solderic.com The STM32 Blue Pill and Black Pill both offer compact development boards featuring STM32 microcontrollers, but the Black Pill typically provides more GPIO pins, higher clock speeds, and enhanced memory capacities, making it ideal for more complex projects. Explore the detailed comparison to determine which board best suits your development needs.
Comparison Table
| Feature | STM32 Blue Pill | STM32 Black Pill |
|---|---|---|
| Microcontroller | STM32F103C8T6 (Cortex-M3) | STM32F407VET6 (Cortex-M4) |
| Core Clock Speed | 72 MHz | 168 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 64 KB | 512 KB |
| SRAM | 20 KB | 192 KB |
| USB Support | Optional (Requires external components) | Full USB OTG support |
| Operating Voltage | 3.3V | 3.3V |
| GPIO Pins | 37 | 42 |
| ADC Resolution | 12-bit | 12-bit |
| Communication Interfaces | UART, SPI, I2C | UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, Ethernet (via external PHY) |
| Dimensions | 52.4mm x 21.0mm | 55mm x 18mm |
| Cost | Low-cost (~$2-$3) | Moderate (~$5-$8) |
Introduction to STM32 Blue Pill and Black Pill
STM32 Blue Pill and Black Pill are compact development boards powered by ARM Cortex-M microcontrollers, widely used for embedded system projects. The Blue Pill features an STM32F103C8T6 MCU with a 72 MHz Cortex-M3 core, 20 KB RAM, and 64 KB flash memory, while the Black Pill typically includes the STM32F401 or STM32F411 MCU, offering higher clock speeds up to 100 MHz or 84 MHz respectively, with more RAM and flash storage. Both boards support various peripherals like GPIO, ADC, UART, and USB, but the Black Pill provides enhanced performance and additional features suitable for more demanding applications.
Key Specifications Comparison
The STM32 Blue Pill features the STM32F103C8T6 microcontroller with an ARM Cortex-M3 core running at 72 MHz, 64 KB flash memory, and 20 KB RAM, while the Black Pill typically houses the STM32F405RCT6 with a more powerful ARM Cortex-M4 core clocked at 168 MHz, 512 KB flash memory, and 192 KB RAM. The Black Pill supports more advanced peripherals like a 3-axis accelerometer interface and has higher ADC resolution (12-bit) compared to the Blue Pill's basic 12-bit ADC, enhancing its capability for complex applications. In terms of connectivity, the Black Pill provides additional interfaces including USB OTG and more UART channels, making it a superior choice for projects requiring higher performance and more extensive communication options.
Performance Differences
The STM32 Blue Pill features an ARM Cortex-M3 core running at 72 MHz, offering solid performance for general embedded applications. In contrast, the STM32 Black Pill uses a more powerful ARM Cortex-M4 core at up to 168 MHz, delivering significantly faster processing speeds and enhanced DSP capabilities. Your projects demanding higher computational power and real-time signal processing will benefit from the Black Pill's superior performance.
Board Layout and Pinout Variations
The STM32 Blue Pill and Black Pill differ significantly in board layout and pinout, with the Blue Pill typically featuring an STM32F103C8T6 microcontroller and a more compact 2.54mm pin spacing, while the Black Pill uses an upgraded STM32F4 series chip and often provides additional pins and peripherals for enhanced functionality. The Black Pill's pinout supports more advanced communication interfaces such as CAN and has a more organized arrangement to facilitate easier prototyping and expansion. When choosing your board, consider how these pinout variations impact ease of integration with sensors, displays, and other modules in your project.
Memory and Storage Capabilities
The STM32 Blue Pill typically features an ARM Cortex-M3 core with 64KB of Flash memory and 20KB of SRAM, sufficient for many basic embedded applications. In contrast, the STM32 Black Pill often comes with an ARM Cortex-M4 core and significantly expanded storage, commonly offering 128KB to 512KB of Flash memory and 20KB to 128KB of SRAM. Your choice between these two should consider the memory and storage requirements of your project, as the Black Pill provides enhanced capacity suitable for more complex or memory-intensive applications.
USB Connectivity and Features
The STM32 Blue Pill offers limited USB connectivity with a basic full-speed USB 2.0 interface suitable for simple device applications, while the Black Pill includes advanced USB features like USB OTG (On-The-Go) support, enabling your projects to function as both host and device. The Black Pill's enhanced USB capabilities facilitate more complex data communications and peripheral integrations, making it ideal for demanding embedded applications. Choosing the Black Pill ensures better USB performance and versatility for your development needs.
Programming and Development Environment
The STM32 Blue Pill and Black Pill boards both support programming via popular Integrated Development Environments like STM32CubeIDE and PlatformIO, leveraging ARM Cortex-M microcontrollers. The Blue Pill features an STM32F103C8T6 MCU, offering widespread compatibility with various toolchains and abundant community examples, while the Black Pill, often equipped with STM32F411CE or STM32F446RE MCUs, provides enhanced performance and supports higher-level development frameworks such as Mbed OS. USB-to-serial interfaces on both boards enable seamless programming through ST-Link or USB DFU modes, facilitating efficient firmware uploading and debugging.
Compatibility with Shields and Modules
The STM32 Blue Pill and Black Pill differ significantly in compatibility with shields and modules due to their pin configurations and microcontroller cores. Blue Pill, based on the STM32F103C8, offers broad compatibility with STM32 shields and standard Arduino modules, making it suitable for beginner prototyping. Black Pill, featuring the more advanced STM32F4 series, supports a wider range of high-performance sensors and communication modules but may require custom adapters for some shields designed specifically for the Blue Pill's pin layout.
Pricing and Availability
The STM32 Blue Pill remains one of the most cost-effective development boards, typically priced between $2 and $5, making it highly accessible for hobbyists and educators. In contrast, the STM32 Black Pill commands a slightly higher price range, around $5 to $10, due to enhanced features and improved hardware specifications. Both boards enjoy widespread availability through major electronics distributors and platforms like AliExpress, Amazon, and eBay, ensuring easy procurement worldwide.
Which One to Choose? (Use Case Recommendations)
The STM32 Blue Pill offers a cost-effective solution with an STM32F103C8T6 microcontroller suitable for basic projects requiring moderate processing power and peripherals like GPIO, ADC, and UART. The Black Pill, often based on the STM32F411 or STM32F401 series, provides higher clock speeds, more RAM, and enhanced capabilities ideal for complex applications such as real-time audio processing, advanced sensor fusion, or USB-C interfacing. Choose the Blue Pill for budget-conscious, straightforward tasks, while the Black Pill is better suited for performance-intensive projects demanding greater memory and computational speed.
STM32 Blue Pill vs Black Pill Infographic
