Difference Between Raspberry Pi and Arduino [Comparison Table]

If you’ve landed on this page, chances are you’re stuck between Arduino vs Raspberry Pi while trying to choose a microcontroller to power your pet project, startup, or commercial device. You are in the right place — this article will help you decide.

As IoT product development professionals, we’ve successfully built and launched numerous projects on both Arduino and Raspberry Pi. Today, we’ll share our knowledge about these solutions using our 2Smart Cloud, 2Smart Standalone, and Propuskator platforms as examples.

Arduino and Raspberry Pi are akin to a “hello world” in our field. It’s quite natural for many to seek information on the differences, features, and any useful details about these controllers since many people start their careers, startups, or studies with them. Personally, I first encountered them in robotics workshops and during applied programming courses at university.

Kostiantyn Oliynyk, Head of IoT at WebbyLab

Key highlights:

• Arduino: Ideal for beginners and simple, real-time control projects.
• Raspberry Pi: Best for complex projects depending on internet connectivity and multimedia features.
• While both are great for learning and prototyping, for a commercial project, consider ESP32 rather than dwelling on Arduino vs Raspberry PI.

2Smart Cloud mobile application

Arduino: Key Features and How We Use It

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.

An Arduino controller can be used to read a variety of inputs. For instance, a sensor’s light or a user pressing a button. Once read, it produces an output — turning on or off a lamp or starting an engine.

Kostiantyn Oliynyk

Head of IoT at Webbylab

Helped dozens of startups create effective IOT products.

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A major advantage of Arduino is the Arduino IDE (Integrated Development Environment) — a comprehensive software suite for programming Arduino microcontrollers using C or C++. This, along with a large community and numerous examples and libraries available, makes Arduino perfect for beginners to jump in, learn, and build their own smart devices.

The core Arduino features include:

• Open-source hardware and software platform
• Programmable using the Arduino IDE, based on C/C++
• Easy-to-use input/output pins for connecting sensors, actuators, and other peripherals
• Built-in USB connector
• 8-bit microcontroller
• Suitable for prototyping and DIY electronics projects
• Large online community and extensive documentation and resources available

WebbyLab experts have tried and tested several Arduino use cases:

• Device test installations. To test our Propuskator access controller, we developed an Arduino-based robot. This robot rotated the servo and raised a card to a tag reader, emulating random passes. This allowed us to assess system performance, especially during peak usage when numerous individuals access the ACS.

Using Arduino to test the Propuskator controller

• Custom 2Smart Cloud and Arduino-based products. Our 2Smart Cloud concept revolves around devices capable of cloud connectivity via the Internet, which is easily achievable by equipping Arduino with Ethernet or Wi-Fi. Arduino thus serves as the core controller that lets us create various IoT products—of course, keeping scalability and profitability in mind.
• Firmware development. We’ve also developed firmware for our ESP controller projects using the Arduino IDE. Some firmware solutions we created are publicly available for use.

Raspberry Pi: Key Features and How We Use It

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.

The Raspberry Pi board has all the characteristics of a regular PC, even its operating system, Raspberry Pi OS (essentially a Linux version). It also supports other OSs, including Linux (Ubuntu and Fedora), Windows 10 IoT Core, and even some versions of Android. You can connect this board to a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and other gadgets for browsing, hosting applications, gaming, and other PC-like tasks.

The primary Raspberry Pi features include:

• Low-cost, credit-card-sized computer
• Various operating systems support, including Linux, Windows, and Android
• Several input/output options, including HDMI, USB, Ethernet, and GPIO
• Programmable using programming languages like Python, C++, and Java
• 64-bit quad-core processor
• Supports hardware add-ons, such as cameras, sensors, and displays
  • Large online community and comprehensive documentation

WebbyLab’s Raspberry Pi use cases extend to the following solutions:

• 2Smart Standalone automation framework. We launched 2Smart Standalone on Raspberry Pi, creating a robust platform for connecting IoT devices. Raspberry Pi also supports home assistants, home bridges, and other smart home IoT solutions. It’s affordable and ideal for enthusiasts and small buildings requiring such functionalities.

A 2Smart Standalone automation platform by WebbyLab

• Node.js applications. We’ve built several applications on Node.js packaged in Docker images, specifically designed to run on Raspberry Pi. These apps serve as virtual devices within the 2Smart Cloud ecosystem. Once deployed, customers can run these applications on their Raspberry Pi and access device presentations via the 2Smart Cloud mobile application. The developed applications included:
  • An app for remote Raspberry Pi system monitoring
  • A virtual weather station app
  • An app for Raspberry Pi input/output management
• Analog intercom converter. We used Raspberry Pi to build a PoC of a converter that transformed signals from analog intercoms into a digital format for integration into modern intercom systems.
• Security robot. Our team created a Raspberry Pi-based security robot that can be controlled via the 2Smart Cloud mobile app.

A Raspberry Pi board inside the home security robot built by WebbyLab

Need an Arduino or Raspberry Pi-based IoT solution? Check out how WebbyLab can help!

