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IAR Embedded Workbench

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What IAR Embedded Workbench is

IAR Embedded Workbench is an embedded development toolchain that combines an IDE with an optimizing compiler, linker, assembler and debugger. It supports more than 20 architectures, including Arm, RISC-V, 8051, MSP430, AVR and several Renesas families. Its C-SPY debugger provides real-time trace, code coverage, function profiling and RTOS awareness. IAR C-STAT provides static analysis, while C-RUN detects runtime errors for Arm and RX. The toolchain works with VS Code and Eclipse, supports CMake builds and can integrate with CI/CD pipelines. Supported debug probes include I-jet, I-jet Trace, J-Link, PE Micro and ST-LINK. Built-in RTOS plugins include PX5 RTOS and Zephyr RTOS support. The IDE runs natively on Linux and Windows. A 14-day evaluation is available for non-commercial use, but excludes runtime library source code, C-STAT and MISRA C support, and includes limited technical support. Pricing is on request. IAR describes its software and services as serving embedded development and embedded security teams worldwide.

Who it suits

IAR Embedded Workbench suits embedded development teams working with supported architectures on Linux or Windows. It may fit teams needing debugging, analysis, RTOS awareness or CI/CD build integration.

What it does well

Supports more than 20 architectures.
C-SPY includes trace, coverage and profiling.
Works with VS Code, Eclipse and CMake.
Supports multiple debug probes and RTOS plugins.
14-day evaluation is available.

What to know first

Evaluation is limited to non-commercial use.
Evaluation excludes C-STAT and MISRA C support.
Legacy architectures are available by request only.
Pricing is on request.

Limits

The free evaluation provides 14 days of non-commercial access, excludes runtime library source code, C-STAT, and MISRA C support, and includes limited technical support. The paid subscription combines named-user licenses and CI/CD build capacity; its price is available by request.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
IAR Embedded Workbench evaluation	14 days · Non-commercial use · no runtime-library source · C-STAT and MISRA C unavailable · limited support · C-RUN limited to 12 KB per build for Arm/RX	Free
IAR Platform subscription	Named-user seats · build capacity for CI/CD · access to all portfolio products	On request

As iar.com lists them, read 19 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Open the IAR Embedded Workbench website.
Choose the 14-day evaluation or inquire about the IAR Platform subscription.
Install the IDE on Linux or Windows.
Select a supported architecture and connect a supported debug probe as needed.
Use the integrated toolchain, or connect it with VS Code, Eclipse, CMake, or a CI/CD pipeline.

Verdict

IAR Embedded Workbench combines build, debug and analysis tools for embedded development, with broad architecture support and integrations. The evaluation has notable feature and support limits, and paid pricing requires a request.

Questions

Is IAR Embedded Workbench free?

There is a free evaluation that lasts 14 days and is for non-commercial use. The IAR Platform subscription is paid, with pricing available by request.

Which operating systems does it support?

The IDE runs natively on Linux and Windows.

Which processor architectures are supported?

It supports over 20 architectures, including Arm, RISC-V, 8051, MSP430, AVR, and several Renesas families. Legacy ColdFire, H8, HCS12, and SH architectures are available by request only.

What does the evaluation exclude?

It excludes runtime library source code, C-STAT, and MISRA C support, and includes limited technical support.

What is included in the IAR Platform subscription?

It combines named-user licenses with build capacity for automated builds and CI/CD, and includes all supported architectures.

Who makes IAR Embedded Workbench?

IAR was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Uppsala, Sweden.

Facts from IAR Embedded Workbench's own pages

Acquisition record: Crunchbase records IAR Systems as acquired by The Qt Company in a cash transaction. · crunchbase.com, 19 Oct 2026
Analysis tools: IAR C-STAT provides static analysis and IAR C-RUN provides runtime error detection; C-RUN is available for Arm and RX. · iar.com, 4 Oct 2026
Architecture coverage: The product supports more than 20 processor architectures, including Arm, RISC-V, 8051, MSP430, AVR and several Renesas families. · iar.com, 19 Oct 2026
Architecture support: It supports over 20 architectures, including Arm, RISC-V, 8051, MSP430, AVR, and several Renesas families. · iar.com, 4 Oct 2026
Build integrations: The toolchain works with VS Code and Eclipse, supports CMake builds, and can integrate with CI/CD pipelines. · iar.com, 4 Oct 2026
Company founded: LinkedIn lists IAR as founded in 1983. · linkedin.com, 19 Oct 2026
Company headquarters: IAR lists its headquarters in Uppsala, Sweden. · linkedin.com, 19 Oct 2026
Company size: LinkedIn classifies IAR in the 201–500 employee range, while IAR’s corporate page states more than 220 employees in 13 offices. · linkedin.com, 19 Oct 2026
Compiler: Its optimizing IAR C/C++ Compiler targets small code size and low power consumption. · iar.com, 19 Oct 2026
Debugger: C-SPY provides real-time trace, code coverage, profiling and RTOS-aware debugging. · iar.com, 19 Oct 2026
Debugging: The C-SPY debugger provides real-time trace, code coverage, function profiling, and RTOS awareness. · iar.com, 4 Oct 2026
Documentation: IAR’s documentation portal covers most releases after June 30, 2025, while older product documentation is supplied in installed software. · docs.iar.com, 19 Oct 2026
Documentation depth: Published guides include IDE project management, C/C++ development, assembler, C-SPY debugging, C-STAT, migration, licensing and debugger probes. · updates.iar.com, 19 Oct 2026
Evaluation limits: The evaluation is non-commercial, excludes runtime library source code, C-STAT, and MISRA C support, and includes limited technical support. · iar.com, 4 Oct 2026
Extensibility: The IDE supports custom build tools, external tools, custom argument variables and adding IAR Visual State. · docs.iar.com, 19 Oct 2026
Founded: 1983 · iar.com, 28 Sept 2026
Functional safety: IAR says Embedded Workbench is TÜV SÜD certified to meet multiple functional safety standards, with new platform releases undergoing certification. · iar.com, 4 Oct 2026
Hardware: Supported debug probes include I-jet, I-jet Trace, J-Link, PE Micro, and ST-LINK. · iar.com, 4 Oct 2026
Hardware integrations: Supported debug hardware includes I-jet, I-jet Trace, J-Link, PE Micro and ST-LINK probes. · iar.com, 19 Oct 2026
Headquarters: Uppsala, Sweden · iar.com, 28 Sept 2026
IDE integrations: IAR provides integrations for Eclipse and Visual Studio Code, including project building and debugging workflows. · iar.com, 19 Oct 2026
Intended audience: IAR describes its software and services as serving embedded development and embedded security teams across companies worldwide. · iar.com, 4 Oct 2026
Legacy architecture limit: Legacy architectures including ColdFire, H8, HCS12, and SH are available by request only. · iar.com, 4 Oct 2026
Licensing models: Installation documentation describes mobile dongle, PC-locked single-user and network multi-user licenses. · updates.iar.com, 19 Oct 2026