Products at a Glance
How do we pick the Best Raspberry Pi alternatives
Features and consideration
Raspberry is one of the best companies in this field. However, there are some good options out there. But, you must know how to differentiate a good alternative to a headache. First and foremost, think about the performance you need for your project. Different single-board computers come with varying levels of processing power, memory, and storage. It’s important to choose one that will meet the demands of your particular use case, whether it’s for a simple home automation project or a more complex machine learning application.
Next, take a close look at the connectivity options offered by the SBC. Depending on your project, you might need a board with built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or Ethernet capabilities. Additionally, consider the available USB ports, HDMI outputs, and other expansion options that will allow you to connect peripherals and additional hardware components.
Another factor to consider is the software ecosystem and community support. Raspberry Pi has a massive community and extensive documentation, making it easy for users to find help and resources. When looking at alternatives, check if there is an active community and readily available documentation to ensure you’ll have the support you need when working on your projects.
Lastly, don’t forget to consider the price. Raspberry Pi alternatives can vary in cost, from affordable options to more expensive, high-performance boards. Determine your budget and make sure to pick a board that offers the best value for your money, without compromising on the features you need for your project.
Product Reviews
- Hexa-core processor
- 4GB RAM for smooth multitasking
- Wide range of supported operating systems
- A little bit pricey
- Limited software support
The Odroid-N2+ is our top pick for the best overall Raspberry Pi alternative, and for good reason. This powerful single-board computer is packed with an impressive set of features that make it suitable for a wide range of projects. Whether you’re a maker, a tinkerer, or just someone looking for a solid SBC, the Odroid-N2+ has got you covered.
One of the standout features of the Odroid-N2+ is its performance. It boasts an Amlogic S922X chipset with a 6-core CPU and a Mali-G52 GPU, providing excellent processing power for various applications. With 4GB of DDR4 RAM, it’s more than capable of handling multitasking, ensuring smooth operation across the board.
Not only does the Odroid-N2+ excel in performance, but it also offers a plethora of connectivity options, including Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI 2.1, and four USB 3.0 ports. This makes it easy to connect a variety of peripherals, allowing you to build the perfect setup for your project.
In terms of software support, the Odroid-N2+ is compatible with a range of operating systems, such as Ubuntu, Android, and various Linux distributions. This gives you the flexibility to choose the right platform for your needs, and with its strong community support, you’ll never feel lost or overwhelmed.
- Powerful Rockchip RK3288 GPU
- 2GB dual-channel RAM
- Dedicated audio codec
- Lacks onboard WiFi and Bluetooth
The ASUS Tinker Board S is our pick for the best Raspberry Pi alternative for gaming, and it’s easy to see why. This compact yet powerful single-board computer offers an excellent combination of performance, features, and connectivity options that make it ideal for gamers looking to build their own custom gaming system.
At the heart of the Tinker Board S lies a Rockchip RK3288 SoC with a 1.8 GHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A17 CPU and a Mali-T764 GPU. This combination delivers solid performance for gaming, as well as other tasks such as media playback and general computing. Additionally, the board features 2GB of LPDDR3 RAM, which ensures smooth multitasking and improved overall system responsiveness.
One of the key advantages of the ASUS Tinker Board S is its extensive connectivity options. It comes with four USB 2.0 ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, HDMI output, and a 3.5mm audio jack, providing everything you need to hook up your gaming peripherals and display. It also supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, allowing for wireless gaming controllers and other devices.
The Tinker Board S is compatible with a variety of operating systems, including TinkerOS (based on Debian), Android, and more, giving you the flexibility to choose the best platform for your gaming needs. Furthermore, the board’s active community and extensive documentation make it easy to get started with your gaming project.
- Extremely budget-friendly price point
- Quad-core processor
- Compact form factor
- Limited RAM (1GB) may hinder performance
- Not suitable for demanding gaming or multimedia applications
Our best budget Raspberry Pi alternative is the Orange Pi Zero 2, which offers a fantastic balance between affordability and performance. This tiny, wallet-friendly single-board computer packs a surprising amount of power, making it perfect for a wide range of projects and applications, including home automation and IoT.
The Orange Pi Zero 2 is powered by a quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 CPU, running at 1.5 GHz, and a Mali-450 MP2 GPU, providing more than enough processing muscle for various tasks. With 1GB of LPDDR3 RAM, it ensures smooth multitasking and a responsive user experience, even on a budget.
