FreeRTOS
Open-source real-time OS
An open-source real-time operating system (RTOS) under the MIT license for microcontrollers; AWS adds libraries for secure connectivity to IoT Core, OTA updates, and long-term support (LTS).
- Cost$ Low
- Difficulty●●●●●
- Costs money when idle?No
- Self-managed
Think of it asLike a minimal brain for small devices such as sensors or smart plugs.
When to use it
✓ Use it when
Programming low-resource microcontrollers that need secure cloud connectivity.
✗ Avoid it when
Devices powerful enough to run Linux that need edge processing → IoT Greengrass.
Common uses
- Sensor firmware connecting to IoT Core
- Smart home appliances
- OTA firmware updates for microcontrollers
What does it cost?
- Pricing model: Free (open source); you only pay for the AWS services the device uses, such as IoT Core.
