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 functions corresponding to AI or video. SBCs may also be used from an early age and supply a enjoyable, hands-on option to be taught programming, for instance.
When you’re searching for something from a beginner-friendly mannequin to a strong developer-based SBC, we have now you lined.
What’s the finest Raspberry Pi various proper now?
The Libre Computer Board — or Le Potato — is my total high decide. This $40 Raspberry Pi various is a strong SBC for newcomers and fanatics. Whilst you may go for Candy Potato, Le Potato fits a broader consumer 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 costlier at $136.
The ZDNET staff is well-versed in SBC use. We’ll enable you to discover the right SBC on your dwelling automation, customized gadget creation, or the robotic you’ve got all the time wished to construct. After analyzing the market’s hottest choices, buyer suggestions, and opinions, my high suggestions for the perfect Raspberry Pi alternate options of 2025 are beneath.
One of the best Raspberry Pi alternate options of 2025
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This Libre Pc Board is an inexpensive, strong, single-board laptop, which makes it my high decide for SBCs outdoors of the Raspberry Pi vary.
Why we prefer it: Le Potato helps the Ubuntu 22.04 long-term assist (LTS) and Raspbian 11 working methods. Plus, it gives limitless storage growth by way of MicroSD playing cards for frequent utilization.
You will not break any velocity data, and it isn’t appropriate for heavy-resource initiatives. Nonetheless, this board gives nice options together with Linux, open supply graphics, video libraries, and unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI) assist. This suite ought to 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: When you’re all in favour of 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 possibility for you.
On Amazon, you possibly can decide up a 2GB mannequin for under $40. A variety of equipment together with heatsinks and dongle community adapters, may be bought from LoveRPi.
Who ought to look elsewhere: Clients love the worth level and normal versatility of this SBC, however some report booting points, and so it won’t swimsuit customers of the developer selection.
Libre Pc 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 Kind A | Ports: HDMI 2.0 | Storage growth: MicroSD Card Slot | Interface: eMMC Interface | Pace: 100Mb Quick Ethernet
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The Orange Pi 5 Plus board is a wonderful Raspberry Pi various if you happen to’re searching 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 methods, 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.
Clients report that they’re proud of the facility and velocity 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: In accordance with consumer suggestions, this system is great, however there are assist issues. So, it won’t be the most suitable choice for anybody who desires technical assist.
As a substitute, a Wiki-style guidebook is accessible if you wish to find out about particular capabilities of this SBC.
It also needs to be famous that selecting up equipment is likely to be tough. As a consequence of adjustments to U.S. customs rules, Orange Pi.web, top-of-the-line locations to purchase the product, is now not transport boards to the U.S. Equipment may ultimately develop into a problem, 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, because of its strong energy and processing capabilities.
Why we prefer it: The Tinker Board 2S options a superb processor and the 16GB embedded multi-media card (eMMC) velocity gives sufficient energy for many initiatives. It additionally helps excessive definition (HD) and ultra-high definition (UHD), often known as 4K video, in addition to varied ports together with native space community (LAN) and USB.
This board has a number of glorious options that make it ultimate for hobbyists. We notably recognize 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 every little thing goes.
Who’s it for: Clients say there’s far much less assist accessible in comparison with Raspberry Pi, however they typically prefer it as a challenge SBC. I take into account this one of many higher choices round for hobbyists.
This SBC is presently in inventory at Amazon for $130, though shares do fluctuate. Consumer manuals and quick-start guides are additionally available.
Who ought to look elsewhere: Anybody who desires a speedy 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 | Pace: 16GB eMMC
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Highly effective but energy-efficient, the Odroid N2+ could be certainly one of ZDNET creator Adrian Kingsley-Hughes’ first decisions if he wished to switch his desktop with a single-board laptop.
Why we prefer it: The N2+ is good for superior customers who require extra energy than a normal SBC. It gives glorious connectivity and might run the Petitboot app.
It might additionally run varied 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 not possible to argue with the worth level, as Hardkernel sells a 2GB mannequin for under $66. Circumstances may also be bought at Amazon.