When it comes to connectivity, the Orange Pi Zero 2 doesn’t disappoint. It features a 100Mbps Ethernet port, two USB 2.0 ports, and a USB-C port for power, allowing you to connect essential peripherals and devices. It also comes with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, making it easy to connect wirelessly to networks and devices.
Another advantage of the Orange Pi Zero 2 is its compatibility with various operating systems, including Armbian and Android, giving you the flexibility to choose the best platform for your project. The active community and available resources make it easy to get started and troubleshoot any issues you may encounter.
- Highly customizable and extensible
- Excellent support for hardware peripherals
- Large and active community for troubleshooting
- Limited graphics capabilities for gaming
- Higher learning curve for beginners
Our fourth pick for the best Raspberry Pi alternative is the ASUS Tinker Board S, a powerful and versatile single-board computer that’s perfect for those who need a bit more oomph from their projects. This tiny powerhouse is ideal for enthusiasts looking to create advanced projects, such as home automation, robotics, or even AI applications.
The ASUS Tinker Board S is equipped with a quad-core ARM Cortex-A17 CPU, clocked at 1.8 GHz, and an ARM Mali-T764 GPU. With 2GB of LPDDR3 RAM, this little beast can handle more demanding tasks than many other single-board computers in its class.
One of the standout features of the Tinker Board S is its excellent connectivity options. It comes with four USB 2.0 ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, built-in Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 4.0 support. Additionally, it boasts a 40-pin GPIO header, providing a wide range of expansion possibilities for your projects.
The Tinker Board S also supports a variety of operating systems, including TinkerOS (based on Debian), Android, and other Linux distributions. This flexibility allows you to tailor the platform to your specific needs and preferences. Plus, the active community surrounding the Tinker Board ensures that you’ll have plenty of resources and support for your projects.
- Affordable
- Quad-core Cortex-A7 CPU
- 600 MHz Mali-400MP2 GPU
- 1 GB DDR3
- 40-pin GPIO
- No Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity
How we picked the Best Raspberry Pi alternatives in 2023
We can’t just choose any product available to recommend. So we took a methodical approach, considering a variety of factors to ensure that we provided a well-rounded list of options suitable for different users and their unique needs.
First, we carefully examined the technical specifications of each SBC, taking into account the processor, memory, storage, and GPU capabilities. We wanted to ensure that our recommendations offered a range of performance levels to suit various project requirements, from basic home automation to more complex applications such as robotics or AI.
Next, we considered the connectivity and expansion options provided by each board. We looked for devices that offered a variety of USB ports, HDMI outputs, and support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or Ethernet connections, allowing users to easily connect peripherals and additional hardware components.
Software support and community engagement were also crucial factors in our selection process. We sought out boards with robust software ecosystems, active communities, and readily available documentation, ensuring that users would have access to the resources and assistance they need to successfully complete their projects.
Additionally, we kept an eye on price and value for money. Our goal was to provide a range of options for different budgets, without sacrificing the quality and features necessary for a great user experience.
- Considering the Raspberry Pi 5? Check out our Raspberry Pi 5 vs Raspberry Pi 4 piece.
Is there a more powerful alternative to the Raspberry Pi?
If you’re looking for a faster, more powerful alternative to Raspberry Pi, your best bet is the ASUS Tinker Board. The latest edition, the Tinker Board S R2.0, comes with enough processing power and speed for any home project.
Can Banana Pi replace Raspberry Pi?
Banana Pi is a new single board computer with a faster processor and more RAM than the Raspberry Pi. It is also compatible with Raspberry Pi boards – and ca therefore potentially replace Raspberry Pi computers.
Our Verdict
Final thoughts
In conclusion, the Raspberry Pi may be facing some supply issues, making it difficult to acquire one for your projects, but that doesn’t mean you’re out of options. The single-board computer market has plenty of excellent Raspberry Pi alternatives to choose from, each with its unique features and capabilities. Our top picks include the Odroid-XU4 (best overall), the LattePanda Alpha 864s (best for gaming), the Orange Pi One Plus (best budget), and the ASUS Tinker Board S.
These Raspberry Pi alternatives cater to different needs, budgets, and applications, making it easy to find the perfect match for your project. From gaming to home automation, AI applications, or just general tinkering, these single-board computers offer fantastic performance and versatility. Don’t let the Raspberry Pi shortage hold you back; explore these great alternatives and bring your projects to life.