Any IoT project requires specific hardware for its proper operation. When adopting the Internet of Things, you likely choose between the two most popular options: Arduino and Raspberry Pi.
They are widely used, with over 45 million Raspberry Pi computers and over 10 million Arduino boards sold worldwide. At first sight, they may seem similar as they both comprise resistors, capacitors, and connectors. Nevertheless, these boards differ significantly in architecture and use purposes.
In this article, we’ll compare Arduino and Raspberry Pi to help you choose the most viable option for your IoT project. We’ll outline their technical specs, working principles, and capabilities so you know what works best for your business.
WebbyLab, a professional IoT hardware and software development vendor, has extensive experience with both Arduino and Raspberry Pi. We’ll use our expertise to provide practical insights, sharing our projects 2Smart Cloud, Propuskator, and more.
As experts in IoT development, we believe that Arduino and Raspberry Pi should be used selectively, as these controllers may not be suitable for constructing typical IoT devices for consumer electronics.
We haven’t used Arduino in production devices, as many alternatives surpass it in terms of capabilities and price. However, we utilize it as a tool for testing other hardware solutions, such as robots or emulators, because Arduino enables the easy development of a test bench to imitate specific behaviors.
Additionally, Arduino is suitable for products that involve user interaction for modification and development. With its accessibility, large community, and sufficient capabilities, Arduino is an excellent choice for IoT beginners. If a product targets this audience, it will perform well due to its low entry threshold.
Currently, Arduino has several versions, with the latest holding the potential to become a microcontroller used in the production of ready-made devices.
Raspberry Pi differs significantly from Arduino and can tackle a wider variety of tasks. The WebbyLab team sees this tool as a microprocessor capable of running more software, open-source solutions, and even full-fledged operating systems.
Raspberry Pi enables the creation of more than just basic devices for data collection or peripheral control. It allows for the construction of fully functional computer platforms or robots and can handle operations that require significant resources.
Our experts use Raspberry Pi as a host for our automation platform or to run its specific parts. This tool is ideal for home automation, and many modern platforms recommend it as the preferred microprocessor for hosting their software. Additionally, Raspberry Pi is very convenient for running third-party software solutions.
We have experience creating a guard robot based on Raspberry Pi (more on that later). Our team also used this tool to develop a solution for analog intercoms, enabling users to answer calls from smartphones and open doors for visitors from any location.
A virtual device is a service that can run on most operating systems and perform certain functions within a platform’s framework, such as obtaining a weather forecast. Like Arduino, Raspberry Pi is well-suited for products where users interact with the hardware.
In general, both devices are popular among enthusiasts and tech-savvy IoT platform users. However, businesses can explore many alternatives to build custom IoT solutions for consumer electronics or industrial tasks, depending on their specific requirements.
Starting our comparison of Raspberry Pi vs Arduino, let’s figure out what the latter is.
An Arduino board is an open-source microcontroller device used for interactive electronic projects. It comprises input/output pins, voltage regulators, USB interfaces, crystal oscillators, and other microcontroller components on a single circuit board.
Arduino can be used to read a variety of inputs. For instance, a sensor’s light or a user pressing a button. Then, it produces an output— turning on or off a lamp or starting an engine.
You can program this board for your IoT project using the Arduino integrated development environment (IDE) that allows writing, compiling, and uploading code and C or C++ programming languages.
Here are the core features of an Arduino board:
Raspberry Pi (RPI) is a credit-card-sized single-board computer. It comprises a processor, memory, input/output pins, HDMI, Ethernet, USB ports, and a graphics driver. This device has all characteristics of a regular PC, even its operating system, Raspberry Pi OS (essentially a Linux version). You can connect this board to a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and other gadgets.
Here are the primary features of Raspberry Pi:
As you can see, both Arduino and Raspberry Pi suit IoT projects in robotics, home automation, and more. But which board to choose in the end? And what is the difference between Arduino and Raspberry Pi? Let’s figure this out by studying the following aspects:
Raspberry Pi is an SBC with a microprocessor, while Arduino is a microcontroller board. The first has more robust CPU and memory capabilities than Arduino. It also offers an Ethernet, HDMI, and USB port, while Arduino only has a USB connector.
For a more precise comparison, let’s look at the latest board versions’ specifications, Arduino UNO vs Raspberry Pi:
Only by looking at these boards’ clock speed can you notice the significant superiority of Raspberry Pi, being a hundred times faster than Arduino.
The Raspberry Pi is a general-purpose computer that runs an operating system like any other computer. On the other hand, Arduino is a microcontroller programmed to perform specific tasks.
For example, the WebbyLab team used Arduino as a robot that emulated raising a card or key fob to a tag reader connected to our access control and management system, Propuskator. Namely, this robot repeatedly and with a set frequency brought the tag to the reader. As a result, with the help of Arduino, we could test our ACS solution under close-to-reality conditions.
Using Arduino microcontrollers in IoT-based electronic door locks.
Raspberry Pi can run various operating systems like Linux, Android, and Windows 10, while Arduino doesn’t have a dedicated operating system. Instead, it uses a specialized programming language that runs directly on the microcontroller.
Raspberry Pi is a microprocessor-based mini-computer that offers typical computer functions like memory, storage, and processor. Conversely, Arduino uses a microcontroller, essentially a computer on a chip. The microcontroller on an Arduino board has less memory and processing power than the microprocessor on a Raspberry Pi board.
