In this blog, we are going to explore the best Raspberry Pi alternatives Pi in terms of performance, budget-friendly, best in networking, best in streaming, and best in GPU performance.
If you’re not familiar with the Raspberry Pi, you’ve undoubtedly heard of it, as it’s one of the world’s most popular single-board computers (SBC), having sold over 40 million copies in its lifespan. Of course, if you’re familiar with the Raspberry Pi, you’ll know how versatile it is as a tiny computer, with the ability to perform many of the same or equivalent functions as a laptop, which is amazing. However, the Raspberry Pi is not the only SBC on the market, and there are several fantastic options, particularly if you cannot get the Raspberry Pi model you want, which is quite likely.
While there are many competitors out there, we’ve chosen our five favorites and listed them below, along with their specifications and some of their best use cases. Of course, you don’t have to use them in the way we recommend; that’s one of the benefits of SBCs like this: you may use them what ever you want.
What Is Raspberry Pi
The Raspberry Pi Foundation, based in the United Kingdom, has developed a series of small single-board computers called Raspberry Pis. These computers have been designed to promote basic computer science education in schools and developing countries. They are also a cost-effective platform for hobbyists, makers, and enthusiasts to build and experiment with various computing projects.
The Raspberry Pi boards are as small as a credit card and include a processor, memory, input/output ports, and other necessary components for basic computing tasks. They typically run on Linux-based operating systems like Raspbian (now known as Raspberry Pi OS), but other operating systems like Ubuntu and Windows 10 IoT Core are also available for use.
The Raspberry Pi has become incredibly popular due to its affordability, versatility, and ease of use, making it ideal for a wide range of applications such as home automation, robotics, media centers, retro gaming consoles, and more.
Application Of Raspberry Pi
| Application | Description |
|---|---|
| Education | Raspberry Pi is widely used in educational settings to teach programming and electronics. It provides an affordable platform for students to learn coding, electronics, and robotics. |
| Home Automation | Raspberry Pi can be used as a central hub for home automation projects, controlling lights, thermostats, security cameras, and more. It integrates well with various IoT devices and platforms. |
| Media Center | With software like Kodi or Plex, Raspberry Pi can be turned into a media center, streaming content from local networks or the internet to a TV or monitor. |
| Retro Gaming | RetroPie, a software package for Raspberry Pi, allows users to emulate retro gaming consoles and play classic games from platforms like NES, SNES, Sega Genesis, etc. |
| IoT Projects | Raspberry Pi is popular for Internet of Things (IoT) projects, such as environmental monitoring, smart agriculture, smart cities, and industrial automation. |
| Robotics | Raspberry Pi serves as the brain of many robotics projects, controlling motors, sensors, and providing connectivity for remote control or autonomous operation. |
| Home Servers | Raspberry Pi can function as a low-power home server for tasks like file storage, media streaming, VPN, web hosting, and network monitoring. |
| Weather Stations | Raspberry Pi can be used to build weather stations, collecting data from sensors like temperature, humidity, pressure, and wind speed, and displaying or uploading it to the web. |
| DIY Electronics | Raspberry Pi is often used by hobbyists for various DIY electronics projects, such as building custom gadgets, interactive art installations, or experimental prototypes. |
| Security Systems | Raspberry Pi can be utilized to create DIY security systems, integrating cameras, motion sensors, and alarms, and providing monitoring and alerting functionalities. |
Best Alternative Of Raspberry Pi
| Alternatives | Description |
|---|---|
| Orange Pi 5 | If you want the best overall Raspberry Pi alternative. |
| UDOO BOLT V3 | If you want the best premium Raspberry Pi alternative. |
| Libre Le Potato | If you want the best budget Raspberry Pi alternative. |
| ODROID N2+ | If you want the best Raspberry Pi alternative for networking and streaming. |
| Nvidia Jetson Nano | If you want the best Raspberry Pi alternative for GPU performance and AI. |
Overall Best Raspberry Pi Alternatives “Orange Pi 5”
While the Orange Pi 5 has flown under the radar, you might be shocked to learn that its specifications are quite competitive with the Raspberry Pi. Granted, it is slightly more expensive, but it has enough power to justify the extra cost, not to mention that it was released before the Raspberry Pi 5. So, if you’re searching for the greatest option to the Raspberry Pi 5, the Orange Pi 5 is it, though it’s worth noting right away that it lacks cross-compatibility, which could be a problem when converting to it.
