The Most Popular Microcontroller, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the microcontroller you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 5, 2024 06:43
Welcome to StrawPoll, where your opinion matters! Today, we're diving into the fascinating world of microcontrollers, and we need your help to determine the ultimate champion. As a hub for thousands of polls and rankings, we're excited to launch a brand new ranking: "What is the most popular microcontroller?" From the versatile Arduino to the powerful Raspberry Pi, the world of microcontrollers offers endless possibilities. But which one reigns supreme? That's where you come in! Cast your vote for your favorite microcontroller or suggest a hidden gem that deserves recognition. Join us in this electrifying quest to uncover the true fan-favorite in the microcontroller universe, and let your voice be heard. Spark your curiosity and ignite your passion for technology, all while helping us create the definitive ranking of the most popular microcontrollers. So, don't just sit on the sidelines – dive in and make your choice count!
What Is the Most Popular Microcontroller?
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173votesA widely used open-source microcontroller platform with a simple programming interface, making it ideal for beginners and hobbyists.Arduino is an open-source electronics platform based on easy-to-use hardware and software. It consists of a programmable microcontroller board and a development environment for creating interactive electronic projects. Arduino is designed to be accessible to beginners, while also providing advanced capabilities for professional users. It has gained popularity due to its simplicity and versatility in a wide range of applications.
- Microcontroller: ATmega328P
- Operating Voltage: 5V
- Digital I/O Pins: 14
- Analog Input Pins: 6
- PWM Output: 6
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233votes
Laserlicht · CC BY-SA 4.0Raspberry Pi
The Raspberry Pi FoundationA low-cost, credit card-sized computer that can be used as a standalone computer or in conjunction with other devices. It is ideal for hobby projects, education, and industrial applications.The Raspberry Pi is a small, single-board computer developed to promote the teaching of basic computer science in schools and developing countries. It is also popular among hobbyists and tinkerers for various projects. The Raspberry Pi offers a low-cost, credit card-sized form factor with the ability to run a full Linux operating system.- Processor: Broadcom BCM2835
- CPU: Arm Cortex-A53
- Clock speed: 1.5 GHz
- RAM: Available in different models with 1GB, 2GB, or 4GB LPDDR4-3200 SDRAM
- Storage: MicroSD card slot
Raspberry Pi in other rankings- Position 10 of 10 in Most popular computer
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324votes
Raimond Spekking · CC BY-SA 4.0PIC Microcontroller
Microchip TechnologyA family of microcontrollers developed by Microchip Technology. They are widely used in embedded systems, automotive applications, and industrial control systems.The PIC microcontroller is a family of microcontrollers produced by Microchip Technology. It stands for Peripheral Interface Controller and is widely recognized as one of the most popular microcontrollers in the market. It is known for its versatility, easy programmability, and broad range of applications.- Bit Depth: 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit
- Architecture: Harvard architecture
- Clock Speed: Varies - typically ranges from 4 MHz to 200 MHz
- Memory: Varies - typically ranges from 512 bytes to several megabytes
- Number of Pins: Varies - from 8 pins to over 100 pins
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430votesA family of 32-bit microcontrollers developed by STMicroelectronics. They are widely used in a variety of applications such as automotive, industrial, and consumer electronics.The STM32 is a series of 32-bit microcontrollers developed by STMicroelectronics. It is widely recognized as one of the most popular microcontroller families in the market. The STM32 microcontrollers offer a combination of performance, low power consumption, and extensive peripheral support, making them suitable for a wide range of applications.
- Architecture: ARM Cortex-M
- Operating Frequency: Up to 200 MHz
- Flash Memory: From 8 KB to 2 MB
- RAM: From 2 KB to 512 KB
- Number of GPIO Pins: From 16 to 180
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512votes
AVR Microcontroller
AtmelA family of microcontrollers developed by Atmel Corporation. They are widely used in embedded systems, robotics, and automotive applications.The AVR Microcontroller is a popular 8-bit microcontroller family known for its simplicity, versatility, and low power consumption. It was developed by Atmel, a subsidiary of Microchip Technology Inc.- Bit Depth: 8-bit
- Architecture: Harvard
- Clock Frequency: Up to 20 MHz
- Flash Memory: 2 KB - 256 KB
- RAM: 128 bytes - 16 KB
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64votesA low-cost Wi-Fi microchip with full TCP/IP stack and microcontroller capability. It is widely used in Internet of Things (IoT) devices such as home automation, smart homes, and industrial automation.The ESP8266 is a highly popular microcontroller developed by Espressif Systems. It is widely used for Internet of Things (IoT) projects due to its cost-effectiveness, versatility, and ease of use.
