The Best Raspberry Pi Alternatives Of 2025: Expert Recommended

1 month ago

The Raspberry Pi is simply a celebrated single-board machine (SBC) and, for many, is astatine nan bosom of DIY programming and location computing projects. However, alternatives connected nan marketplace tin supply nan same, aliases better, encephalon and processing hub. They besides offer powerful processors, memory, storage, and dedicated hardware for applications specified arsenic AI aliases video. SBCs tin besides beryllium utilized from an early property and supply a fun, hands-on measurement to study programming, for example.

If you're looking for thing from a beginner-friendly exemplary to a powerful developer-based SBC, we person you covered.

What is nan champion Raspberry Pi replacement correct now?

The Libre Computer Board -- aliases Le Potato -- is my wide apical pick. This $40 Raspberry Pi replacement is simply a coagulated SBC for beginners and enthusiasts. While you could opt for Sweet Potato, Le Potato suits a broader personification base.

The Orange Pi 5 Plus besides deserves a mention arsenic a versatile committee pinch capable powerfulness to grip media projects, though it is much costly astatine $136.

The ZDNET squad is well-versed successful SBC use. We'll thief you find nan cleanable SBC for your location automation, civilization gadget creation, aliases nan robot you've ever wanted to build. After examining nan market's astir celebrated options, customer feedback, and reviews, my apical recommendations for nan champion Raspberry Pi alternatives of 2025 are below.

The champion Raspberry Pi alternatives of 2025

This Libre Computer Board is an affordable, solid, single-board computer, which makes it my apical prime for SBCs extracurricular of nan Raspberry Pi range.

Why we for illustration it: Le Potato supports nan Ubuntu 22.04 semipermanent support (LTS) and Raspbian 11 operating systems. Plus, it offers endless retention description via MicroSD cards for predominant usage.

You won't break immoderate velocity records, and it's not suitable for heavy-resource projects. Still, this committee offers awesome features including Linux, unfastened root graphics, video libraries, and unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI) support. This suite should beryllium much than capable for astir projects.

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

Who is it for: If you're willing successful trying retired an SBC for nan first clip to comparison pinch accepted PC setups without breaking nan bank, this is simply a awesome action for you.

On Amazon, you tin prime up a 2GB exemplary for only $40. A scope of accessories including heatsinks and dongle web adapters, tin beryllium purchased from LoveRPi.

Who should look elsewhere: Customers emotion nan value constituent and wide versatility of this SBC, but immoderate study booting issues, and truthful it mightiness not suit users of nan developer variety.

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

Why we for illustration it: Put simply, nan 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), support for Debian 11, Android 12, Ubuntu 22.04, Orange Pi operating systems, and a video output high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) connector up to 8K.

Who is it for: Anyone who wants nan complete package successful an SBC for media and video projects.

Customers study that they are happy pinch nan powerfulness and velocity of nan strategy arsenic a Raspberry Pi alternative.

The 8GB Orange Pi 5 Plus is priced astatine $148, and transportation whitethorn return respective weeks depending connected your location.

Who should look elsewhere: According to personification feedback, this instrumentality is excellent, but location are support problems. So, it mightiness not beryllium nan champion action for anyone who wants method support.

Instead, a Wiki-style guidebook is disposable if you want to study astir circumstantial functions of this SBC.

It should besides beryllium noted that picking up accessories mightiness beryllium difficult. Due to changes to U.S. customs regulations, Orange Pi.net, 1 of nan champion places to bargain nan product, is now nary longer shipping boards to nan U.S. Accessories whitethorn besides yet go an issue, too.

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)

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The Tinker Board 2S is different of my favorites, acknowledgment to its robust powerfulness and processing capabilities.

Why we for illustration it: The Tinker Board 2S features an fantabulous processor and nan 16GB embedded multi-media paper (eMMC) velocity offers capable powerfulness for astir projects. It besides supports precocious meaning (HD) and ultra-high meaning (UHD), besides known arsenic 4K video, arsenic good arsenic various ports including section area web (LAN) and USB.