In terms of computing power, the Orange Pi 5 is equipped with a Rockchip RK3588S, which is a quad-core A76 and quad-core A55 combo for a total of 8 cores running on a 64-bit architecture and capable of reaching 2.4GHz. You also have an ARM Mali-G610 GPU with 2D and 3D acceleration, but more significantly, it can show 8K resolutions, giving you a few more options for how you want to manage your display. The highest-end model has 16GB of RAM, but there are also models with 32GB and 8GB of RAM, as well as a bundled version with a 256GB eMMC.
In terms of connection, you got a pretty good spread, with an HDMI out, a USB 3.0 type-C, two USB 2.0 type-As, a Gigabit LAN port, and a USB 3.1 type-C port for power, which is useful. You also receive a 26-pin GPIO header, the option to use an M.2 PCIe2.0 card, and a variety of LCD and camera interfaces. So, actually, there are numerous ways to connect to the Orange Pi 5 and produce data, making it an excellent choice for high-performance and demanding jobs.
Specification of Orange Pi 5
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | Quad-core ARM Cortex-A7 |
| Memory | 1GB DDR3 SDRAM |
| Storage | Micro SD card slot |
| Networking | 10/100M Ethernet, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Ports | USB 2.0, HDMI, GPIO, UART, I2C, SPI |
Pros And Cons Of Orange Pi 5
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| High performance | Limited community support |
| Low cost | Compatibility issues with some peripherals |
| Supports various operating systems | Documentation could be better |
| Good connectivity options | Availability of accessories |
| Expandable storage | Not as powerful as some competitors |
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Best Premium Raspberry Pi Alternatives“UDOO BOLT V3”
The truth is that the UDOO BOLT V3 is likely to be overkill for the majority of use cases, but if you require something almost as powerful as an entry-level laptop, this is it. Of course, it’s about the same price as a budget laptop, but it has comparable computing capability, so it’s not too awful. In fact, the AMD Ryzen Embedded V1202b is quite strong, capable of reaching 2.3 GHz ordinarily and up to 3.2 GHz when boosted, allowing it to execute far more sophisticated tasks than the usual SBC.
With that kind of computing power, you can run almost any Linux distribution you can think of, and possibly even Windows 10, which is astounding for such a small device. It also includes an AMD Radeon Vega 3 GPU, which is comparable to an older GTX 800 or 900 series laptop GPU, but it still packs a lot of power in such a small package. Even better, this implies you can use it for a variety of game emulation if you want to build a small-form-factor emulation rig, which would be an intriguing endeavor.
In terms of RAM, you get two dual-channel 64-bit So-DIMM Sockets that can support up to 32GB of ECC RAM, which is a lot of power to have under the hood and ideal for more intensive activities, as well as 32GB of EMMC storage. Overall, the UDOO BOLT V3 is one of the most powerful SBCs available, suitable for emulation, VR projects, and more. However, if that isn’t enough power for you, you could always pay an extra $100 and get a UDOO BOLT V8, which has a far superior CPU and GPU combo and could perhaps compete with certain entry-level laptops in terms of processing power. Best Premium Raspberry Pi Alternatives.
Specification of UDOO BOLT V3
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | AMD Ryzen Embedded V1605B |
| CPU Cores | Quad-core, 2.0 GHz base, up to 3.6 GHz boost |
| GPU | AMD Radeon Vega 8 Graphics |
| RAM | Up to 32GB DDR4-2400 |
| Storage | M.2 SATA/NVMe SSD slot, 2x SATA 3.0 ports |
| Networking | Gigabit Ethernet, Wireless AC, Bluetooth 4.2 |
| USB Ports | 4x USB 3.1 Gen 1, 2x USB 2.0 |
| Video Output | HDMI 2.0, 2x USB-C DP (DisplayPort) |
| Audio | Realtek ALC888S codec, 3.5mm audio jack |
| Expansion | 40-pin GPIO header, Arduino compatible headers |
| Power | 12V DC jack, or via GPIO header |
| Dimensions | 120mm x 120mm |
| Operating System | Supports Windows 10, Linux (Ubuntu, etc.) |
| Other Features | Hardware video decoding, TPM header |
Pros And Cons Of UDOO BOLT V3
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Powerful AMD Ryzen Embedded processor | Relatively high cost |
| Dual 4K display support | Limited availability |
| Rich connectivity options | Requires active cooling |
| Expandable memory and storage | Large form factor |
| Supports various operating systems | Not as power efficient as some alternatives |
Best Raspberry Pi Alternatives In Budget “Libre Le Potato”
Purchasing an SBC does not have to be an expensive undertaking, and while the Raspberry Pi 3 is typically a solid budget option, it can be difficult to find in stock these days, especially with the Raspberry Pi 4 and 5 available. Fortunately, the alternative is still rather fantastic, and it comes in the form of the Libre Le Potato, which not only has an amusing name but is also quite powerful for what it offers. Granted, it shows its age, much like the Pi 3, but at $35 MSRP for the 2GB RAM version, you can’t really blame it.
