Both Raspberry Pi and Arduino boards have become extremely popular among hobbyists for electronics projects and programming experiments. But with different capabilities and uses, many wonder: should I use a Raspberry Pi or an Arduino for my next DIY tech project?
As an experienced programmer and hardware tinkerer, I often get asked this question. Newcomers to electronics just starting out have little frame of reference on how to choose between the two most popular hobbyist boards on the market.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll dive deep on the key differences between Raspberry Pi and Arduino boards. With clear examples and side-by-side comparisons, I‘ll provide my professional recommendations on when to use which platform based on your project idea, skill level, and budget.
By the end, you‘ll understand the strengths and limitations of each board to determine if your next robot, IoT device, or other DIY tech project is better suited to a Raspberry Pi or an Arduino!
What is Raspberry Pi?
The Raspberry Pi is a series of small, affordable single-board computers developed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation. At about the size of a credit card, Raspberry Pi boards feature:
- A Broadcom system-on-a-chip with integrated CPU, graphics, and memory
- Ports for HDMI, USB, Ethernet, camera, display, and more
- An SD card slot for loading the operating system and storing data
- GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) pins for connecting electronic components
Raspberry Pi runs operating systems like Raspberry Pi OS (based on Linux) and is powerful enough for complex programming projects, running a web server, building a media center, and more. It‘s popular among hobbyists, hackers, and students learning to code.
Over 30 million Raspberry Pis have been sold globally, enabling all kinds of computing experiments and innovations on this tiny yet surprisingly powerful platform.
What is Arduino?
Arduino is an open-source electronics platform centered around a microcontroller board. Arduino boards feature:
- An Atmel AVR microcontroller chip with integrated memory and programmable I/O peripherals
- Digital and analog I/O pins
- USB or battery power options
- An IDE (integrated development environment) to upload programs onto the microcontroller
Arduino boards are designed to take in sensory inputs from buttons, sensors, etc. and manipulate them via programming. Output may control motors, lights, monitors, speakers, and more.
The simplified programming language and breadboard-friendly design makes Arduino a popular choice for DIY projects. Over 1 million Arduinos are estimated to be in the hands of hobbyists and hackers globally.
Raspberry Pi vs Arduino: Key Feature Comparison
Here is a breakdown of some of the technical differences between the latest Raspberry Pi 4 Model B and the Arduino Uno Rev3:
| Raspberry Pi 4 | Arduino Uno | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | 1.5GHz 64-bit quad-core ARM Cortex-A72 | 16MHz ATmega328 8-bit AVR microcontroller |
| Memory | 1GB, 2GB, or 4GB LPDDR4-2400 SDRAM | 32KB flash memory, 2KB SRAM, 1KB EEPROM |
| GPIO Pins | 40 | 14 (6 analog input, 8 digital I/O) |
| Networking | Gigabit Ethernet, WiFi, Bluetooth | No built-in networking |
| Interfaces | 2x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0, HDMI, camera | USB, power jack |
| Operating System | Linux-based OS‘s like Raspberry Pi OS | Arduino IDE to program the microcontroller |
In a nutshell, Raspberry Pi has significantly more computing power, memory, connectivity options, and the ability to run complex operating systems. Arduino boards are more limited in scope, but provide easy interfacing with sensors and basic I/O devices.
Appropriate Use Cases
With an understanding of their technical capabilities, let‘s explore some appropriate uses for each platform:
Good for Raspberry Pi Projects
- Building robots, drones, or other complex IoT devices
- Image recognition and machine vision
- Environmental monitoring stations
- Networked or wireless connected projects
- Running a web server or databases
- Media centers, smart mirrors, and home automation
- AI and machine learning experiments
I recently created my own Magic Mirror using a Raspberry Pi 4. By leveraging the quad-core CPU and 2GB of RAM, I was able to stream news, weather, and calendar feeds all updating in real time on the mirror surface. Building this Internet-connected smart display would not have been possible using an Arduino alone.
