The Raspberry Pi is a well-liked single-board pc (SBC) and, for a lot of, is on the coronary heart of DIY programming and residential computing initiatives. Nevertheless, options in the marketplace can present the identical, or higher, mind and processing hub. In addition they provide powerful processors, memory, storage, and devoted {hardware} for functions equivalent to AI or video. SBCs may also be used from an early age and supply a enjoyable, hands-on method to be taught programming, for instance.
If you happen to’re on the lookout for something from a beginner-friendly mannequin to a strong developer-based SBC, we’ve you lined.
What’s the greatest Raspberry Pi various proper now?
The Libre Computer Board — or Le Potato — is my general prime choose. This $40 Raspberry Pi various is a strong SBC for novices and fanatics. Whilst you might go for Candy Potato, Le Potato fits a broader person base.
The Orange Pi 5 Plus additionally deserves a point out as a flexible board with sufficient energy to deal with media initiatives, though it’s dearer at $136.
The ZDNET workforce is well-versed in SBC use. We’ll assist you discover the proper SBC on your residence automation, customized gadget creation, or the robotic you’ve got at all times needed to construct. After inspecting the market’s hottest choices, buyer suggestions, and critiques, my prime suggestions for the perfect Raspberry Pi options of 2025 are beneath.
The very best Raspberry Pi options of 2025
Present much less
This Libre Laptop Board is an reasonably priced, strong, single-board pc, which makes it my prime choose for SBCs exterior of the Raspberry Pi vary.
Why we prefer it: Le Potato helps the Ubuntu 22.04 long-term assist (LTS) and Raspbian 11 working programs. Plus, it presents countless storage growth by way of MicroSD playing cards for frequent utilization.
You will not break any pace data, and it isn’t appropriate for heavy-resource initiatives. Nonetheless, this board presents nice options together with Linux, open supply graphics, video libraries, and unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI) assist. This suite must be greater than sufficient for many initiatives.
Guides and tutorials for this SBC can be found on the Libre Laptop hub.
Who’s it for: If you happen to’re concerned about attempting out an SBC for the primary time to match with conventional PC setups with out breaking the financial institution, it is a nice choice for you.
On Amazon, you possibly can choose up a 2GB mannequin for under $40. A variety of equipment together with heatsinks and dongle community adapters, could be bought from LoveRPi.
Who ought to look elsewhere: Prospects love the value level and basic versatility of this SBC, however some report booting points, and so it won’t go well with customers of the developer selection.
Libre Laptop Board AML-S905X-CC (Le Potato) tech specs: Processor: Amlogic S905X SoC | Graphics: Mali-450 GPU | RAM: As much as 2GB of DDR3 SDRAM | Connectivity: 4x USB 2.0 Sort A | Ports: HDMI 2.0 | Storage growth: MicroSD Card Slot | Interface: eMMC Interface | Velocity: 100Mb Quick Ethernet
Learn Extra
Present Knowledgeable Take Present much less
Present much less
The Orange Pi 5 Plus board is a superb Raspberry Pi various in case you’re on the lookout for a board appropriate for media functions.
Why we prefer it: Put merely, the Orange Pi 5 Plus packs a punch.
It sports activities a Rockchip RK3588 8-core (64-bit) central processing unit (2.4Ghz), an Arm Mali graphics processing unit (GPU), 16GB random entry reminiscence (RAM), assist for Debian 11, Android 12, Ubuntu 22.04, Orange Pi working programs, and a video output high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) connector as much as 8K.
Who’s it for: Anybody who desires the whole bundle in an SBC for media and video initiatives.
Prospects report that they’re pleased with the facility and pace of the system as a Raspberry Pi various.
The 8GB Orange Pi 5 Plus is priced at $148, and supply might take a number of weeks relying in your location.
Who ought to look elsewhere: Based on person suggestions, this machine is superb, however there are assist issues. So, it won’t be the best choice for anybody who desires technical assist.
As an alternative, a Wiki-style guidebook is offered if you wish to study particular capabilities of this SBC.
It must also be famous that selecting up equipment is perhaps troublesome. As a consequence of adjustments to U.S. customs laws, Orange Pi.web, the most effective locations to purchase the product, is now not transport boards to the U.S. Equipment may additionally ultimately develop into a difficulty, too.
