Flipper Zero (Unleashed Firmware) vs. LilyGO T‑Embed CC1101 (Bruce Firmware)
If you’ve ever sat in a café, watched the Wi‑Fi traffic swirl around your laptop, or simply wanted to play with radio frequencies on a pocket‑sized device, you’ve probably heard of two names that dominate the hobbyist hacking scene: Flipper Zero and LilyGO T‑Embed CC1101. Both are compact, low‑power RF platforms that run custom firmware, but they differ in design philosophy, feature set, and target audience.
Below is a side‑by‑side comparison of the two when paired with their most popular custom firmwares:
- Flipper Zero + Marauder Firmware – an all‑in‑one “RF & NFC” toolkit.
- LilyGO T‑Embed CC1101 + Bruce Firmware – a focused, high‑performance SDR for 315/433/868/915 MHz bands.
1. Hardware Overview
| Feature | Flipper Zero (Marauder) | LilyGO T‑Embed CC1101 (Bruce) |
|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | 5 × 2.5 cm, ergonomic design with a full‑color display and physical buttons. | 4.8 × 3.2 cm, minimalistic board with an integrated 170 × 320 RGB OLED screen |
| CPU & RAM | ESP32‑S3: Dual‑core 240 MHz, 512 KB SRAM + 8 MB Flash. | ESP32‑S3 as well but with 4 MB Flash and 1 MB PSRAM – more memory for SDR buffers. |
| RF Front End | RFM69HCW (433/868 MHz) + optional RF transceiver board via GPIOs. | CC1101 module (315/433/868/915 MHz). |
| Connectivity | Wi‑Fi, BLE, Bluetooth Classic, USB-C, MicroSD. | Wi‑Fi, BLE, USB‑UART, MicroSD. |
| Power | 5 V USB‑C input; battery option (LiPo). | 3.3–5 V supply; Li‑Ion/Li‑Poly batteries supported. |
| Peripherals | OLED screen, tactile keys, audio jack, LED matrix. | GPIO headers for external modules or custom displays – but the built‑in OLED covers most local‑display needs. |
What does this mean?
- The Flipper is a complete user‑friendly device: you can plug it in, boot up the GUI, and start tapping into signals right away.
- The T‑Embed is still “minimalistic” but now comes with its own OLED, which means you no longer need an external display to use the Bruce firmware. It’s designed for people who prefer a DIY approach or want to embed the module in another system.
2. Firmware Focus
| Feature | Marauder Firmware | Bruce Firmware |
|---|---|---|
| Core Purpose | Multi‑tool: RFID/NFC, IR, BLE, Wi‑Fi hacking, “Marauder” custom scripts for radio attacks. | SDR (Software Defined Radio) focused on low‑frequency ISM bands; full spectrum analysis and replay. |
| Modulation Support | ASK/OOK, FSK, 2FSK, GFSK, Manchester, etc. | FSK, ASK/OOK, OOK, 4ASK, 8PSK – tailored for legacy systems (door locks, remote controls). |
| Signal Capture/Replay | Built‑in “Marauder” mode: capture 315/433 MHz signals, analyze waveform, edit and replay. | Real‑time spectrum analyzer with zoom, frequency offset correction; can record raw samples to SD card. |
| Extensibility | Python‑like scripting via the built‑in editor (Marauder scripts). | Lua or MicroPython support for custom SDR filters and protocols. |
| UI & Usability | Touchscreen GUI + physical keys, menu navigation, on‑board display of packet payloads. | OLED screen integrated; serial console available for advanced users. |
Bottom line
- Unleashed is plug‑and‑play for most hobbyists: you open the menu and start hacking.
- Bruce gives you raw SDR data and a flexible scripting layer, but requires more setup.
3. RF Capabilities & Performance
| Parameter | Flipper Zero (Marauder) | LilyGO T‑Embed CC1101 (Bruce) |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 315/433 MHz (via RFM69), optional 868 MHz if you add a module. | 300–928 MHz, covering all major ISM bands in one chip. |
| Transmit Power | Up to +20 dBm on the RFM69 (depending on supply). | CC1101 max ~+15 dBm; can be boosted with an external PA. |
| Bandwidth | 250 kHz, 500 kHz typical for ASK/OOK. | Tunable from 25 kHz to 600 kHz. |
| Sampling Rate | Limited by the transceiver (≈2 MS/s). | Up to 1 Msps with the CC1101 – sufficient for most legacy protocols. |
| Accuracy & Stability | ±20 ppm crystal; drift manageable for short captures. | ±10 ppm; better frequency stability for SDR analysis. |
Practical Implications
- If you need broadband coverage (315, 433, 868, 915 MHz) without swapping modules, the T‑Embed is your go‑to.
