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Developer Tools · head to head

GNAT Pro vs Keil MDK

GNAT Pro logo

GNAT Pro

Developer Tools

Software development environments and toolchains for Ada, C/C++ and Rust

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Keil MDK logo

Keil MDK

Developer Tools

Microcontroller Development Kit for Arm-based devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Keil MDK has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: GNAT Pro no pricing published on website; requires contacting AdaCore directly for quotes; Keil MDK pricing for Essential and Professional subscriptions not disclosed on primary site
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which GNAT Pro and Keil MDK actually diverge.

Attributes where GNAT Pro and Keil MDK differ
AttributeGNAT ProKeil MDK
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelquotefreemium
Free tierNoYes

Identical on both: platforms (Web), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Developer Tools).

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

GNAT Pro

  • Building certified avionics software meeting DO-178B/C standardsnot Keil MDK
  • Developing automotive embedded systems with ISO-26262 compliancenot Keil MDK
  • Integrating Ada, C/C++, and Rust components in single codebasenot Keil MDK
  • Managing software supply chain vulnerabilities and SBOMsnot Keil MDK
  • Supporting long-lived software systems spanning decadesnot Keil MDK

Keil MDK

  • Embedded software developmentnot GNAT Pro
  • ARM microcontroller programmingnot GNAT Pro
  • Professional development environmentsnot GNAT Pro

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

GNAT Pro

  • No pricing published on website; requires contacting AdaCore directly for quotes
  • Vendor indicates per-user, per-year subscription model but does not disclose specific costs

Keil MDK

  • Pricing for Essential and Professional subscriptions not disclosed on primary site
  • Customers must contact Arm Developer Tools store for subscription rates

Pricing, plan by plan

GNAT Pro

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the GNAT Pro review.

Keil MDK

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Keil MDK review.

Which should you pick?

Choose GNAT Pro if

Nothing in the data separates GNAT Pro from Keil MDK on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

GNAT Pro review

Choose Keil MDK if

  • You want to start without paying.
Keil MDK review

Questions people ask

Is GNAT Pro or Keil MDK better?
Neither clearly leads. GNAT Pro starts at On request and Keil MDK at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, GNAT Pro or Keil MDK?
Keil MDK has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for GNAT Pro and Free for Keil MDK.
Does GNAT Pro or Keil MDK run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Keil MDK for free?
Yes. Keil MDK has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. GNAT Pro starts at On request.
What is GNAT Pro best used for?
GNAT Pro is most often used for building certified avionics software meeting do-178b/c standards, developing automotive embedded systems with iso-26262 compliance, integrating ada, c/c++, and rust components in single codebase, managing software supply chain vulnerabilities and sboms. Of those, building certified avionics software meeting do-178b/c standards and developing automotive embedded systems with iso-26262 compliance are not what Keil MDK is typically brought in for.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

GNAT Pro: How much does GNAT Pro cost?

GNAT Pro pricing is not published on the website. Customers must request a pricing quote by contacting AdaCore directly or speaking with a GNAT Pro expert.

Source
Keil MDK: Does Keil MDK have a free version?

Yes, Keil MDK Community Edition is free for non-commercial projects. Essential and Professional editions are available as monthly or annual subscriptions.

Source
GNAT Pro: What is GNAT Pro licensing model?

GNAT Pro is sold on a per-user, per-year basis with no license locks. Customers can request pricing for their specific needs.

Source
Keil MDK: How much do Keil MDK paid editions cost?

Specific pricing for Essential and Professional editions is not published on the main site. Rates are available from the Arm Developer Tools store or by contacting Arm sales.

Source
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