Orange Pi 5 Plus tech specs: Processor: Rockchip RK3588 8-Core 64-Bit (quadcore A76 and quadcore A55) as much as 2.4GHz | Graphics: ARM Mali-G610 | RAM: LPDDR4/4x as much as 16GB | as much as 256GB eMMC storage modules | Video: as much as 8K at 60fps | Connectors: USB, Ethernet (2xPCIe 2.5G LAN)
Learn Extra
Present Knowledgeable Take Present much less
Present much less
The Tinker Board 2S is one other of my favorites, due to its strong energy and processing capabilities.
Why we prefer it: The Tinker Board 2S options a wonderful processor and the 16GB embedded multi-media card (eMMC) pace presents sufficient energy for many initiatives. It additionally helps excessive definition (HD) and ultra-high definition (UHD), often known as 4K video, in addition to numerous ports together with native space community (LAN) and USB.
This board has a number of wonderful options that make it best for hobbyists. We significantly respect the color-coded general-purpose (GPIO) header, which makes it simple to acknowledge respective pin headers. Plus, the detailed silk-screen print on the face of the board makes it clear the place all the pieces goes.
Who’s it for: Prospects say there’s far much less assist out there in comparison with Raspberry Pi, however they often prefer it as a mission SBC. I think about this one of many higher choices round for hobbyists.
This SBC is at the moment in inventory at Amazon for $130, though shares do fluctuate. Person manuals and quick-start guides are additionally available.
Who ought to look elsewhere: Anybody who desires a fast supply. Delivery can take as much as a number of weeks, relying on the retailer.
Tinker Board 2S tech specs: Processor: Rockchip Quad-Core RK3299 | Graphics: Arm Mali-T860 GPU | RAM: 4GB LPDDR4 | Bandwidth: 802.11 b/g/n | Bluetooth: V4.0 and EDR | Velocity: 16GB eMMC
Learn Extra
Present Knowledgeable Take Present much less
Present much less
Highly effective but energy-efficient, the Odroid N2+ could be one in all ZDNET creator Adrian Kingsley-Hughes’ first decisions if he needed to interchange his desktop with a single-board pc.
Why we prefer it: The N2+ is good for superior customers who require extra energy than a regular SBC. It presents wonderful connectivity and may run the Petitboot app.
It will possibly additionally run numerous variations of Linux, together with Ubuntu, and is appropriate with Android. As well as, the CPU clock of the quad-core Cortex-A73 was elevated from 1.8GHz to 2.4GHz, and the dual-core processor was boosted from 1.9GHz to 2.0GHz.
Additionally: How to install Linux on your Raspberry Pi
It is also near unattainable to argue with the value level, as Hardkernel sells a 2GB mannequin for under $66. Instances may also be bought at Amazon.
Who’s it for: Buyer critiques point out that the N2+ is a good residence automation and gaming choice, and so this is perhaps the appropriate alternative for residence initiatives that require substantial sources.
Who ought to look elsewhere: Some customers, nonetheless, have skilled energy provide points and so preserve this in thoughts. If fixed use and operation are essential to you, one other one in all my suggestions is perhaps extra appropriate.
Odroid N2+ tech specs: Processor: Amlogic S922X — 4x Cortex-A73 @ 2.2GHz, 2x Cortex-A53 at 1.9GHz | Graphics: Mali-G52 GPU | RAM: 2GB or 4GB DDR4 | Interface: eMMC socket with optionally available 8GB to 128GB | Options: 8MB SPI flash with boot choose swap and Petitboot app | Ports: Gigabit Ethernet port, HDMI 2.1 port for as much as 4K at 60Hz | Connectivity: 4x USB 3.0 ports | Velocity: 2.4Ghz with Gigabit Ethernet Port
Learn Extra
Present Knowledgeable Take Present much less
Present much less
There’s not a lot that the Udoo Bolt V8 cannot deal with relating to power-hungry initiatives that require excessive pace, making it one other of my prime SBCs.
