The best Raspberry Pi alternatives of 2025: Expert recommended

3 hours ago 5

The Raspberry Pi is simply a fashionable single-board machine (SBC) and often the prima of the amusement erstwhile you request a almighty encephalon and power hub for your do-it-yourself programming projects.

However, galore Raspberry Pi alternatives connection powerful processors, memory, storage, and dedicated hardware for cases similar AI oregon video. Others supply a amusive mode to larn programming and tin beryllium utilized for acquisition projects. Explore immoderate of the champion Raspberry Pi alternatives earlier taking the plunge into SBC and mini PC computing, particularly if Raspberry Pi stocks are low.

What is the champion Raspberry Pi alternate close now?

The ZDNET squad is well-versed successful SBC use. We'll assistance you find the cleanable SBC for your location automation, customized gadget creation, oregon the robot you've ever wanted to build.

After examining the market's astir fashionable options, lawsuit feedback, and reviews, the Libre Computer Board -- oregon Le Potato -- is our wide apical pick. This Raspberry Pi alternate is simply a coagulated SBC for beginners and enthusiasts. While you could opt for Sweet Potato, we deliberation Le Potato suits a broader idiosyncratic base.

To find retired the remainder of our apical recommendations, cheque retired the champion Raspberry Pi alternatives of 2025 below.

The champion Raspberry Pi alternatives of 2025

This Libre Computer Board is an affordable coagulated single-board computer. If you're funny successful trying retired an SBC for the archetypal clip to comparison with accepted PC setups without breaking the bank, this is simply a large enactment for you.

Le Potato supports the Ubuntu 22.04 semipermanent enactment (LTS) and Raspbian 11 operating systems. Plus, it offers endless retention enlargement via MicroSD cards for predominant usage. You won't interruption immoderate velocity records, and it's not suitable for heavy-resource projects. Still, this committee offers large features including Linux, open-source graphics, video libraries, and unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI) support.

Guides and tutorials for this SBC are disposable astatine the Libre Computer hub.

Customers emotion the terms constituent and wide versatility of this SBC, but immoderate study booting issues. On Amazon, you tin prime betwixt 1 oregon 2 packs for $35 oregon $75, respectively. A scope of accessories tin beryllium purchased from LoveRPi.

Show Expert Take Show less

The Orange Pi 5 Plus committee is an fantabulous Raspberry Pi alternate if you're looking for a committee suitable for media purposes.

The Orange Pi 5 Plus packs a punch. It sports a Rockchip RK3588 8-core (64-bit) cardinal processing portion (2.4Ghz), an Arm Mali graphics processing portion (GPU), 16GB random entree representation (RAM), enactment for Debian11, Android 12, Ubuntu22.04, Orange Pi operating systems, and a video output high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) connector up to 8K.

Customers study that they are blessed with the powerfulness and velocity of the strategy arsenic a Raspberry Pi alternative, but immoderate person experienced enactment problems. A Wiki-style guidebook is disposable if you privation to larn astir circumstantial functions of this SBC.

The Orange Pi 5 Plus is priced astatine $152 and transportation whitethorn instrumentality respective weeks depending connected your location. Orangepi.net is simply a large spot to prime up accessories including cases and eMMC modules.

Orange Pi 5 Plus tech specs: Processor: Rockchip RK3588 8-Core 64-Bit (quadcore A76 and quadcore A55) up to 2.4GHz | Graphics: ARM Mali-G610 | RAM: LPDDR4/4x up to 16GB | up to 256GB eMMC retention modules | Video: up to 8K astatine 60fps | Connectors: USB, Ethernet (2xPCIe 2.5G LAN)

Show Expert Take Show less

The Tinker Board 2S features an fantabulous processor and the 16GB embedded multi-media paper (eMMC) velocity offers capable powerfulness for astir projects. It besides supports precocious explanation (HD) and ultra-high explanation (UHD), besides known arsenic 4K video, arsenic good arsenic assorted ports including section country web (LAN) and USB.

This committee has respective fantabulous features that marque it perfect for hobbyists. We peculiarly admit the color-coded general-purpose (GPIO) header, which makes it casual to admit respective pin headers. Plus, the elaborate silk-screen people connected the look of the committee makes it wide wherever everything goes.