- Operating Voltage: 2.5V to 3.6V
- CPU: Tensilica Xtensa LX106 running at 80 MHz
- Wireless Standards: 802.11 b/g/n
- Wireless Range: Up to 100 meters
- Flash Memory: 512KB to 16MB
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72votesA family of 16-bit microcontrollers developed by Texas Instruments. They are widely used in low-power applications such as wireless sensors, portable medical devices, and industrial automation.The MSP430 is a line of microcontrollers designed and produced by Texas Instruments. It is one of the most popular microcontrollers used in embedded systems and Internet of Things (IoT) applications.
- Architecture: 16-bit RISC
- Clock Speed: Up to 25 MHz
- Number of Pins: 20 to 100 pins
- Low Power Modes: Multiple low-power modes for energy efficiency
- Flash Memory: Up to 256 KB
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83votes
Viswesr · CC BY-SA 3.0ARM Cortex-M
ARM HoldingsA family of 32-bit microcontrollers developed by ARM Holdings. They are widely used in a variety of applications such as automotive, industrial, and consumer electronics.The ARM Cortex-M is a family of 32-bit microcontroller cores designed for efficient and low-power embedded applications. It offers a balance between performance, cost, and power consumption, making it one of the most popular choices for microcontroller-based systems.- Architecture: 32-bit RISC
- Pipeline: 3-stage
- Clock Speed: Up to 300 MHz
- Performance: 1.25 DMIPS/MHz
- Power Consumption: Ultra-low power
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910votesA microprocessor that was widely used in the 1980s in personal computers, game consoles, and other embedded systems. It is still used in some retro computing projects and retro gaming systems.The Zilog Z80 is a popular 8-bit microprocessor that was introduced in July 1976. It is widely used in various electronic devices such as home computers, gaming consoles, and synthesizers. The Z80 became one of the most successful microcontrollers of its time due to its versatility, ease of use, and lower cost compared to its competitors.
- Architecture: 8-bit
- Clock Speed: Up to 4MHz
- Registers: 8-bit general purpose registers (A, B, C, D, E, H, L)
- Addressable Memory: 64KB
- Instruction Set: More than 150 instructions
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106votes
Konstantin Lanzet (with permission) · CC BY-SA 3.0Intel 8051
Intel CorporationA microcontroller that was widely used in the 1980s and 1990s in embedded systems, industrial control systems, and automotive applications. It is still used in some legacy systems and retro computing projects.The Intel 8051 is a popular 8-bit microcontroller introduced in 1980. It is widely used in various applications due to its simple architecture, low cost, and large community support. The 8051 microcontroller has been produced by different manufacturers and has become a standard in the industry.- Bit size: 8 bits
- Memory: 4KB ROM, 128B RAM
- Clock speed: 12 MHz (max)
- I/O ports: 4 ports with 32 pins
- Timers/Counters: Two general-purpose 16-bit timers/counters
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Ranking factors for popular microcontroller
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Processing powerConsider the microcontroller's CPU architecture, clock speed, and performance in terms of instructions per second (MIPS).
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Memory sizeCheck the microcontroller's RAM, ROM and Flash memory sizes for sufficient space for program code and data storage.
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I/O options and peripheralsEvaluate the available input/output options and peripherals like GPIO pins, communication interfaces (SPI, I2C, UART, USB), ADCs, DACs, timers, and PWM channels.
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Power consumptionCompare the microcontroller's power efficiency when operating under various modes (active, sleep, deep sleep), as energy efficiency and battery life are crucial in embedded systems and IoT applications.
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CostConsider the price per unit and overall development costs, including licensing fees, development boards, and any required tools or software.
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Ease of use and developmentAssess the simplicity and efficiency of programming, debugging, and deploying the microcontrollers, including available development tools, libraries, and support resources.
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Manufacturer and community supportConsider the reputation of the company producing the microcontrollers, their customer support, and the availability of community-driven support resources, forums, and tutorials.
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Compatibility and scalabilityLook for compatibility with existing industry standards and options for future expansion or upgrades.
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Software supportExamine the microcontroller's compatibility with popular programming languages, operating systems, and middleware.
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Market popularity and adoptionReview the overall popularity of a microcontroller among developers, as this can be indicative of its performance, reliability, and long-term support.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular microcontroller. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or microcontroller is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2977 views
- 192 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each microcontroller once every 24 hours. The rank of each microcontroller is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular microcontroller
Microcontrollers are essentially small computers that are designed to perform specific functions. They are commonly used in a wide range of electronic devices, from home appliances and toys to medical equipment and industrial machinery. One of the most popular microcontrollers on the market today is the Arduino, which is known for its ease of use and versatility. However, there are many other microcontrollers available as well, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses. In this article, we will explore some of the most popular microcontrollers and their key features, to help you make an informed decision when choosing the best microcontroller for your project.
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