STM32 ARM Microcontroller Ultra Basic Kit

The bare-essentials STM32 starter — for builders who already have a parts bin and just need the chip, the programmer, and a breadboard setup that doesn't fight them.

This kit gets you straight to the point: an ARM Cortex-M0 STM32F030 processor mounted on a breakout board, three breadboards configured for nine-tie-point pin access, and an ST-Link V2 programmer to flash firmware onto the chip. That's it. No LEDs, no resistors, no jumper wires — because if you're buying this kit, you already have those.

Who this kit is for

• Engineers and hobbyists with a fully stocked electronics bench who don't need another bag of resistors
• Arduino veterans transitioning to ARM who already own breadboards' worth of components
• Repair shops and prototyping labs needing a clean, low-cost STM32 platform
• Anyone who wants the lowest-cost path into STM32 development without paying for components they already have

If you don't have a parts bin already, the ARM Beginners Kit is a better starting point — it includes the same chip, programmer, and breadboards plus all the passive components you'll need to actually build a circuit.

The breakout board advantage

The included STM32F030 development board is mounted across three breadboards in a configuration that gives every microcontroller pin nine separate tie-point connections — four on one tie strip and five on the other. That means more room to wire complex circuits without daisy-chaining jumpers, and a much cleaner prototyping experience compared to standard dev kits.

What's included

• ARM Cortex-M0 STM32F030 processor mounted on a breakout board
• (3) Solderless breadboards (configured for 9-tie-point pin access)
• ST-Link V2 programmer
• Connection cable for the ST-Link V2

STM32F030 specifications

• Architecture: ARM Cortex-M0 (32-bit data bus)
• Maximum clock frequency: 48 MHz
• Program memory: 64 KB Flash
• RAM: 8 KB SRAM
• I/O pins: 55 GPIO
• Timers: 7 hardware timers
• ADC: 12-bit precision, 16 channels
• Operating voltage: 2.4V to 3.6V (3.3V typical)
• Package: 64 LQFP (Low Profile Quad Flat Pack)
• Communication peripherals: UART/USART, SPI, I2C

What you'll need to supply

• Resistors, capacitors, LEDs, jumper wires, and any other passive components for your circuits
• A computer (Windows, Mac, or Linux) for programming the STM32
• STM32CubeIDE or your preferred ARM toolchain (free, downloaded from STMicroelectronics)
• USB cable for the ST-Link V2 (some computers may require a USB-A to USB-Micro adapter)

Free YouTube tutorials

Patrick Hood-Daniel — the designer of this kit and author of ARM Microcontrollers: Programming and Circuit Building, Volume 1 — has a full library of free STM32 tutorials on YouTube using the same components found in our larger kits. Watch the lessons, follow along with your own components, and learn from the same person who designed the breakout board you're holding. Subscribe to the channel here.

Free tutorial library

Hundreds of additional STM32 tutorials, code examples, and project walkthroughs are available on our companion site, NewbieHack.com. Topics include GPIO, timers and PWM, interrupts, UART/SPI/I2C, ADC, low-power modes, and driving stepper motors directly from the STM32.

Free customer support included

Every kit purchase includes free support on what you've purchased. Stuck on getting the ST-Link to recognize the chip, configuring your toolchain, or wiring your first circuit? Reply to your order email and we'll help you get unstuck.

Frequently asked questions

Q: How is this different from the Beginners Kit?
The Beginners Kit includes everything in this kit plus resistors, push buttons, LEDs, capacitors, and a 140-piece jumper wire set. If you don't already have those components on hand, the Beginners Kit is the better starting point — the price difference is much less than buying those parts separately.

Q: Can I use this kit with components from my Arduino projects?
Yes — most through-hole components used in Arduino projects (resistors, capacitors, LEDs, jumper wires, push buttons, sensors, displays) work fine with the STM32. The main difference is operating voltage — the STM32F030 runs at 3.3V, so 5V-only modules may need a level shifter or voltage divider.

Q: Is the ST-Link V2 a clone or genuine?
We ship the standard ST-Link V2 programmer that's universally compatible with STM32CubeIDE and OpenOCD. It works identically to the genuine ST-branded unit for all standard STM32 development.

Q: What software do I need?
STM32CubeIDE is the official free IDE from STMicroelectronics and is what we use throughout our tutorials. Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Q: Why STM32 instead of Arduino?
The STM32F030 runs at higher clock speeds, has more peripheral options, more flexible interrupt handling, true hardware timers, and a much richer ecosystem for professional embedded work. If you're planning a career in embedded systems or want to design more sophisticated circuits, ARM is where the industry has gone.

Q: Will the breakout board fit standard breadboards?
Yes — the breakout board is designed to span three standard solderless breadboards (included), giving every pin nine separate tie-point connections. It also works on individual breadboards if you only need access to a subset of the pins.