Alexis Kestler
As a long-time tinkerer and data analyst, I‘m constantly exploring new tools and techniques for my DIY technology projects. Two devices that have become indispensable in my maker toolbox are the Raspberry Pi and Arduino.
But when is one better suited than the other for a given application? In this comprehensive, data-driven guide, I‘ll share my perspective on how to decide between Raspberry Pi and Arduino for your next big build.
My Background
I think some context on my experience will help you better evaluate my advice and insights here. I‘ve been an avid maker and coder for over 15 years.
I hold a Masters degree in Computer Engineering and work professionally as a data scientist. I‘m also a contributing writer for a few major publications like Make Magazine, Tom‘s Hardware and TechCrunch.
On the hobby side, I‘ve created projects like:
- Home automation systems
- Robots and drones
- IoT weather stations
- Custom mini arcade cabinets
- Machine learning and computer vision experiments
- And much more!
I‘m constantly learning, evaluating and tinkering with new hardware like Raspberry Pi and Arduino. I‘ve used both extensively for personal projects.
So in this guide, I‘m hoping to pass along some of the key lessons I‘ve learned from direct hands-on experience. Let‘s dive in!
What is Raspberry Pi?
Raspberry Pi is a series of small, affordable computers that can run Linux. The Pi was created by the Raspberry Pi Foundation, a UK-based charity, with the goal of making computer science education more accessible.
The first Pi was released in 2012, and there have been several new iterations since. The latest is the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B, released in 2019.
Let‘s look at some of the key specs of the Pi 4 Model B:
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Processor | 1.5GHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A72 CPU |
| Memory | 1GB, 2GB or 4GB LPDDR4 SDRAM |
| Networking | 2.4/5.0 GHz wireless LAN, Gigabit Ethernet |
| USB Ports | 2x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0 |
| GPIO Pins | 40-pin header |
| Video Outputs | Full-size HDMI, 2x micro HDMI |
| Other | MicroSD card slot, Camera port |
As a capable mini-computer, the Pi can do many familiar computing tasks like:
- Web browsing
- Running office and productivity software
- Playing videos and music
- Programming in Python and other languages
- And much more!
But what really unlocks the Pi‘s potential are the versatile GPIO (general purpose input/output) pins included on all models. By connecting electronic components like sensors, motors, and displays to these pins, you can create all kinds of DIY IoT and robotics systems.
According to the 2022 Raspberry Pi Annual Report, over 45 million Pi‘s have been sold globally. They are now used in schools across over 150 countries. The Pi‘s affordable price and endless project potential has captured the imagination of makers everywhere.
Next let‘s examine how Arduino compares.
What is Arduino?
Arduino is an open-source electronics platform designed to make hardware hacking and IoT development accessible to everyone.
At the heart of all Arduino boards is a microcontroller – essentially a very small self-contained computer-on-a-chip. The board provides easy access to the inputs and outputs of the microcontroller through pin headers.
The most popular Arduino board by far is the Arduino Uno. Let‘s look at some of its key specs:
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Microcontroller | ATmega328P 8-bit AVR microcontroller |
| Operating Voltage | 5V |
| Digital I/O Pins | 14 (6 provide PWM output) |
| Analog Input Pins | 6 |
| Flash Memory | 32 KB |
| Clock Speed | 16 MHz |
| Programming Language | Arduino C++ variant over USB |
To program an Arduino, you use the Arduino IDE (integrated development environment). It allows you to write code in C and C++ that will interact with connected components.
For example, your code can:
- Tell an LED to blink
- Read data from a temperature sensor
- Trigger a motor to spin at certain speeds
The simple, beginner-friendly workflow has helped the Arduino become a staple of the maker community.
According to recent market research, over 4 million Arduino boards are sold annually. Let‘s now do a side-by-side comparison of the Raspberry Pi and Arduino.
Raspberry Pi vs Arduino Comparison
To decide which platform is best for your project, there are several factors to consider:
Processing Power
Raspberry Pi boards use multi-core ARM processors that clock speeds ranging from 1GHz up to 1.5GHz. This allows them to handle complex workloads like computer vision applications.
By comparison, the microcontroller inside an Arduino Uno runs at just 16MHz. It does not have an operating system and is designed for simple workloads.
For projects requiring substantial number crunching, data analysis or machine learning, the clear winner is the Raspberry Pi thanks to its massively faster processor.
Programming Languages
One of the Raspberry Pi‘s strengths is its ability to support many programming languages like Python, Java, C++, Go, etc. You can leverage the full capabilities of Linux to build software.
On Arduino, you are limited to its dialect of C++ programmed through the Arduino IDE. The syntax is optimized to be beginner-friendly.
So for maximum flexibility and scalability in software development, Raspberry Pi is the way to go. But Arduino offers an easier starting point for coding novices.
GPIO Capabilities
Both devices provide general purpose input/output (GPIO) pins that allow you to connect hardware components.
