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, options in the marketplace can present the identical, or higher, mind and processing hub. Additionally they provide highly effective processors, reminiscence, storage, and devoted {hardware} for purposes equivalent to AI or video. SBCs will also be used from an early age and supply a enjoyable, hands-on technique to study programming, for instance.
Should you’re on the lookout for something from a beginner-friendly mannequin to a strong developer-based SBC, we now have you coated.
What’s the finest Raspberry Pi various proper now?
The Libre Pc Board — or Le Potato — is my general prime decide. This $40 Raspberry Pi various is a strong SBC for newbies 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 dearer at $136.
The ZDNET workforce is well-versed in SBC use. We’ll assist you discover the right SBC on your residence automation, customized gadget creation, or the robotic you’ve got at all times needed to construct. After analyzing the market’s hottest choices, buyer suggestions, and opinions, my prime suggestions for the most effective Raspberry Pi options of 2025 are under.
The most effective Raspberry Pi options of 2025
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This Libre Pc Board is an inexpensive, strong, single-board pc, which makes it my prime 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 programs. Plus, it presents infinite storage enlargement 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 presents 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: Should you’re inquisitive about 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 less than $40. A variety of equipment together with heatsinks and dongle community adapters, will be bought from LoveRPi.
Who ought to look elsewhere: Clients love the worth level and basic 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 Sort A | Ports: HDMI 2.0 | Storage enlargement: MicroSD Card Slot | Interface: eMMC Interface | Velocity: 100Mb Quick Ethernet
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The Orange Pi 5 Plus board is a wonderful 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), assist for Debian 11, Android 12, Ubuntu 22.04, Orange Pi working programs, and a video output high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) connector as much as 8K.
Who’s it for: Anybody who desires the entire package deal in an SBC for media and video initiatives.
Clients report that they’re pleased with the ability 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: Based on consumer suggestions, this system is superb, however there are assist issues. So, it won’t be the most suitable choice for anybody who desires technical assist.
As an alternative, a Wiki-style guidebook is obtainable if you wish to study particular features of this SBC.
It must also be famous that choosing up equipment is likely to be troublesome. Because of modifications to U.S. customs rules, Orange Pi.internet, among the finest locations to purchase the product, is now not delivery boards to the U.S. Equipment may additionally finally change into 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, 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 presents 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.
This board has a number of wonderful options that make it supreme for hobbyists. We significantly recognize 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 little thing goes.
Who’s it for: Clients say there’s far much less assist out there in comparison with Raspberry Pi, however they typically prefer it as a venture SBC. I contemplate 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. Person manuals and quick-start guides are additionally out there.
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 | Velocity: 16GB eMMC
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Highly effective but energy-efficient, the Odroid N2+ could be one in every of ZDNET creator 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 presents wonderful connectivity and might run the Petitboot app.
It will 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.
It is also near inconceivable to argue with the worth level, as Hardkernel sells a 2GB mannequin for less than $66. Circumstances will also be bought at Amazon.
Who’s it for: Buyer opinions point out that the N2+ is a superb residence automation and gaming possibility, and so this is likely to be the appropriate selection for residence initiatives that require substantial sources.
Who ought to look elsewhere: Some customers, nevertheless, have skilled energy provide points and so preserve 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 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 velocity, making it one other of my prime 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 essential to load giant information rapidly 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 many 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 gives, and I contemplate this among the finest 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 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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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.
- One other new product that has not too long ago 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 targets. This SBC is meant for AI utility use.
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 options on account of 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 intensive copy modifications and up to date all pricing.
Extra Raspberry Pi options
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The $119 FriendlyElec NanoPi R6S is a flexible open supply various with assist for working programs 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. Because of a warehouse change, nevertheless, delivery 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, 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 might contemplate the $35 Libre Pc Candy Potato if you would like an improve to Le Potato, however primarily based 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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