ESP32 vs. STM32: Which one is better?
2.4GHz~2.5GHz Bluetooth, WiFi -40°C~85°C 2.7V~3.6V ADC, GPIO, I2C, I2S, PWM, SDIO, SPI, UART 150Mbps 20.5dBm 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth v4.2 + EDR, Class 1, 2 and 3 -97dBm Module









2.4GHz~2.5GHz Bluetooth, WiFi -40°C~85°C 2.7V~3.6V ADC, GPIO, I2C, I2S, PWM, SDIO, SPI, UART 150Mbps 20.5dBm 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth v4.2 + EDR, Class 1, 2 and 3 -97dBm Module
ESP32 is a series of low-cost, low-power systems on a chip microcontroller with integrated Wi-Fi and dual-mode Bluetooth. STM32 is a family of 32-bit microcontroller integrated circuits by STMicroelectronics. This article is going to cover the differences between STM32 and ESP32 from the perspective of description, Arduino, CAD Model, features, and more details.

#345 ESP32 vs STM32: Which one is better (Bluepill)?
ESP32 Description
ESP32 is a series of low-cost, low-power systems on a chip microcontroller with integrated Wi-Fi and dual-mode Bluetooth. The ESP32 series employs either a Tensilica Xtensa LX6 microprocessor in both dual-core and single-core variations, Xtensa LX7 dual-core microprocessor, or a single-core RISC-V microprocessor and includes built-in antenna switches, RF balun, power amplifier, low-noise receive amplifier, filters, and power management modules. ESP32 is created and developed by Espressif Systems, a Shanghai-based Chinese company, and is manufactured by TSMC using its 40 nm process. It is a successor to the ESP8266 microcontroller.
STM32 Description
STM32 is a family of microcontroller ICs based on the 32-bit RISC ARM Cortex-M3 3F, Cortex-M7F, Cortex-M4F, Cortex-M3, Cortex-M0+, and Cortex-M0 cores. STMicroelectronics licenses the ARM Processor IP from ARM Holdings. The ARM core designs have numerous configurable options, and ST chooses the individual configuration to use for each design. ST attaches its own peripherals to the core before converting the design into a silicon die. The following tables summarize the STM32 microcontroller families.
Comparison of Arduinos of the ESP8266 vs. ESP32

