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Windows 10 IoT VS Azure IoT Edge

Compare Windows 10 IoT VS Azure IoT Edge and see what are their differences

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Windows 10 IoT logo Windows 10 IoT

The operating system built for your Internet of Things

Azure IoT Edge logo Azure IoT Edge

Connect cloud intelligence to your edge devices with Azure IoT Edge, a comprehensive service that deploys artificial intelligence and custom logic to all IoT devices.
  • Windows 10 IoT Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-19
  • Azure IoT Edge Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-02-11

Windows 10 IoT features and specs

  • Cost-effectiveness
    Windows 10 IoT comes in various editions suitable for different needs and budgets, particularly the Windows 10 IoT Core version, which is free and intended for smaller IoT solutions.
  • Integration with Microsoft Ecosystem
    Easy integration with other Microsoft services and technologies, such as Azure IoT Hub and Cortana, streamlines development and extends capabilities.
  • Security
    Includes security features like device lockdown, BitLocker, and Secure Boot, which are essential for protecting IoT devices and data.
  • Familiar Development Environment
    Supports familiar development environments and languages, like Visual Studio and .NET, making it easier for developers to create solutions without a steep learning curve.
  • Hardware Compatibility
    Supports a broad range of hardware platforms and is suitable for various types of IoT devices, from small sensors to more complex industrial machines.

Possible disadvantages of Windows 10 IoT

  • Resource Intensity
    Compared to other IoT operating systems like Linux-based options or RTOS, Windows 10 IoT may require more resources, which can be a constraint for very low-power devices.
  • Limited Community Support
    While Microsoft provides official support, the community around Windows 10 IoT is not as large or active as those around some open-source alternatives, potentially making troubleshooting and development slower.
  • Licensing Cost for Advanced Versions
    Higher versions of Windows 10 IoT, such as Enterprise, may involve licensing costs, which could be prohibitive for small projects or startups.
  • Limited Real-time Capabilities
    Windows 10 IoT is generally not ideal for applications that require real-time processing capabilities due to its architecture, which is not as optimized for real-time operations as some RTOS alternatives.

Azure IoT Edge features and specs

  • Cloud Intelligence on Edge
    Azure IoT Edge allows you to bring cloud intelligence locally by running AI, analytics, and machine learning models on edge devices, enabling real-time decision-making and reduced latency.
  • Offline Capabilities
    IoT Edge can operate independently without continuous cloud connectivity, ensuring that operations continue in remote or intermittent connectivity environments.
  • Scalability
    It supports the seamless deployment and scaling of workloads across multiple devices, allowing businesses to expand their IoT infrastructure without substantial overhead.
  • Security
    Azure IoT Edge offers enterprise-grade security, providing features like device authentication and data encryption, enhancing the protection of edge devices and data.
  • Integration with Azure Services
    The platform integrates well with other Azure services, enabling users to leverage a wide range of tools for analytics, monitoring, and management in a cohesive ecosystem.

Possible disadvantages of Azure IoT Edge

  • Complexity
    Setting up and managing IoT Edge solutions can be complex and may require specialized knowledge and expertise, potentially leading to higher development and maintenance costs.
  • Resource Intensive
    Running certain workloads on edge devices can be resource-intensive, potentially requiring more powerful hardware and increasing the cost.
  • Dependency on Azure Ecosystem
    While beneficial in integration, relying heavily on the Azure ecosystem might limit flexibility or increase dependency on Microsoft's platform.
  • Initial Costs
    There may be significant initial costs involved in setting up and deploying IoT Edge infrastructure, which might be a barrier for small or budget-constrained organizations.
  • Updates and Management
    Managing updates and ensuring all edge devices are consistently synchronized and up to date can be challenging, especially in large deployments.

Windows 10 IoT videos

+ Add

Windows 10 IoT (Internet of Things) Core Demo

More videos:

  • Review - Windows 10 IoT core First boot

Azure IoT Edge videos

+ Add

Azure IoT Edge: architecture, demo on Raspberry Pi, pricing

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Windows 10 IoT and Azure IoT Edge)

Windows 10 IoT

Azure IoT Edge

Data Dashboard
59 59%
Data Dashboard
41% 41
Linux
100 100%
Linux
0% 0
IoT Platform
52 52%
IoT Platform
48% 48
Analytics
0 0%
Analytics
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using Windows 10 IoT and Azure IoT Edge. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Azure IoT Edge might be a bit more popular than Windows 10 IoT. We know about 3 links to it since March 2021 and only 3 links to Windows 10 IoT. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Windows 10 IoT mentions (3)

  • Average PCMR member
    I would assume that Microsoft has some presence in these kinds of spaces as well (https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/iot/), but I find that there is a fairly low barrier to entry as far as learning how to manipulate linux well enough to build this type of functionality yourself. Or you can just as easily use the same knowledge to setup your desktop how you like it or whatever. They're the same thing... Source: over 3 years ago
  • Why can an ad break the Windows 11 desktop and taskbar?
    It does, but Microsoft doesn't consider that to be a "home user" use-case. Instead, in their minds, it's a use-case exclusively of interest to embedded-device system integrators: https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/iot/. - Source: Hacker News / about 4 years ago
  • Scam protection using a Raspberry Pi to perform caller ID and risk-assess incoming calls
    I originally stumbled across what looks like a silver bullet device for caller ID, the Artech AD102. This is a HID device though, not serial like a USB modem and requires DLLs to use. The node-hid package looked a plausible candidate here, but it became rapidly clear that the AD102 must be switched into a kind of "open for questions" mode to get responses out of it, mandating use of the DLLs. Those DLLs are only... - Source: dev.to / over 4 years ago

Azure IoT Edge mentions (3)

  • Top Programming Languages for AI Development in 2025
    Connectivity to edge devices and cloud platforms. - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago
  • How to get the EK and Registration ID from a TPM 2.0 module on Raspian
    I am currently working on an IoT Project for my Bachelor's thesis. The goal is to gather data from an existing machine and send it to an Azure cloud via AMQP. To do this I have set up an IoT Hub and will be using the Azure IoT Edge runntime to connect and send the Data. For initial development, I have authenticated my devices to the cloud using symmetric keys generated by the IoT hub. Now I want to switch to... Source: almost 4 years ago
  • How to securely handle Data on Raspberry Pi-based device
    I get my data from an existing machine via Modbus RTU. For the cloud infrastructure, we are working with Microsoft Azure. I am using a Revolution Pi Flat as my edge device (basically an industrial-grade Pi) and plan to use the Azure IoT Edge runtime for added safety and easy deployments of containers from the cloud. There is just one problem. How do I handle data safely while it is on my device so a potential... Source: almost 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Windows 10 IoT and Azure IoT Edge, you can also consider the following products

Amazon FreeRTOS - Official Twitter Feed for Amazon Web Services. For support, go to @AWSSupport. Find out more about AWS #reInforce here: https://t.co/ZmyQhxo8uc

AWS IoT 1-Click - AWS IoT 1-Click is a service that makes it easy for simple devices to trigger AWS Lambda functions that execute a specific action.

Contiki - Contiki is a worldwide leader in group travel for 18-35's. Check out our amazing tours and destinations and book your ideal trip today!

Evrythng - Evrythng IoT smart products platform connects consumer products to the Web and manages real-time data in the cloud to drive applications.

WindRiver VxWorks - VxWorks RTOS: Real-time, All the time

SAP Edge Services - Learn how key features of SAP Edge Services can help you connect your edge data with the business world and simplify common Internet of Things (IoT) data processing patterns.

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