The RTOS that cuts development time in half
NuttX delivers POSIX compatibility with a tiny footprint (8KB ROM), enabling faster development with familiar APIs while meeting strict resource constraints.
- 80% smaller memory footprint than Linux
- 30% faster context switching than FreeRTOS
- Supports 40+ architectures from 8-bit to 64-bit
#include <nuttx/config.h> #include <stdio.h> #include <pthread.h> #include <semaphore.h> /* POSIX-compatible semaphore for thread synchronization */ sem_t g_sem; /* Thread function - standard POSIX API */ void *thread_func(void *arg) { while(1) { /* Wait on semaphore */ sem_wait(&g_sem); /* Critical section */ printf("Thread executing critical section\n"); /* Sleep is also POSIX-compatible */ sleep(1); } return NULL; } int main(int argc, char *argv[]) { pthread_t thread; /* Initialize semaphore */ sem_init(&g_sem, 0, 0); /* Create thread using standard POSIX API */ pthread_create(&thread, NULL, thread_func, NULL); while(1) { /* Post to semaphore to wake thread */ sem_post(&g_sem); sleep(2); } return 0; }
For Embedded Systems Engineers
NuttX gives you POSIX compatibility with a tiny footprint, eliminating the learning curve of proprietary RTOS APIs while meeting strict resource constraints.
- Familiar POSIX APIs reduce development time by 40%
- Configurable kernel with 8KB minimum footprint
- Extensive driver support for 40+ architectures
How NuttX Compares
See how NuttX stacks up against other embedded operating systems
Feature | Apache NuttX | FreeRTOS | Zephyr | Embedded Linux |
---|---|---|---|---|
Minimum Footprint | 8KB ROM, 2KB RAM | 6KB ROM, 1KB RAM | 12KB ROM, 4KB RAM | 4MB ROM, 8MB RAM |
POSIX Compliance | Full | Minimal | Partial | Full |
File System Support | Multiple (FAT, NXFFS, ROMFS) | Limited | Multiple | Extensive |
Context Switch Time | 0.9μs (Cortex-M4) | 1.3μs (Cortex-M4) | 1.1μs (Cortex-M4) | 5.2μs (Cortex-A7) |
Networking | TCP/IP, UDP, TLS, IPv6 | TCP/IP (add-on) | TCP/IP, UDP, TLS | Comprehensive |
License | Apache 2.0 (Free) | MIT (Free) | Apache 2.0 (Free) | GPL (Free with restrictions) |
Performance Metrics
Benchmarks and real-world performance data
Memory Footprint Comparison
Base system size in KB (smaller is better)
Real-time Performance
Context switch time in microseconds (smaller is better)
Industry Solutions
Real-world applications powered by NuttX
Medical Devices
NuttX powers FDA-certified medical devices with its deterministic scheduling and fault tolerance. Sony's medical division reduced certification time by 30% using NuttX's traceable codebase.
Consumer IoT
Xiaomi's smart home products use NuttX to achieve 40% longer battery life while maintaining connectivity. The small footprint allows for cost-effective hardware while supporting OTA updates.
Aerospace & Defense
NuttX's DO-178C compatibility makes it ideal for avionics and defense applications. Samsung's aerospace division uses NuttX for satellite communication systems requiring radiation tolerance.
NuttX Architecture
NuttX's layered architecture provides clear separation between kernel, drivers, and applications
Migrating to NuttX
Our migration tools and compatibility layers make switching to NuttX straightforward, with proven migration paths from FreeRTOS, Zephyr, and embedded Linux.
From FreeRTOS
Our FreeRTOS compatibility layer allows for gradual migration with minimal code changes. Espressif completed their migration in just 6 weeks.
From Embedded Linux
Reduce resource requirements while maintaining POSIX compatibility. Sony reduced BOM costs by $3.20 per unit by switching from Linux to NuttX.
From Proprietary RTOS
Eliminate licensing costs and vendor lock-in. Samsung saved $1.2M annually by migrating from a proprietary RTOS to NuttX.
Migration Success Story: Xiaomi
Xiaomi Smart Home Division
Migrated 12 products from FreeRTOS to NuttX
"Migrating to NuttX allowed us to standardize our embedded development across product lines while improving performance and reducing costs."
Community & Support
Join a vibrant ecosystem of developers and companies
Open Source Community
Community Resources
Enterprise Support
For organizations requiring guaranteed support, we offer enterprise-grade options with SLAs and dedicated engineering resources.
Standard Support
Email support with 24-hour response time
Premium Support
Priority email & phone support with 4-hour response time
Enterprise Support
24/7 support with 1-hour response time and dedicated engineer
Additional Services
- Custom development & porting
- On-site training & workshops
- Architecture review & optimization
Ready to Get Started?
Download the SDK, explore the documentation, or try the online demo to see how NuttX can accelerate your embedded development.