Running the Loop a million times and analyzing how many milliseconds each microcontroller took for such actions. The table above shows that the Arduino Uno took 4.920 milliseconds, while the ESP32 needed only 164ms.
Comparison of features of the ESP32 vs. STM32
Features of the ESP32 include the following:
Processors:
CPU: Xtensa dual-core (or single-core) 32-bit LX6 microprocessor, operating at 160 or 240 MHz and performing at up to 600 DMIPS
Ultra-low-power (ULP) co-processor
Memory: 320 KiB RAM, 448 KiB ROM
Wireless connectivity:
Wi-Fi: 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth: v4.2 BR/EDR and BLE (shares the radio with Wi-Fi)
Peripheral interfaces:
34 × programmable GPIOs
12-bit SAR ADC up to 18 channels
2 × 8-bit DACs
10 × touch sensors (capacitive sensing GPIOs)
4 × SPI
2 × I²S interfaces
2 × I²C interfaces
3 × UART
SD/SDIO/CE-ATA/MMC/eMMC host controller
SDIO/SPI slave controller
Ethernet MAC interface with dedicated DMA and planned IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol support
CAN bus 2.0
Infrared remote controller (TX/RX, up to 8 channels)
Motor PWM
LED PWM (up to 16 channels)
Hall effect sensor
Ultra-low-power analog pre-amplifier
Features of the STM32 F4 include the following:
Core:
ARM Cortex-M4F core at a maximum clock rate of 84 / 100 / 168 / 180 MHz.
Memory:
Static RAM consists of up to 192 KB general-purpose, 64 KB core-coupled memory (CCM), 4 KB battery-backed, 80 bytes battery-backed with tamper-detection erase.
Flash consists of 512 / 1024 / 2048 KB general-purpose, 30 KB system boot, 512 bytes one-time programmable (OTP), 16 option bytes.
Each chip has a factory-programmed 96-bit unique device identifier number.
Peripherals:
Common peripherals included in all IC packages are USB 2.0 OTG HS and FS, two CAN 2.0B, one SPI + two SPI or full-duplex I²S, three I²C, four USART, two UART, SDIO for SD/MMC cards, twelve 16-bit timers, two 32-bit timers, two watchdog timers, temperature sensor, 16 or 24 channels into three ADCs, two DACs, 51 to 140 GPIOs, sixteen DMA, improved real-time clock (RTC), cyclic redundancy check (CRC) engine, random number generator (RNG) engine. Larger IC packages add 8/16-bit external memory bus capabilities.
The STM32F4x7 models add Ethernet MAC and camera interface.
The STM32F41x/43x models add a cryptographic processor for DES / TDES / AES and a hash processor for SHA-1 and MD5.
The STM32F4x9 models add an LCD-TFT controller.
Oscillators consist of internal (16 MHz, 32 kHz), optional external (4 to 26 MHz, 32.768 to 1000 kHz).
IC packages: WLCSP64, LQFP64, LQFP100, LQFP144, LQFP176, UFBGA176. STM32F429/439 also offers LQFP208 and UFBGA216.
The operating voltage range is 1.8 to 3.6 volt.
Specifications
- TypeParameter
- Factory Lead Time4 Weeks
- Mounting Type
The "Mounting Type" in electronic components refers to the method used to attach or connect a component to a circuit board or other substrate, such as through-hole, surface-mount, or panel mount.
Surface Mount - Package / Case
refers to the protective housing that encases an electronic component, providing mechanical support, electrical connections, and thermal management.
Module - Operating Temperature
The operating temperature is the range of ambient temperature within which a power supply, or any other electrical equipment, operate in. This ranges from a minimum operating temperature, to a peak or maximum operating temperature, outside which, the power supply may fail.
-40°C~85°C - Part Status
Parts can have many statuses as they progress through the configuration, analysis, review, and approval stages.
Active - Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL)
Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL) is a standardized rating that indicates the susceptibility of electronic components, particularly semiconductors, to moisture-induced damage during storage and the soldering process, defining the allowable exposure time to ambient conditions before they require special handling or baking to prevent failures
Not Applicable - Voltage - Supply
Voltage - Supply refers to the range of voltage levels that an electronic component or circuit is designed to operate with. It indicates the minimum and maximum supply voltage that can be applied for the device to function properly. Providing supply voltages outside this range can lead to malfunction, damage, or reduced performance. This parameter is critical for ensuring compatibility between different components in a circuit.
2.7V~3.6V - Frequency
In electronic components, the parameter "Frequency" refers to the rate at which a signal oscillates or cycles within a given period of time. It is typically measured in Hertz (Hz) and represents how many times a signal completes a full cycle in one second. Frequency is a crucial aspect in electronic components as it determines the behavior and performance of various devices such as oscillators, filters, and communication systems. Understanding the frequency characteristics of components is essential for designing and analyzing electronic circuits to ensure proper functionality and compatibility with other components in a system.
2.4GHz~2.5GHz - Data Rate
Data Rate is defined as the amount of data transmitted during a specified time period over a network. It is the speed at which data is transferred from one device to another or between a peripheral device and the computer. It is generally measured in Mega bits per second(Mbps) or Mega bytes per second(MBps).
150Mbps - Protocol
In electronic components, the parameter "Protocol" refers to a set of rules and standards that govern the communication between devices. It defines the format, timing, sequencing, and error checking methods for data exchange between different components or systems. Protocols ensure that devices can understand and interpret data correctly, enabling them to communicate effectively with each other. Common examples of protocols in electronics include USB, Ethernet, SPI, I2C, and Bluetooth, each with its own specifications for data transmission. Understanding and adhering to protocols is essential for ensuring compatibility and reliable communication between electronic devices.
802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth v4.2 + EDR, Class 1, 2 and 3 - Power - Output
Power Output in electronic components refers to the amount of electrical power that a device can deliver to a load. It is typically measured in watts and indicates the effectiveness of the component in converting electrical energy into usable work or signal. Power Output can vary based on the component's design, operating conditions, and intended application, making it a critical factor in the performance of amplifiers, power supplies, and other electronic devices. Understanding the Power Output helps in selecting appropriate components for specific applications to ensure efficiency and reliability.
20.5dBm - RF Family/Standard
The parameter "RF Family/Standard" in electronic components refers to the specific radio frequency (RF) technology or standard that the component complies with or is designed for. RF technology encompasses a wide range of frequencies used for wireless communication, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular networks, and more. Different RF standards dictate the frequency bands, modulation techniques, data rates, and other specifications for communication systems. Understanding the RF family/standard of a component is crucial for ensuring compatibility and optimal performance in RF applications.
Bluetooth, WiFi - Sensitivity
Sensitivity in electronic components refers to the degree to which the output of a device responds to changes in input. It indicates how effectively a component translates a specific input signal into an observable output. High sensitivity means that even small variations in input can produce significant changes in output, making the device more responsive to signals. Sensitivity is crucial in applications where precise measurements or signal detection are required.
-97dBm - Serial Interfaces
A serial interface is a communication interface between two digital systems that transmits data as a series of voltage pulses down a wire. Essentially, the serial interface encodes the bits of a binary number by their "temporal" location on a wire rather than their "spatial" location within a set of wires.
ADC, GPIO, I2C, I2S, PWM, SDIO, SPI, UART - Modulation
In electronic components, modulation refers to the process of varying one or more properties of a periodic waveform, known as the carrier signal, in order to encode information. This modulation technique is commonly used in communication systems to transmit data efficiently over long distances. By modulating the carrier signal, information such as audio, video, or data can be embedded onto the signal for transmission and then demodulated at the receiving end to retrieve the original information. There are various types of modulation techniques, including amplitude modulation (AM), frequency modulation (FM), and phase modulation (PM), each with its own advantages and applications in different communication systems.
CCK, DSSS, OFDM - RoHS Status
RoHS means “Restriction of Certain Hazardous Substances” in the “Hazardous Substances Directive” in electrical and electronic equipment.
RoHS Compliant
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