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. Nonetheless, alternate 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 can be used from an early age and supply a enjoyable, hands-on solution to be taught programming, for instance.
In case you’re on the lookout 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 newbies and lovers. When you may 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 costlier at $136.
The ZDNET group is well-versed in SBC use. We’ll aid you discover the right SBC to your residence automation, customized gadget creation, or the robotic you have at all times needed to construct. After inspecting the market’s hottest choices, buyer suggestions, and opinions, my high suggestions for one of the best Raspberry Pi alternate options of 2025 are beneath.
The very best Raspberry Pi alternate options of 2025
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This Libre Pc Board is an reasonably priced, strong, single-board pc, 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 help (LTS) and Raspbian 11 working techniques. Plus, it affords infinite storage growth by way of MicroSD playing cards for frequent utilization.
You will not break any pace 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) help. 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 focused on making an attempt out an SBC for the primary time to check with conventional PC setups with out breaking the financial institution, this can be a nice choice for you.
On Amazon, you’ll be able to decide up a 2GB mannequin for less than $40. A variety of equipment together with heatsinks and dongle community adapters, will be bought from LoveRPi.
Who ought to look elsewhere: Prospects love the value level and common versatility of this SBC, however some report booting points, and so it may not 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 Sort A | Ports: HDMI 2.0 | Storage growth: MicroSD Card Slot | Interface: eMMC Interface | Velocity: 100Mb Quick Ethernet
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The Orange Pi 5 Plus board is a superb Raspberry Pi various should 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), help 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.
Who’s it for: Anybody who needs the whole package deal in an SBC for media and video initiatives.
Prospects report that they’re pleased with the ability and pace of the system as a Raspberry Pi various.
The 8GB Orange Pi 5 Plus is priced at $148, and supply could take a number of weeks relying in your location.
Who ought to look elsewhere: In response to person suggestions, this machine is great, however there are help issues. So, it may not be the best choice for anybody who needs technical help.
As a substitute, a Wiki-style guidebook is offered if you wish to study particular features of this SBC.
It also needs to be famous that selecting up equipment could be tough. Resulting from modifications to U.S. customs rules, Orange Pi.web, top-of-the-line locations to purchase the product, is now now not delivery boards to the U.S. Equipment may additionally 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 wonderful processor and the 16GB embedded multi-media card (eMMC) pace affords sufficient energy for many initiatives. It additionally helps excessive definition (HD) and ultra-high definition (UHD), also called 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 ultimate for hobbyists. We notably 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.
Who’s it for: Prospects say there may be far much less help obtainable in comparison with Raspberry Pi, however they typically prefer it as a venture SBC. I think about this one of many higher choices round for hobbyists.
This SBC is at present 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 needs 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
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Highly effective but energy-efficient, the Odroid N2+ can be one in all ZDNET writer Adrian Kingsley-Hughes’ first decisions if he needed to switch his desktop with a single-board pc.
Why we prefer it: The N2+ is good for superior customers who require extra energy than an ordinary SBC. It affords wonderful connectivity and may run the Petitboot app.
It could 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 not possible to argue with the value level, as Hardkernel sells a 2GB mannequin for less than $66. Instances can be bought at Amazon.
Who’s it for: Buyer opinions 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.
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 vital to you, one other one in all my suggestions could 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 elective 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 | Velocity: 2.4Ghz with Gigabit Ethernet Port
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There’s not a lot that the Udoo Bolt V8 cannot deal with concerning power-hungry initiatives that require excessive pace, making it one other of my high 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 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 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 supplies, and I think about this top-of-the-line 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 Assist Up To 32GB 2400 Mt/s | Velocity: 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 pc house. We have damaged down every Raspberry Pi various beneath based mostly on processor, storage, and pace that can assist you select a single-board pc.
|
Greatest Raspberry Pi various |
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 Enhance) |
2x DDR4 Twin-channel 64-bit So-DIMM Sockets With Ecc Assist Up To 32GB 2400 Mt/s |
32GB eMMC 5.0 Excessive Velocity Drive |
An inexpensive single-board pc will suffice for a fast venture or should you’re exploring the sphere of SBCs, however if you wish to put money into higher {hardware}, be sure you’re not losing cash.