Why we prefer it: With a Ryzen processor (@ 2.0GHz) (3.6GHz Enhance) and Vega 8 graphics, it is quick and nice for digital actuality (VR), augmented actuality (AR), and AI duties. If it’s worthwhile to load massive information shortly and successfully, the Udoo Bolt V8 will not disappoint.
The developer says this SBC is “virtually twice as quick because the MacBook Professional 13 for VR, AR, and AI initiatives.”
The pace and energy of this SBC are a step above a lot of the different boards I like to recommend. It is also costly, costing at $452, relying on the provider.
Who’s it for: Prospects who’ve used the Udoo Bolt V8 point out how costly it’s, however many benefit from the sheer energy this SBC offers, and I think about this the most effective choices for developer-based SBC initiatives.
Who ought to look elsewhere: Contemplating the value level, this Raspberry Pi various will not be appropriate for anybody simply beginning out with SBC programming.
Udoo Bolt V8 tech specs: Processor: AMD Ryzen Embedded V1605B Quad Core/eight Thread @ 2.0GHz (3.6GHz Enhance) | Graphics: AMD Radeon Vega 8 | RAM: 2x Ddr4 Twin-channel 64-bit So-DIMM Sockets with Ecc Help Up To 32GB 2400 Mt/s | Velocity: 32GB eMMC 5.0 high-speed drive
Learn Extra
Present Knowledgeable Take Present much less
Le Potato is ZDNET’s prime choose general as a consequence of its affordability and options within the single-board pc house. We have damaged down every Raspberry Pi various beneath primarily based on processor, storage, and pace that will help you select a single-board pc.
|
Finest Raspberry Pi various |
Processor |
RAM/Storage |
Velocity |
|
Libre Laptop Board AML-S905X-CC (Le Potato) |
Amlogic S905X SoC |
As much as 2GB DDR3 SDRAM |
100Mb Quick Ethernet |
|
Orange Pi 5 Plus |
Rockchip RK3588 8-core, as much as 2.4GHz |
16GB LPDDR4 RAM, as much as 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 at 2.2GHz, 2x Cortex-A53 at 1.9GHz |
2GB or 4GB DDR4 |
2.4Ghz with Gigabit Ethernet Port |
|
Udoo Bolt V8 |
AMD Ryzen Embedded V1605B Quad Core/eight Thread @ 2.0Ghz (3.6ghz Enhance) |
2x DDR4 Twin-channel 64-bit So-DIMM Sockets With Ecc Help Up To 32GB 2400 Mt/s |
32GB eMMC 5.0 Excessive Velocity Drive |
An inexpensive single-board pc will suffice for a fast mission or in case you’re exploring the sector of SBCs, however if you wish to spend money on higher {hardware}, be sure you’re not losing cash.
Earlier than shopping for a pricier SBC, we recommend beginning with a transparent thought of the initiatives you will use it for. That is well worth the time. Getting derailed partway by way of a mission may end up in a large and expensive setback.
Subsequent, perform some research. How a lot energy and efficiency do you want? What working system do it’s worthwhile to use? This SBC information presents the perfect Raspberry Pi options so yow will discover the board that matches your finances and desires.
|
Select this SBC… |
If you need… |
|
Libre Laptop Board AML-2905X-CC (Le Potato) |
A finances choice for hobbyists and fanatics, and the proper method to discover SBCs. This Libre mannequin is a good Raspberry Pi various for individuals who wish to study SBCs with out spending a fortune. |
|
Orange Pi 5 Plus |
A single-board pc arrange for video and media assist. The Orange Pi 5 Plus helps as much as 8K video processing at 60fps and has excessive ranges of efficiency. |
|
Tinker Board 2S |
Whereas it has a worth level on the upper aspect exterior of gross sales promotions, the Tinker Board has all the pieces you want for quite a lot of initiatives. |
|
Odroid N2+ |
A variety of {hardware} choices. The Odroid N2+ is a prime performer that one in all our personal authors would choose as a desktop PC alternative. |
|
Udoo Bolt V8 |
A high-end SBC with the type of efficiency you’d anticipate from a desktop pc. It is costly, however the pace and assist for VR, AR, and AI initiatives might make it value it. |
If you end up deciding on a single board pc exterior of the Raspberry Pi model, you need to think about the next elements earlier than making a purchase order:
- Value: How a lot are you prepared to spend in your new mission? If you happen to’re beginning out, a less expensive SBC must be fantastic, whereas you may wish to spend a little bit extra for long-term or superior initiatives. For instance, there might be value variations between a fundamental SBC to be taught programming fundamentals and one designed for AI.
