The Raspberry Pi is a well-liked single-board laptop (SBC) and, for a lot of, is on the coronary heart of DIY programming and residential computing initiatives. Nonetheless, alternate options in the marketplace can present the identical, or higher, mind and processing hub. Additionally they provide powerful processors, memory, storage, and devoted {hardware} for purposes resembling AI or video. SBCs may also be used from an early age and supply a enjoyable, hands-on approach to study programming, for instance.
In case you’re searching for something from a beginner-friendly mannequin to a strong developer-based SBC, we have now you coated.
What’s the finest Raspberry Pi different proper now?
The Libre Computer Board — or Le Potato — is my total high decide. This $40 Raspberry Pi different is a stable SBC for rookies and lovers. Whilst you may go for Candy Potato, Le Potato fits a broader person base.Â
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.Â
The ZDNET workforce is well-versed in SBC use. We’ll enable you discover the right SBC in your residence automation, customized gadget creation, or the robotic you’ve got all the time wished to construct. After inspecting the market’s hottest choices, buyer suggestions, and critiques, my high suggestions for the perfect Raspberry Pi alternate options of 2025 are under.
The very best Raspberry Pi alternate options of 2025
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This Libre Pc Board is an reasonably priced, stable, single-board laptop, which makes it my high decide for SBCs exterior of the Raspberry Pi vary.Â
Why we prefer it: Le Potato helps the Ubuntu 22.04 long-term assist (LTS) and Raspbian 11 working techniques. Plus, it affords countless storage enlargement by way of MicroSD playing cards for frequent utilization.Â
You will not break any velocity information, and it isn’t appropriate for heavy-resource initiatives. Nonetheless, this board affords 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 Pc hub.
Who’s it for: In case you’re keen on making an attempt out an SBC for the primary time to check with conventional PC setups with out breaking the financial institution, it is a nice choice for you.Â
On Amazon, you may decide up a 2GB mannequin for less than $40. A variety of equipment together with heatsinks and dongle community adapters, may be bought from LoveRPi.
Who ought to look elsewhere: Prospects love the worth level and common versatility of this SBC, however some report booting points, and so it won’t swimsuit customers of the developer selection.Â
Libre Pc Board AML-S905X-CC (Le Potato) tech specs: Processor:Â Amlogic S905X SoC |Â Graphics:Â Mali-450 GPU |Â RAM:Â As much as 2GB of DDR3 SDRAM |Â Connectivity:Â 4x USB 2.0 Sort AÂ |Â Ports:Â HDMI 2.0Â |Â Storage enlargement:Â MicroSD Card Slot |Â Interface:Â eMMC Interface |Â Velocity:Â 100Mb Quick Ethernet
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The Orange Pi 5 Plus board is a wonderful Raspberry Pi different in the event you’re searching for a board appropriate for media functions.Â
Why we prefer it: Put merely, the Orange Pi 5 Plus packs a punch.Â
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 techniques, and a video output high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) connector as much as 8K.Â
Who’s it for: Anybody who needs the entire package deal in an SBC for media and video initiatives.Â
Prospects report that they’re pleased with the facility and velocity of the system as a Raspberry Pi different.
The 8GB Orange Pi 5 Plus is priced at $148, and supply could take a number of weeks relying in your location.Â
Who ought to look elsewhere:Â In line with person suggestions, this system is great, however there are assist issues. So, it won’t be the best choice for anybody who needs technical assist.Â
As a substitute, a Wiki-style guidebook is out there if you wish to find out about particular features of this SBC.