Who’s it for: Buyer opinions point out that the N2+ is a good dwelling automation and gaming possibility, and so this is likely to be the best alternative for dwelling initiatives that require substantial assets.
Who ought to look elsewhere: Some customers, nonetheless, have skilled energy provide points and so maintain this in thoughts. If fixed use and operation are essential to you, one other certainly one of my suggestions is likely to be 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 non-obligatory 8GB to 128GB | Options: 8MB SPI flash with boot choose change and Petitboot app | Ports: Gigabit Ethernet port, HDMI 2.1 port for as much as 4K at 60Hz | Connectivity: 4x USB 3.0 ports | Pace: 2.4Ghz with Gigabit Ethernet Port
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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.
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 is advisable load giant recordsdata shortly and successfully, the Udoo Bolt V8 will not disappoint.
The developer says this SBC is “nearly 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.
Who’s it for: Clients who’ve used the Udoo Bolt V8 point out how costly it’s, however many benefit from the sheer energy this SBC supplies, and I take into account this top-of-the-line choices for developer-based SBC initiatives.
Who ought to look elsewhere: Contemplating the worth 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 Increase) | Graphics: AMD Radeon Vega 8 | RAM: 2x Ddr4 Twin-channel 64-bit So-DIMM Sockets with Ecc Help Up To 32GB 2400 Mt/s | Pace: 32GB eMMC 5.0 high-speed drive
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Le Potato is ZDNET’s high decide total attributable to its affordability and options within the single-board laptop house. We have damaged down every Raspberry Pi various beneath based mostly on processor, storage, and velocity that will help you select a single-board laptop.
|
Finest Raspberry Pi various |
Processor |
RAM/Storage |
Pace |
|
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 Pace Drive |
An affordable single-board laptop will suffice for a fast challenge or if you happen to’re exploring the sector of SBCs, however if you wish to spend money on higher {hardware}, ensure you’re not losing cash.
Earlier than shopping for a pricier SBC, we propose beginning with a transparent concept of the initiatives you may use it for. That is well worth the time. Getting derailed partway by means of a challenge may end up in an enormous and expensive setback.
Subsequent, perform some research. How a lot energy and efficiency do you want? What working system do it is advisable use? This SBC information gives the perfect Raspberry Pi alternate options so you could find the board that matches your price range and wishes.
|
Select this SBC… |
If you need… |
|
Libre Pc Board AML-2905X-CC (Le Potato) |
A price range possibility for hobbyists and fanatics, and the right option to discover SBCs. This Libre mannequin is a good Raspberry Pi various for many 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 worth level on the upper aspect outdoors of gross sales promotions, the Tinker Board has every little thing you want for a wide range of initiatives. |
|
Odroid N2+ |
A variety of {hardware} choices. The Odroid N2+ is a high performer that certainly one of our personal authors would choose as a desktop PC substitute. |
|
Udoo Bolt V8 |
A high-end SBC with the type of efficiency you’ll count on from a desktop laptop. It is costly, however the velocity and assist for VR, AR, and AI initiatives might make it value it. |
When you’re deciding on a single board laptop outdoors of the Raspberry Pi model, you must take into account the next components earlier than making a purchase order:
- Worth: How a lot are you prepared to spend in your new challenge? When you’re beginning out, a less expensive SBC ought to be positive, whereas you would possibly need to spend slightly extra for long-term or superior initiatives. For instance, there can be price variations between a fundamental SBC to be taught programming fundamentals and one designed for AI.
- Undertaking: If you would like 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 need to go for probably the most superior processing energy or the perfect board. You might even get away with recycling older elements, corresponding 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 have an SBC with excessive specs or one thing explicitly constructed with these initiatives in thoughts, such because the Nvidia Jetson. Nonetheless, you must count on to pay extra for superior SBCs.
- Connectivity: Contemplate what connectivity is essential to you before you purchase. SBCs might embrace several types of USB ports — corresponding to USB-A or USB-C — in addition to various web or Bluetooth connectivity choices.