Earlier than shopping for a pricier SBC, we recommend beginning with a transparent concept of the initiatives you will use it for. That is definitely worth the time. Getting derailed partway by way of a venture can lead to 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 worthwhile to use? This SBC information affords one of the best Raspberry Pi alternate options so you’ll 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 choice for hobbyists and lovers, and the right solution to discover SBCs. This Libre mannequin is a superb Raspberry Pi various for many who wish to study SBCs with out spending a fortune. |
|
Orange Pi 5 Plus |
A single-board pc arrange for video and media help. 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 facet outdoors of gross sales promotions, the Tinker Board has every part you want for a wide range of initiatives. |
|
Odroid N2+ |
A variety of {hardware} choices. The Odroid N2+ is a high performer that one in all our personal authors would choose as a desktop PC substitute. |
|
Udoo Bolt V8 |
A high-end SBC with the sort of efficiency you’d anticipate from a desktop pc. It is costly, however the pace and help for VR, AR, and AI initiatives could make it price it. |
If you find yourself deciding on a single board pc outdoors of the Raspberry Pi model, it is best to think about the next elements earlier than making a purchase order:
- Worth: How a lot are you keen to spend in your new venture? In case you’re beginning out, a less expensive SBC must be tremendous, whereas you may wish to spend a bit extra for long-term or superior initiatives. For instance, there shall be value variations between a fundamental SBC to be taught programming fundamentals and one designed for AI.
- Mission: If you would like 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 may not wish to go for essentially the most superior processing energy or one of the best board. It’s possible you’ll even get away with recycling older elements, equivalent to 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 is best to anticipate to pay extra for superior SBCs.
- Connectivity: Contemplate what connectivity is vital to you before you purchase. SBCs could embody several types of USB ports — equivalent to USB-A or USB-C — in addition to different web or Bluetooth connectivity choices.
- Media: In case you intend to make use of your Raspberry Pi various for media, equivalent to streaming audio and video, be sure that the SBC you’re contemplating has the required elements and help, particularly for any exterior storage you propose to make use of.
- Safety: SBCs are far much less cumbersome than conventional computer systems, so it’s possible you’ll be tempted to deliver 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 have to to contemplate warmth era. The extra energy an SBC makes use of and the extra duties it performs, the extra warmth it generates, and so it’s possible you’ll must look into cooling strategies equivalent to warmth sinks or followers.
The Raspberry Pi is a superb piece of {hardware}, but it surely’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 mean you can 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 elements particularly in thoughts:
- Efficiency: Efficiency is crucial 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 spread 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 decisions with and with out storage, permitting you to extra management over implementing these kind of elements.
- Ease of use: SBCs do not should 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 code and for academic initiatives.
- Worth: Not everybody needs to put money into essentially the most high-spec SBC on the market, particularly if they’re simply beginning out and exploring their pursuits. I thought of a spread of units with newbies, hobbyists, and tech lovers 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 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.Okay.-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 techniques, and extra. In a way, Raspberry Pi SBCs perform because the compact mind of a system or venture.
The Raspberry Pi continues to be one of the best place to start out if you wish to get expertise with a single-board pc. You may as well check out guides supplied by the Raspberry Pi Foundation to study SBC elements.
Additionally: Raspberry Pi just released its own high-performance SSDs and SSD kits
These alternate options are an incredible subsequent step to develop 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 useful gizmo if one in all your youngsters has an curiosity in programming that you simply wish to encourage.
Yow will discover plenty of generic circumstances on the market to guard your Raspberry Pi or various SBC, and I like to recommend getting one. In any case, should you’re investing in an SBC, it is best to defend it. You can take a look at KKSB for a number of concepts.
Additionally, in case you are fortunate sufficient to personal a 3D printer, then you definitely’ll have an infinite provide of circumstances. Alternatively, you’ll be able to go to the 3D printing market Pinshape to seek out your excellent case.
You’ll be able to attempt to waterproof the case by utilizing seals or silicone grease. You can additionally spray the board with a conformal coating to withstand moisture.
Past these steps, there is not any solution to make them fully waterproof, and also you danger harm should you do not preserve your electronics away from opposed climate situations 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 is determined by 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 value of computing elements 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 spread 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 techniques, 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 expertise attachment (SATA) help.
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 an ordinary SBC, developer boards can usually be stripped all the way down to easy merchandise targeted on improvement and coding slightly than finish initiatives.
Newest updates
- In ZDNET’s July replace, we carried out substantial copy and editorial modifications. We additionally changed the Udoo Bolt V3 with the Udoo Bolt V8 as a best choice, and supplied extra data on our favourite various Raspberry Pi SBCs. We additionally eliminated the Jetson Nano from our alternate options resulting from a scarcity of inventory.
- In ZDNET’s June replace, we carried out editorial updates and eliminated merchandise which can be out of inventory.
- In Might, we carried out in depth copy modifications 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 help 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 buy a $20 case seperately. Resulting from a warehouse change, nonetheless, delivery 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, but it surely comes with a Rockchip RK3588S processor, an ARM Mali-G610 GPU, an AI accelerator, and another helpful {hardware} elements.
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You can think about the $35 Libre Pc Candy Potato in order for you an improve to Le Potato, however based mostly on buyer suggestions, many customers choose the unique. Nonetheless, this budget-friendly various helps Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, Debian 12, and CoreELEC, and is supplied with 2GB RAM.
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