It also needs to be famous that choosing up equipment could be tough. Because of adjustments to U.S. customs rules, Orange Pi.internet, probably the greatest locations to purchase the product, is now not transport boards to the U.S. Equipment may additionally finally turn out to be 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)
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The Tinker Board 2S is one other of my favorites, due to its sturdy energy and processing capabilities.Â
Why we prefer it: The Tinker Board 2S options a wonderful processor and the 16GB embedded multi-media card (eMMC) velocity affords sufficient energy for many initiatives. It additionally helps excessive definition (HD) and ultra-high definition (UHD), also referred to as 4K video, in addition to numerous ports together with native space community (LAN) and USB.Â
This board has a number of glorious options that make it ideally suited for hobbyists. We significantly admire the color-coded general-purpose (GPIO) header, which makes it straightforward to acknowledge respective pin headers. Plus, the detailed silk-screen print on the face of the board makes it clear the place every part goes.Â
Who’s it for: Prospects say there may be far much less assist accessible in comparison with Raspberry Pi, however they often prefer it as a venture SBC. I take into account this one of many higher choices round for hobbyists.Â
This SBC is at the moment in inventory at Amazon for $130, though shares do fluctuate. Consumer manuals and quick-start guides are additionally available.Â
Who ought to look elsewhere: Anybody who needs a fast supply. Delivery can take as much as a number of weeks, relying on the retailer.Â
Tinker Board 2S tech specs: Processor:Â Rockchip Quad-Core RK3299Â |Â Graphics:Â Arm Mali-T860 GPU |Â RAM:Â 4GB LPDDR4Â |Â Bandwidth:Â 802.11 b/g/n |Â Bluetooth:Â V4.0 and EDR |Â Velocity:Â 16GB eMMC
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Highly effective but energy-efficient, the Odroid N2+ can be one among ZDNET creator Adrian Kingsley-Hughes’ first selections if he wished to exchange his desktop with a single-board laptop.Â
Why we prefer it: The N2+ is good for superior customers who require extra energy than an ordinary SBC. It affords glorious connectivity and may run the Petitboot app.Â
It may well 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:Â How to install Linux on your Raspberry Pi
It is also near unimaginable to argue with the worth level, as Hardkernel sells a 2GB mannequin for less than $66. Circumstances may also be bought at Amazon.
Who’s it for: Buyer critiques point out that the N2+ is a superb residence automation and gaming choice, and so this could be the precise selection for residence initiatives that require substantial assets.Â
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 necessary to you, one other one among my suggestions could be extra appropriate.
Odroid N2+ tech specs: Processor:Â Amlogic S922X — 4x Cortex-A73 @ 2.2GHz, 2x Cortex-A53 at 1.9GHz |Â Graphics:Â Mali-G52 GPU |Â RAM:Â 2GB or 4GB DDR4 |Â Interface:Â eMMC socket with optionally available 8GB to 128GB |Â Options:Â 8MB SPI flash with boot choose change and Petitboot app |Â Ports:Â Gigabit Ethernet port, HDMI 2.1 port for as much as 4K at 60Hz |Â Connectivity:Â 4x USB 3.0 ports |Â Velocity:Â 2.4Ghz with Gigabit Ethernet PortÂ
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There’s not a lot that the Udoo Bolt V8 cannot deal with relating to power-hungry initiatives that require excessive velocity, making it one other of my high SBCs.Â
Why we prefer it: With a Ryzen processor (@ 2.0GHz) (3.6GHz Increase) and Vega 8 graphics, it is quick and nice for digital actuality (VR), augmented actuality (AR), and AI duties. If it’s essential load giant information rapidly and successfully, the Udoo Bolt V8 will not disappoint.Â
The developer says this SBC is “virtually twice as quick because the MacBook Professional 13 for VR, AR, and AI initiatives.”
The velocity 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.Â
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 gives, and I take into account this probably the greatest choices for developer-based SBC initiatives.Â
Who ought to look elsewhere: Contemplating the worth level, this Raspberry Pi different will not be appropriate for anybody simply beginning out with SBC programming.Â
Udoo Bolt V8 tech specs: Processor:Â AMD Ryzen Embedded V1605B Quad Core/eight Thread @ 2.0GHz (3.6GHz Increase) |Â Graphics:Â AMD Radeon Vega 8 |Â RAM:Â 2x Ddr4 Twin-channel 64-bit So-DIMM Sockets with Ecc Help Up To 32GB 2400 Mt/s |Â Velocity:Â 32GB eMMC 5.0 high-speed drive
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Le Potato is ZDNET’s high decide total resulting from its affordability and options within the single-board laptop area. We have damaged down every Raspberry Pi different under primarily based on processor, storage, and velocity that can assist you select a single-board laptop.
