Embedded RTOS
POSIX-compatible
Apache 2.0 License

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
Latest stable release: v12.3.1 (March 2024) — View changelog
main.c
#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;
}
Standard POSIX APIs make NuttX code portable and familiar

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

FeatureApache NuttXFreeRTOSZephyrEmbedded Linux
Minimum Footprint8KB ROM, 2KB RAM6KB ROM, 1KB RAM12KB ROM, 4KB RAM4MB ROM, 8MB RAM
POSIX ComplianceFullMinimalPartialFull
File System SupportMultiple (FAT, NXFFS, ROMFS)LimitedMultipleExtensive
Context Switch Time0.9μs (Cortex-M4)1.3μs (Cortex-M4)1.1μs (Cortex-M4)5.2μs (Cortex-A7)
NetworkingTCP/IP, UDP, TLS, IPv6TCP/IP (add-on)TCP/IP, UDP, TLSComprehensive
LicenseApache 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)

Memory Footprint Comparison Chart
Measured on ARM Cortex-M4 with minimal configuration

Real-time Performance

Context switch time in microseconds (smaller is better)

Context Switch Time Comparison Chart
Measured on ARM Cortex-M4 @ 120MHz

Industry Solutions

Real-world applications powered by NuttX

Medical Devices

Medical Device

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

IoT Device

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

Aerospace System

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 Architecture Diagram

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 Logo

Xiaomi Smart Home Division

Migrated 12 products from FreeRTOS to NuttX

Development timeReduced by 35%
Battery lifeImproved by 40%
Code reuseIncreased to 75%
Time to marketReduced by 3 months
"Migrating to NuttX allowed us to standardize our embedded development across product lines while improving performance and reducing costs."
— Zhang Wei, Director of IoT Engineering, Xiaomi

Community & Support

Join a vibrant ecosystem of developers and companies

Open Source Community

12,500+ developers worldwide
4,200+ GitHub stars
250+ contributors
40+ supported architectures

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

$5,000/year

Premium Support

Priority email & phone support with 4-hour response time

$15,000/year

Enterprise Support

24/7 support with 1-hour response time and dedicated engineer

Custom pricing

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.

Upcoming Events

International Workshop 2024

June 13-14, 2024 • Sony Office, Tokyo, Japan

Learn More

NuttX Developer Conference

September 5-7, 2024 • Virtual Event

Learn More

Embedded World Showcase

November 12-14, 2024 • Nuremberg, Germany

Learn More