2026 Embedded Developer Survey Results
We surveyed over 2,000 embedded engineers on tools, frameworks, and pain points — here are the trends that stood out.
#What Embedded Engineers Are Saying
We ran our second annual Embedded Developer Survey in January 2026, with over 2,000 respondents from hobbyists to senior engineers at Fortune 500 companies. The results reveal where the industry is heading — and where frustration remains highest.
#Tooling and Workflow
KiCad usage jumped to 42% (up from 34% in 2025), while Altium held steady at 28%. Open-source tooling continues to gain ground, especially among startups and indie developers. The biggest gripe: fragmented workflows. Design in one tool, BOM in another, procurement somewhere else. 67% said they'd pay for better integration.
Rust for embedded saw a significant uptick — 18% have tried it, up from 11%. C and C++ remain dominant, but the appetite for alternatives is growing.
#Pain Points and Priorities
Component availability still tops the list. 71% reported supply chain issues in the past year, with lead times and obsolescence as major concerns. Engineers want tools that help them find alternates and track availability in real time.
Documentation quality ranked second. Engineers spend hours translating datasheets into actionable design decisions. Better tooling around component selection and verification could save weeks per project.