- Venture: In order for you an SBC for hobbyist initiatives, you will not want probably the most superior or costly kits on the market — minimal RAM and processing will do, and so that you won’t wish to go for probably the most superior processing energy or the perfect board. You might even get away with recycling older parts, equivalent to exterior storage, to be used together with your new SBC.
- Subsequent-gen duties: If you wish to discover the capabilities of AI, you will want an SBC with excessive specs or one thing explicitly constructed with these initiatives in thoughts, such because the Nvidia Jetson. Nevertheless, you need to anticipate to pay extra for superior SBCs.
- Connectivity: Contemplate what connectivity is essential to you before you purchase. SBCs might embrace various kinds of USB ports — equivalent to USB-A or USB-C — in addition to diversified web or Bluetooth connectivity choices.
- Media: If you happen to intend to make use of your Raspberry Pi various for media, equivalent to streaming audio and video, be certain that the SBC you might be contemplating has the required parts and assist, particularly for any exterior storage you plan to make use of.
- Safety: SBCs are far much less cumbersome than conventional computer systems, so you could be tempted to carry one if you journey. In that case, guarantee you have got additionally factored in a protecting case or measures to cease your SBC from being broken throughout transit or impacted by mud and water.
- Cooling: If you wish to run useful resource and power-heavy functions in your SBC, you will want to contemplate warmth technology. The extra energy an SBC makes use of and the extra duties it performs, the extra warmth it generates, and so you could must look into cooling strategies equivalent to warmth sinks or followers.
The Raspberry Pi is a superb piece of {hardware}, nevertheless it’s been constructed inside particular constraints that allow mass attraction. These SBCs take what the Raspberry Pi delivered to the desk additional with options that assist you to customise your expertise.
My listing contains choices personally examined by ZDNET authors and extremely advisable merchandise primarily based on buyer critiques and suggestions, with these elements particularly in thoughts:
- Efficiency: Efficiency is important when you think about buying a brand new SBC. I thought-about processing energy, RAM, and graphics and have included choices capable of deal with resource-heavy initiatives.
- Connectivity: SBCs provide a variety of connectivity choices. Some present Bluetooth, for instance, whereas others solely have HDMI and Ethernet. I’ve additionally included completely different choices for the SBC hobbyist.
- Storage: Some SBCs embrace storage, whereas others present USB ports for connecting exterior drives. I like to incorporate decisions with and with out storage, permitting you to extra management over implementing most of these parts.
- Ease of use: SBCs do not must be advanced. A few of my choices embrace sensible shade coding or different options to make your initiatives simpler to deal with. Moreover, a few of my prime suggestions are appropriate for studying how one can code and for instructional initiatives.
- Value: Not everybody desires to spend money on probably the most high-spec SBC on the market, particularly if they’re simply beginning out and exploring their pursuits. I thought-about a variety of gadgets with novices, hobbyists, and tech fanatics in thoughts.
Newest information within the SBC house
- Researchers say that hackers planted a 4G-enabled Raspberry Pi in a financial institution community to forge a backdoor into an ATM community.
- Adafruit is engaged on a brand new SBC, dubbed Fruit Jam, which is across the measurement of a bank card. A launch date is but to be introduced.
- One other new product that has not too long ago appeared is the Banana Pi BPI-R4 Professional, that includes a MediaTek processor and extra RAM than earlier fashions.
- The CrowPi 3 “Al Studying and Improvement Station” has reached its Kickstarter goals. This SBC is meant for AI utility use.
Raspberry Pi is a small computing system developed by the U.Ok.-based non-profit Raspberry Pi Foundation. Raspberry Pi SBCs are cheaper than PCs or laptops, and are used to be taught programming, construct computer systems, robots, safety programs, and extra. In a way, Raspberry Pi SBCs operate because the compact mind of a system or mission.
