Adafruit is a shopping and production website where all kinds of electronics are made and sold. It is an all-in-one website where the products are made, tested and sold. The company was found in 2005 by Limor Fried, an MIT Engineer. The idea behind the creation of the company was to develop a space where all kinds of Engineers could make and market their products.
Irrespective of the level of their skills, they could have a place where their works would be seen and used positively.
The company was founded by a female Engineer to break the bias of women being excluded from the electronics world. This company is a place where makers of all kinds of electronics could exercise their prowess at making what they know how to. It has a physical factory which is located in New York City in the United States of America.
It has a building that is up to 50,000+ sq. ft. It has over 100 employees. The company runs an online store where it sells electronics, tools and equipment.
Adafruit is a 100% woman-owned company that is certified and licensed. It is one of the top electronics companies that promote the handwork of women in Engineering. It has won some awards for women in business.
The brand owner has also won some awards as the first female Engineer in some categories and the best in others. Adafruit was designed to showcase raw talents in Engineering with close monitoring, sampling, testing and approval. At the Adafruit store, different categories of first-class electronics are available for sale.
Features
• A learning ground for new and Professional Engineers.
• All products are tested before use or sale.
• Multiple categories that include Circuit Playground, Raspberry Pi, Feather, Micro bits Add-on and Accessories, Particle, Bluetooth, Arduino, Accessories, Batteries, Books, Breakout Boards, Cables, Circuit Python, Components and Parts Cosplay/ Costuming, Crickit-Creative Robots, Development boards, El Wire/Tape/Panel, Gift Certificates, Kits/Projects, LED, LCDs, Mechanical Keyboards, Microchips, Neopixel, Power, PPE, Robotics and CNC, Sensors, Stemma, Tools, Wearables, Wireless and so many more.
• Fair prices for products.
Click here to visit the Adafruit site and check out more products.
Adafruit Alternatives
Here, we would explore some other websites that are similar to Adafruit or that can give the same products and services as Adafruit. In case you cannot for any reason use Adafruit, you can try out these Adafruit alternatives below.
1. Sparkfun Electronics
The first on our Adafruit alternatives list is this company known as Sparkfun Electronics. It is a company that sells bits and parts of electronics that you may need to build up something fantastic. It also sells complete electronics that have been built from scratch and made from excellent technology. Sparkfun has its company located in Niwot, Colorado.
It is one of the best sites for buying top-notch electronics and gadgets that are safe for use in the house or other places. Sparkfun is a place where upcoming and professional metal work users can buy cheap and durable items for their workshop. At Sparkfun, consumers are exposed to a number of brands where they can get the best products.
All of the products have been tested and verified to be sure of their functionality before they are put up on the website. The company sells products from brands like Arduino, Raspberry Pi, Qwiic, Micromod and many more. On the website, people can also learn how to make different electronics, especially the simple and basic ones. It has a learning part that is updated with information regularly.
Features
• The site sells products from different brands like Arduino, Qwiic and Micromod.
• Consumers are exposed to a wide array of knowledge. There are constant tutorials to learn from.
• There is room for distributing or reselling.
• The prices are fair and affordable.
Check out the products available on the site here.
2. Arduino
The next one this list of Adafruit alternatives is known as Arduino. It is also an electronics company loaded with some of the best electronics for consumers to explore and purchase. It is a hard and software company where retailers and distributors can sell and buy electronics.
Arduino sells easy to use hardware and software for beginners and professionals to use for the electrical and engineering programs. The company sells bits and parts that would be useful in assembling a whole project. It is an open source platform where everybody can find suitable electronics for themselves. The site has some of the best AI boards that can be found online.
The company which has been around for ten years is a place where consumers can buy, learn or donate to a cause. Arduino’s aim of establishment is to provide people with the best electrical and electronic components for their work.
It was designed to help Engineers find what they need easily. It is regarded as the best open-source electronics store. Arduino has trusted manufacturers from all over the world. Most of their products are made with latest technologies and have proven to be trustworthy.
Features
• Arduino is a learning platform. Users can learn something new everyday.
• Their products are gotten from manufacturers all over the world.
• The goal of the company is to make digital electronics accessible to everyone.
Read more about it here.
3. Raspberrypi.org
The next alternative to Adafruit is Raspberrypi.org. It is a charity organisation that was founded in the United Kingdom. It is registered in England and Wales. The company is a non-profit organization that was developed to help people learn how to use the latest technology and create products with it. This organisation is solely dedicated to learning, teaching and research work on technology.