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

Who is it for: Customers opportunity location is acold little support disposable compared to Raspberry Pi, but they mostly for illustration it arsenic a task SBC. I see this 1 of nan amended options astir for hobbyists.

This SBC is presently successful banal astatine Amazon for $130, though stocks do fluctuate. User manuals and quick-start guides are also available.

Who should look elsewhere: Anyone who wants a accelerated delivery. Shipping tin return up to respective weeks, depending connected nan retailer.

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Powerful yet energy-efficient, nan Odroid N2+ would beryllium 1 of ZDNET writer Adrian Kingsley-Hughes' first choices if he wanted to switch his desktop pinch a single-board computer.

Why we for illustration it: The N2+ is perfect for precocious users who require much powerfulness than a modular SBC. It offers fantabulous connectivity and tin tally nan Petitboot app.

It tin besides tally various versions of Linux, including Ubuntu, and is compatible pinch Android. In addition, nan CPU timepiece of nan quad-core Cortex-A73 was accrued from 1.8GHz to 2.4GHz, and nan 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 pinch nan value point, arsenic Hardkernel sells a 2GB exemplary for only $66. Cases tin besides beryllium purchased astatine Amazon.

Who is it for: Customer reviews bespeak that nan N2+ is simply a awesome location automation and gaming option, and truthful this mightiness beryllium nan correct prime for location projects that require important resources.

Who should look elsewhere: Some users, however, person knowledgeable powerfulness proviso issues and truthful support this successful mind. If changeless usage and cognition are important to you, different 1 of my recommendations mightiness beryllium much suitable.

Odroid N2+ tech specs: Processor: Amlogic S922X -- 4x Cortex-A73 @ 2.2GHz, 2x Cortex-A53 astatine 1.9GHz | Graphics: Mali-G52 GPU | RAM: 2GB aliases 4GB DDR4 | Interface: eMMC socket pinch optional 8GB to 128GB | Features: 8MB SPI flash pinch footwear prime move 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 pinch Gigabit Ethernet Port

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There's not overmuch that nan Udoo Bolt V8 can't grip regarding power-hungry projects that require utmost speed, making it different of my apical SBCs.

Why we for illustration it: With a Ryzen processor (@ 2.0GHz) (3.6GHz Boost) and Vega 8 graphics, it's accelerated and awesome for virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and AI tasks. If you request to load ample files quickly and effectively, nan Udoo Bolt V8 won't disappoint.

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

The velocity and powerfulness of this SBC are a measurement supra astir of nan different boards I recommend. It's besides expensive, costing astatine $452, depending connected nan supplier.

Who is it for: Customers who person utilized nan Udoo Bolt V8 mention really costly it is, but galore bask nan sheer powerfulness this SBC provides, and I see this 1 of nan champion options for developer-based SBC projects.

Who should look elsewhere: Considering nan value point, this Raspberry Pi replacement won't beryllium suitable for anyone conscionable starting retired pinch SBC programming.

Udoo Bolt V8 tech specs: Processor: AMD Ryzen Embedded V1605B Quad Core/eight Thread @ 2.0GHz (3.6GHz Boost) | Graphics: AMD Radeon Vega 8 | RAM: 2x Ddr4 Dual-channel 64-bit So-DIMM Sockets pinch Ecc Support Up To 32GB 2400 Mt/s | Speed: 32GB eMMC 5.0 high-speed drive

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Le Potato is ZDNET's apical prime wide owed to its affordability and features successful nan single-board machine space. We've surgery down each Raspberry Pi replacement beneath based connected processor, storage, and velocity to thief 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 pinch 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 aliases 4GB DDR4	2.4Ghz pinch Gigabit Ethernet Port
Udoo Bolt V8	AMD Ryzen Embedded V1605B Quad Core/eight Thread @ 2.0Ghz (3.6ghz Boost)	2x DDR4 Dual-channel 64-bit So-DIMM Sockets With Ecc Support Up To 32GB 2400 Mt/s	32GB eMMC 5.0 High Speed Drive

A inexpensive single-board machine will suffice for a speedy task aliases if you're exploring nan section of SBCs, but if you want to put successful amended hardware, make judge you're not wasting money.

