There are a few more Single board computer (SBC) options than in 2012, when Raspberry Pi launched its first model. Even though Raspberry Pi wasn't the first in the field, it fueled the market tremendously. Introducing so many people to the world of DIY projects with SBCs has attracted dozens, if not more, competitors.
Some of these competing SBCs even offer better specs than the Raspberry Pi 5 and are often at least a little cheaper. Still, there are numerous reasons why the Raspberry Pi remains the best SBC for most people.
5 More extensive operating system support
If you want choices in your operating system, Raspberry Pi offers them
There's nothing wrong with the official Raspberry Pi operating system. In fact, the Debian Bookworm-based Linux variant is a powerful, easy-to-use option for desktop computing on the Raspberry Pi. However, for your DIY needs, another option may be more suitable.
The Raspberry Pi offers many other options besides the official operating system, including various Linux variants and images tailored for specific purposes. For example, there are operating system images designed for use with a Raspberry Pi to run your smart home, as WiFi routeror serve as a media server for your entertainment needs.
You are not limited to Linux as your operating system either. You can install Windows 11 on the Raspberry Pi. There is also an image for RISC OS, an operating system originally developed by Acorn Computers and released in 1987.
4 Easily find the documentation you need
From beginner-friendly documentation to drawings, schematics and CAD files
Source: Raspberry Pi Foundation
From the beginning, the Raspberry Pi Foundation has offered better documentation than almost any other SBC manufacturer. Beginners will find it easy to get started with their SBC thanks to the extensive documentation and tutorial videos that cover topics useful for both newbies and advanced users.
Remember, the Raspberry Pi Foundation was founded as a means to improve STEM education in developing countries. It just so happened that the SBC also gained traction in the DIY community, and the documentation the Foundation developed for education benefits DIYers.
In addition to documentation, hardware projects often rely on good schematics and 3D design files. The Raspberry Pi doesn't let you down, as it provides mechanical schematics as well as STEP files for use in your CAD drawings.
3 Better and more robust community support
The RPi community is always ready to help newbies and experienced DIYers alike
Photo credit: Kian Ryan
There are few things more frustrating than not only being able to get a project to work the way you want it to, but also not being able to find helpful tips to get back on track. The Raspberry Pi community is so large and robust that it's very unlikely that you won't get help when you need it.
Numerous forums, Facebook groups, subreddits, and more await you if you need help with a project. The official Raspberry Pi community has thousands of contributing members, as do several other forums on the internet.
Unless what you're trying to do is simply not possible with a Raspberry Pi, you're sure to find the information you need here to help you get past the pesky obstacles you've encountered with your project. Just remember etiquette in these forums and look for an answer before asking a question that's already been answered dozens of times.
2 Wider selection of compatible hardware
From sensors and servos to AI accelerators, there are even more options for Raspberry Pi
If you're building a cool project with your SBC, you'll need more than just the computer and its operating system. Depending on what you're building, you might need sensors, servos to move parts, or camera add-ons. Since the Raspberry Pi really kicked off the DIY phenomenon, it's only logical that there would be more of these to choose from for the RPi.
There are nearly endless possibilities for what you can connect to your Raspberry Pi, whether you're putting together a hyperlocal weather station or building a robot buggy that can navigate a course on its own. The Raspberry Pi has the USB ports everyone is used to, but that's not all.
The 40-pin General Purpose Input/Output (GPIO) header on every Raspberry Pi opens up the possibility of integrating thousands of different sensors, motors and more into your project. These could be connected directly to the GPIO header itself or be part of a more complicated module. With HAT (Hardware Attached on Top) modules you can Add AI acceleratorSIM modules for cellular connections, NVMe storage and much more.
Options are also available for other SBCs, but not to the extent that they are available for the Raspberry Pi. This is especially true for SBCs that use a different pin assignment for their GPIO headers than the Raspberry Pi, since extensions such as the HAT are usually connected via the GPIO header.
1 A world of software options for Raspberry Pi
A one-stop shop for almost any app, package or library you could want
Photo credit: akash as / Hackster
If you really want to get the most out of your SBC, you'll want to have a wide selection of apps to install. Having the official Raspberry Pi operating system installed will give you a great start for that, but that doesn't have to stop there.
An unofficial GUI-based application store called Pi-Apps hosts more than 200 different apps that you can download and install with just one click. These include programming libraries, packages, and apps ranging from productivity software to games and emulators. Whether the apps come from their official developers or from GitHub, Pi-Apps makes it easy to install (or remove) the software you need.
Good recovery from previous supply chain problems
There was a point in time when the Raspberry Pi was exceptionally hard to get hold of. Supply chain problems plagued the SBC manufacturer for months until the Raspberry Pi 5 came out. These delivery difficulties led to price increases that many people were hesitant to accept.
The supply chain issues have thankfully been resolved and it's easier than ever to get a Raspberry Pi 4 or 5. Prices haven't dropped much, but the recent release of the Raspberry Pi 5 with 2GB of RAM makes it more affordable for projects that aren't really resource intensive.