In terms of performance, you get quad 64-bit 1.5GHz ARM Cortex-A53 processors, which are adequate for most use cases and do not necessitate the large quantities of RAM typically found on more expensive SBCs. For a GPU, you have the ARM Mali-450 at 750MHz, which can handle 4k at 60FPS but isn’t powerful enough to execute most 3D rendering required by emulation software. That being said, you might be able to handle some truly old-school games that use 2D rendering and aren’t as power-hungry, which is completely in keeping with the price tag.
There is also a lot of compatibility between this and the Raspberry Pi 2 and 3, so if you have components for those, they should fit on this, which is handy. However, because this isn’t as well-known as some of the other SBCs on this list, it has virtually no documentation, making it nearly impossible for newbies to use and figure out, which is unfortunate given how inexpensive it is. Also, the connections are somewhat outdated, with no USB 3.0 or type-C interfaces, which is inconvenient. Best Raspberry Pi Alternatives In Budget.
Specification of Libre Le Potato
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | Amlogic S905X quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 |
| GPU | Mali-450 MP3 |
| RAM | 1GB or 2GB DDR3 |
| Storage | MicroSD card slot, eMMC module connector |
| Networking | 10/100 Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2 |
| USB Ports | 4x USB 2.0 |
| Video Output | HDMI 2.0a |
| Audio | 3.5mm audio jack, HDMI audio |
| Expansion | 40-pin GPIO header |
| Power | 5V DC via USB-C connector |
| Dimensions | 85mm x 56mm |
| Operating System | Supports various Linux distributions, Android |
| Other Features | Hardware video decoding (H.265/HEVC, H.264) |
Pros And Cons Of Libre Le Potato
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| High performance CPU | Higher price compared to some alternatives |
| Excellent GPU performance | Limited availability |
| Good community support | Requires additional peripherals for full functionality |
| Supports various Linux distributions | Not as widely recognized as some other SBCs |
| Expandable storage options | Some compatibility issues with certain peripherals |
Best Raspberry Pi Alternatives In Networking And Streaming “ODROID N2+”
If you want something adaptable and wonderful for networking, streaming, or watching video, you can’t go wrong with the ODROID N2+, which is a significant upgrade over the previous ODROID N2+. In reality, it has a substantially smaller footprint and a heatsink that is precisely situated to allow for cooling without the need for an additional fan or thermal throttling. That means you won’t have to battle to get a fan on here or find a casing that fits it, which is already challenging given the limited cross-compatibility between this and the Raspberry Pi.
In terms of processing capability, the Amlogic S922X SoC has a quad-core Cortex-A73 and a dual-core Cortex-A53, giving you a good amount of CPU power to work with. The ARM Mali-G52 GPU supports 4k and both HDR10 and HLG, the latter of which is an HDR standard used by most sports broadcasters, making it an excellent choice for streaming that type of video. It’s also powerful enough to run some game emulation software, but don’t anticipate anything particularly sophisticated or high-end.
The RAM is limited to 4GB, which is more than enough for most uses, and there is no on-board storage, however, it does have a MicroSD slot and an eMMC slot, so it depends on how much you want to spend and whether you need that higher storage rate. Ports include four USB 3.0 type-A, an HDMI, ethernet, Micro USB, and a DC power port. It also features a 40-pin GPIO header, which is fantastic to see, although it’s worth noting that the knowledgebase isn’t as thorough or accessible as it is for the Raspberry Pi, so there will be some learning curve here. Best Raspberry Pi Alternatives In Networking.