At Raspberry.org, individuals are armed with the latest forms of technology for their own benefits and for the benefit of the society. The mission of the society us to enable young people realize their potentials with the power of computing and digital technology.
The foundation raises individuals are well learned I the digital world and use their knowledge to give back to society. It helps them to make use of technology to solve human problems while sticking to the morals of it. It is also a platform where like minded individuals can meet and interact and share ideas on how to develop better technology for others.
The foundation is also saddled with the responsibility of teaching students of all classes the basics of computing and digital technology, such that they can work with any available resources. The foundation also engages in teaching young people how to create useful digital technology outside of school. Basically, the company is for education, information and research for the benefit of the society.
Features
• Educating young people about digital and computing technology.
• Engaging in research for useful discovery.
• Engaging in normal education.
Click here to learn more about raspberry.org
4. Hackster.io
The next one our Adafruit alternatives list is Hackster.io. This is another possible alternative to Adafruit. It is another learning site just like Adafruit and Raspberry.org. Here, learners and professionals can learn everything about different electronics hardware. Users can learn from scratch to perfection and they can share their knowledge with other professionals like them.
At Hackster.io, users are invited to share an experience where different software and hardware development are at their feet. There are different types of tutorials on how to undertake different electronic projects, both simple and complex.Hackster.io has over 2million users. It is an open source website where different developers can exchange ideas on software and hardware projects. Users can learn for fun or for professional purposes.
The website is a career boost for newbies because after learning, they get to exchange ideas with veterans, get start-up deals or get career access. The Hackster community has up to 70% working professionals. It has about 36% hardware and software Engineers.
The site teaches everything about Machine learning, robotics, sensors and IOT. It is committed to revealing knowledge at its barest. The site also has an active news column that reaches up to 550,000 people monthly.
Features
• Up to 550,000 monthly news readers.
• Up to 8 million social media impressions.
• Up to 6 million websites views monthly.
• Experts in machine learning, sensors, IOT and robotics.
Click here to learn more about it.
5. Digikey Electronics
The next one is known as the Digikey Electronics. It is a shopping website where people can purchase different types of electronics from different brands. It is a well known company that displays the most unique and most sought-after electronics.
At Digikey Electronics, only the best of the best is sold because it is used by consumers all over the world. Digikey is a website where goods from different manufacturers are sold. The company’s head office is located in Thief River Falls, USA.
It is a marketplace where people can buy and sell electronics. The company started as a small mail-ordercompany in 1972 and moved on to develop its first website in 1996, which later became international in 1997.
It is currently home to many gadget shoppers in the world. Some of the products you can find on the site include Automation and control, Boxes, enclosures, racks, cables, cable assemblies, wires, connectors, electromechanical, hardware, fasteners, integrated circuit, passives, power, circuit protection, semi conductors, tools and many more. The site has affordable and durable electronic products.
Features
• Up to 4.5 billion dollars in annual sales.
• Up to 5,000 plus employees.
• A physical distribution warehouse of 3million square feet.
• 13.4 million products on the site.
• Over 2,300 products suppliers.
• Over 5.7 million internet orders yearly.
Click here to learn more about the site.
6. Seed Studio Bazaar.
Seed Studio Bazaar is another Adafruit alternative marketplace where Engineers and DIY makers can buy useful products for their projects. It is just like Digikey and Adafruit. It is a communal ground for all kinds of electronics and electrical products from different sellers. It houses some of the best and rare kinds of products used in the field of Engineering.
The site was developed to help make these products available and accessible for Engineers. Some of the essentials needed for work might be scarce or hard to get, but with this site, the sellers can easily be reached and if it warrants creation, it can be done. Seed Studio Bazaar is an open-source website where consumers can find the right gadget or electronics for their work.
Most of the devices or products on the site are built with the latest AI technology and are up to date. The site flaunts premium products only at fair prices. The site is also up to date with the latest technology news, projects and creations.
It has an active social media page that keeps users abreast with the latest news, videos and pictures of new products. The site also tries to promote Eco-friendly products for the sake of the society.
Features
• Up to date products.
• Products with the latest AI technology.
• News articles
• Eco-friendly system.
• Active customer support system.
Click here to learn more.