In terms of clock speed, Raspberry Pi excels. Raspberry Pi boards typically have a clock speed of 1 GHz or higher, while Arduino boards can offer around 16 MHz. Yet, the clock speed may be higher in more complex Arduino models like Portenta H7.
Raspberry Pi requires more power due to its higher processing capacities and extra components. These boards typically need a power supply with a higher wattage and voltage than Arduino. In contrast, Arduino can be powered directly from a USB port.
Arduino is typically used for controlling and monitoring devices like sensors, motors, and lights. It works perfectly for simple and small-scale projects where real-time interaction is required. Businesses can also use Arduino for standalone solutions.
Raspberry Pi suits complex, high-performance projects requiring internet connectivity, multimedia features, and advanced programming languages. For example, based on it, WebbyLab created a Proof of Concept for a home security robot. Our engineers developed the firmware for the Raspberry Pi and connected it to our 2Smart Cloud automation platform.
A Raspberry Pi board inside the home security robot built by WebbyLab.
Arduino boards are generally cheaper than Raspberry Pi boards, costing $10 to $50. Raspberry Pi boards are slightly more expensive, from $35 to $75.
Let’s finalize our comparison of Arduino versus Raspberry Pi by summarizing these boards’ key parameters. Find them in the table below:
| Comparison Parameter | Arduino | Raspberry Pi |
| Control unit | ATmega family | ARM family |
| Foundation | Microcontroller | Microprocessor |
| Usage | Controlling connected electrical components and devices | Computing data and managing electrical components and devices |
| Hardware and software structure | Simple software and hardware | Complex software and hardware architecture |
| CPU architecture | 8-bit | 64-bit |
| RAM | About 2 kB | About 1 GB |
| Clock speed | From 16 MHz | From 1 GHz |
| Cost-efficiency | Higher than in Raspberry Pi | Lower than in Arduino |
| I/O voltage | 5V | Between 1.8V and 3.3V |
| Power consumption | About 200 MW | About 700 MW |
Both Arduino and Raspberry Pi work well for robotic and IoT devices. Each board has its strengths and weaknesses, so when choosing the right one for your project, you should consider your specific needs and requirements. Here are some points to pay attention to:
WebbyLab is an experienced IoT hardware and software vendor. We have successfully delivered numerous Internet of Things solutions using Raspberry Pi, Arduino, and other alternatives. Learn more about our work to understand which board will suit your project better.
The 2Smart Cloud IoT platform we create supports any microcontroller. To connect Arduino or Raspberry Pi to this software, developers only need to review the 2Smart Cloud documentation and create compatible firmware.
2Smart Cloud mobile application.
When it comes to choosing a suitable board for your project, it depends. A possible problem for developers may be needing a Wi-Fi module in the selected microcontroller, which isn’t included in the basic Arduino versions. That’s why WebbyLab recommends choosing a board that supports Internet connectivity. Otherwise, ensuring the connection in another way will become an additional task during development.
Our team has experience using both Arduino and Raspberry Pi for our projects based on the 2Smart Cloud platform. The Raspberry Pi is our recommended option, as its JavaScript-based SDK makes writing the firmware easier. We can only offer documentation for creating firmware for other MCUs, including Arduino.
As we consider Raspberry Pi a more versatile option for IoT projects, we used it in several cases:
Still, choosing between Arduino and Raspberry Pi is solely up to your project requirements. Both can benefit the IoT solutions and programs if their specifications meet the project needs.
Which is better Raspberry Pi or Arduino? In fact, both are great boards to drive your IoT implementation. Your choice will mostly depend on the particular requirements of your project.
Arduino is ideal for simple IoT solutions, while Raspberry Pi suits more complex projects requiring extensive data processing capabilities. Determine your budget, connectivity, computing power, and input needs to come up with a final decision.
Regardless of which board you select for your Internet of Things solution, the WebbyLab team is here to help. We have experience with Arduino and Raspberry Pi and can implement any of those for you. Got interested? Feel free to contact our experts.
Written by:
Head of IoT at Webbylab
With a robust academic background in Telecommunication Systems Engineering, I apply my knowledge to lead innovations in the IoT domain. Starting as the first team member in the newly formed IoT department at WebbyLab, I've spearheaded its growth, fostering the expansion into embedded and hardware development alongside our core software projects. My dedication lies in pushing the boundaries of IoT technology, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence that profoundly impacts our clients' operational success.
It depends on your specific project requirements and limitations. Arduino is a tiny, easy-to-use microcontroller that works well for small-scale projects that involve controlling physical devices and sensors. Raspberry Pi, compared to Arduino, is a small computer with more processing capacity and memory. It can replace Arduino if necessary, offering wider options for more complex tasks.
Yes, Raspberry Pi can run Windows 10 IoT Core, a version of Windows 10 for embedded devices and the Internet of Things apps. Yet, this isn’t a full Windows version. In this case, you can’t use a graphical user interface (GUI).
No, Arduino cannot do everything that Raspberry Pi can. Unlike Arduino, the latter offers more processing power, memory capabilities, a full-fledged operating system, more input/output options (e.g., HDMI, Ethernet), and audio, image, and video data processing features.
An Arduino board has some industrial applications but isn’t as widespread as Raspberry Pi. There are a few reasons, including limited memory and processing power, safety concerns, lack of industrial communication protocols, and scaling difficulties.
Professional engineers may use both boards depending on the particular project. Arduino works well for home automation, robotics, and control systems. Raspberry Pi, on the other hand, is best for larger projects that need better processing capacity, like data analysis, AI, computer vision, etc.
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