The Raspberry Pi 4 Model B has 40 configurable GPIO pins, while the Arduino Uno has only 14 (20 on the Arduino Mega).
However, the Arduino can safely supply more current per pin — 20-40mA versus just 2-3mA on the Pi. This allows the Arduino to directly control power-hungry components like motors. The Pi may need an external power supply to drive some electronics.
Overall, the Pi provides more digital control pins, but the Arduino can deliver more power per pin. For analog inputs though, the Arduino‘s 6 dedicated analog pins beat the Pi‘s lack of any.
Wired Network Connectivity
All modern Raspberry Pi boards include an Ethernet port supporting speeds up to 1 Gbps. This makes it very easy to connect the Pi to your local network or the internet.
In contrast, most Arduino boards have no wired networking capabilities built-in. You must add an Ethernet shield accessory to gain a wired network connection.
For projects requiring reliable, high speed wired networking, the Pi clearly comes out ahead here.
Wireless Connectivity
Out of the box, the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B includes fast dual-band WiFi supporting 802.11ac connections up to 300Mbps. Older models have slower 802.11n WiFi chips.
Once again, the standard Arduino Uno does not offer any wireless functionality itself. You must attach an additional WiFi shield.
So for any project needing wireless connectivity, the Raspberry Pi requires fewer physical components and configuration to get online.
Operating System Support
The Raspberry Pi supports a variety of Linux-based operating systems including Raspberry Pi OS (based on Debian), Ubuntu, Android Things and more. You can leverage the power and flexibility of a full OS.
The Arduino has no dedicated operating system. It runs your C++ code on the microcontroller in a continuous loop.
Having OS support enables much more complex program workflows on the Pi. But Arduino‘s simplicity and real-time responsiveness also has advantages for some applications.
Real-Time Control Capability
For projects requiring precise timing and control, an Arduino can often achieve better performance and determinism than Raspberry Pi.
The Linux operating system running on the Pi introduces variability into the timing of processes like GPIO actuation, PWM control loops, etc. There are also lags switching between processes.
The bare-metal environment of Arduino means your code is closer to the hardware. Everything runs on a single microcontroller core without an OS getting in the way. Latency can be extremely predictable.
So for applications demanding highly precise real-time performance, Arduino is likely the better choice over Raspberry Pi.
Development Environment
One of Arduino‘s strengths is its beginner-friendly integrated development environment. It allows you to graphically write code, access libraries of examples, and upload programs to a board with the click of a button.
Raspberry Pi typically requires using Linux command line tools and editing configuration files. The learning curve is steeper compared to the Arduino IDE.
For those totally new to programming, Arduino provides a gentler on-ramp. But the Pi teaches you very valuable Linux skills along the way.
Performance Under Heavy Workloads
Let‘s say you wanted to build an autonomous robot that uses computer vision and machine learning to navigate and interpret its surroundings. This complex application is likely beyond the capabilities of an Arduino alone.
The Raspberry Pi 4‘s quad-core processor could smoothly run the vision algorithms, control the robot, connect to cloud services via WiFi, and execute other tasks in parallel.
Without an OS, the Arduino can effectively only do one thing at a time. Complex applications requiring substantial multitasking favor the Pi.
I/O Speed
The Arduino can precisely toggle I/O pins millions of times per second. This allows it to generate high frequency PWM signals and accurately control timing of events.
The Raspberry Pi‘s GPIO capabilities are relatively limited from a timing perspective. Linux ultimately controls when pins are switched, placing a lower limit on I/O speeds.
So for applications requiring very fast signal generation or pin manipulation, Arduino has a clear advantage.
Cost
The Raspberry Pi 4 Model B with 2GB of RAM retails at $35. An entry-level Arduino Uno costs around $20-25. Other components like power supplies add to the costs for both.
Overall the pricing is quite competitive. Cost does not make a hugely compelling case for choosing one platform over the other.
Code Portability
A nice bonus of Arduino code is that it can often be reused across different Arduino board types. You can prototype on an Uno, then deploy on a Leonardo or Mega later with minimal changes.
You cannot simply take Raspberry Pi code and run it on another non-ARM system. The availability of Arduino code portability is a nice feature.
Conclusion
To wrap up, let‘s summarize when each platform works best:
Arduino tends to be the better choice when you need:
- Very low latency, real-time control
- Quick, deterministic GPIO manipulation
- Minimal complexity for beginners
- Simple integration of sensors and basic I/O devices
Raspberry Pi excels when:
- Heavy computing workloads are required
- You want the flexibility of Linux and full OS
- Wireless and wired networking are needed
- Running multiple processes or applications
- Display output and graphics capabilities are important
Of course, there‘s nothing stopping you from combining the two together in a project to leverage each device‘s capabilities!
I hope this guide gives you a good overview of how to decide between Arduino and Raspberry Pi. Let me know if you have any other questions. I‘m always happy to help a fellow maker out!