Customers accidental determination is acold little enactment disposable compared to Raspberry Pi, but they mostly similar it arsenic a task SBC.

This enactment is presently successful banal astatine Amazon for $130 but shipping tin instrumentality astir 2 weeks. User manuals and quick-start guides are also available.

Show Expert Take Show less

Powerful yet energy-efficient, the Odroid N2+ would beryllium 1 of ZDNET writer Adrian Kingsley-Hughes' archetypal choices if helium wanted to regenerate his desktop with a single-board computer.

The N2+ is large for precocious users who privation much powerfulness than a regular SBC. It offers fantabulous connectivity and tin tally the Petitboot app.

It tin besides tally assorted versions of Linux, including Ubuntu, and is compatible with Android. In addition, the CPU timepiece of the quad-core Cortex-A73 was accrued from 1.8GHz to 2.4GHz, and the dual-core processor was boosted from 1.9GHz to 2.0GHz.

Also: How to instal Linux connected your Raspberry Pi

It's besides adjacent to intolerable to reason with the terms point, arsenic Hardkernel sells a 2GB exemplary for lone $66. Cases tin besides beryllium purchased astatine Amazon.

Customer reviews bespeak that the N2+ is simply a large location automation and gaming option, but immoderate users person experienced powerfulness proviso issues.

Odroid N2+ tech specs: Processor: Amlogic S922X -- 4x Cortex-A73 @ 2.2GHz, 2x Cortex-A53 astatine 1.9GHz | Graphics: Mali-G52 GPU | RAM: 2GB oregon 4GB DDR4 | Interface: eMMC socket with optional 8GB to 128GB | Features: 8MB SPI flash with footwear prime power and Petitboot app | Ports: Gigabit Ethernet port, HDMI 2.1 larboard for up to 4K astatine 60Hz | Connectivity: 4x USB 3.0 ports | Speed: 2.4Ghz with Gigabit Ethernet Port

Show Expert Take Show less

There's not overmuch that the Udoo Bolt V3 can't grip regarding power-hungry projects. With a Ryzen processor and Vega graphics, it's accelerated and large for virtual world (VR), augmented world (AR), and AI tasks. If you request to load ample files rapidly and effectively, the Udoo Bolt V3 won't disappoint.

The developer says this SBC is "almost doubly arsenic accelerated arsenic the MacBook Pro 13 for VR, AR, and AI projects."

The velocity and powerfulness of this SBC is simply a measurement supra astir of the different boards we recommend. But it's expensive, costing astatine slightest $360. Customers who person utilized the Udoo Bolt V3 notation however costly it is, but galore bask the sheer powerfulness of this SBC.

If you privation adjacent much power, you could besides see the much almighty Udoo Bolt V8 model. However, this enactment is often retired of stock.

Udoo Bolt V3 tech specs: Processor: AMD Ryzen V1202b dual Core/quad thread @ 2.3GHz (3.2GHz Boost) | Graphics: AMD Radeon Vega 3 | RAM: 2x Ddr4 dual-channel 64-bit with ECC enactment up to 32GB 2400 Mt/s | Speed: 32GB eMMC 5.0 high-speed drive

Show Expert Take Show less

Le Potato is ZDNET's apical prime wide owed to its affordability and features successful the single-board machine space. We've breached down each Raspberry Pi alternate beneath based connected processor, storage, and velocity to assistance you take a single-board computer.

Best Raspberry Pi alternative	Processor	RAM/Storage	Speed
Libre Computer Board AML-S905X-CC (Le Potato)	Amlogic S905X SoC	Up to 2GB DDR3 SDRAM	100Mb Fast Ethernet
Orange Pi 5 Plus	Rockchip RK3588 8-core, up to 2.4GHz	16GB LPDDR4 RAM, up to 256GB eMMC modules	2.4Ghz with Gigabit Ethernet Port
Tinker Board 2S	Rockchip Quad-Core RK3399 2GHz	4GB DDR4 SDRAM, 16GB eMMC	16GB eMMC high-speed drive
Odroid N2+	Amlogic S922X -- 4x Cortex-A73 astatine 2.2GHz, 2x Cortex-A53 astatine 1.9GHz	2GB oregon 4GB DDR4	2.4Ghz with Gigabit Ethernet Port
Udoo Bolt V3	AMD Ryzen embedded V1605B dual core/quad thread astatine 2.3GHz (3.2GHz Boost)	2x DDR4 dual-channel 64-bit with ECC enactment up to 32GB 2400 Mt/s	32GB eMMC 5.0 High Speed Drive

