDP, MQTT, Modbus, CAN Bus, and more. Users define data formats via project files, and Serial Studio automatically generates live plots, gauges, maps, 3D views, and other widgets. It includes built-in frame parsers (built-in templates, JavaScript, Lua), data transforms (EMA, scaling, calibration), session recording and replay, PDF export, and a project editor. It runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Raspberry Pi, and serves as a replacement for multiple tools such as serial monitors, plotters, data loggers, and Modbus/MQTT monitors. Some advanced features (e.g., MQTT, Modbus, CAN Bus, multiple devices, additional widgets) require a Pro version.

Key Features

Supports serial (UART), Bluetooth LE, TCP/UDP (GPL build); MQTT, Modbus, CAN Bus, USB, HID, audio input (Pro)

15+ built-in widgets including line plots, gauges, bar charts, meters, GPS maps, FFT spectrum, accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, data grids, LED panels, terminal, multi-channel plots, clock/stopwatch

Pro adds 3D Plot, XY Plot, Waterfall spectrogram, Image View (live camera), and JavaScript Painter widget with 18 templates

Frame parsers with built-in templates (no code), JavaScript, and Lua 5.4; 28 script templates for MAVLink, NMEA, UBX, JSON, Modbus, etc.

Per-dataset data transforms (EMA, scaling, calibration, unit conversion) using short JS or Lua snippets

Session recording and replay, export to CSV, SQLite, and PDF

Cross-platform: Windows, macOS, Linux, Raspberry Pi

Project editor with drag-and-drop widgets, multi-tab workspaces, and Quick Plot for CSV data

Pros & Cons

Pros

Completely open-source with a permissive GPL license
Cross-platform support (Windows, macOS, Linux, Raspberry Pi)
Wide range of connection protocols and data parsers built-in
Highly customizable dashboards with 15+ widget types and scripting
Replaces multiple separate tools (serial monitor, plotter, data logger, industrial bus monitor)
Supports recording, replay, and export to standard formats

Cons

Advanced connectivity (MQTT, Modbus, CAN Bus) and some widgets require a Pro version
Learning curve for creating custom frame parsers and data transforms
Limited documentation or community resources compared to larger platforms
No built-in cloud or remote dashboard hosting (local only)

Best For

Embedded systems development and debugging (Arduino, ESP32, STM32, Raspberry Pi, Teensy)Real-time telemetry monitoring for drones, rockets, and roboticsIndustrial automation and IoT (Modbus, CAN Bus, MQTT monitoring)Data logging and analysis for sensors and scientific experimentsEducational demonstrations and data visualization projects

FAQ

What hardware and protocols does Serial Studio support?

Serial Studio supports serial (UART), Bluetooth LE, TCP/UDP in the free GPL build. MQTT, Modbus TCP/RTU, CAN Bus, raw USB, HID, audio input, and process I/O are available in the Pro version.

Is Serial Studio free?

The core version (GPL build) is free and open-source. Additional features like MQTT, Modbus, CAN Bus, multiple devices, and advanced widgets require a Pro license.

Can I create custom data parsers?

Yes, Serial Studio offers three ways to parse data: built-in templates (configured via forms), JavaScript, and Lua 5.4 scripts. It also includes 28 script templates for common formats like MAVLink, NMEA, and JSON.