Softwr

Cloud · head to head

IBM Cloud vs Keil MDK

IBM Cloud logo

IBM Cloud

Cloud

Enterprise cloud solutions from a trusted partner

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Full reviewWebsite
Keil MDK logo

Keil MDK

Developer Tools

Microcontroller Development Kit for Arm-based devices

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: IBM Cloud the USD 200 starter cloud credit is valid for 30 days only; Keil MDK pricing for Essential and Professional subscriptions not disclosed on primary site
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which IBM Cloud and Keil MDK actually diverge.

Attributes where IBM Cloud and Keil MDK differ
AttributeIBM CloudKeil MDK
Pricing modelusage-basedfreemium
PlatformsLinux, Windows, Api, CliWeb
CategoryCloudDeveloper Tools
Founded2013Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in IBM Cloud

  • Virtual Servers
  • Bare Metal
  • Cloud Foundry
  • Kubernetes
  • Watson AI
  • Blockchain
  • Databases
  • API Gateway

Only in Keil MDK

Nothing recorded that IBM Cloud does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

IBM Cloud

  • Running containerized and VM workloads on IBM's public cloudnot Keil MDK
  • Building on Watson APIs and IBM middleware as managed servicesnot Keil MDK

Keil MDK

  • Embedded software developmentnot IBM Cloud
  • ARM microcontroller programmingnot IBM Cloud
  • Professional development environmentsnot IBM Cloud

Where each one falls short

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

IBM Cloud

  • The USD 200 starter cloud credit is valid for 30 days only
  • The larger promotional credits are time boxed: USD 1,000 for Bare Metal Servers for VPC over 120 days, USD 2,500 for Power Virtual Server over 90 days, and USD 5,000 for Backup and Recovery over 90 days
  • The USD 5,000 Backup and Recovery promotion is valid for new clients only and requires a checkout promo code
  • The listed promotions carry an expiry date of 31 December 2026
  • Beyond the free tier the account is pay as you go, so cost tracks usage with no published cap

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

IBM Cloud

Free
  • Lite PlanFree
    • Free services
    • Limited resources
    • 30-day trial
  • Standard PlanFree
    • Pay-as-you-go
    • Enterprise support
    • Advanced services

Keil MDK

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Keil MDK review.

Which should you pick?

Choose IBM Cloud if

  • You need virtual servers.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Windows, Api, Cli.
  • You also want bare metal.
IBM Cloud review

Choose Keil MDK if

  • You want to start without paying.
Keil MDK review

Questions people ask

Is IBM Cloud or Keil MDK better?
Neither clearly leads. IBM Cloud starts at Free and Keil MDK at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, IBM Cloud or Keil MDK?
IBM Cloud starts at Free and Keil MDK at Free.
Does IBM Cloud or Keil MDK run on more platforms?
IBM Cloud runs on Linux, Windows, Api, Cli. Keil MDK runs on Web.
Can I use IBM Cloud for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is IBM Cloud best used for?
IBM Cloud is most often used for running containerized and vm workloads on ibm's public cloud, building on watson apis and ibm middleware as managed services. Of those, running containerized and vm workloads on ibm's public cloud and building on watson apis and ibm middleware as managed services are not what Keil MDK is typically brought in for.
What can IBM Cloud do that Keil MDK cannot?
IBM Cloud covers Virtual Servers, Bare Metal, Cloud Foundry, Kubernetes.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
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
Share

Related pages

More on IBM Cloud

More on Keil MDK

Keep looking

Other head to heads