The best Raspberry Pi alternatives of 2025: Expert recommended

This Libre Pc Board is an inexpensive, stable, single-board pc, which makes it my high choose for SBCs exterior 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 through 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 gives nice options together with Linux, open supply graphics, video libraries, and unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI) assist. This suite needs 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: In the event you’re occupied with 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 choose up a 2GB mannequin for under $40. A variety of equipment together with heatsinks and dongle community adapters, could be bought from LoveRPi.

Who ought to look elsewhere: Clients love the value level and common versatility of this SBC, however some report booting points, and so it won’t go well with 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 | Pace: 100Mb Quick Ethernet

The Orange Pi 5 Plus board is a superb Raspberry Pi various in the event you’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 needs the whole package deal in an SBC for media and video initiatives. 

Clients report that they’re proud of the facility 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 accordance with consumer suggestions, this gadget is great, however there are assist issues. So, it won’t be the most suitable choice for anybody who needs technical assist. 

As a substitute, a Wiki-style guidebook is offered if you wish to study particular features of this SBC.

It must also be famous that selecting up equipment is likely to be troublesome. As a result of adjustments to U.S. customs rules, Orange Pi.web, among the finest locations to purchase the product, is now now not transport boards to the U.S. Equipment might also finally turn out to be 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)

The Tinker Board 2S is one other of my favorites, due to 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) pace 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 numerous ports together with native space community (LAN) and USB. 

This board has a number of wonderful options that make it ideally suited for hobbyists. We significantly respect 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 the whole lot goes. 

Who’s it for: Clients say there’s far much less assist obtainable in comparison with Raspberry Pi, however they often prefer it as a undertaking SBC. I take into account this one of many higher choices round for hobbyists. 

This SBC is at the moment in inventory at Amazon for $130, though shares do fluctuate. Consumer manuals and quick-start guides are additionally obtainable. 

Who ought to look elsewhere: Anybody who needs 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

Highly effective but energy-efficient, the Odroid N2+ can be one in every of ZDNET creator Adrian Kingsley-Hughes’ first decisions if he wished to exchange his desktop with a single-board pc. 

Why we prefer it: The N2+ is right for superior customers who require extra energy than a normal SBC. It gives wonderful connectivity and may run the Petitboot app. 

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.

It is also near unimaginable to argue with the value level, as Hardkernel sells a 2GB mannequin for under $66. Instances can 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 proper alternative for dwelling initiatives that require substantial sources. 

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 one in every 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 optionally available 8GB to 128GB | Options: 8MB SPI flash with boot choose swap 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 

There’s not a lot that the Udoo Bolt V8 cannot deal with relating to 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 Increase) and Vega 8 graphics, it is quick and nice for digital actuality (VR), augmented actuality (AR), and AI duties. If it is advisable 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: 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 among the finest 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 Increase) | Graphics: AMD Radeon Vega 8 | RAM: 2x Ddr4 Twin-channel 64-bit So-DIMM Sockets with Ecc Assist Up To 32GB 2400 Mt/s | Pace: 32GB eMMC 5.0 high-speed drive

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 buy a $20 case seperately. As a result of a warehouse change, nonetheless, transport is delayed.

The Orange Pi 5 is a 4GB, 8-core possibility for builders, able to dealing with AI, VR, and AR. You’ll be able to choose 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.

You would take into account the $35 Libre Pc Candy Potato if you would like an improve to Le Potato, however based mostly on buyer suggestions, many customers favor the unique. Nonetheless, this budget-friendly various helps Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, Debian 12, and CoreELEC, and is provided with 2GB RAM.