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Best Raspberry Pi Alternatives in 2022

DIY SBC alternatives for when the Raspberry Pi doesn’t cut the mustard
Last Updated on February 1, 2022
best raspberry pi alternative

As with any lauded innovation or successful product, the Raspberry Pi has set off a steady flow of copycat single-board computers in the years since it burst onto the DIY scene nearly a decade ago.

The impetus behind many of these is the chance for third-party companies to hitch a ride on the bandwagon and capitalize on the Pi hype. But, among them, some offer DIY enthusiasts a tangible advantage over the Raspberry Pi, whether that’s more power, a more appealing form factor, more versatility, or a lower asking price. To give these single-board computers their due, they are best described as Raspberry Pi alternatives rather than opportunistic imitators.

Today, we’ll be showcasing a handful of Raspberry Pi alternatives that will pique the interest of even the most loyal Pi fans. These propose something more or a little different to cater to projects where the Pi isn’t a good fit.

Products at a Glance

Our Recommended

Best Raspberry Pi Alternatives in 2022

1
PROS
  • Samsung Exynos 5422 CPU
  • eMMC interface
  • Mali-T628 GPU
  • Great performance
CONS
  • No wireless connectivity
  • Fairly expensive
2
PROS
  • ASUS product
  • Rockchip RK3288 1.8 GHz CPU
  • Onboard 16GB eMMC
  • Onboard Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
  • 40-pin GPIO
CONS
  • Pricier than other Raspberry Pi alternatives
3
PROS
  • ARMv8 Cortex-A53 1.5 GHz CPU
  • 750 MHz Mali-450MP GPU
  • 40-pin GPIO
  • Ports
  • Broad OS image support
CONS
  • No Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity
  • More expensive that the Raspberry Pi
4
PROS
  • Cheaper than the Raspberry Pi
  • Open-source Arduino hardware
  • Compact form factor
  • Lots of inputs/outputs
CONS
  • No wireless connectivity
  • Limited performance and functionality
5
PROS
  • Affordable
  • Quad-core Cortex-A7 CPU
  • 600 MHz Mali-400MP2 GPU
  • 1 GB DDR3
  • 40-pin GPIO
CONS
  • No Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity

Our Verdict

An impressive alternative to the Raspberry Pi, the Odroid-XU4 boasts excellent specifications and some great additional features, such as an eMMC module for storage expansion. It will set you back more than a Raspberry Pi 4, but it’s money well spent for projects that require more processing power and low power draw.

The ASUS Tinker Board S comes with the quality guarantee of being from a reputable PC manufacturer and better hardware than the Pi. Wireless connectivity, an onboard 16 GB eMMC, and plenty of ports score further points for an all-around powerhouse single-board computer.

The Libre Computer Board AML-S905X-CC, or Le Potato, packs plenty of versatility, whether that’s a range of useful ports, Ethernet connectivity, or 40-pin GPIO header. Broad OS compatibility also makes the Libre Computer Board AML-S905X-CC a winner for those that need options.

With a reputation mirroring that of the Raspberry Pi, the Arduino Uno is one of the most popular single-board computers and with good reason. It has a small form factor, open-source hardware, plenty of input/output options, and, more significantly, a very low asking price. Ideal for budget makers or projects that need a tiny micro-controller-based SBC.

For those on a budget, our pick goes to the Orange Pi One. Decent specifications combine with good expandability via USB, Ethernet, and 40-pin GPIO header, all at a cool $25. It falls behind the Raspberry Pi in pure performance, it has to be said, but it’s nevertheless a worthy addition to our list of the best Raspberry Pi alternatives.

Our guide to the best Raspberry Pi alternatives now comes to an end. We hope we’ve gone some way to steer you towards Pi alternatives that will work for your specific project and meet your needs. Don’t hesitate to contact us with any comments, questions, or suggestions in the comments section just below.