Good Arduino Projects
- Basic sensing and output control (lights, motors, etc.)
- Simple robotics and mechatronics
- IoT and wired/wireless communication
- DIY CNC machines and 3D printers
- Learning electronics and embedded programming
- Interactive art installations
- Cost-sensitive or power-sensitive projects
My 8 year old nephew just put together his first DIY robot using an Arduino Uno, an ultrasonic sensor, and some old RC car parts. He learned how to make obstacle detection and programmed movements – all with the simple Arduino IDE. This starter project would have been complete overkill on a Raspberry Pi!
Programming Language Differences
Raspberry Pi and Arduino also differ significantly in their programming environment and languages:
Raspberry Pi
Environments: Python IDLE, Thonny, Geany, Vim, Emacs, Visual Studio Code
Languages: Python, JavaScript, C, C++, Java, Rust, Scratch
With access to many advanced languages like Python and Java, you can leverage a lot of existing code resources. The options are endless!
Arduino
Environment: Arduino IDE
Language: Arduino Sketch (Wiring based on C/C++)
While limited to the Arduino language, the simplified C++ Sketch syntax allows beginners to get basic programs up and running very quickly.
Over 70% of Arduino users are estimated to be new to programming when they start experimenting with the platform.
Benefits and Drawbacks
Here are some additional pros and cons of each platform:
Raspberry Pi Pros
- More computing power
- Additional memory for data storage
- Ability to leverage Linux functions and software
- Flexible programming language options
With a Raspberry Pi, you aren‘t very limited in what you can build or experiment with. It‘s like an entire Linux computer capable of advanced functions, all on a low-cost board.
Raspberry Pi Cons
- Higher cost
- Power hungry – needs large power supply
- Steeper learning curve for beginners
The Raspberry Pi 4 I used for my Magic Mirror project retails for $55 just for the board. Add in a case, power supply, and microSD card, and costs start adding up quickly!
Arduino Pros
- Very affordable even for basic models
- Low power draw
- Designed specifically for electronics projects
- Simpler programming language great for beginners
The Arduino Uno used in my nephew‘s starter robot was less than $20! Cost is rarely an impediment for beginner makers and tinkerers.
Arduino Cons
- Limited memory and processing power
- Constrained by low storage space
- Not as flexible as Raspberry Pi
Once my nephew wanted to add image recognition to track objects for his robot, the Arduino could not handle the required memory and processor load. At that point, he upgraded to a Raspberry Pi.
Project Examples and Tutorials
To better demonstrate real-world uses of each platform, here are example projects with code and tutorials available:
Entry-Level Raspberry Pi Projects
Magic Mirror
- Display time, weather, news feeds on a two-way mirror
- Great intro to Raspberry Pi OS, Python, APIs
- MagPi Tutorial
Retro Game Emulator
- Relive classic games by emulator Super Nintendo and more
- Affordable retro gaming station to run OpenEmu, RetroPie builds
- Raspberry Pi Projects Tutorial
Entry-Level Arduino Projects
IoT Nightlight
- Light sensor turns LED on at night, off in day
- Basic electronics and programming
- Project Hub Tutorial
DIY Robot
- Assemble robot wheeled base, Arduino, breadboard, and sensors
- Program movement, object detection, navigation
- Instructables Tutorial
Recommendations
So when should you opt for a Raspberry Pi vs an Arduino board?
- Raspberry Pi – Best for complex programming projects, building robots and IoT devices, trying out new computing concepts
- Arduino – Great for basic DIY electronics projects, learning embedded systems, building basic robots on a budget
If simplicity and affordability are needed for an electronics project, I‘d recommend starting with Arduino. As your skills improve or project complexity increases, Raspberry Pi has the power and flexibility to scale up.
For advanced computing experiments, Raspberry Pi all the way!
Hopefully this guide has helped show the main uses and differences between the two most popular hobbyist boards on the market. Equipped with the key capabilities, advantages, and best applications for each, you can now confidently choose the right platform for your next DIY electronics or programming project idea.