Greatest Raspberry Pi different | Processor | RAM/Storage | Velocity |
Libre Pc 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 Increase) | 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 laptop will suffice for a fast venture or in the event you’re exploring the sphere of SBCs, however if you wish to spend money on higher {hardware}, be sure to’re not losing cash.Â
Earlier than shopping for a pricier SBC, we propose beginning with a transparent concept of the initiatives you may use it for. That is definitely worth the time. Getting derailed partway by a venture may end up in a large and expensive setback.
Subsequent, perform a little research. How a lot energy and efficiency do you want? What working system do it’s essential use? This SBC information affords the perfect Raspberry Pi alternate options so you could find the board that matches your finances and desires.
Select this SBC… | If you need… |
Libre Pc Board AML-2905X-CC (Le Potato) | A finances choice for hobbyists and lovers, and the right approach to discover SBCs. This Libre mannequin is a superb Raspberry Pi different for individuals who need to find out about SBCs with out spending a fortune. |
Orange Pi 5 Plus | A single-board laptop 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 value level on the upper aspect exterior of gross sales promotions, the Tinker Board has every part you want for quite a lot of initiatives. |
Odroid N2+ | A variety of {hardware} choices. The Odroid N2+ is a high performer that one among our personal authors would choose as a desktop PC alternative. |
Udoo Bolt V8 | A high-end SBC with the sort of efficiency you’d anticipate from a desktop laptop. It is costly, however the velocity and assist for VR, AR, and AI initiatives could make it value it. |
When you’re choosing a single board laptop exterior of the Raspberry Pi model, it’s best to take into account the next elements earlier than making a purchase order:
- Worth: How a lot are you prepared to spend in your new venture? In case you’re beginning out, a less expensive SBC must be high quality, whereas you would possibly need to spend slightly extra for long-term or superior initiatives. For instance, there might be price variations between a fundamental SBC to study programming fundamentals and one designed for AI.
- Venture: In order for you an SBC for hobbyist initiatives, you will not want essentially the most superior or costly kits on the market — minimal RAM and processing will do, and so that you won’t need to go for essentially the most superior processing energy or the perfect board. It’s possible you’ll even get away with recycling older parts, resembling exterior storage, to be used along with your new SBC.
- Subsequent-gen duties: If you wish to discover the capabilities of AI, you have to an SBC with excessive specs or one thing explicitly constructed with these initiatives in thoughts, such because the Nvidia Jetson. Nonetheless, it’s best to anticipate to pay extra for superior SBCs.
- Connectivity: Think about what connectivity is necessary to you before you purchase. SBCs could embody various kinds of USB ports — resembling USB-A or USB-C — in addition to diverse web or Bluetooth connectivity choices.
- Media: In case you intend to make use of your Raspberry Pi different for media, resembling streaming audio and video, be sure that the SBC you’re contemplating has the required parts and assist, particularly for any exterior storage you propose to make use of.Â
- Safety: SBCs are far much less cumbersome than conventional computer systems, so chances are you’ll be tempted to carry one once you journey. In that case, guarantee you could have 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 purposes in your SBC, you have to to think about warmth technology. The extra energy an SBC makes use of and the extra duties it performs, the extra warmth it generates, and so chances are you’ll must look into cooling strategies resembling warmth sinks or followers.
The Raspberry Pi is a wonderful piece of {hardware}, however 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 let you customise your expertise.Â
My listing contains choices personally examined by ZDNET authors and extremely beneficial merchandise primarily based on buyer critiques and suggestions, with these elements particularly in thoughts:
- Efficiency: Efficiency is crucial when you think about buying a brand new SBC. I thought-about processing energy, RAM, and graphics and have included choices in a position to 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 totally different choices for the SBC hobbyist.
