Comparing STM32 and PIC32
There are a lot of 32-bit MCUs on the market. For small-to-medium businesses who want to make reliable, market-ready products, however, STM32 and PIC32 are the strongest options for quality and customization. The best device for you depends on your application. Let’s cross-compare the two across various metrics to help you find the ideal solution
STM32 AND PIC32 PACKAGING2 Both STM32 and PIC32 support a variety of Surface Mounted Device/Technology (SMD/SMT) packaging, allowing the direct mounting of all components to the PCB. The PIC32, however, is the only one of the two MCUs to support older Dual In-Line Packaging (DIP), allowing you to connect the MCU using through lines or a separate socket.
CODING TOOLS
Both manufacturers offer coding support tools that are meant to help with the configuration and abstraction. Harmony supports PIC32, and CubeMX supports STM32. However, just because both manufacturers offer coding tools does not mean the tools are created equal.
CubeMX wins hands-down for quality and robustness. It’s a high-quality tool that offers a HAL (Hardware Abstraction Layer) and libraries.
The tool also allows for easy exploration of MCUs and the initialization of peripherals. With this, the quality is consistent, and bugs are rare, particularly for the newest release.
Unfortunately we can’t say the same for Harmony, which is so littered with bugs the PIC32 might as well not come with a coding tool at all. It also has a history of being unable to compile, particularly immediately following a new release.
Unless absolutely needed, you’re better off coding yourself.
Which is Best? STM32’s CubeMX.
DEV TOOLS
Both STM32 and PIC32 families offer development boards and accompanying tools. Here again the power of ST’s Nucleo board blows Microchip’s ICD boards out of the water.
The Nucleo boards are low-cost, and the paired ST-LINK toolkit is only $22, compared to Microchip’s $200+ ensemble.
That doesn’t mean the PIC32 isn’t a strong choice for tinkers, however. It just means it is probably more affordable to build your own dev board (you just might get faster processing speeds, too).
Which is Best? SM32-supported Nucelo dev board.
TOOLCHAIN/IDE SUPPORT
Both Microchip (PIC) and ST’s 32-bit lines are supported by professional toolchain software. PIC32 is supported by MPLAB X IDE, and STM32 is supported by SW2STM32, IAR, and Keil (the industry-leading software). Both components also rely on GCC for compilation, and both support C and C++, though Microchip offers more broad support for C++.
That said, ST purchased Atollic and now offers its professional toolchain software, TrueSTUDIO, for free. It’s pretty hard not to like ST on this point.
Which is Best? PIC32 for C++, but STM32 offers professional software for free.
COMMUNITY
This is where PIC32 shines. Microchip continues to support the lone tinkerer, in continuing to support things like the DIP package, and in hosting live webinars where you can ask questions to the company’s engineering team directly. Microchip keeps a pulse on the community, and it supports its users with free samples, active involvement in ongoing conversations, and friendly customer service agents which genuinely want to help.
STM may win in broader applications, but it’s nice to know Microchip still acts like a small business, even though it sells billions of units each year.
Which is Best? Microchip (PIC32).
You might want to read CHINA ODM FACTORY ELECTRONIC DESIGN: 7 PITFALLS TO AVOID
STM32 & PIC32 PRICING Both the STM32 and PIC32 families offer low-cost and higher-end solutions, based on the functionality needed. Generally speaking, the PIC32 family is less expensive when you buy just a few, which is one of the reasons PICs are what many engineers learn to program on in university.
That said, as soon as you are ordering more than a thousand (or, work with a supplier that will add your smaller order to a larger one so you can get bulk pricing), the STM32 tends to be cheaper. This is especially true if you purchase from a company based in China, due to wide product availability and popularity (particularly for 32bit, 100MHz, 64 to 100-pin devices).
Which is Best? The PIC32 for low-quantity purchases. The STM32 for larger orders
IN CONCLUSION
Both STM32 and PIC32 are quality 32-bit microcontrollers, and at Titoma we have used them both with much success.
While the choice can come out differently for different application, Design For China Manufacturing is always foremost on our mind, and for that we strongly prefer STM32 because of its lower unit cost and better availability (shorter lead-times) especially in China. In addition, STM offers better development tools in terms of IDE support, HAL and libraries.
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