Before buying a pricier SBC, we propose starting pinch a clear thought of nan projects you'll usage it for. This is worthy nan time. Getting derailed partway done a task tin consequence successful a monolithic and costly setback.

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

Choose this SBC...	If you want...
Libre Computer Board AML-2905X-CC (Le Potato)	A fund action for hobbyists and enthusiasts, and nan cleanable measurement to research SBCs. This Libre exemplary is simply a awesome Raspberry Pi replacement for those who want to study astir SBCs without spending a fortune.
Orange Pi 5 Plus	A single-board machine group 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 value constituent connected nan higher broadside extracurricular of income promotions, nan 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 V8	A high-end SBC pinch nan benignant of capacity you would expect from a desktop computer. It's expensive, but nan velocity and support for VR, AR, and AI projects whitethorn make it worthy it.

When you are selecting a azygous committee machine extracurricular of nan Raspberry Pi brand, you should see nan 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 want to walk a small much for semipermanent aliases precocious projects. For example, location will beryllium costs differences betwixt a basal SBC to study programming fundamentals and 1 designed for AI.
Project: If you want an SBC for hobbyist projects, you won't request nan astir precocious aliases costly kits retired location -- minimal RAM and processing will do, and truthful you mightiness not want to spell for nan astir precocious processing powerfulness aliases nan champion board. You whitethorn moreover get distant pinch recycling older components, specified arsenic outer storage, for usage pinch your caller SBC.
Next-gen tasks: If you want to research nan capabilities of AI, you will request an SBC pinch precocious specifications aliases thing explicitly built pinch these projects successful mind, specified arsenic nan Nvidia Jetson. However, you should expect to salary much for precocious SBCs.
Connectivity: Consider what connectivity is important to you earlier you buy. SBCs whitethorn see different types of USB ports -- specified arsenic USB-A aliases USB-C -- arsenic good arsenic varied net aliases Bluetooth connectivity options.
Media: If you intend to usage your Raspberry Pi replacement for media, specified arsenic streaming audio and video, guarantee that nan SBC you are considering has nan required components and support, particularly for immoderate outer retention you intend 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 aliases measures to extremity your SBC from being damaged during transit aliases impacted by particulate and water.
Cooling: If you want to tally assets and power-heavy applications connected your SBC, you will request to see power generation. The much powerfulness an SBC uses and nan much tasks it performs, nan much power it generates, and truthful you whitethorn request to look into cooling methods specified arsenic power sinks aliases fans.

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

My database includes options personally tested by ZDNET authors and highly recommended products based connected customer reviews and feedback, pinch these factors specifically successful mind:

Performance: Performance is captious erstwhile you see purchasing a caller SBC. I 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 only person HDMI and Ethernet. I've besides included different options for nan SBC hobbyist.
Storage: Some SBCs see storage, while others supply USB ports for connecting outer drives. I for illustration to see choices pinch and without storage, allowing you to much power complete implementing these types of components.
Ease of use: SBCs don't person to beryllium complex. Some of my options see applicable colour coding aliases different features to make your projects easier to handle. Furthermore, immoderate of my apical recommendations are suitable for learning really to codification and for acquisition projects.
Price: Not everyone wants to put successful nan astir high-spec SBC retired there, particularly if they are conscionable starting retired and exploring their interests. I considered a scope of devices pinch beginners, hobbyists, and tech enthusiasts successful mind.

