PICsim vs simavr

Struggling to choose between PICsim and simavr? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

PICsim is a Development solution with tags like circuit-simulation, pic-programming, embedded-systems.

It boasts features such as Circuit simulator for PIC microcontrollers, Supports various PIC models like PIC16F84A, PIC16F628A, PIC16F877A, PIC16F887, PIC18F452, etc., Allows testing PIC code on a virtual chip, Provides GUI workspace for circuit design, Includes debugging tools like breakpoints, variable watches, etc., Open-source and cross-platform (Windows, Linux, Mac) and pros including Free and open source, No need for physical PIC and hardware to test code, Fast prototyping and debugging, Supports many common PIC models, Active community support.

On the other hand, simavr is a Development product tagged with simulator, avr, microcontroller, emulator, testing, firmware.

Its standout features include Simulates popular AVR microcontrollers like ATmega128, Allows testing and debugging firmware without hardware, Supports breakpoints, watches and other debugging features, Has a GUI for inspecting registers, memory and peripherals, Can integrate with GDB for more advanced debugging, Runs on Linux, Windows and macOS, and it shines with pros like Saves money by eliminating need for hardware for testing, Allows testing early in development before hardware is available, Faster testing iterations without programming physical chips, Allows testing edge cases and failure modes easily, Integrates with IDEs and GDB for familiar workflow.

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison of these two products, delving into their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more. Get ready to explore the nuances that set them apart and determine which one is the perfect fit for your requirements.

PICsim

PICsim

PICsim is an open-source circuit simulator and microcontroller emulator that allows users to test and debug PIC microcontroller code on their computer. It provides a GUI workspace for designing circuits and writing/uploading code to a virtual PIC chip.

Categories:
circuit-simulation pic-programming embedded-systems

PICsim Features

  1. Circuit simulator for PIC microcontrollers
  2. Supports various PIC models like PIC16F84A, PIC16F628A, PIC16F877A, PIC16F887, PIC18F452, etc.
  3. Allows testing PIC code on a virtual chip
  4. Provides GUI workspace for circuit design
  5. Includes debugging tools like breakpoints, variable watches, etc.
  6. Open-source and cross-platform (Windows, Linux, Mac)

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Free and open source

No need for physical PIC and hardware to test code

Fast prototyping and debugging

Supports many common PIC models

Active community support

Cons

Limited to PIC microcontrollers only

Not all PIC models supported

Lacks some advanced debugging features

GUI could be more intuitive

Simulated environment, not 100% accurate like real hardware


simavr

simavr

simavr is an open-source AVR simulator for Linux/Windows/macOS. It can emulate popular AVR microcontrollers like ATmega128, simulating the behavior of the microcontroller so developers can test firmware without hardware.

Categories:
simulator avr microcontroller emulator testing firmware

Simavr Features

  1. Simulates popular AVR microcontrollers like ATmega128
  2. Allows testing and debugging firmware without hardware
  3. Supports breakpoints, watches and other debugging features
  4. Has a GUI for inspecting registers, memory and peripherals
  5. Can integrate with GDB for more advanced debugging
  6. Runs on Linux, Windows and macOS

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Saves money by eliminating need for hardware for testing

Allows testing early in development before hardware is available

Faster testing iterations without programming physical chips

Allows testing edge cases and failure modes easily

Integrates with IDEs and GDB for familiar workflow

Cons

Does not perfectly model real device behavior in all cases

Timing may differ slightly from real hardware

Limited to simulating AVR microcontrollers only

Requires learning another tool besides real hardware