Are you looking at Raspberry Pi projects, thinking that you need a Raspberry Pi to do them? Chances are, you don't. Here are three Raspberry Pi alternatives that are better than a Raspberry Pi in most cases and cost the same (or less).
Homelab projects can run on a mini PC
They're more powerful, and often cheaper
Patrick Campanale / How-To Geek
There's no doubt that I'm a homelab fanatic. My homelab recently transformed into its final (for now) form of over half a dozen computers. It shouldn't surprise you that my homelab contained three Raspberry Pis at one point—two Pi 4B 2GBs and one Pi 3B 1GB.
These Pis served as Docker hosts in my homelab and ran services that the Raspberry Pi's lightweight hardware could easily handle. The problem is, the Raspberry Pi is ARM-based and not every Docker container works well in an ARM environment. Add to that the lack of computing or transcoding power available on most Pis, and you have a problem.
More powerful Raspberry Pi models, like the Raspberry Pi 4B 8GB or the Raspberry Pi 5 16GB can cost upward of $305 right now. That's a lot of money for an ARM-based single-board computer, especially when mini PCs can be purchased for the same money that can do far more.
For example, this mini PC from GMKtec packs an Intel N95 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD for $300. That's $5 less than the Raspberry Pi 5 16GB, but it comes with a 256GB NVMe SSD, has way more I/O, and offers user-upgradable RAM. This model offers the same specs , but for $250 if you have Amazon Prime.
KAMRUI has an Intel N97-based mini PC with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of NVMe SSD storage for $299 as well, if you would rather go that route. It packs the same amount of RAM as the Pi 5 16GB, but with a 512GB NVMe SSD, more I/O, and a proper x86 Intel processor that can handle Plex transcoding without breaking a sweat.
When it comes to homelab tasks, it's really hard to deny the power and benefits that a mini PC give over a Pi, so ditch the Pi and pick up a mini PC instead.
Servo- or sensor-based projects can use Arduinos
It's the king of offline control, after all
One of the reasons that everyone loves the Raspberry Pi is because of its ample I/O. There are 40 GPIO pins on the Pi, which means you have a lot of capability when it comes to programming pins for things like LEDs, servo motors, or sensors.
The problem is, a Raspberry Pi is quite expensive for those types of projects. For almost any servo- or sensor-based project you're going to come across, an Arduino is likely a better choice . Arduinos are designed specifically for these types of projects, and it shows.
Arduinos are far cheaper than Raspberry Pis, and they can accomplish many of the same tasks. Since an Arduino doesn't need to run a full operating system, programming them is often easier. Not only that, much of the documentation you'll find online for most sensors or servos is geared toward Arduinos, and not Raspberry Pis.
So, if you want to build a project like the garage parking assistant above, then check out the Arduino, it'll make your life easier.
Smart home projects are better suited to ESP32
There's a reason that ESP32s rule the smart home world
Raspberry Pis are often used for smart home projects, from building E-Ink displays to adding sensors around your home. The problem is, they're simply not designed for that. Running a full operating system to toggle a light bulb or read the temperature of a room is simply way too much overhead. Plus, Raspberry Pis are pretty large for the full single-board computer version. Sure, the Pi Zero is a great device, but it's still a lot bigger than many ESP32 modules.
The ESP32 is one of the most well-documented and widely used smart home platforms around right now. If you run a Home Assistant server, then you're able to integrate ESP32 modules with ESPHome —something that a Raspberry Pi simply isn't capable of doing. ESPHome replaces the firmware on whatever ESP32 you're using and lets Home Assistant have full control, from future firmware updates to programming updates, it's all easy to do.
Then there are the plethora of different types of ESP32 modules you can get. For example, the XIAO ESP32-C6 has not just built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, which the Pi also has, but also Zigbee and Thread, something the Pi simply can't compete with natively.
For smart home projects, there really is no contest. The ESP32 is simply better than the Raspberry Pi for those types of projects.
The Raspberry Pi still has its place
While the Raspberry Pi might be superseded by the tech listed above, if you already have one, it's still a fantastic piece of gear. I have a Raspberry Pi running an E-Ink display on my desk, and I have other Raspberry Pis around the house doing various other things. The thing is, I already owned these Pis, I didn't buy them for the projects.
So, if you already own a Pi, then use it! Don't let it sit unused in a drawer. However, if you are looking to purchase a new Pi for a project, make sure it's the best tool for the job. Chances are, with the high prices of Pis right now, something else can do a better job for the same money (or less).