- Storage: Some SBCs embody storage, whereas others present USB ports for connecting exterior drives. I like to incorporate selections with and with out storage, permitting you to extra management over implementing all these parts.
- Ease of use: SBCs do not need to be advanced. A few of my choices embody sensible coloration coding or different options to make your initiatives simpler to deal with. Moreover, a few of my high suggestions are appropriate for studying tips on how to code and for academic initiatives.
- Worth: Not everybody needs to spend money on essentially 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 units with rookies, hobbyists, and tech lovers in thoughts.Â
Newest information within the SBC area
- 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.Â
- One other new product that has just lately 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 software use.Â
Raspberry Pi is a small computing system developed by the U.Okay.-based non-profit Raspberry Pi Foundation. Raspberry Pi SBCs are cheaper than PCs or laptops, and are used to study programming, construct computer systems, robots, safety techniques, and extra. In a way, Raspberry Pi SBCs operate because the compact mind of a system or venture.
The Raspberry Pi continues to be the perfect place to begin if you wish to get expertise with a single-board laptop. You may as well check out guides offered by the Raspberry Pi Foundation to find out about SBC parts.
Additionally: Raspberry Pi just released its own high-performance SSDs and SSD kits
These alternate options are a fantastic subsequent step to broaden your SBC data. The Raspberry Pi is a superb device for familiarizing your self with the setup and general-purpose enter/output (GPIO) pins. It is also a great tool if one among your youngsters has an curiosity in programming that you just need to encourage.Â
Yow will discover loads of generic instances on the market to guard your Raspberry Pi or different SBC, and I like to recommend getting one. In any case, in the event you’re investing in an SBC, it’s best to shield it. You might try KKSB for a number of concepts.
Additionally, in case you are fortunate sufficient to personal a 3D printer, then you definately’ll have an countless provide of instances. Alternatively, you may go to the 3D printing market Pinshape to search out your excellent case.Â
You’ll be able to attempt to waterproof the case through the use of seals or silicone grease. You might additionally spray the board with a conformal coating to withstand moisture.Â
Past these steps, there is not any approach to make them utterly waterproof, and also you danger harm in the event you do not preserve your electronics away from antagonistic climate circumstances and environments.
Sure, many professionals use Raspberry Pi for every part from product testing to academic initiatives, however additionally they use alternate options. All of it relies on private and venture wants.
The price of Raspberry Pi fashions — as soon as solely $15 or so — has elevated resulting from provide shortages, and the worth of computing parts and chips has elevated resulting from 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 stable different to Raspberry Pi. It’s a comparable system however has added advantages. For instance, it helps a wider vary of working techniques, resembling 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.Â
Developer kits are a particular sort 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 not any stable distinction between a developer equipment and an ordinary SBC, developer boards can typically be stripped right down to easy merchandise centered on improvement and coding slightly than finish initiatives.Â
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 info on our favourite different Raspberry Pi SBCs. We additionally eliminated the Jetson Nano from our alternate options resulting from an absence of inventory.
- In ZDNET’s June replace, we carried out editorial updates and eliminated merchandise which might be out of inventory.
- In Might, we carried out in depth copy adjustments and up to date all pricing.Â
Extra Raspberry Pi alternate options
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The $119 FriendlyElec NanoPi R6S is a flexible open supply different with assist for working techniques together with Debian, Android, and FriendlyWrt. Specs embody 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 purchase a $20 case seperately. Because of a warehouse change, nonetheless, transport is delayed.
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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 decide one up for $100 at Amazon. It is costly, however it comes with a Rockchip RK3588S processor, an ARM Mali-G610 GPU, an AI accelerator, and another helpful {hardware} parts.
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You might take into account the $35 Libre Pc Candy Potato if you need an improve to Le Potato, however primarily based on buyer suggestions, many customers want the unique. Nonetheless, this budget-friendly different helps Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, Debian 12, and CoreELEC, and is supplied with 2GB RAM.
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