Best Raspberry Pi Alternatives 2019

The Raspberry Pi first debuted in 2012, and since its inception, the ultra-popular single-board computer (SBC) underwent several iterations. In 2018, the Raspberry Pi saw the release of its Raspberry Pi 3 B+ and Raspberry Pi 3 A+. While it's not the only maker board on the market, the Raspberry Pi remains arguably the most popular. Still, tons of competitor devices exist. Check out the best Raspberry Pi alternatives you can buy in 2019!

1. Odroid XU4

The Odroid XU4 may rank as my favorite Raspberry Pi competitor. It's affordable, beefier than the Pi, and boasts fantastic operating system (OS) support. Unfortunately, the area most maker boards fail is support, both hardware and software. Thankfully, the Odroid XU4 touts both impressive specs and spectacular hardware. Thus, it's more than up to the challenge of many projects. 

In many benchmarks including C-Ray, FLAC audio encoding, and MAFFT alignment, the Odroid XU4 handily bested the competition. When comparing the Odroid XU4 vs Raspberry Pi 3, the XU4 handily topples the Pi. Its Exynos5422 Cortex A-15 2GHz and Cortex A7 CPUs provide hefty octa-core processing. There's a Mali-T628 GPU, 2GB of RAM, and eMMC plus microSD card slots. On the software side, Odroid XU4 compatible operating systems range from Ubuntu, Armbian, Arch Linux, and Kali Linux to Lakka, RetroPie, Recalbox, and GameStation Turbo. With Odroid GameStation Turbo (OGST) and the OGST Gamer Kit case, you can transform the Odroid XU4 into a do-it-yourself (DIY) Nintendo 64 Classic Mini. Apart from the Raspberry Pi 3, this is easily my favorite and most used single-board computer. 

2. UDOO Bolt

Whereas many development boards utilize ARM-based architecture, the UDOO Bolt delivers desktop-class power in a SBC form factor. Sporting AMD Ryzen Embedded V1000 graphics roughly the equivalent of a GTX 950m, the UDOO Bolt handles gaming, virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI) tasks with ease. 

Moreover, the UDOO Bolt retains compatibility with 64-bit operating systems. As such, you may install virtually any Linux distro as well as Windows 10. For maker projects, there's Arduino connectivity. With plentiful storage options including M.2, SATA, eMMC, and USB 3.1, the UDOO Bolt is a true desktop replacement single-board computer perfect for loads of projects.  

3. ASUS Tinker Board

The ASUS Tinker Board yields loads of power, a familiar form factor, and respectable software compatibility. At its core, there's a Rockchip RK3328 Cortex-A17 quad-core system on a chip (SoC), ARM Mali-T764 GPU, and 2GB of DDR3. Because the ASUS Tinker Board offers a 40-pin GPIO header and offers Raspberry Pi case compatibility, there's superb support for accessories. Stepping up to the ASUS Tinker Board S, there's a 16GB eMMC, HDMI-CEC, enhanced power management, and a smart audio jack. 

Operating support for the ASUS Tinker Board spans everything from Linux distributions such as TinkerOS and Ubuntu to FlintOS for a Chrome OS experience, Android, and even RetroPie. With a library of software and OSes available which rivals that of the Pi, the ASUS TInker Board is a true Raspberry Pi killer. 

4. LattePanda Alpha

Branded a tiny ultimate Windows and Linux device, the LattePanda Alpha maker board sports a bevy of nifty features. Boasting Windows 10 support, Arduino compatibility, the LattePanda Alpha eschews ARM or Edison processing power. Instead, it packs a quad-core Intel Celeron N4100 CPU. As such, the LattePanda runs a full version of Windows 10 rather than Windows 10 IoT Core. Like the UDOO Bolt, it's one of the top x86 single-board computers on the market. While pricing, like its computing power, is hefty, the LattePanda Alpha uses an Intel Core m3 processor packs a punch. 

Plus, there's an ATmega32U4 co-processor for Arduino use, M.2, SATA 3.0, PCIe x2, microSD, eMMC, 2x 50-pin GPIO connectors, and more. 