Latest news successful nan SBC space

Researchers opportunity that hackers planted a 4G-enabled Raspberry Pi successful a slope web to forge a backdoor into an ATM network.
Adafruit is moving connected a caller SBC, dubbed Fruit Jam, which is astir nan size of a in installments card. A motorboat day is yet to beryllium announced.
Another new product that has precocious appeared is nan Banana Pi BPI-R4 Pro, featuring a MediaTek processor and much RAM than erstwhile models.
The CrowPi 3 "Al Learning and Development Station" has reached its Kickstarter goals. This SBC is intended for AI exertion use.

Raspberry Pi is simply a mini computing strategy developed by nan U.K.-based non-profit Raspberry Pi Foundation. Raspberry Pi SBCs are cheaper than PCs aliases laptops, and are utilized to study programming, build computers, robots, information systems, and more. In a sense, Raspberry Pi SBCs usability arsenic nan compact encephalon of a strategy aliases project.

The Raspberry Pi is still nan champion spot to commencement if you want to get acquisition pinch a single-board computer. You tin besides return a look astatine guides provided by the Raspberry Pi Foundation to study astir SBC components.

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

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

You tin find a batch of generic cases retired location to protect your Raspberry Pi aliases replacement SBC, and I urge getting one. After all, if you're investing successful an SBC, you should protect 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 nan 3D printing marketplace Pinshape to find your cleanable case.

You tin effort to waterproof nan lawsuit by utilizing seals aliases silicone grease. You could besides spray nan committee pinch a conformal coating to defy moisture.

Beyond these steps, there's nary measurement to make them wholly waterproof, and you consequence 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 testing to acquisition projects, but they besides usage alternatives. It each depends connected individual and task needs.

The costs of Raspberry Pi models -- erstwhile only $15 aliases truthful -- has accrued owed to proviso shortages, and nan value of computing components and chips has accrued owed to inflation. Still, successful nan expansive strategy of things, immoderate Raspberry Pi models are still very affordable for a scope of SBC projects.

Yes, Banana Pi is simply a coagulated replacement 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 powerful processors and further RAM options, arsenic good arsenic enhanced connectivity for illustration Gigabit Ethernet and serial precocious exertion attachment (SATA) support.

Developer kits are a circumstantial type of committee that has been assembled -- from nan circuit committee to peripherals -- pinch nan 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.

Latest updates

In ZDNET's July update, we performed important transcript and editorial changes. We besides replaced nan Udoo Bolt V3 pinch nan Udoo Bolt V8 arsenic a apical choice, and provided much accusation connected our favourite replacement Raspberry Pi SBCs. We besides removed nan Jetson Nano from our alternatives owed to a deficiency of stock.
In ZDNET's June update, we performed editorial updates and removed products that are retired of stock.
In May, we performed extended transcript changes and updated each pricing.

More Raspberry Pi alternatives

The $119 FriendlyElec NanoPi R6S is simply a versatile unfastened root replacement pinch support for operating systems including Debian, Android, and FriendlyWrt. Specifications see a quad-core ARM Cortex-A76 (up to 2.4GHz) and quad-core Cortex-A55 CPU (up to 1.8GHz), alongside a Mali GPU and 32GB eMMC storage.

You tin acquisition a $20 lawsuit seperately. Due to a storage change, however, shipping is delayed.

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The Orange Pi 5 is simply a 4GB, 8-core action for developers, tin of handling AI, VR, and AR. You tin prime 1 up for $100 astatine Amazon. It's expensive, but it comes pinch a Rockchip RK3588S processor, an ARM Mali-G610 GPU, an AI accelerator, and immoderate different useful hardware components.

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You could see nan $35 Libre Computer Sweet Potato if you want an upgrade to Le Potato, but based connected customer feedback, galore users for illustration nan original. Still, this budget-friendly replacement supports Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, Debian 12, and CoreELEC, and is equipped pinch 2GB RAM.

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