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tass-belgium/picotcp

Free

PicoTCP is a free TCP/IP stack implementation

FreeFree tier
Type
Open Source
Company
Altran Intelligent Systems
Visit Website GitHub (38 stars)

About tass-belgium/picotcp

PicoTCP is a free, small-footprint, and modular TCP/IP stack implementation designed specifically for embedded systems and the Internet of Things. Developed by Altran Intelligent Systems, it aims to provide a highly configurable and portable networking stack. It supports a wide range of platforms (ARM Cortex-M, ARM9, MSP430, PIC, AVR, Linux, Windows), network devices, real-time operating systems (FreeRTOS, mbed-RTOS, no OS, etc.), and compilers (GCC, Clang, TCC, IAR, etc.). The stack is released under GNU GPL v2 and v3, with commercial licenses available. It features a modular design where features are developed as modules, and it includes continuous integration and testing (unit tests, RFC compliance, TICS quality). Porting to new platforms can be done in as little as 3 days, with a new OS in a single day.

Key Features

Small-footprint design optimized for embedded systems
Modular architecture where features are developed as separate modules
Highly portable with low porting effort (3 days or less for a new platform)
Supports a wide range of platforms: ARM Cortex-M, ARM9, MSP430, PIC, AVR, Linux, Windows
Works with multiple network devices: BCM43362, MRF24WG, LPC Ethernet, Stellaris Ethernet, STM32 Ethernet, Wiznet W5100, USB CDC-ECM, PPP
Integrates with various RTOSes: FreeRTOS, mbed-RTOS, Frosted, POSIX, MS DOS, MS Windows, bare metal
Integrated with libraries: wolfSSL, mbedTLS, Mongoose RESTful, MicroPython
Compiles under multiple compilers: GCC, Clang, TCC, ARM-RCVT, IAR, XC-16, XC-32, MSP-GCC, AVR-GCC
Open source under GNU GPL v2 and v3, with commercial licensing options
Continuous integration with unit tests, RFC compliance testing, and TICS quality assessment

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Open source and free to use under GPL with commercial options available
  • Very small footprint suitable for resource-constrained devices
  • Modular design allows enabling only needed features
  • Extensive platform and compiler support reduces integration effort
  • Active development and support by Altran Intelligent Systems
  • Low porting time (3 days for new platform, 1 day for new OS)
  • Includes testing infrastructure (unit tests, RFC compliance, TICS quality)
Cons
  • Not all code is released publicly due to GPL-incompatible dependencies or commercial contracts
  • Some drivers and features may require commercial license or expert services
  • Documentation mostly relies on GitHub wiki, which may lack depth for complex integrations
  • Primarily aimed at embedded systems; not a full-featured stack for desktop/server environments

Best For

Embedded systems development requiring a lightweight TCP/IP stackInternet of Things (IoT) devices with limited resourcesProjects needing a portable networking stack across different hardware platformsReal-time operating systems and bare-metal applicationsRapid prototyping and product development for connected devices

FAQ

What is picoTCP?
PicoTCP is a free, small-footprint, modular TCP/IP stack designed for embedded systems and the Internet of Things, developed by Altran Intelligent Systems.
What license does picoTCP use?
It is released under GNU GPL v2 and GNU GPL v3. Commercial licenses are also available for proprietary use.
How long does it take to port picoTCP to a new platform?
Porting to a new platform can be done in 3 days or less, and a new operating system in a single day. An initial port can be done in a single evening.
What platforms does picoTCP support?
It supports ARM Cortex-M series (ST Micro, NXP, TI, Freescale), ARM9-series, Texas Instruments MSP430, Microchip PIC24/32, Atmel AVR 8-bit, Linux (user and kernel space), and Windows (user space).
Is commercial support available?
Yes, commercial licenses and expert services for porting or driver development can be arranged by contacting picotcp@altran.com.