Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

esp32 VS Banana Pi

Compare esp32 VS Banana Pi and see what are their differences

esp32 logo esp32

A very cheap small chip, compatible with Arduino.

Banana Pi logo Banana Pi

Banana Pi is a single-board computer made in China. It can run Android, Ubuntu and Debian.
  • esp32 Landing page
    Landing page //
    2020-02-01
  • Banana Pi Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-03-19

esp32 features and specs

  • Powerful Dual-core Processor
    The ESP32 features a dual-core processor, offering robust processing capability which is suitable for complex IoT applications and tasks that require a high performance.
  • Integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
    It comes with integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (both Classic and BLE), which makes it very versatile for wireless communication in various projects.
  • Low Power Consumption
    ESP32 is designed for low power consumption, making it a great choice for battery-powered devices and applications that require energy efficiency.
  • Rich Peripheral Set
    The ESP32 includes a wide range of peripherals such as ADCs, DACs, capacitive touch sensors, and more, enabling diverse applications.
  • Extensive Library Support
    There is strong community and library support, making development smoother with ready-to-use libraries and examples.
  • Cost-effective
    Given its features, the ESP32 offers great value for money, being cost-effective for developers and prototyping needs.

Possible disadvantages of esp32

  • Complexity in Setup and Use
    Due to its advanced features and configuration options, beginners might find the setup process and initial learning curve to be complex.
  • Limited RAM
    The ESP32 has a limited amount of RAM, which can be a constraint for applications that require a lot of memory and data processing.
  • Power Supply Sensitivity
    The ESP32 can be sensitive to power supply fluctuations, necessitating a stable power supply for reliable operation.
  • Variability in Module Quality
    There is variability in quality across different ESP32 modules from various manufacturers, which can affect performance and reliability.

Banana Pi features and specs

  • Cost-Effective
    Banana Pi models are generally affordable, making them accessible for hobbyists, educators, and small developers who want a cost-effective alternative to more expensive single-board computers.
  • GPIO Support
    Banana Pi supports General Purpose Input/Output (GPIO) pins, which are crucial for interacting with other devices and components in electronics projects.
  • Versatile OS Support
    Supports various operating systems such as Android, Debian, Ubuntu, and more, providing flexibility based on the needs of the user.
  • Performance
    Certain models offer high performance with multi-core processors, making them suitable for tasks beyond basic computing, such as multimedia applications or NAS servers.
  • Connectivity Options
    Comes with extensive connectivity options including USB ports, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI, and others, making it suitable for diverse projects.

Possible disadvantages of Banana Pi

  • Limited Community Support
    Compared to more popular alternatives like Raspberry Pi, Banana Pi has a smaller community, which can make it difficult to find help, support, and resources when encountering issues.
  • Compatibility
    Some users may experience compatibility issues with software and peripherals not specifically designed or optimized for Banana Pi.
  • Documentation
    The documentation can be less comprehensive and sometimes outdated, which might make it challenging for beginners to get started or troubleshoot problems.
  • Firmware Updates
    Access to and frequency of firmware updates may be less than that of more mainstream alternatives, potentially leading to security and stability issues over time.
  • Power Consumption
    Certain Banana Pi models can have higher power consumption compared to similar devices, potentially affecting power efficiency in larger or multiple installations.

esp32 videos

ESP32 Review: Using the ESP32 with the Arduino IDE

More videos:

  • Review - #159 Big ESP32 Boards Review and Test
  • Review - #339 The new ESP32-S2: How relevant is it for the Makers? First tests

Banana Pi videos

Banana Pi M5: ARM SBC with eMMC

More videos:

  • Review - Banana Pi VS Raspberry Pi
  • Review - #057 Banana Pi Router: NAS, router or trash? // Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to esp32 and Banana Pi)
Electronics
67 67%
33% 33
Single Board Computer
68 68%
32% 32
System & Hardware
71 71%
29% 29
Operating Systems
54 54%
46% 46

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, esp32 seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 3 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

esp32 mentions (3)

  • how and where to learn programming ESP32 in C?
    Esp32.net has a bunch of additional references, projects, and places to gather information. Source: almost 4 years ago
  • Is there any true Open Source WiFi cards over 802.11g?
    Closest thing is the ESP32 from Espressif Systems See ESP32 link for details. Since you specifically asked for open source, so some tinkering and compile is required. Source: almost 4 years ago
  • Buying advice, not sure which dev boards are really supported
    There's also many more dev boards, chips and modules listed here, though they may not necessarily have platformio IDs. Source: about 4 years ago

Banana Pi mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Banana Pi yet. Tracking of Banana Pi recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing esp32 and Banana Pi, you can also consider the following products

Intel NUC boards - Four-by-four inch Intel NUC boards come with a soldered-on processor.

Raspberry Pi - The Raspberry Pi is a tiny and affordable computer that you can use to learn programming through fun, practical projects. Join the global Raspberry Pi community.

Intel NUC - Intel NUCs are available as Kits(Barebones), Boards(Mainbaord only) and as perconfigured Mini-PCs.

Udoo x86 Ultra - Udoo x86 Ultra is a modern PC, known as the most powerful X86 maker board and an Arduino 101 compatible platform.

ESPRESSObin - Electronics, Single Board Computer, and x86

SanCloud BeagleBone Enhanced WiFi 1G - One amongst SanCloud's range of BeagleBone Enhanced SBCs - each are enhancements of the BeagleBone Black (BBB).