Wokwi is a browser-based simulator for electronics and embedded systems. It lets developers test code for boards such as the Arduino, ESP32, STM32, ATtiny85, and Raspberry Pi Pico without owning any physical hardware, simulating both the microcontroller and the components wired to it.
What Wokwi simulates
Beyond running microcontroller code, Wokwi models the electrical behavior of sensors, displays, motors, and other parts connected to a virtual breadboard, so a project can be wired and tested entirely on screen. It also simulates WiFi connectivity, including MQTT, HTTP, and NTP, which lets developers test internet-of-things projects that would normally require a live network connection.
Debugging and testing tools
Wokwi includes a virtual logic analyzer for inspecting UART, I2C, and SPI signals, along with GDB debugging support for Arduino and Raspberry Pi Pico projects. A continuous integration tool called Wokwi CI allows teams to run automated hardware tests as part of their normal software build pipeline, and the platform can detect memory leaks in ESP-IDF firmware during those automated runs.
Editor integration and extensibility
A Wokwi extension for Visual Studio Code lets developers simulate an embedded project directly inside their usual code editor rather than switching to a separate browser tab. Wokwi also exposes a Chips API that lets developers define custom virtual components, extending the simulator beyond its built-in library of boards and parts.
Who uses Wokwi
Wokwi is free for personal projects, which has made it popular with students, hobbyists, and educators teaching embedded systems and the internet of things, since a class can run entirely without a classroom full of physical boards and wiring. Commercial and professional users, including teams running Wokwi CI in production pipelines, use paid plans.
FAQs
Is Wokwi free? Wokwi is free for personal use, while commercial and professional features require a paid plan.
What boards does Wokwi support? Wokwi supports Arduino boards, the ESP32, STM32, ATtiny85, Raspberry Pi Pico, and many other microcontrollers and parts.
Can Wokwi simulate WiFi and internet features? Yes, Wokwi simulates WiFi connectivity along with MQTT, HTTP, and NTP, so internet-of-things projects can be tested without a live network.
Does Wokwi work with Visual Studio Code? Yes, a Wokwi extension lets developers simulate embedded projects directly inside Visual Studio Code.
More in Computer Science
Key facts
- Simulates Arduino, ESP32, STM32, ATtiny85, Raspberry Pi Pico, and other boards in a browser.1
- Simulates WiFi, MQTT, HTTP, and NTP for testing internet-of-things projects.1
- Includes a logic analyzer, GDB debugging, and a CI tool called Wokwi CI.1
- Free for personal use, with paid plans for commercial and professional users.1
Quick checkWhat is Wokwi used for?Show answer
Wokwi is used to write, wire, and test embedded electronics and IoT code in a browser, without needing to buy the physical microcontroller boards and parts.
Sources
- Wokwi Documentation, Welcome to Wokwi, https://docs.wokwi.com/
Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 9, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue