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Developer Tools · head to head

Keil MDK vs Shortcut

Keil MDK logo

Keil MDK

Developer Tools

Microcontroller Development Kit for Arm-based devices

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Full reviewWebsite
Shortcut logo

Shortcut

Technology

Project management for software teams

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Keil MDK pricing for Essential and Professional subscriptions not disclosed on primary site; Shortcut limited reporting compared to Jira
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Keil MDK and Shortcut actually diverge.

Attributes where Keil MDK and Shortcut differ
AttributeKeil MDKShortcut
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
PlatformsWebWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux
CategoryDeveloper ToolsTechnology
FoundedUnknown2014

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 Keil MDK

Nothing recorded that Shortcut does not also cover.

Only in Shortcut

  • Stories & epics
  • Iterations (sprints)
  • Kanban boards
  • Roadmaps
  • Reporting
  • Docs
  • API & webhooks
  • Mobile apps

What people use each for

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

Keil MDK

  • Embedded software developmentnot Shortcut
  • ARM microcontroller programmingnot Shortcut
  • Professional development environmentsnot Shortcut

Shortcut

  • Sprint planningnot Keil MDK
  • Bug trackingnot Keil MDK
  • Feature developmentnot Keil MDK
  • Product roadmappingnot Keil MDK
  • Team collaborationnot Keil MDK

Where each one falls short

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

Keil MDK

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

Shortcut

  • Limited reporting compared to Jira
  • Designed specifically for software teams, not general project management
  • Can experience slow loading times with very large projects

Pricing, plan by plan

Keil MDK

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Keil MDK review.

Shortcut

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Kanban boards
    • Sprints
    • Roadmaps
  • Team$8.5/user/month
    • Unlimited users
    • Advanced reports
    • WIP limits
  • Business$12/user/month
    • Unlimited workspaces
    • OKRs
    • Advanced custom fields
  • Enterprise$undefined/custom
    • Volume discounts
    • SSO/SCIM
    • Premier support

Which should you pick?

Choose Keil MDK if

  • You want to start without paying.
Keil MDK review

Choose Shortcut if

  • You need stories & epics.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, macOS, Windows, Linux.
  • You also want iterations (sprints).
Shortcut review

Questions people ask

Is Keil MDK or Shortcut better?
Neither clearly leads. Keil MDK starts at Free and Shortcut at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Keil MDK or Shortcut?
Keil MDK starts at Free and Shortcut at Free.
Does Keil MDK or Shortcut run on more platforms?
Keil MDK runs on Web. Shortcut runs on Web, macOS, Windows, Linux.
Can I use Keil MDK for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Keil MDK best used for?
Keil MDK is most often used for embedded software development, arm microcontroller programming, professional development environments. Of those, embedded software development and arm microcontroller programming are not what Shortcut is typically brought in for.
What can Keil MDK do that Shortcut cannot?
Shortcut covers Stories & epics, Iterations (sprints), Kanban boards, Roadmaps.

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
Shortcut: Does Shortcut have a free plan?

Yes, Shortcut offers a free plan for up to 10 users with core features like kanban boards, roadmaps, sprints, and reports. Paid plans start at $8.50 per user per month.

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
Shortcut: Does Shortcut integrate with GitHub?

Yes, Shortcut has native GitHub integration that automatically syncs pull requests and commits to stories, and includes GitLab and Bitbucket support as well.

Source
Shortcut: Can I use Shortcut for non-technical projects?

Shortcut is built for software teams, though you can customize workflows for other use cases. Linear and Asana may be better suited for non-technical project management.

Source
Shortcut: Does Shortcut support SSO and SCIM?

Yes, SSO and SCIM support are available on the Enterprise plan, allowing centralized identity management for large organizations.

Source
Shortcut: What's the difference between Shortcut and Jira?

Shortcut is lighter and faster with less setup required, while Jira offers deeper customization and enterprise features. Shortcut works better for modern software teams wanting simplicity; Jira suits enterprises needing extensive configuration.

Source
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