7. Newark Electronics
Newark Electronics is a Adafruit alternative, and part of an Avnet company. It is a US based online company that sells electronics. The motive behind the creation of the site is to avail electronics for consumers and professionals, especially the scarce ones that are hard to find.
Newark Electronics has over 650,000 products in stock for sale on its website. It is one of the largest electronic websites in the world. It is an affordable site where professionals and learners can pick up parts that they need for their work.
This site was particularly designed for Engineers to shop items that they use for work. On the website, consumers can get products like passives, connectors, cables, semiconductors, optoelectronics, LED lighting components, electromechanical, automation and process control, software and embedded computers, development tools, power supply and circuit production and so many other products.
The site is a same day shipping site and buyers can receive their items within a few days, especially for those in the US. The site has a good customer support system that gives rapid response to orders and everything concerning it. It also has a quick order option so that consumers can get their products on the same day.
Features.
• Over 650,000 products.
• Latest innovations of electronics
• High quality connections.
• News update.
• Partners with over 2,000 leading manufacturers.
Click here to visit the website.
8. Circuit Digest
Another alternative to Adafruit is Circuit Digest. Circuit Digest is more of a gist hub, where Engineers, software developers and Electrical DIY people can get the latest news on electronics and upcoming projects. It is a product of Semicon media.
Semicon media is a collection of online data, that is focused on Electronics and technological projects around the world. Circuit Digest is a part of this Semicon media and it is loaded with news articles on upcoming and trending electronics project.
At Circuit Digest, people can get connected to the latest projects in town that be beneficial to them, the newest products, the latest technology, vacancies at tech organizations and many more. Circuit brings the hottest and the newest gist, such that it is fresh and useful. At Circuit Digest, most of the news are likely to concern AI technology, projects, Raspberry pi, Avi, IOT, Microcontroller, Arduino, PCI and others.
It is also a learning site with video tutorials where users can learn how to use different products that they might need information about. The good thing about the site is that the videos are always there and you can go back to re-watch them. Circuit digest is a house of information in video and written forms.
Features
• The website has more than 100k subscribers.
• The learning videos are divided into categories for ease.
• Newest and latest news.
Click here to visit the website.
9. Dfrobot Electronics
Dfrobot Electronics is an interesting Adafruit alternative site to explore. This is because it is an open source hardware robotics store that supplies all the parts of hardware that software and hardware Engineers need for their projects.
The site is home to many products from different brands. It has both the popular and the rare parts that are usually used by Engineers and DIY developers. Dfrobot Electronics is a website where you as an Engineer, a software developers, an Electronics dealer or an Elect-elect students can get materials for any project. It has most of the best quality products that are top-notch and durable.
The products are categorized into different sections so that consumers can easily pick and add to cart for later payment. They display their newest products in one section, so that consumers can notice new picks. The site is an American website, so the payment is in US dollars. It is very easy to shop on because all items have been categorized well.
Features
• Active customer care.
• Videos for tutorials on how to use products.
• A large community of developers and Engineers.
Click here to learn more about it.
10. Hackaday
Hackaday is another site that is similar to Adafruit. Adafruit visitors can also try out this site for premium information. Hackaday is more like Circuit digest, but with more reference to life hacks in hardware and software Engineering and development.
Hackaday is a blog where daily hacks of Engineering are posted and explained. Some hacks come with videos while others don’t. Basically, the website offers premium information on different electronics and how they can be used in simple forms. At Hackaday, everyday is a new technique or a new idea being explained.
The website has all the latest news on the latest technology and uses its blog site to expose them in simple ways for users to understand. The site has the latest news which are usually authentic as they are supplied by the news quarters staff. The site has different staff for updating the hacks, the ones who write the content, the technical Engineers who explain the contents in physical videos and more. It is a well organized website and there is always something new to learn. The main aim of its creation is to educate creative minds.
Features
• Latest news on the latest technology.
• Video tutorials on how to try out some technology.
Click here to learn more about the site.
11. Robotshop
The next one on our list of Adafruit alternatives is Robotshop. From the name alone, we can already guess that there would be robotic news and parts. Robotshop is the one stop for everything robot and robotics. It is an online store where you can buy high quality robot and robot parts.
At the Robotshop, consumers are introduced to a wide array of robotics that could be useful for their projects. The store sells different robotic products in different categories. It sells robot parts, robots and kits. It offers consumer robotic education for those who wish to learn.
It also gives education to children and teenagers who might be interested in the robotic field. It has a wide array of information on robotics and the future it holds.
