What is FreeRTOS?
FreeRTOS is an open-source, cloud-neutral real-time operating system for microcontrollers and one of the most widely deployed RTOS in the world. Originally developed as a kernel for real-time task scheduling, AWS maintains and extends FreeRTOS with a comprehensive ecosystem for IoT connectivity: secure TLS connections, an MQTT client, an HTTP client, OTA update mechanisms, and more. FreeRTOS is not limited to AWS and can also be used without any AWS connection or with other cloud platforms.
The operating system runs on microcontrollers with very low resource requirements (a few kilobytes of RAM and flash storage, depending on configuration). Its real-time capability guarantees deterministic response times, qualifying FreeRTOS for time-critical applications.
AWS offers pre-configured FreeRTOS packages for numerous development boards across more than 40 microcontroller architectures, along with Long-Term Support (LTS) releases and an optional Extended Maintenance Plan (EMP) for long-term supported versions. Integration with IoT Core, Device Shadow, and OTA updates makes FreeRTOS a popular platform for MCU-based IoT devices in the AWS cloud.
Core Features
- RTOS Kernel: Deterministic task scheduling with priorities
- coreMQTT: Lightweight MQTT client for cloud communication
- TLS Library: Secure connections with mbedTLS or wolfSSL
- OTA Updates: Over-the-air firmware updates for devices in the field
- Device Shadow: Offline-capable state synchronization with the cloud
- Portability: Support for ARM Cortex-M, RISC-V, Xtensa, and over 40 other architectures
- Long-Term Support: LTS releases and an optional Extended Maintenance Plan (EMP) for long-term stable versions
Typical Use Cases
Sensor Nodes: Battery-powered sensors capture environmental data and transmit it via MQTT to IoT Core. FreeRTOS optimizes power consumption through sleep modes between measurement intervals.
Industrial Controllers: Real-time control tasks (motor control, control loops) are executed locally on the microcontroller. In parallel, FreeRTOS sends operational data to the cloud for monitoring and predictive maintenance.
Consumer IoT: Smart devices like thermostats, locks, or lighting systems use FreeRTOS for the combination of local control and cloud connectivity.
Benefits
- Open source under the MIT license, no licensing costs
- Runs on microcontrollers with minimal resources
- Deterministic real-time capability
- Broad hardware support across hundreds of MCU families
- Native AWS IoT integration
Integration with innFactory
As an AWS reseller, innFactory supports you with FreeRTOS: porting to your hardware, implementing secure cloud connectivity, OTA update infrastructure, and integration with AWS IoT Core for production-ready IoT devices.
Typical Use Cases
Frequently Asked Questions
What is FreeRTOS?
FreeRTOS is an open-source, cloud-neutral real-time operating system (RTOS) for microcontrollers. AWS maintains and extends FreeRTOS with libraries for secure cloud connectivity: TLS, MQTT, HTTP, OTA updates, and more. FreeRTOS runs on ARM Cortex-M, RISC-V, and over 40 other MCU architectures, and it is not limited to use with AWS.
How does FreeRTOS differ from Linux-based systems?
FreeRTOS is optimized for microcontrollers with tightly constrained resources, running on just a few kilobytes of RAM and flash storage, while Linux requires significantly more memory and a more powerful processor. FreeRTOS provides deterministic real-time capability, while Linux is a general-purpose operating system. For simple sensors and actuators, FreeRTOS is often the right choice.
Is FreeRTOS really free?
Yes, FreeRTOS is licensed under the MIT license and is completely free, including for commercial use. AWS provides the kernel, libraries, and reference implementations at no cost. Only the usual AWS charges apply when devices communicate with IoT Core.
Note: All product information on this page has been compiled with care, but is provided without guarantee and may be outdated or incomplete. Cloud services evolve rapidly — features, pricing, SLAs, and availability change frequently. Authoritative and up-to-date information can only be found on the official product page of AWS (official documentation). This page does not represent an offer by AWS.