00:00DAP-Link vs ST-Link version 2.1, which debugger is better?
00:04Ever plugged in a board and nothing happened?
00:07No upload, no serial output, just a blinking LED and a headache?
00:12That is the debugger you never bought.
00:15I went through the current bestsellers for DAP-Link vs ST-Link version 2.1
00:19and picked the ones actually worth your money,
00:21starting with this ST-Link version 2.1 from ST-Link, coming in at 1361.
00:27It has a Type-C connector, U-Disk download so the board shows up as a flash drive,
00:31a virtual com port for your serial prints, selectable 3.3V or 5V output,
00:36and a reset button right on the case.
00:39A perfect 5-star rating across over 4,600 sales says it just works,
00:44and for a one-stop shop that is hard to argue with.
00:47Now, the DAP-Link side.
00:50This AAE mini-debugger runs $9.22 on STM32F103 CBT6 hardware with SWD, SWO,
00:57and USB-to-URT all on one tiny board.
01:00The killer feature is that SWO pin,
01:03it turns trace output into something you can actually read in your IDE instead of guessing.
01:084.7 rating from nearly 4,000 buyers,
01:11and the price is low enough that buying a spare is a no-brainer.
01:15This is the one I keep on my bench.
01:18Next up, this ABIN mini-debugger,
01:20and yes, it says Stalink version 2.1 right in the name
01:23but the chip inside is APM32F103 CBT6,
01:26a drop-in STM32 clone that performs the same.
01:30$8.32, SWD, and SWO support,
01:34USB-to-URT,
01:35and a 4.8 rating from over 3,400 sales.
01:39A bit cheaper than the branded Stalink unit while keeping the same workflow,
01:43so if you only need flashing and debugging,
01:45this is the smarter buy.
01:47Then we get budget-friendly.
01:49This A72Z mini-DAP link is $5.36,
01:53the cheapest debugger on this list,
01:55and it still gives you the full STM32F103 CBT6 setup with SWD, SWO, and USB-to-URT.
02:02You are paying $5 for the same core functionality that usually costs $10.
02:07The 4.5 rating reflects the price, not the quality,
02:11so if you are starting out, or you just lost one in a parts bin, grab two of these.
02:16Last but not least, the digital buy DAP link at $7.64.
02:22Same STM32F103 CBT6 chip, same SWD and SWO, same USB-to-URT,
02:28and a 4.5 rating from just over 3,000 sales.
02:32It sits perfectly in the middle, cheaper than the big-name Stalink options,
02:35more well-known than the bargain bin, and it is a DAP link,
02:38so it works with any IDE that supports CMS-A-STAP, not just STM32 Studio.
02:44So which one wins?
02:46If you want zero drama and every feature in one box, go with the 1361 ISTA link.
02:52If you want the most bang for your buck and broad IDE support, the 922 AAEDAP link is my pick.
02:59All the links are in the description below, if this helped, hit like and subscribe,
03:04and I will see you in the next one.
