Introduction
For over a decade, the Raspberry Pi Foundation has been the go-to choice for DIY projects, coding education, and home automation. But in 2025, getting a Raspberry Pi is harder and more expensive due to chip shortages and global demand. The Raspberry Pi 5 is powerful but costs more than many budget boards.
If you want to build smart homes, IoT projects, or automation systems on a tight budget, there are many strong alternatives. Boards like Orange Pi, Banana Pi, Radxa Rock, and Arduino now offer competitive performance at lower prices.
This guide explores the 7 best Raspberry Pi alternatives in 2025—affordable, available, and ideal for home automation.
Why Home Automation Needs Single-Board Computers (SBCs)
- Control smart lights, fans, and ACs with apps like Home Assistant.
- Run media servers (Kodi, Plex) for entertainment.
- Manage IoT devices like smart plugs, door sensors, and security cameras.
- Save money by using open-source software instead of expensive hubs.
1. Orange Pi 5B
Company: Shenzhen Xunlong Software Co., Ltd. (China)
Orange Pi has become the most popular Raspberry Pi competitor. The Orange Pi 5B is a 2025 model offering great value.
Specs
- CPU: Rockchip RK3588S (8-core, up to 2.4GHz)
- RAM: Up to 16GB LPDDR4X
- GPU: ARM Mali-G610
- Ports: HDMI 2.1, USB 3.0, Gigabit Ethernet
Why It’s Good for Home Automation
- Runs Ubuntu, Debian, Android 12
- Supports Home Assistant OS
- Can handle smart hubs, NAS, and light AI tasks
Price (2025): ~$90
2. Banana Pi M5
Company: SinoVoIP Co., Ltd. (China)
Banana Pi boards are designed for stability and cost-efficiency. The Banana Pi M5 is similar to Raspberry Pi 4 but cheaper.
Specs
- CPU: Amlogic S905X3 (quad-core)
- RAM: 4GB DDR4
- Storage: eMMC + microSD
- Ports: USB 3.0, HDMI 2.1
Why It’s Good for Home Automation
- Runs Armbian, Ubuntu, Debian
- Stable for 24/7 operations
- Perfect for smart lighting systems and DIY servers
Price (2025): ~$65
3. Radxa Rock 5A
Company: Radxa Ltd. (China, open-source hardware group)
Radxa has gained popularity for offering high-performance SBCs. The Rock 5A is a strong 2025 alternative.
Specs
- CPU: Rockchip RK3588S (8-core)
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: NVMe SSD slot
- Ports: Dual HDMI, USB-C, Gigabit Ethernet
Why It’s Good for Home Automation
- Supports Docker & Kubernetes for IoT device management
- Can run Home Assistant, OpenHAB, Node-RED
- Great for AI-based automation like smart cameras
Price (2025): ~$120
4. Arduino Portenta X8
Company: Arduino AG (Italy)
Unlike Raspberry Pi, Arduino boards are microcontroller-focused. But the Portenta X8 (hybrid SBC) combines Arduino’s simplicity with Linux power.
Specs
- Quad-core ARM Cortex-A53
- Dual-core Cortex-M7
- Wi-Fi + LTE support
- Industrial-grade build
Why It’s Good for Home Automation
- Best for IoT sensors & controllers
- Runs Linux containers + Arduino IDE apps
- Energy efficient
Price (2025): ~$150 (slightly expensive but reliable)
5. Libre Computer AML-S905X-CC (Le Potato)
Company: Libre Computer Project (USA)
This board is famous as a direct budget competitor to Raspberry Pi 3/4.
Specs
- CPU: Amlogic S905X (quad-core, 2.0GHz)
- RAM: 2GB / 4GB DDR3
- GPU: Mali-450
- Ports: HDMI 2.0, USB 2.0, Ethernet
Why It’s Good for Home Automation
- Supports Ubuntu, Debian, Android TV
- Works with Home Assistant Core
- Very low price for DIYers
Price (2025): ~$45
6. ODROID-C4
Company: Hardkernel Co., Ltd. (South Korea)
ODROID boards are known for reliability and community support. The ODROID-C4 is a mid-range option.
Specs
- CPU: Amlogic S905X3 (quad-core)
- RAM: 4GB DDR4
- Storage: microSD + eMMC
- Ports: USB 3.0, HDMI 2.0
Why It’s Good for Home Automation
- Works with Armbian, Ubuntu MATE
- Strong for media servers (Kodi, Plex)
- Community-backed guides for automation
Price (2025): ~$70
7. Khadas VIM4
Company: Shenzhen Wesion Technology Co., Ltd.
Khadas boards are designed for AI + automation. The VIM4 is powerful yet small.
Specs
- CPU: Amlogic A311D2 (8-core)
- RAM: 8GB LPDDR4X
- GPU: Mali-G52
- Ports: HDMI 2.1, Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6
Why It’s Good for Home Automation
- Runs Ubuntu, Android 11, Armbian
- Optimized for AI-based IoT
- Great for voice assistants, smart cameras, and robotics
Price (2025): ~$180
Feature Comparison Table
| Board | CPU | RAM | Best Use Case | Price |
| Orange Pi 5B | RK3588S | 16GB | All-purpose, AI automation | $90 |
| Banana Pi M5 | Amlogic S905X3 | 4GB | Smart lighting, DIY servers | $65 |
| Radxa Rock 5A | RK3588S | 8GB | AI cameras, smart hub | $120 |
| Arduino Portenta X8 | Cortex-A53 | 8GB | IoT sensors, controllers | $150 |
| Libre Computer (Le Potato) | S905X | 4GB | Budget automation | $45 |
| ODROID-C4 | S905X3 | 4GB | Media servers | $70 |
| Khadas VIM4 | A311D2 | 8GB | Voice assistants, robotics | $180 |
Best Software for Home Automation (2025)
All these boards support open-source automation platforms:
- Home Assistant (Python-based, most popular IoT hub)
- OpenHAB (Java-based smart home platform)
- Node-RED (flow-based programming for IoT devices)
- Domoticz (lightweight automation software)
How to Choose the Right Raspberry Pi Alternative
- Budget: Libre Computer (~$45) is cheapest.
- Performance: Orange Pi 5B and Radxa Rock 5A are best for AI tasks.
- Stability: ODROID and Banana Pi are great for 24/7 uptime.
- IoT focus: Arduino Portenta X8 for sensors and controllers.
- Future-proofing: Khadas VIM4 for AI + robotics.
FAQs
Q1: Which board is closest to Raspberry Pi in 2025?
Orange Pi 5B and Banana Pi M5 are the closest in specs and price.
Q2: Which is best for running Home Assistant?
Orange Pi 5B, Radxa Rock 5A, and ODROID-C4 run Home Assistant smoothly.
Q3: Can I use these for media streaming?
Yes, Libre Computer, ODROID-C4, and Banana Pi M5 are perfect for Kodi and Plex.
Q4: Are these boards beginner-friendly?
Yes—Orange Pi and Banana Pi have easy setup guides similar to Raspberry Pi.
Conclusion
In 2025, the Raspberry Pi is still excellent—but not always affordable or available. Luckily, alternatives like Orange Pi, Banana Pi, Radxa Rock, Arduino Portenta, Libre Computer, ODROID, and Khadas give makers affordable and powerful options for home automation.
- Best budget choice: Libre Computer (Le Potato)
- Best all-rounder: Orange Pi 5B
- Best for IoT sensors: Arduino Portenta X8
- Best for AI/robotics: Khadas VIM4
With these boards, you can build smart homes, automate daily tasks, and create IoT projects—all without breaking the bank.