A inexpensive single-board machine volition suffice for a speedy task oregon if you're exploring the tract of SBCs, but if you privation to put successful amended hardware, marque definite you're not wasting money.

Before buying a pricier SBC, we suggest starting with a wide thought of the projects you'll usage it for. This is worthy the time. Getting derailed partway done a task tin effect successful a monolithic and costly setback.

Next, bash immoderate research. How overmuch powerfulness and show bash you need? What operating strategy bash you request to use? This SBC usher offers the champion Raspberry Pi alternatives truthful you tin find the committee that fits your fund and needs.

Choose this SBC...	If you want...
Libre Computer Board AML-2905X-CC (Le Potato)	A fund enactment for hobbyists and enthusiasts, and the cleanable mode to research SBCs. This Libre exemplary is simply a large Raspberry Pi alternate for those who privation to larn astir SBCs without spending a fortune.
Orange Pi 5 Plus	A single-board machine acceptable up for video and media support. The Orange Pi 5 Plus supports up to 8K video processing astatine 60fps and has precocious levels of performance.
Tinker Board 2S	While it has a terms constituent connected the higher broadside extracurricular of income promotions, the Tinker Board has everything you request for a assortment of projects.
Odroid N2+	A scope of hardware options. The Odroid N2+ is simply a apical performer that 1 of our ain authors would prime arsenic a desktop PC replacement.
Udoo Bolt V3	A high-end SBC with the benignant of show you would expect from a desktop computer. It's expensive, but the velocity and enactment for VR, AR, and AI projects whitethorn marque it worthy it.

When you are selecting a azygous committee machine extracurricular of the Raspberry Pi brand, you should see the pursuing factors earlier making a purchase:

Price: How overmuch are you consenting to walk connected your caller project? If you're starting out, a cheaper SBC should beryllium fine, whereas you mightiness privation to walk a small much for semipermanent oregon precocious projects. For example, determination volition beryllium outgo differences betwixt a basal SBC to larn programming fundamentals and 1 designed for AI.
Project: If you privation an SBC for hobbyist projects, you won't request the astir precocious oregon costly kits retired determination -- minimal RAM and processing volition do, and truthful you mightiness not privation to spell for the astir precocious processing powerfulness oregon the champion board. You whitethorn adjacent get distant with recycling older components, specified arsenic outer storage, for usage with your caller SBC.
Next-gen tasks: If you privation to research the capabilities of AI, you volition request an SBC with precocious specifications oregon thing explicitly built with these projects successful mind, specified arsenic the Nvidia Jetson. However, you should expect to wage much for precocious SBCs.
Connectivity: Consider what connectivity is important to you earlier you buy. SBCs whitethorn see antithetic types of USB ports -- specified arsenic USB-A oregon USB-C -- arsenic good arsenic varied net oregon Bluetooth connectivity options.
Media: If you mean to usage your Raspberry Pi alternate for media, specified arsenic streaming audio and video, guarantee that the SBC you are considering has the required components and support, particularly for immoderate outer retention you mean to use.
Protection: SBCs are acold little bulky than accepted computers, truthful you whitethorn beryllium tempted to bring 1 erstwhile you travel. If so, guarantee you person besides factored successful a protective lawsuit oregon measures to halt your SBC from being damaged during transit oregon impacted by particulate and water.
Cooling: If you privation to tally assets and power-heavy applications connected your SBC, you volition request to see vigor generation. The much powerfulness an SBC uses and the much tasks it performs, the much vigor it generates, and truthful you whitethorn request to look into cooling methods specified arsenic vigor sinks oregon fans.

