Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Raspberry Pi VS esp32

Compare Raspberry Pi VS esp32 and see what are their differences

Raspberry Pi logo 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.

esp32 logo esp32

A very cheap small chip, compatible with Arduino.
  • Raspberry Pi Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-12-28
  • esp32 Landing page
    Landing page //
    2020-02-01

Raspberry Pi features and specs

  • Affordability
    Raspberry Pi devices are very cost-effective, typically priced between $5 to $75, making them accessible for a wide range of users.
  • Size and Portability
    The compact size of a Raspberry Pi makes it easy to integrate into various projects and conducive to portable applications.
  • Versatility
    Raspberry Pi can be used for a multitude of applications ranging from educational purposes to complex IoT projects, media centers, and more.
  • Community Support
    With a large and active community, extensive documentation, and numerous tutorials available, support is readily accessible for troubleshooting and project ideas.
  • Educational Tool
    Raspberry Pi is widely used in education for teaching programming, electronics, and computer science concepts in a hands-on manner.
  • Energy Efficiency
    The Raspberry Pi consumes relatively low power, which makes it an excellent choice for always-on applications and energy-conscious users.

Possible disadvantages of Raspberry Pi

  • Limited Performance
    Despite improvements in newer models, Raspberry Pi devices still have limitations in processing power compared to full-fledged computers, which can be a bottleneck for intensive applications.
  • Storage Constraints
    The usage of micro SD cards for storage can be a limitation in terms of both speed and capacity, compared to traditional hard drives or SSDs.
  • Peripheral Dependency
    To fully utilize a Raspberry Pi, additional peripherals like keyboards, mice, monitors, and power supplies are needed, which can complicate setups and add to the overall cost.
  • Connectivity Limitations
    Though equipped with various connectivity options, the number of USB ports and network interfaces may be limited, imposing restrictions on connected devices.
  • No Built-in Real-Time Clock
    Raspberry Pi lacks a built-in real-time clock (RTC), requiring an additional RTC module for applications that need to keep track of time when powered off.
  • Software Compatibility
    Certain software and applications are not optimized for the ARM architecture of the Raspberry Pi, potentially limiting the available software and compatibility with x86 applications.

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.

Raspberry Pi videos

Can a Raspberry Pi 4 be used as a Desktop PC - Full test and review

More videos:

  • Review - Raspberry Pi 4 8GB Review: Should you buy it?
  • Review - The Raspberry Pi 4 Is A Gaming Beast

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

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Raspberry Pi and esp32)
Electronics
56 56%
44% 44
Operating Systems
66 66%
34% 34
Single Board Computer
0 0%
100% 100
Tech
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using Raspberry Pi and esp32. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Raspberry Pi should be more popular than esp32. It has been mentiond 23 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.

Raspberry Pi mentions (23)

  • INFJ wanting to gift an INTP for his birthday
    INTPs are often very good at tinkering and programming so anything from http://raspberrypi.org will be a winner! They’ve got every budget covered from tiny computers for $5 all the way up to the accessories which can be bought on the websites linked on there that’ll turn your pi into a robot or sensor kit or anything really. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Help getting my image working?
    The only thing I can get to boot on any of the 3 boards is the newest pi4 OS image on raspberrypi.org. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Help with 12 year old girl who would like to learn coding.
    Https://raspberrypi.org lots of FOSS tools and fun projects for beginners. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Please report scalpers and price-gougers
    Sure. Do what Adafruit, Sparkfun, Pihut, and the others linked from raspberrypi.org do. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Raspberry Pi CEO Eben Upton says that he expects the inventory situation to improve over time and to be completely resolved within 12 months.
    It seems disgusting when you open raspberrypi.org and be presented with slogans like "teach, learn, make" and pictures of kids learning and playing around with the boards when it was obvious what the priority was for the company (spoiler: not those kids in the pictures). Source: over 2 years ago
View more

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

What are some alternatives?

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

Orange Pi - It’s an open-source single-board computer. It can run Android 4.

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

Odroid - The Odroid is a series of single-board computers and tablet computers created by Hardkernel Co.

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

Banana Pi - Banana Pi is a single-board computer made in China. It can run Android, Ubuntu and Debian.

ESPRESSObin - Electronics, Single Board Computer, and x86