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Arm Toolchain for Embedded
What Arm Toolchain for Embedded is
Arm Toolchain for Embedded is a free, open-source C/C++ compilation toolchain for developing high-performance products based on Arm designs. It includes Clang compiler drivers and front ends, the LLVM LLD linker, LLVM archiving and coverage tools, and DWA. Arm highlights optimization for AArch64 and Armv8.1-M projects, along with work for newer Arm processors. Listed architecture classes are Application, Real-time, and Microcontroller; the supported targets include Armv7-A, Armv8-A through Armv8.9-A, Armv9-A through Armv9.6-A, Armv7-R, and Armv8-R. It supports Makefiles, GNU-style linker scripts, and Semihosting. The free edition is downloaded via GitHub and relies on community support. Arm says the toolchain is not fully compatible with GCC, so migration may require project changes. Projects using Arm Compiler for Embedded 6 scatter files need migration to GNU-ld linker scripts. Pre-Cortex architectures, including Armv6 and earlier, are excluded. Projects linking the C library must retain open-source copyright statements and license information.
Who it suits
It suits developers building high-performance products on supported Arm architectures, especially projects targeting AArch64 or newer Arm processors.
What it does well
- Free and open source
- Includes Clang and LLVM tools
- Supports GNU-style linker scripts
- Targets include Armv8-A and Armv9-A families
What to know first
- Community support for the free edition
- Not fully compatible with GCC
- Pre-Cortex architectures are excluded
- Arm Compiler 6 scatter-file projects require migration
Limits
The free edition provides community support; Arm support is limited to Professional and FuSa editions. Projects using Arm Compiler 6 scatter files need migration, and pre-Cortex targets including Armv6 and earlier are unsupported.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Arm Toolchain for Embedded | 100% open source · community support · download via GitHub | Free |
| Arm Toolchain for Embedded FuSa | Safety-qualified edition · expected 2027 · enabled by eligible user-based licenses | On request |
| Arm Toolchain for Embedded Professional | Professional support from Arm · enabled by eligible user-based licenses · download via Product Download Hub | On request |
As developer.arm.com lists them, read 8 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the Arm Toolchain for Embedded website.
- Download the free edition via GitHub.
- Use Clang compiler drivers and LLVM tools with supported architectures and build systems.
- For Professional edition access, use an eligible User-Based License and download through Arm Product Download Hub.
Verdict
The free toolchain offers Clang and LLVM components for supported Arm targets, with GNU-style build support. Check architecture coverage and migration needs before moving a project, and note that Arm support is reserved for Professional and FuSa editions.
Questions
Is Arm Toolchain for Embedded free?
Yes. The free edition costs nothing and is described as 100% open source.
What does it cost to use the Professional edition?
No price is listed. It requires an eligible User-Based License and includes professional support from Arm.
Where can I download the free edition?
The free edition is downloaded via GitHub. The Professional edition is downloaded through Arm Product Download Hub.
Which architectures does it support?
Listed targets include Armv7-A, Armv8-A through Armv8.9-A, Armv9-A through Armv9.6-A, Armv7-R, and Armv8-R. Armv6 and earlier are excluded.
Is it compatible with GCC?
Arm describes it as highly compatible with the GNU Embedded Toolchain, but not fully compatible with GCC; migration may require project changes.
Does it support Arm Compiler 6 scatter files?
Projects using those scatter files require migration because this toolchain uses GNU-ld linker scripts.
Facts from Arm Toolchain for Embedded's own pages
- Architecture limit
- The listed support excludes pre-Cortex architectures, including Armv6 and earlier. · developer.arm.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Company headquarters
- Arm lists its global headquarters at 110 Fulbourn Road, Cambridge, UK, CB1 9NJ. · arm.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Company history
- Arm says it was established in 1990 as a joint venture between Acorn Computers, Apple Computer, and VLSI Technology. · investors.arm.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Compiler and linker
- The listed components include Clang compiler front ends and the LLVM LLD linker. · developer.arm.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Components
- The toolchain includes Clang C/C++ drivers and front ends, LLVM linkers, and other tools such as the llvm-ar archiver. · developer.arm.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The free edition is downloaded via GitHub, while the Professional edition is downloaded via Arm Product Download Hub. · developer.arm.com, 8 Oct 2026
- FuSa edition
- The FuSa edition is described as safety-qualified, with code isolated from upstream changes and downstream patches for safety-related defect fixes; it is expected in 2027. · developer.arm.com, 8 Oct 2026
- GNU compatibility
- It supports GNU-ld linker scripts, though Arm says it is not fully compatible with GCC and migration may require project changes. · developer.arm.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- Arm identifies high-performance embedded projects, including projects needing AArch64 optimization or newer Arm architecture support, as candidates for the toolchain. · developer.arm.com, 8 Oct 2026
- License requirements
- Professional and FuSa editions require a User-Based License and are not available through older NL/FL license technology or standalone licenses. · developer.arm.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Migration limit
- Projects using Arm Compiler for Embedded 6 scatter files require migration because this toolchain uses GNU-ld linker scripts. · developer.arm.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Open source
- The Arm Toolchain for Embedded edition is described as 100% open source and free to use. · developer.arm.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Optimization
- Arm describes the toolchain as focused on performance for AArch64 and Armv8.1-M projects. · developer.arm.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Professional edition
- The Professional edition adds professional support and is enabled by User-Based Licenses for Keil MDK 6, Arm Development Studio, and Arm Success Kits. · developer.arm.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Arm Toolchain for Embedded is an open-source embedded C/C++ compilation toolchain for developing high-performance products based on Arm designs. · developer.arm.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Redistribution
- Projects that link the C library have obligations to retain open-source copyright statements and license information. · developer.arm.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- Arm provides support only for the Professional and FuSa editions; other editions rely on community support. · developer.arm.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Supported architectures
- The product page lists Application, Real-time, and Microcontroller architecture classes, and says pre-Cortex architectures (Armv6 and earlier) are not supported. · developer.arm.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Target use cases
- Arm identifies AArch64 performance optimization, newer Arm processors, and GNU Embedded Toolchain compatibility as reasons to consider the toolchain. · developer.arm.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Toolchain integrations
- Arm says the toolchain is highly compatible with the GNU Embedded Toolchain and uses GNU-style linker scripts, but migration from Arm Compiler 6 scatter files is required. · developer.arm.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Usage telemetry
- The Professional edition can collect usage telemetry locally for administration; Arm says it has no access to that information. · developer.arm.com, 8 Oct 2026
Where Arm Toolchain for Embedded stands on Freedom251
- Embedded Systems Toolchains#13 of 30