Alexey Krol

Chief Business Development Officer

Consulted 30+ IoT startups to speed up time to market.

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Key Differences Between Arduino and Raspberry Pi

Arduino and Raspberry Pi are both solid options for IoT, but they excel in different ways. So, which one to choose? And what’s the difference between Arduino and Raspberry Pi? Let’s figure this out.

Technical Specs

Raspberry Pi is a single-board computer with a microprocessor, while Arduino is a microcontroller board. The first has more connection options (Ethernet, HDMI, USB) than Arduino’s basic USB.

Let’s compare the latest board versions: Arduino UNO R3 and Raspberry Pi 4.

Operating System

As a general-purpose computer, Raspberry Pi can run various operating systems — Linux, Android, and Windows 10. Arduino works without a dedicated OS, using a programming language that runs directly on the microcontroller.

Data Processing Unit

Raspberry Pi offers typical computer functions like memory, storage, and processor. Arduino uses a microcontroller, essentially a computer on a chip — meaning less memory and processing power at your disposal.

Clock Speed

Raspberry Pi’s clock speed is 1 GHz or higher, while Arduino boards offer around 16 MHz. Yet, the clock speed may be higher in more complex Arduino models like Portenta H7.

Power Management

Due to its higher processing capacities, Raspberry Pi needs a power supply with a higher wattage and voltage than Arduino. Arduino can be powered directly from a USB port.

Use Cases

Raspberry Pi or Arduino are both great for pet projects. If we take these solutions separately, Arduino is suitable for standalone solutions and real-time device monitoring and control. Raspberry Pi, in turn, is best for complex, high-performance projects requiring internet connectivity, multimedia features, and advanced programming languages.

Pricing

Arduino boards are generally cheaper than Raspberry Pi boards, costing $10 to $50. Raspberry Pi boards are slightly more expensive, from $35 to $75.

Raspberry Pi vs Arduino: Key Parameters Comparison

Let’s finalize our Pi vs Arduino discussion and answer the question: what is the difference between Arduino and Raspberry Pi? Here is a detailed comparison by key parameters:

WebbyLab’s Expert Opinion on Arduino vs Pi

In the Arduino vs Rasberry Pi debate, choosing the right one depends entirely on your project’s specific needs and requirements. For example, a simple sensor project might benefit from Arduino’s real-time control, while a complex web-connected device might require Raspberry Pi’s processing power. 

When learning how is Raspberry Pi different from Arduino and choosing your final solution, consider the following checklist:

• Computing power. Being a mini-computer and running an operating system, Raspberry Pi has significantly more computing capacity than Arduino. It makes it a better choice for projects that require processing large amounts of data or running complex algorithms.
• Connectivity. Raspberry Pi has built-in Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth capabilities, which makes it easier to connect to the internet and other devices wirelessly. You need to install additional components, like shields, to add connectivity features when using Arduino.
• Analog inputs. Arduino is better suited for projects that require analog inputs, such as reading sensors or controlling motors. Raspberry Pi can handle analog inputs but requires additional components, such as an analog-to-digital converter.

In our experience, all our embedded developers have numerous pet projects built around Arduino or Raspberry Pi. However, despite this, we don’t recommend using these controllers for medium and large-scale commercial projects. There are several reasons for this:

• Size
• Price
• Availability

So, when to use Arduino vs Raspberry Pi? WebbyLab’s Head of IoT, Kostiantyn Oliynyk, gives you a hint:

Both Arduino and Raspberry are perfect solutions for learning, prototyping, and your own pet projects. But if the task is to build a mass-production device, then it’s definitely worth looking around for more cost-effective alternatives.

Now, let’s elaborate on the reasons why Arduino versus Raspberry Pi might not be the best fit for commercial projects:

• The board’s size is relatively large due to the numerous helpful interfaces, although not all of them may come in handy in your project. Therefore, custom PCBs are often used to reduce both cost and size.
• For the same reason — size — the boards are quite expensive. For example, a micro USB port may not always be necessary, and omitting it from the product is often more cost-effective.
• Availability is another concern. When ordering batches of Arduino-based devices for production, obtaining the required quantity is not always guaranteed. 
• Additionally, the Raspberry Pi model has licensing requirements to follow in commercial projects.

Then, what’s the alternative to Rasberry Pi vs Arduino? Our choice is ESP32 boards. They are compatible with the Arduino IDE, available in a convenient dev board format with accessible peripherals, and suitable for various IoT business ideas.

Still not sure? Let WebbyLab’s experts consult you on the perfect controller for your project!

Conclusion

Having learned the difference between Raspberry Pi and Arduino, you can confidently choose the right solution for your project. Whether it’s a fun learning experience or a stepping stone to your IoT startup, both boards offer robust capabilities.

But wait. There are even more options to explore. If you’re working on a commercial product, consider alternative solutions like ESP32. And if you need help making your final choice, reach out to our team for expert guidance. We’ve used Arduino, Raspberry Pi, ESP 32, and other controllers in our projects so we can pick the perfect solution for you.