Raspberry Pi 4 has been a game-changer in the world of single-board computers. Its versatility and power have made it a favorite among tech lovers and DIY enthusiasts.
But if you’re finding Raspberry Pi 4 hard to source or are seeking a more potent alternative, you’re in the right place.
We’ve reviewed the market and compiled a list of the best Raspberry Pi 4 alternatives to buy in 2023.
These machines not only deliver similar performance to Raspberry Pi 4 but also offer unique features, making them compelling options. Let’s explore these alternatives in detail.
Top Raspberry Pi 4 Alternatives in 2023
We’ve considered factors like power, efficiency, pricing, and port availability while finalizing this list. Whether you’re looking for a cost-effective option or a top-of-the-line model, we’ve got you covered.
1. Libre Computer Board AML-S905X-CC (Le Potato)
If affordability and performance are your key considerations, the AML-S905X-CC, commonly known as Le Potato, is a great choice. This $35 single-board computer comes with a quad-core ARM 64-bit processor that features 4x Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.5GHz. Its ARM Mali-450 GPU delivers 4K Ultra HD content flawlessly. The board also offers a 40-pin header for functions like SPI, I2C, PWM, UART, and more. On the downside, the RAM is limited to 2GB DDR3, but that’s quite reasonable given the price point.
Buy from Amazon ($35)
2. Orange Pi 5
The Orange Pi 5, powered by a Rockchip RK3588S processor, is a potent Raspberry Pi 4 alternative. With a clock speed of up to 2.4GHz, it significantly outperforms the Raspberry Pi 4’s 1.5GHz. It also boasts a massive 16GB of LPDDR4 RAM and a Mali-G610 GPU capable of decoding 8K videos.
Buy from Amazon ($131.99)
3. Asus Tinker Board S R2.0
Asus Tinker Board S R2.0 offers a powerful and stable experience, thanks to its robust internals. It’s equipped with a Rockchip RK3288 SoC that can go up to 1.8GHz and a Mali-T764 GPU known for its superior rendering capability. The board comes with 2GB of DDR3 RAM and 16GB eMMC storage. However, it’s a bit pricier than Raspberry Pi 4.
Buy from Amazon ($129)
4. ODROID N2+
The ODROID N2+ is a fantastic single-board computer that rivals Raspberry Pi 4 in terms of specs and pricing. It features a quad-core ARM Cortex-A73 CPU with a dual-core Cortex-A53 cluster integrated into the main board. The CPU is clocked at 1.8GHz, making it more powerful than Raspberry Pi 4’s A72 CPU, which is clocked at 1.5GHz.
Buy from Amazon ($126.95)
5. Banana Pi BPI-M6
The Banana Pi BPI-M6, released in November 2022, is ready to take on Raspberry Pi 4. It features a powerful Senary(Synaptics) VideoSmart VS680 processor with a quad-core ARM Cortex-A73 and a single Cortex-M3 core. The clock speed can reach up to 2.1GHz, significantly higher than Raspberry Pi 4’s 1.5GHz frequency.
Buy from Banana-Pi (Price TBA)
6. ROCKPro64
ROCKPro64 is a well-regarded Raspberry Pi 4 alternative that comes with a Hexa-core Rockchip RK3399 SoC, dual A72, and quad A53 cores clocked up to 2GHz. It also boasts a Mali T860 MP4 GPU and offers dual-channel 4GB LPDDR4 RAM.
Buy from Pine Store ($79.99)
7. NanoPi R4S
NanoPi R4S, built by the open-source company FriendlyARM, is a popular Raspberry Pi 4 alternative. It features a Rockchip RK3399 CPU clocked up to 2GHz, a powerful Mali-T864 GPU, and comes in two variants: 1GB DDR3 RAM and 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM.
Buy from FriendlyARM (Starts at $50)
8. BeagleBone Black
If you need a low-powered machine to run Linux distros or cloud IDEs, BeagleBone Black is a superb choice. It comes with an AM3359 1GHz ARM Cortex-A8 processor, 4GB onboard storage, and 512MB of DDR3 RAM. However, it lacks built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth support.
Buy from Amazon ($84.99)
9. Dell Wyse 3040 Thin Client
Dell Wyse 3040 Thin Client is an x86 single-board computer that comes with an Intel quad-core processor (from the Atom series) that can reach up to 1.44GHz. It features 2GB of RAM, 8GB of eMMC storage, and a GPU that can output a dual display having 2560×1600 resolution at 60Hz.
Buy from Amazon ($138)
10. NVIDIA Jetson Nano Developer Kit
Ideal for developers who use Raspberry Pi 4 for testing AI applications, NVIDIA Jetson Nano Developer Kit is a powerful alternative. It offers a quad-core ARM A57 core and a 128-core NVIDIA Maxwell architecture-based GPU.
Buy from Amazon ($149)
| Alternative | CPU | GPU | RAM | Storage | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Libre Computer Board AML-S905X-CC (Le Potato) | Quad-core ARM 64-bit processor, 4x Cortex-A53 @ 1.5GHz | ARM Mali-450 | 2GB | microSD card slot | $35 |
| Orange Pi 5 | Rockchip RK3588S 8-core ARM 64-bit processor @ 2.4GHz, Quad-core Cortex-A76 and Quad-core Cortex-A55 | Mali-G610 GPU | 16GB | microSD card slot | Starts at $131.99 |
| ASUS Tinker Board S R2.0 | Rockchip RK3288, Quad-core ARM SoC @ 1. 8GHz | Mali – T764 GPU | 2GB | 16 GB of eMMC | $129 |
| ODROID N2+ | ARM Cortex-A73@1.8GHz Quad and 2 Cores ARM Cortex-A53@1.9HGz | Mali-G52 @864MHz | 2GB/4GB | microSD card slot | Starts at $126.95 |
| Banana Pi BPI-M6 | Senary(Synaptics) VideoSmart VS680 processor, Quad-core ARM Cortex-A73 and a single Cortex-M3 @ 2.1GHz | Imagination GE9920 GPU | 4GB | 16 GB of eMMC | Price TBA |
| ROCKPro64 | Rockchip RK3399 Hexa-Core (dual ARM Cortex A72 and quad ARM Cortex A53) 64-Bit Processor | Mali T-860 Quad-Core GPU | 2GB/4GB | microSD card slot | Starts at $79.99 |
| NanoPi R4S | Rockchip RK3399 Cortex-A72(up to 2.0GHz), Cortex-A53(up to 1.5GHz) | Mali-T864 GPU | 1GB/4GB | microSD card slot | Starts at $50 |
| BeagleBone Black | AM3359 1GHz ARM Cortex-A8 | 3D graphics accelerator | 512MB | 4GB of onboard storage | $84.99 |
| Dell Wyse 3040 Thin Client | x86 Intel Atom @ 1.44GHz | Dedicated GPU | 2GB | 8GB of onboard storage | $138 |
| NVIDIA Jetson Nano | Quad-core ARM A57 core | 128-core NVIDIA Maxwell architecture-based GPU | 4 GB | microSD card slot | $149 |
In conclusion, while Raspberry Pi 4 is a fantastic single-board computer, there are many powerful alternatives available in the market. Whether you want a budget-friendly option or a high-performance machine, the best Raspberry Pi 4 alternatives to buy in 2023 listed above will cater to your needs. So, take your pick and embark on your next tech project!