Overview of ESP32, Arduino and Other Boards

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Updated October 29, 2026

A microcontroller board is a board with a microcontroller and pins that bring its functions out. The cited ESP32-C3-DevKitM-1 includes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Low Energy; features vary across ESP32 models and boards. Arduino includes many boards with different form factors, layouts and features. When choosing a board, check its microcontroller, connectors and power options.

Contents

Two families of boards common in IoT devices.

ESP32 board
Arduino board

What you will learn

Distinguish the ESP32 chip family from the Arduino platform.
Understand what the pin headers are for.
Identify board features to compare, including the microcontroller, connectors and power options.

Before you start

GPIO means general-purpose input/output: configurable pins used to read signals or control outputs.

What does an ESP32 board have?

The ESP32-DevKitC V4 is a small development board based on the ESP32, made by Espressif. Most of the I/O pins on the ESP module are broken out to the pin headers on the board. The ESP32-C3-DevKitM-1 board integrates complete Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Low Energy functions.

The ESP32-C3-DevKitM-1 has pin headers, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Low Energy.

ESP32-C3-DevKitM-1
Wireless link
ESP32-C3 module

How is an Arduino board different?

Arduino is an open-source platform used for building electronics projects. Arduino boards make microcontroller functions accessible; some share compatible form factors and pin layouts. The Arduino UNO Rev3 contains everything needed to support its microcontroller; connect it to a computer with a USB cable to get started.

Connect the Arduino UNO Rev3 to a computer with USB to get started.

Computer
USB cable
Arduino UNO Rev3

What criteria help choose a board?

In the cited Arduino comparison table, boards are grouped by main microcontroller, which defines many but not all of their characteristics. Boards also differ in voltage, pin count, connectivity, power and form factor. Before connecting peripherals, check that the board and device have compatible logic voltages. Clock speed relates to command execution speed, but alone it is not enough to compare performance.

The main microcontroller affects many traits; clock speed is one comparison factor.

Main microcontroller
Board characteristics
Clock speed

Real-world example

Hypothetical example: for a sensor sending readings over a network, choose a board with connectivity and a protocol compatible with that network. A simple blinking light can use an easy-to-start board; no one board type is required for every project.

Common misunderstandings

All boards are alike. The main microcontroller affects many board characteristics, while connectors, power and form factor also vary.

An Arduino UNO Rev3 needs many extra parts to get started. The board contains everything needed to support its microcontroller; connect it to a computer with a USB cable to get started.

Frequently asked questions

How does an ESP32 board differ from an Arduino board?

The cited ESP32-C3-DevKitM-1 supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Low Energy; Arduino is a platform with boards using different chips and layouts; the Arduino Nano ESP32 is one example: the board is based on the ESP32-S3. Its board package is part of the Arduino ESP32 Core.

The ESP32-C3-DevKitM-1 supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Low Energy, with most I/O pins brought out to headers.
Arduino boards come in different form factors, and the UNO Rev3 can be started by connecting it to a computer with USB.
The microcontroller, connectivity, power and form factor are all selection criteria; clock speed is one factor to consider.

Terms in this article

English and Vietnamese terms, with the meanings used here. Hover, tap or Tab to a term with a dotted underline for an explanation as you read.

Microcontroller boardBo vi điều khiển: A board with a microcontroller and pins that bring its functions out.
ESP32: Chip family made by Espressif.
Arduino: An open-source platform of boards and software for electronics projects.
Clock speedTốc độ xung nhịp: The operating frequency of a microcontroller, related to how fast it executes commands.
Pin headerHàng chân: Rows of pins on the board for joining peripherals with jumper wires or a breadboard.

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