open-source hardware alternatives to the Raspberry Pi.

user1272047user1272047
3 min read

There are several open-source hardware alternatives to the Raspberry Pi. These boards cater to various needs, including more open designs, higher performance, or different processor architectures. Here are some notable options:


Open-Source Hardware Raspberry Pi Alternatives

  1. BeagleBone Black

    • Processor: AM335x 1GHz ARM Cortex-A8

    • RAM: 512MB DDR3L

    • Storage: microSD, 4GB eMMC

    • Connectivity: Ethernet, USB

    • Features: Fully open hardware design with extensive documentation. Ideal for industrial and IoT applications.

    • Website: https://beagleboard.org/black

  2. ODROID-C4

    • Processor: Amlogic S905X3 Quad-core Cortex-A55

    • RAM: 4GB LPDDR4

    • Storage: eMMC, microSD

    • Connectivity: Gigabit Ethernet, USB 3.0

    • Features: Open hardware with high performance for multimedia applications.

    • Website: https://www.hardkernel.com

  3. Pine64 RockPro64

    • Processor: Rockchip RK3399 Hexa-core (Cortex-A72 + Cortex-A53)

    • RAM: Up to 4GB LPDDR4

    • Storage: eMMC, microSD

    • Connectivity: Gigabit Ethernet, USB 3.0

    • Features: Open-source hardware with high processing power for AI and machine learning.

    • Website: https://www.pine64.org

  4. Libre Computer Project Boards (Le Potato, Renegade)

    • Processor: Various ARM-based CPUs (e.g., Amlogic S905X for Le Potato)

    • RAM: 1GB to 4GB options

    • Storage: microSD, eMMC

    • Connectivity: HDMI, USB, Ethernet

    • Features: Focus on open-source software and hardware compatibility.

    • Website: https://libre.computer

  5. Banana Pi Series

    • Processor: Various ARM-based SoCs

    • RAM: 1GB to 8GB options depending on the model

    • Storage: microSD, eMMC

    • Connectivity: Ethernet, USB, Wi-Fi

    • Features: Broad range of models for specific use cases like NAS, IoT, or AI.

    • Website: http://www.banana-pi.org

  6. HiFive Unmatched (RISC-V Architecture)

    • Processor: SiFive Freedom U740 (Quad-core RISC-V processor)

    • RAM: 16GB DDR4

    • Storage: NVMe, microSD

    • Connectivity: PCIe, USB 3.0

    • Features: Fully open RISC-V development platform for cutting-edge projects.

    • Website: https://www.sifive.com

  7. Orange Pi Series

    • Processor: Allwinner or Rockchip ARM-based SoCs

    • RAM: 1GB to 4GB options

    • Storage: microSD, eMMC

    • Connectivity: Ethernet, Wi-Fi, USB

    • Features: Affordable Raspberry Pi alternatives with an active open-source community.

    • Website: http://www.orangepi.org

  8. Radxa Rock Pi Series

    • Processor: Rockchip RK3399 (Rock Pi 4)

    • RAM: Up to 4GB LPDDR4

    • Storage: eMMC, microSD

    • Connectivity: Gigabit Ethernet, USB 3.0, M.2 support

    • Features: High-performance open hardware for multimedia and AI projects.

    • Website: https://radxa.com

  9. Chipsee AIO-CM4-101

    • Processor: Based on Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4

    • RAM: Up to 8GB

    • Storage: eMMC, microSD

    • Connectivity: HDMI, Ethernet, USB

    • Features: Industrial-focused board with a touchscreen option.

    • Website: https://www.chipsee.com

  10. MNT Reform

    • Processor: NXP i.MX8M Quad Cortex-A53

    • RAM: 4GB DDR4

    • Storage: microSD, SSD via M.2

    • Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB

    • Features: Modular, repairable, and open-source hardware platform.

    • Website: https://mntre.com


These alternatives provide varying levels of openness in design, software support, and performance, making them suitable for diverse projects.

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