Specifications Of “ODROID N2+”
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | Amlogic S922X-H Hexa-core ARM Cortex-A73/A53 |
| GPU | Mali-G52 GPU |
| RAM | 4GB or 2GB DDR4 |
| Storage | eMMC module socket, MicroSD card slot |
| Networking | Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2 |
| USB Ports | 4x USB 3.0, 1x USB 2.0 |
| Video Output | HDMI 2.0a (up to 4K@60Hz), 1x HDMI 2.0b (up to 4K@60Hz) |
| Audio | HDMI audio, SPDIF optical output |
| Expansion | 40-pin GPIO header |
| Power | 5V/4A via DC jack |
| Dimensions | 90mm x 90mm |
| Operating System | Supports various Linux distributions (Ubuntu, etc.), Android |
| Other Features | Hardware video decoding (H.265/HEVC, H.264, VP9) |
Pros And Cons Of “ODROID N2+”
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Powerful processing capabilities | Relatively higher cost compared to some other single-board computers |
| Supports 4K video playback | Limited availability of accessories compared to more mainstream SBCs |
| Ample RAM for multitasking | May require additional cooling solutions under heavy load |
| Highly customizable with various operating systems | Requires some technical knowledge for optimal use |
| Excellent connectivity options including Gigabit Ethernet and USB 3.0 ports | Not as widely supported as some other SBC platforms |
Best Raspberry Pi Alternatives In GPU Performance “Nvidia Jetson Nano”
If you’re an advanced user who is looking for a Single Board Computer (SBC) that’s great for deep learning and AI, then the Nvidia Jetson Nano is the perfect solution. It has been made by Nvidia specifically for that purpose. The 128-core Maxwell GPU is very powerful and well-suited for the sort of processing that deep learning requires. Although it can also run the Dolphin emulator for playing GameCube and Wii, it’s not really built for that and you might want to go with something that has a more traditional GPU architecture like UDOO BOLT V3.
The CPU of Nvidia Jetson Nano is a Quad-core ARM A57 running at 1.43 GHz which is pretty powerful, although it doesn’t really compete with some other SBCs on the list. However, the focus is more on the GPU than the CPU, and being able to render complex simulations or run machine learning doesn’t rely on having the most powerful CPU out there when the GPU is more than capable. That said, memory tops out at 4GB, and there is no internal storage, so you’ll have to rely on the MicroSD card or an external hard drive plugged in through USB.
Luckily, the Nvidia Jetson Nano has excellent documentation and SDK, with support for Linux OS and the Nvidia software suit, such as the Nvidia CUDA, cuDNN, and TensorRT software libraries, which makes it very versatile. You also have a good selection of ports, including four USB 3.0s and a USB 2.0 Micro-USB, as well as an HDMI port. Although it would have been nice to see a couple of Type-C ports, they aren’t very necessary for what this is going to be used. The Best Raspberry Pi Alternatives in GPU performance forever.
Specifications Of “Nvidia Jetson Nano”
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| GPU | 128-core Maxwell GPU |
| CPU | Quad-core ARM Cortex-A57 @ 1.43 GHz |
| Memory | 4 GB 64-bit LPDDR4 25.6 GB/s |
| Storage | MicroSD card slot |
| Video Encode | 4K @ 30 (H.264/H.265) |
| Video Decode | 4K @ 60 (H.264/H.265) |
| Camera | 12x CSI-2 lanes for connecting camera sensors |
| Connectivity | Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
| USB | 4 x USB 3.0, USB 2.0 Micro-B (device mode only) |
| GPIO Pins | 40-pin GPIO header |
| Display | HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.2 |
| Power | 5V/4A DC via barrel jack or Micro-USB |
| Dimensions | 100 mm x 80 mm |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to 50°C |
| Operating System Support | Linux (Ubuntu-based) |
Pros And Cons Of “Nvidia Jetson Nano”
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| High-performance GPU suitable for AI and machine learning tasks | Relatively higher cost compared to some other single-board computers |
| Excellent support for deep learning frameworks like TensorFlow and PyTorch | Requires active cooling for sustained performance |
| Comprehensive documentation and community support | Limited I/O options compared to some other SBCs |
| Supports hardware-accelerated video encoding and decoding | Requires additional peripherals for basic functionality, such as power supply and storage |
| Compact form factor suitable for embedded applications | Not as beginner-friendly as some other single-board computers |
Conclusion
In summary, even though Raspberry Pi has been a dominant player in the single-board computer market for quite some time, there are some new competitors that offer unique features and capabilities. Raspberry Pi alternatives are called [Orange Pi 5, UDOO BOLT V3, Libre Le Potato, ODROID N2+, and Nvidia Jetson Nano]. An excellent choice for enthusiasts, educators, and professionals who require adaptability and performance in their projects. The board has stringent hardware requirements, and it also has a vast ecosystem of software support and community-driven development, which allows it to be integrated seamlessly into a wide variety of applications. Additionally, These [GPU performance, networking, budget-friendly, and more] make it a viable alternative to the Raspberry Pi, appealing to a broad range of user demands and preferences. As technology continues to evolve, the world of single-board computers is sure to witness more innovation and competition, providing users with an ever-expanding range of options to meet their needs.
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