Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups
Register | Login

Raspbian VS Raspberry Pi OS

Compare Raspbian VS Raspberry Pi OS and see what are their differences

LibHunt
LibHunt tracks mentions of software libraries on relevant social networks. Based on that data, you can find the most popular projects and their alternatives. featured
Contents:
  1. » Base Details
  2. » Videos
  3. » Reviews
  4. » Alternatives

Raspbian logo Raspbian

Welcome to Raspbian. Raspbian is a free operating system based on Debian optimized for the Raspberry Pi hardware. An operating system is the set of basic programs and utilities that make your Raspberry Pi run.

Raspberry Pi OS logo Raspberry Pi OS

A step-by-step guide how to create a simple OS from scratch.
  • Raspbian Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-29
  • Raspberry Pi OS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-11-02

Raspbian features and specs

  • Optimized for Raspberry Pi
    Raspbian is specifically designed and optimized for Raspberry Pi devices, ensuring maximum performance and compatibility with the hardware.
  • Large Community Support
    With a large user base and community, Raspbian benefits from extensive support and resources, making it easier for users to find help and tutorials.
  • Pre-installed Software
    Raspbian comes with a wide range of pre-installed software, including educational tools, programming languages, and utilities, which are useful for various projects.
  • Free and Open Source
    Raspbian is free to download and use, and being open source, it allows users to inspect, modify, and enhance the source code as per their needs.
  • Lightweight and Efficient
    Designed to run on the limited resources of Raspberry Pi, Raspbian is lightweight and provides a snappy response even with lower hardware configurations.

Possible disadvantages of Raspbian

  • Limited to ARM Architecture
    Raspbian is built specifically for ARM architecture, which means it cannot be used on other common desktop or server hardware without modifications.
  • Basic User Interface
    The default desktop environment on Raspbian, LXDE, is quite basic compared to more modern interfaces, and may not appeal to users accustomed to more advanced GUIs.
  • Hardware Limitations
    Since Raspbian is designed for low-power devices like the Raspberry Pi, it may not support high-end applications and intensive tasks efficiently compared to more powerful systems.
  • Dependency on Raspberry Pi
    Raspbian's features and optimizations are tied closely with Raspberry Pi hardware. Users with other hardware may not benefit similarly from its optimizations.
  • Update Frequency
    The update cycle for Raspbian may not be as rapid as some users would like, potentially leading to outdated software compared to rolling-release distributions.

Raspberry Pi OS features and specs

  • Lightweight
    Raspberry Pi OS is streamlined for Raspberry Pi hardware, ensuring efficient use of resources and better performance than more complex operating systems.
  • Educational Value
    It is designed to teach users, especially beginners, about how operating systems work by providing a minimal base for building and experimenting.
  • Community Support
    There is a strong community around Raspberry Pi and its projects, making it easier to find tutorials, forums, and resources.
  • Customization
    Users have the flexibility to customize the OS according to their needs, focusing only on the components relevant to their projects.

Possible disadvantages of Raspberry Pi OS

  • Limited Features
    Being minimal and educational, the OS might lack some advanced features found in more complete operating systems.
  • Not User-Friendly
    It might not be suitable for users looking for an out-of-the-box solution, as it requires technical knowledge and manual setup.
  • Hardware Limitations
    The performance is restricted by the Raspberry Pi hardware, which might not suit high-intensity applications.
  • Niche Use Case
    The OS is specifically tailored for Raspberry Pi and is not suitable for use on other types of hardware without significant modification.

Raspbian videos

+ Add

Raspberry Pi 4 & Raspbian OS Review

More videos:

  • Review - Raspberry Pi 3B Review - Is Raspbian Linux a real, practial desktop computer?
  • Review - Raspbian OS for the Raspberry Pi 4 8GB 64 Bit OS Full Review

Raspberry Pi OS videos

+ Add

Tour of Raspberry pi OS

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Raspbian and Raspberry Pi OS)

Raspbian

Raspberry Pi OS

Linux
67 67%
Linux
33% 33
Operating Systems
68 68%
Operating Systems
32% 32
Linux Distribution
68 68%
Linux Distribution
32% 32
Mobile OS
100 100%
Mobile OS
0% 0

User comments

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

Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Raspbian and Raspberry Pi OS

Raspbian Reviews

11 Best Linux Distros For Programming And Developers [2020 Edition]
Distros like Ubuntu and Debian have managed to establish themselves as the top picks when it comes to the best Linux distro for developers. Some of the other great choices are openSUSE, Arch Linux, etc. If you intend to buy a credit-card-sized Raspberry Pi, Linux-based Raspbian is also a perfect way to start.
Source: fossbytes.com

Raspberry Pi OS Reviews

Best Linux distros of 2021 for beginners, mainstream and advanced users
There are several distros for the Raspberry Pi, however the best starting point has to be the Raspberry Pi OS, which is the official distro of the Raspberry Pi and for good reason.
Source: www.techradar.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Raspbian should be more popular than Raspberry Pi OS. It has been mentiond 4 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.

Raspbian mentions (4)

  • need help with image taking using a usb webcam
    Are you sure as normally folk use Raspberry Pi OS (Raspbian comes from here and not the Pi Foundation site here) ? Do you mean Raspberry PI OS and if so 32bit or 64bit and how up to date is it (i.e. Have you recently run apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade)? Source: about 2 years ago
  • Issues loading lightshowpi
    Yeah raspbian.org or something you download PiOS there and they have all the instructions. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Im trying to make a list of how to pronounce MOST Linux distros.
    Raspbian still exists at https://raspbian.org. Source: about 4 years ago
  • EE - Stuff to learn (during Freetime)
    Linux - Sooner or later you may be confronted with Linux. A free operating system, which is not like Windows or this thing with the fruit. It is used so many times, especially in the embedded field. It is not easy to get into it at the beginning, but an easy start is with Raspbian(and a Raspberry Pi, because it's optimised for that) or for Notebooks/PCs Ubuntu. There are plenty of distributions and you... Source: about 4 years ago

Raspberry Pi OS mentions (2)

  • I want to learn about kernel development
    Last but not the least, learning by doing is fun so you can check out - raspberry-pi-os (writing an os from scratch) - https://github.com/s-matyukevich/raspberry-pi-os. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Show HN: CheesecakeOS for Raspberry Pi Volume 0: Booting, Processes, and VM
    CheesecakeOS for Raspberry Pi Volume 0: Booting, Processes, and Virtual Memory is the first in what I hope is a series of github markdown tutorials or volumes on bare-metal from-scratch operating system development. I have dreamed of contributing to the Linux Kernel, but have yet to find the courage to jump in and do so. I started by attempting to read Understanding the Linux Kernel by Daniel Bovet and... - Source: Hacker News / over 3 years ago

What are some alternatives?

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

Ubuntu - Ubuntu is a Debian Linux-based open source operating system for desktop computers.

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.

Windows 10 - Windows 10 unveils new innovations & is better than ever. Shop for Windows 10 laptops, PCs, tablets, apps & more. Learn about new upcoming features.

Linux Kodachi - Kodachi is a Debian-based distro which can be run from a DVD or USB thumb drive.

Fedora - Fedora creates an innovative, free, and open source platform for hardware, clouds, and containers that enables software developers and community members to build tailored solutions for their users.

Nitrux OS - Nitrux is an operating system based on Linux.

Loading...