- Media: When you intend to make use of your Raspberry Pi various for media, corresponding to streaming audio and video, make sure that the SBC you’re contemplating has the required elements 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 might be tempted to carry one while you journey. In that case, guarantee you may 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 functions in your SBC, you will have 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 you might have to look into cooling strategies corresponding to warmth sinks or followers.
The Raspberry Pi is a wonderful piece of {hardware}, however it’s been constructed inside particular constraints that allow mass enchantment. These SBCs take what the Raspberry Pi delivered to the desk additional with options that can help you customise your expertise.
My listing consists of choices personally examined by ZDNET authors and extremely really useful merchandise based mostly on buyer opinions and suggestions, with these components particularly in thoughts:
- Efficiency: Efficiency is vital when you think about buying a brand new SBC. I thought of 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 all these elements.
- Ease of use: SBCs do not need to 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 high suggestions are appropriate for studying how you can code and for instructional initiatives.
- Worth: 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 of a variety of units with newcomers, 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 dimension of a bank card. A launch date is but to be introduced.
- 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 Growth Station” has reached its Kickstarter goals. This SBC is meant for AI software 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 methods, and extra. In a way, Raspberry Pi SBCs operate because the compact mind of a system or challenge.
The Raspberry Pi remains to be the perfect place to start out if you wish to get expertise with a single-board laptop. You can even check out guides offered by the Raspberry Pi Foundation to find out about SBC elements.
Additionally: Raspberry Pi just released its own high-performance SSDs and SSD kits
These alternate options are an awesome subsequent step to broaden your SBC information. The Raspberry Pi is a good software for familiarizing your self with the setup and general-purpose enter/output (GPIO) pins. It is also a great tool if certainly one of your children has an curiosity in programming that you just need to encourage.
You could find a variety of generic instances on the market to guard your Raspberry Pi or various SBC, and I like to recommend getting one. In any case, if you happen to’re investing in an SBC, you must shield it. You might try KKSB for a couple of concepts.
Additionally, in case you are fortunate sufficient to personal a 3D printer, you then’ll have an limitless provide of instances. Alternatively, you possibly can go to the 3D printing market Pinshape to seek out your good case.
You may 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.
Past these steps, there is not any option to make them utterly waterproof, and also you threat harm if you happen to do not maintain your electronics away from hostile climate situations and environments.
Sure, many professionals use Raspberry Pi for every little thing from product testing to instructional initiatives, however additionally they use alternate options. All of it will depend on private and challenge wants.
The price of Raspberry Pi fashions — as soon as solely $15 or so — has elevated attributable to provide shortages, and the worth of computing elements and chips has elevated attributable to inflation. Nonetheless, within the grand scheme of issues, some Raspberry Pi fashions are nonetheless very inexpensive for a variety of SBC initiatives.
Sure, Banana Pi is a strong various to Raspberry Pi. It’s a related system however has added advantages. For instance, it helps a wider vary of working methods, corresponding 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 expertise attachment (SATA) assist.
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 strong distinction between a developer package and a normal SBC, developer boards can usually be stripped right down to easy merchandise targeted on improvement and coding quite 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 alternate options attributable to a scarcity of inventory.
- In ZDNET’s June replace, we carried out editorial updates and eliminated merchandise which can be out of inventory.
- In Could, we carried out intensive copy adjustments and up to date all pricing.
Extra Raspberry Pi alternate options
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The $119 FriendlyElec NanoPi R6S is a flexible open supply various with assist for working methods 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 purchase a $20 case seperately. As a consequence of a warehouse change, nonetheless, transport is delayed.
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The Orange Pi 5 is a 4GB, 8-core possibility for builders, able to dealing with AI, VR, and AR. You may 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} elements.
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You might take into account the $35 Libre Pc Candy Potato in order for you an improve to Le Potato, however based mostly on buyer suggestions, many customers want the unique. Nonetheless, this budget-friendly various helps Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, Debian 12, and CoreELEC, and is provided with 2GB RAM.
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