5. Banana Pi M64

A 64-bit quad-core SBC, the Banana Pi M64 comes well-specced. Onboard, you'll find 2GB of RAM, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and an 8GB eMMC. There's an HDMI output, and two USB 2.0 hosts. Its 64-bit system on a chip makes the Banana Pi M64 unique. At its core, you'll find a 1.2GH quad-core ARM Cortex A53 processor.

System images for the Banana Pi M64 include Android, Ubuntu, Windows 10 IoT Core, Armbian, Debian, FreeBSD, and Raspbian. You might also consider the Banana Pi R2 which functions as an open-source router, NAS, or desktop. 

6. RockPro64

Pine64's RockPro64 remains one of the most powerful single board computers you can buy. With an RK3399 hexa-core dual ARM Cortex A72 and quad ARM Cortex A53 64-bit CPU, Mali T-860 GPU, and 4GB of RAM it's a beastly maker board. Optional accessories include an eMMC module and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth adapter. Connectors range from a microSD slot to PCIe x4, USB 3.0 and 2.0, as well as Gigabit Ethernet. With superb hardware, the RockPro64 makes an awesome NAS device. 

7. BeagleBone Black

Texas Instruments may be best known for its Ti-83 and Ti-84 graphing calculators which, if you're like me, entertained you throughout calculus with bouts of Pac-Man and Doom. But Texas Instruments, in collaboration with Newark element14 and Digi-Key, offers the BeagleBoard lineup of SBCs. The BeagleBone Black delivers 512MB of RAM, a 1GHz processor, HDMI, and 2GB of eMMC. 

Among the features which posit the BeagleBone Black as a best Raspberry Pi alternative 2019, there's increased connectivity and a better processor. Still, the Raspberry Pi dominates with an impressive community and enhanced graphics. 

8. Libre Computer AML-S905X-CC Le Potato

Dev board manufacturer Libre Computer presents a solid product offering in its array of single-board computers. The Libre Computer ROC-RK3328-CC Renegade offers fantastic performance. However, the Libre Computer AML-S905X-CC Le Potato ups the ante with a 1.512GHz processor, ARM Cortex-A53, Mali-450 MP3 GPU, and HDMI. This combo of specs easily handles 4K video output at 50 frames per second (FPS). It's available with either 1 or 2 GB of RAM.

Like its Libre Computer Renegade counterpart, the Libre Computer Le Potato touts impressive operating system support including Android images. Further, cases abound since it's a similar form factor to the Raspberry Pi. 

9. MinnowBoard Turbot

Tiny, affordable, and powerful, the MinnowBoard Turbot rocks Intel HD graphics for a surprisingly capable Raspberry Pi competitor in 2019. There's a 64-bit Intel Atom SoC, and OS coverage which ranges from LInux to Windows 10 IoT core. 

10. Odroid H2

While the Odroid XU4 arrives as an ARM-based dev board, the Odroid H2 x86 SBC challenges the Raspberry Pi. Innovation derives from the x86 Intel Gemini Lake SoC at the heart of the Odroid H2. With its CPU and GPU combo, the Odroid H2 handles 4K video playback, Steam game streaming, and emulators such as Dolphin, Redream, and PPSPP. 

11. Arduino

Although the Arduino is a microcontroller, it's a top Raspberry Pi alternative. An Arduino unlocks the potential to experiment with code and get hands-on with electronics projects, from blinking LEDs to Star Trek-inspired robotics, Zelda cosplay accessories, and more. I recommend the Arduino UNO, and you can snag a sweet kit from the likes of Elegoo which provides everything you need to get started. 

Best Raspberry Pi Alternatives 2019: Final Thoughts

Despite the popularity and prevalence of the Raspberry Pi, tons of Raspberry Pi competitor devices exist. My favorites include the Odroid XU4 which remains similarly priced yet more powerful, the UDOO Bolt which absolutely blows virtually any other SBC out of the water, and ASUS Tinker Board. Nevertheless, the Raspberry Pi 3 B+ consistently ranks among my most-used maker boards, whether for retro gaming and HTPC use, as a Linux sandbox, or merely experimenting with new Linux distros. 

What single-board computers are you using?