At Robotshop, consumers are open to learning everything and anything about robots. It has all the latest news in the robotic world. Robots have become the latest technologywith artificial intelligence, so it is no surprise that they website is loaded with so much robot information. The site has actual professional and industrial robots and the tools and equipment for building them.
Features
• Robotic education.
• Robotic news
• Robot parts and kits
• Tools and equipment.
• Industrial and Professional robots
Visit the site here and learn more.
12. Circuit basics
The next one on our list Adafruit alternatives is the circuit basics. It is another similar site to Adafruit. Consumers can get a lot of hardware and software technology from it. It is among the top leading electronics website online.
It contains ample information on programming, AI products, raspberry pi and so many other latest technology. Circuit basics is a website that teaches consumers how to use different types of technology or products. From DIY electronics to major lessons on programming, circuit basics is a place of knowledge.
Most of the tutorials on the website are in video formation to enable consumers have pictorial evidence of what they are learning.
The tutorials are uploaded regularly, so that nothing is missed out. The site has most of the latest ‘how to’ videos. Especially for developers and Engineers who are learning on their own, the website has enough detailed videos to teach them. It is loaded with enough information to last ages. It also has programming classes that are well detailed and easy to understand. Users can sign up for classes to learn better.
Features
• DIY videos
• Programming classes
• ‘How to’ videos.
• Quality and clear videos that are detailed.
Click here to learn more.
13. Instructable
Instructables is one of the best Adafruit alternatives. It is a product of Autodesk Instructables. This is a site where anybody can learn to make anything, literally! It is a site for people who love to make things. Instructables is a website that has both students and teachers but everyone is regarded as a student because it is a learning platform.
At Instructables, anybody can learn to make anything and share progress and results with the rest of the house. It is a community of learners where everyone is interested in learning from the other. Instructables is mostly about electronics, circuits, cooking, craft and living. Site visitors can learn to make anything from scratch or watch to see how some things are formed.
You can learn to make DIY cameras, DIY stoves, DIY art, DIY craft, anything! The good thing about the site is that most of the works are in video forms, so it is easy to understand. On the website, you are introduced to a whole new world of learning, especially the kinds that you can practice yourself with the right tools. Instructables is an interesting site where both adults and children can learn the most useful things.
Features
• The website is a video site. All lessons are in video forms.
• It teaches DIY sessions of cooking, craft, electronics, circuit and lifestyle generally.
Click here to explore more.
14. PlatformIO
The next one on this list of alternatives to Adafruit is known as PlatformIO. This is another website with ample information about the latest technology. It is a platform designed for software developers. It is a single source code platform that developers can use to develop many other platforms.
It requires a single command to run. The platform is designed in such a way that a single code can be used to create many platforms. This is possible because of the project configuration file where different types of environment can be set up with specific options.
For software developers, this platform is useful because they can create different platforms using a single command. This platform has professionaldevelopment tools that have modern and strong features to hasten the creation of products. It produces high quality products.
The site can be used to create multiple projects at the same time. It runs a smart code system. The site can be used for unit testing, static code analysis and remote development. It can be used from anywhere and at anytime. It is written in python and can work on Mac, Linux and Windows Operating Systems.
Features
• Over 3 million unique installations.
• Available on Mac, Windows and Linux Operating Systems.
• One code, multiple platforms.
Click here to learn more.
15. Microchip Technology
The Microchip Technology is a company similar to Adafruit that was established in 1989. It is an American manufacturer of many advanced technological items. It has its headquarters in Arizona, United States. The company was established to create microcontroller, mixed signal, Flash IP, analog, microprocessors, amplifiers and linear ICs, clocks, data converters, embedded controllers and super I/O, security products, sensors, LED, RF and Microwave, Memory products and many more.
It is the house of microchip products. It operates with the highest and latest technology. Most of the products are up to date with the latest AI technology.
Microchip produces some of the best products in the world of electronics. The company creates secure and smart IOT products that are internationally recognized. The company also runs a blogs that provides the latest information in the technology world. It also provides career opportunities for users.
Features
• Secure and smart IOT products.
• Latest technology.
• Latest technology news.
Click here to visit the website.
16. Maker Pro
Maker Pro is a learning and creating website. It is a Adafruit alternative platform where different makers and creators of hardware and software electronics products come together to share their ideas and projects. It is a community of learners where everyone can share their electronic knowledge in products form.