The Raspberry Pi continues to be the perfect place to begin if you wish to get expertise with a single-board pc. You too can check out guides offered by the Raspberry Pi Foundation to study SBC parts.
Additionally: Raspberry Pi just released its own high-performance SSDs and SSD kits
These options are an important subsequent step to develop your SBC data. The Raspberry Pi is a good instrument for familiarizing your self with the setup and general-purpose enter/output (GPIO) pins. It is also a great tool if one in all your youngsters has an curiosity in programming that you just wish to encourage.
You’ll find loads of generic circumstances on the market to guard your Raspberry Pi or various SBC, and I like to recommend getting one. In spite of everything, in case you’re investing in an SBC, you need to shield it. You could possibly try KKSB for a couple of concepts.
Additionally, in case you are fortunate sufficient to personal a 3D printer, you then’ll have an countless provide of circumstances. Alternatively, you possibly can go to the 3D printing market Pinshape to search out your good case.
You’ll be able to attempt to waterproof the case through the use of seals or silicone grease. You could possibly additionally spray the board with a conformal coating to withstand moisture.
Past these steps, there is no method to make them utterly waterproof, and also you threat harm in case you do not preserve your electronics away from adversarial climate situations and environments.
Sure, many professionals use Raspberry Pi for all the pieces from product testing to instructional initiatives, however additionally they use options. All of it is determined by private and mission wants.
The price of Raspberry Pi fashions — as soon as solely $15 or so — has elevated as a consequence of provide shortages, and the value of computing parts and chips has elevated as a consequence of inflation. Nonetheless, within the grand scheme of issues, some Raspberry Pi fashions are nonetheless very reasonably priced for a variety of SBC initiatives.
Sure, Banana Pi is a strong various to Raspberry Pi. It’s a comparable system however has added advantages. For instance, it helps a wider vary of working programs, equivalent to Android and Linux — together with Ubuntu. It permits for extra highly effective processors and extra RAM choices, in addition to enhanced connectivity like Gigabit Ethernet and serial superior know-how attachment (SATA) assist.
Developer kits are a selected kind of board that has been assembled — from the circuit board to peripherals — with the event of prototypes and experimental programming in thoughts. Whereas there is no strong distinction between a developer equipment and a regular SBC, developer boards can usually be stripped all the way down to easy merchandise centered on improvement and coding somewhat than finish initiatives.
Newest updates
- In ZDNET’s July replace, we carried out substantial copy and editorial adjustments. We additionally changed the Udoo Bolt V3 with the Udoo Bolt V8 as a best choice, and offered extra data on our favourite various Raspberry Pi SBCs. We additionally eliminated the Jetson Nano from our options as a consequence of a scarcity of inventory.
- In ZDNET’s June replace, we carried out editorial updates and eliminated merchandise which are out of inventory.
- In Could, we carried out intensive copy adjustments and up to date all pricing.
Extra Raspberry Pi options
Present much less
The $119 FriendlyElec NanoPi R6S is a flexible open supply various with assist for working programs together with Debian, Android, and FriendlyWrt. Specs embrace a quad-core ARM Cortex-A76 (as much as 2.4GHz) and quad-core Cortex-A55 CPU (as much as 1.8GHz), alongside a Mali GPU and 32GB eMMC storage.
You should buy a $20 case seperately. As a consequence of a warehouse change, nonetheless, transport is delayed.
Learn Extra
Present Knowledgeable Take Present much less
Present much less
The Orange Pi 5 is a 4GB, 8-core choice for builders, able to dealing with AI, VR, and AR. You’ll be able to choose one up for $100 at Amazon. It is costly, nevertheless it comes with a Rockchip RK3588S processor, an ARM Mali-G610 GPU, an AI accelerator, and another helpful {hardware} parts.
Learn Extra
Present Knowledgeable Take Present much less
Present much less
You could possibly think about the $35 Libre Laptop Candy Potato in order for you an improve to Le Potato, however primarily based on buyer suggestions, many customers desire the unique. Nonetheless, this budget-friendly various helps Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, Debian 12, and CoreELEC, and is provided with 2GB RAM.
Learn Extra
Present Knowledgeable Take Present much less