- For quick capture of a single band and immediate replay on the device itself, the Flipper is easier.
4. Ecosystem & Community
| Aspect | Flipper Zero (Marauder) | LilyGO T‑Embed CC1101 (Bruce) |
|---|---|---|
| Official Firmware | Flipper OS + Marauder (community fork). | Bruce (open‑source, actively maintained). |
| Community Size | Tens of thousands on Discord & Reddit; many tutorials. | Smaller but highly technical community on Hackaday.io and ESP32 forums. |
| Commercial Accessories | Official “RFM69” module, screen packs, battery packs. | Third‑party OLEDs (though built‑in), custom cases, 3D printed enclosures. |
| Support Channels | Discord, GitHub issues, YouTube tutorials. | GitHub repo, Hackaday.io forum threads. |
5. Use‑Case Scenarios
1. Rapid Prototyping & Learning
- Flipper Zero + Marauder: Pick it up, boot, and start capturing remote key fob signals in a matter of minutes.
- T‑Embed + Bruce: Requires setting up an external display or PC interface; better suited for experienced users who want deeper SDR analysis.
2. Embedded Projects
- Flipper: Great as a standalone hacking kit that can be dropped into a pocket or mounted on a drone.
- T‑Embed: Can be integrated into larger IoT devices, e.g., adding RF sniffing to a custom robot.
3. Advanced Research & Development
- Bruce Firmware shines when you need raw sample streams, custom demodulation algorithms, or multi‑band spectrum scanning—ideal for academic research or developing new protocols.
- Marauder is excellent for rapid exploitation of known protocols (e.g., replaying a car key signal) but less flexible for novel protocol analysis.
6. Pros & Cons
| Device | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Flipper Zero + Marauder | • All‑in‑one UI • Easy to use out of the box • Extensive accessory ecosystem • Great for beginners and rapid attacks | • Limited frequency coverage (unless you add modules) • Lower sampling rate than SDR • Less customizable in terms of raw RF data |
| LilyGO T‑Embed CC1101 + Bruce | • Broad ISM band support • High sampling accuracy • Flexible scripting & SDR capabilities • Low cost and small form factor | • Requires serial console or external controls for advanced features • Steeper learning curve • Less community “plug‑and‑play” tutorials |
7. Bottom Line: Which One Should You Pick?
| Decision Factor | Flipper Zero (Marauder) | LilyGO T‑Embed CC1101 (Bruce) |
|---|---|---|
| You’re new to RF hacking | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Need a standalone device with UI | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Want to experiment with SDR and custom demodulation | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Need coverage across 315/433/868/915 MHz without swapping modules | ❌ (unless you add an RFM69) | ✔️ |
| Budget & portability | $70–$100 | $30–$50 |
If your goal is to play around with remote controls, NFC tags, and simple RF attacks in a pocket‑friendly package, the Flipper Zero with Marauder firmware is the clear winner.
If you’re an enthusiast who loves raw SDR data, wants to develop custom protocols, or plan to embed the module into another device, the LilyGO T‑Embed CC1101 running Bruce firmware will serve you better.
8. Quick Setup Tips
Flipper Zero + Unleashed
- Flash the official Flipper OS (via USB).
- Install the Unleashed plugin from the Marketplace.
- Power on, navigate to “RF” → “Marauder”, and start capturing.
LilyGO T‑Embed CC1101 + Bruce
- Connect the board to a PC via USB‑UART.
- Flash Bruce firmware with esptool:
esptool.py --port /dev/ttyUSB0 write_flash -z 0x1000 bruce.bin. - Use the integrated OLED for local UI, or connect an external display if you want larger graphics.
9. Final Thoughts
Both devices are excellent gateways into the world of RF hacking and offer a taste of what’s possible with low‑cost, open‑source hardware. The choice boils down to how much you want to “see” inside the radio wave versus how quickly you want to get from “capture” to “replay.” Pick one (or both) and start exploring—there are endless protocols waiting to be discovered or broken!