The Raspberry Pi is an fantabulous portion of hardware, but it's been built wrong circumstantial constraints that alteration wide appeal. These SBCs instrumentality what the Raspberry Pi brought to the array further with features that let you to customize your experience.

Our database includes options personally tested by ZDNET authors and highly recommended products based connected lawsuit reviews and feedback, with these factors specifically successful mind:

Performance: Performance is captious erstwhile you see purchasing a caller SBC. We person considered processing power, RAM, and graphics and person included options capable to grip resource-heavy projects.
Connectivity: SBCs connection a scope of connectivity options. Some supply Bluetooth, for example, whereas others lone person HDMI and Ethernet. We've besides included antithetic options for the SBC hobbyist.
Storage: Some SBCs see storage, portion others supply USB ports for connecting outer drives. We similar to see choices with and without storage, allowing you to prime what you similar to use.
Ease of use: SBCs don't person to beryllium complex, and immoderate of our options see applicable colour coding oregon different features to marque your projects easier to handle. Furthermore, immoderate of our apical recommendations are suitable for learning however to codification and for acquisition projects.
Price: Not everyone wants to put successful the astir high-spec SBC retired there, particularly if they are conscionable starting retired and exploring their interests. We person considered a scope of devices with beginners, hobbyists, and tech enthusiasts successful mind.

Raspberry Pi is simply a tiny computing strategy developed by the U.K.-based non-profit Raspberry Pi Foundation. Raspberry Pi SBCs are cheaper than PCs oregon laptops, and are utilized to larn programming, physique computers, robots, information systems, and more. In a sense, Raspberry Pi SBCs relation arsenic the compact encephalon of a strategy oregon project.

The Raspberry Pi is inactive the champion spot to commencement if you privation to get acquisition with a single-board computer. You tin besides instrumentality a look astatine guides provided by the Raspberry Pi Foundation to larn astir SBC components.

Also: Raspberry Pi conscionable released its ain high-performance SSDs and SSD kits

These alternatives are a large adjacent measurement to grow your SBC knowledge. The Raspberry Pi is simply a large instrumentality for familiarizing yourself with the setup and general-purpose input/output (GPIO) pins. It's besides a utile instrumentality if 1 of your kids has an involvement successful programming that you privation to encourage.

You tin find a batch of generic cases retired determination to support your Raspberry Pi oregon alternate SBC, and I urge getting one. After all, if you're investing successful an SBC, you should support it. You could cheque retired KKSB for a fewer ideas.

Also, if you are fortunate capable to ain a 3D printer, past you'll person an endless proviso of cases. Alternatively, you tin sojourn the 3D printing marketplace Pinshape to find your cleanable case.

You tin effort to waterproof the lawsuit by utilizing seals oregon silicone grease. You could besides spray the committee with a conformal coating to defy moisture.

Beyond these steps, there's nary mode to marque them wholly waterproof, and you hazard harm if you don't support your electronics distant from adverse upwind conditions and environments.

Yes, galore professionals usage Raspberry Pi for everything from merchandise investigating to acquisition projects, but they besides usage alternatives. It each depends connected idiosyncratic and task needs.

The outgo of Raspberry Pi models -- erstwhile lone $15 oregon truthful -- has accrued owed to proviso shortages, and the terms of computing components and chips has accrued owed to inflation. Still, successful the expansive strategy of things, immoderate Raspberry Pi models are inactive precise affordable for a scope of SBC projects.

Yes, Banana Pi is simply a coagulated alternate to Raspberry Pi. It is simply a akin strategy but has added benefits. For example, it supports a wider scope of operating systems, specified arsenic Android and Linux -- including Ubuntu. It allows for much almighty processors and further RAM options, arsenic good arsenic enhanced connectivity similar Gigabit Ethernet and serial precocious exertion attachment (SATA) support.

Developer kits are a circumstantial benignant of committee that has been assembled -- from the circuit committee to peripherals -- with the improvement of prototypes and experimental programming successful mind. While there's nary coagulated favoritism betwixt a developer kit and a modular SBC, developer boards tin often beryllium stripped down to elemental products focused connected improvement and coding alternatively than extremity projects.