Frequently Asked
Questions

Yes. Arduino IDE is completely free and open source. You can download, install, use, and modify it without paying any fees. The software is distributed under open-source licenses that permit both personal and commercial use. There are no subscription tiers, premium features, or hidden costs.

Arduino IDE supports Windows 10 and later, macOS 10.15 and later, and most major Linux distributions. Both 64-bit and ARM64 builds are available for compatible platforms. The IDE is designed to deliver a consistent experience across all supported operating systems.

This is a known false positive. Arduino IDE is completely safe and digitally signed. Antivirus software sometimes flags development tools because they require access to USB ports and hardware drivers. We recommend verifying the SHA-256 checksum or digitally signing certificate before installation. You can also build the IDE from source if you prefer.

Yes. The open-source license permits commercial use. You can use Arduino IDE to develop products for sale, create proprietary firmware, and build commercial IoT solutions. There are no royalties or usage restrictions. However, the Arduino trademark cannot be used without permission from Arduino SA.

Arduino IDE is completely safe. It contains no malware, spyware, adware, or telemetry. The source code is publicly available for audit by security researchers and developers worldwide. All official releases are digitally signed, and SHA-256 checksums are published for verification.

Arduino IDE 2 is a major upgrade featuring real-time debugging, an improved board and library manager, faster compilation, a more responsive interface, better search, and an optimized serial monitor and plotter. While IDE 1.x remains functional, IDE 2.x is recommended for all new projects.

No. The desktop version of Arduino IDE works fully offline once installed. You only need an internet connection to download boards, libraries, or updates. Sketches can be written, compiled, and uploaded without any network access.

Absolutely. Arduino IDE is an open-source project that welcomes contributions. You can report bugs, suggest features, write documentation, submit pull requests, and help translate the interface. Contributing guidelines are available in the source repository.

Arduino IDE is distributed under open-source licenses. The exact license varies by component, but the core IDE and most associated tools are available under permissive licenses that allow modification and redistribution. Always review the LICENSE file included with the source code for specific terms.

The desktop Arduino IDE does not collect personal data or telemetry. Your sketches, settings, and usage patterns remain entirely on your local machine. If you choose to use the Arduino Cloud or online editor, separate privacy policies apply to those services.