Tool usability and flow are important criteria for hobbyists, but cost is king. No one will pay several thousands of dollars for an EDK or SDK just to tinker around. In this case, Altera provides more tool-power for less money.

Altera gives users access to their entire software suite, which includes their system builder and SDK, as long as the user is targeting the Cyclone series and the lowest Arria II GX model–this includes most of the newest Cyclone V models, except for the highest densities. The cyclone supports gigabit transceivers, a few hundred DSP blocks, embedded logic analyzer (Signaltap) and hard-core ARM processors. Their IP, including the NIOS soft-core processor, have to be purchased separately. But I do know the NIOS can be had for as low as $500.

As far as I know, Xilinx only offers their logic edition of ISE, which doesn’t include Chipscope or any of their EDK/SDK tool chains. Their web edition also only targets their lower-end FPGAs, similar to Altera.

I’m not an Altera rep. in any way and I’m not trying to push their products. But I’ve done some research I think they have a competitive advantage over Xilinx for hobbyists and independent consultants that want to save on tool costs.