At Maker Pro, the site constantly updates it with the latest videos of how to create different items or how to use one electronic product. It is an information hub where learners and professionals can learn how to do anything.
It allows the creative mind to roam and gain more knowledge. It has videos of projects on Analog, Arduino, 3D printing, custom projects and many more. The site also runs a blog part where articles about the latest technology or electronic is posted daily. Generally, it is learning platform.
Features
• Projects on Arduino and Analog.
• High quality learning videos.
• Latest Technology News.
Click here to learn more.
17. Core Electronics
Core Electronics is another alternative that can be explored in place of Adafruit. Its headquarters is in Newcastle, Australia. It is an Australian retail website where people can buy different types of electronics. It is filled with the latest electronics in the market.
The site conducts same day shipping for locations around Australia and makes deliveries within a few days. At Core Electronics, the core electronics can literally be found. It is home to original products from exclusive brands.
The site sells only the best products for its consumers. It sells products from Adafruit, 4tronix, 8bitdo, AB Electronics, feather, Airwood, anky, Anycubic, Arckit and many other notable manufacturers. It is also an educational site where consumers can learn how to use to latest electronics or the latest technology.
Whether you are an Engineering or software beginner or a veteran, there is enough for you to learn on the website. The website has many videos that provide information on the latest technology.
Features
• Education and retail website.
• Based in Australia.
• Products from notable manufacturers.
Click here to learn more.
18. Mouser Electronics
The Mouser Electronics is a website where consumers can get all the latest electronics for affordable prices. It is a shopping website like Adafruit that houses the best products from the best brands. Some of the brands featured on the website include Microchip, Adafruit, Analog Devices, Anaren, Andes Technology, Bel group, Bend Lab, BIVAR, onsemi, murata, coilcraft, Amphenol and many others.
Mouser Electronics website offers products from these manufacturers to consumers at good rates. They make it accessible to consumers through deliveries, especially from brands that do not have shopping websites. Consumers can get their products on Mouser.
Mouser is one of the leading electronics shopping websites in the world. It provides top quality products for its consumers.
On the site, consumers can get capacitors, automotive connectors, DC/DC converters, discrete semiconductors, enclosures, boxes, cases, wire housing and headers, inductors, coils, passive components, resistors, switches, power supplies and many more.
Features
• Products from top electronic manufacturers.
• Quick delivery.
• Numerous products in categories.
Click here to learn more.
19. Farnell Element 14
Farnell is one of the biggest electronics distribution companies in the world, and a reliable Adafruit alternative. It is an importing and exporting company that deals with everything electronics. It is an Avnet company that began in 2019.
It has a broad network of products and expertise in the technology world. Farnell is known for supplying the best electronics from the best brands. It partners with top brands to deliver premium goodness to its consumers. The idea behind it was to create an innovative platform where Engineers can have access to all the products and technology they need.
It sells popular and rare electronics that can be used to build mechanical and electrical gadgets from scratch or to complete an unfinished project. The company has an online shopping mall where both retailers and wholesalers can converge and make their choices.
The site has a great delivery system and a good customer service to back it up. It delivers within specified days with no problems. It has branches in various countries but the head office is in England.
Features
• Performs same day delivery.
• A wide range of products from top brands.
• Organized shopping website.
Click here to read more.
Related: 20 Adobe Acrobat Alternatives
20. Office Arrow.
The last Adafruit alternative on our list is Office Arrow. It is another online company where people can get original electronics components and products at great prices. The onlineshopping company has a website where people can shop for all kinds of electronic products from different brands.
The company partners with top brands to provide the best products for users. It has thousands of products in store from the best manufacturers.
This website supplies according to countries. It is accessible to a certain number of countries and permits only consumers from there. This is why they must login with their location to help narrow down the products.
The site always has the latest electronics in store. Its products are also the ones with the latest technology. The site also has reservation for articles and videos to teach consumers on how to use some of their products. It is also a learning platform.
Features
• Multiple brands and manufacturers.
• Up to date electronics products.
• Shopping and learning platform.
Click here to learn more about it.
Summary
This article is a comprehensive list of Adafruit alternatives that can be used in place of Adafruit. Adafruit is a full-on manufacturing and shopping company where electronics are made and sold. Some of these websites are similar while others are just for either making or selling.
Some are even for education, to teach consumers how to use the products or how to make them from scratch. So far, we have been able to review and give details of all of them.
Feel free to shop for quality electronics on any of them.
