Orange Pi vs Raspberry Pi: An In-Depth Comparison

The Raspberry Pi and Orange Pi are two of the most popular single-board computers used by hobbyists and professionals alike. But which one is better for your specific needs? This comprehensive guide compares the key differences between the Raspberry Pi and Orange Pi in performance, specifications, software support, community, applications, and more.

Introduction

The Raspberry Pi first launched in 2012 and quickly became the go-to choice for hobbyists and tinkerers. Its low cost, diverse ecosystem of add-on boards (HATs), and massive community support made it an ideal board for DIY projects.

The Orange Pi launched in 2015 as a lower-cost alternative to the Raspberry Pi. It offered similar specifications at a more affordable price point. The Orange Pi also differentiated itself with more RAM, additional USB ports, and faster Ethernet.

But the Raspberry Pi still remains the more popular option for most users. The latest Raspberry Pi 4 Model B packs significantly faster performance too.

Below we dive into the key similarities and differences between the Raspberry Pi and Orange Pi families. This will help you determine which single-board computer is the right fit for your needs in 2023.

Specifications Comparison

Let’s start by looking at the hardware specifications side-by-side for the latest Raspberry Pi and Orange Pi boards:

Specs	Raspberry Pi 4 Model B	Orange Pi 3
CPU	1.5GHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A72	1.6GHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A53
RAM	1GB, 2GB, 4GB, or 8GB LPDDR4	1GB or 2GB DDR3
GPU	Broadcom VideoCore VI	Mali-400 MP2
USB Ports	2x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0	1x USB 3.0, 1x USB 2.0
Ethernet	Gigabit Ethernet	10/100Mbps Ethernet
WiFi	2.4GHz and 5GHz 802.11ac	N/A
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.0	Bluetooth 4.0
Storage	MicroSD	MicroSD
GPIO Pins	40-pin GPIO header	40-pin GPIO header
Power	5V via USB-C	5V via MicroUSB
Dimensions	88mm x 58mm x 19.5mm	90mm x 60mm x 11mm

In terms of processing power, the Raspberry Pi 4’s Cortex-A72 CPU is faster and more modern than the Orange Pi’s Cortex-A53. The Pi also offers a wider range of RAM options, while the Orange Pi maxes out at 2GB.

For connectivity, the Raspberry Pi 4 has dual-band WiFi and Bluetooth 5 built-in, which the Orange Pi lacks. But the Orange Pi does offer an extra USB 3.0 port.

Overall, the Raspberry Pi 4 has a significant edge in performance and features over the Orange Pi based on the specs. But the Orange Pi 3 still competes well given its lower cost.

Software and OS Support

The Raspberry Pi runs various Linux distributions like Raspbian, Ubuntu, Kali Linux, and more. Raspbian is the officially supported OS optimized for the Pi’s hardware.

The Orange Pi supports fewer Linux distros, but can still run Raspbian. However, images aren’t always kept up to date with the latest OS versions.

In terms of additional software support, the Raspberry Pi has a far larger ecosystem of applications, libraries, tools, and projects. This is partly thanks to its huge community. Virtually any hardware add-on or software library you want will work with the Pi.

The Orange Pi has less software support overall. You may need to tweak configurations or compile code from source more often to get things working properly. Support from vendors also tends to be better for the Raspberry Pi.

So while you can run many of the same operating systems and software on both boards, the process is generally smoother on the Raspberry Pi.

Raspberry Pi vs Orange Pi Performance

With its faster Cortex-A72 CPU, the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B outperforms the Orange Pi 3 in most benchmarks.

Here are some average performance comparison benchmarks:

• CPU performance: The Raspberry Pi 4 scores around 330 in single-core benchmarks and 1150 in multi-core. The Orange Pi 3 scores around 260 single-core and 660 multi-core. So the Pi is 20-25% faster on one core, and 60-70% faster on multiple cores.
• GPU performance: In graphics tests, the Raspberry Pi’s VideoCore VI GPU achieves scores around 220 Mpixels/s. The Orange Pi’s Mali-400 MP2 scores around 52 Mpixels/s. So the Pi’s GPU is over 4x faster.
• RAM speed: The Pi 4’s LPDDR4 RAM is clocked at 3000MHz. The Orange Pi uses slower DDR3 RAM at just 800MHz.
• Storage speeds: Both boards rely on MicroSD cards, so storage speeds are similar. Commercial grade cards can reach around 20-30 MB/s read/write.

For processor-intensive workloads like computer vision or running a web server, the Raspberry Pi 4 will handle them significantly faster. But for basic tasks like streaming video or using as a desktop OS, the Orange Pi 3 is still capable.

Connectivity and I/O

The Raspberry Pi 4 and Orange Pi 3 both provide a 40-pin GPIO header for connecting sensors, motors, lights, and other electronics. They are mostly compatible with the same add-on HATs and expansion boards.

For wired connectivity, the Pi 4 supplies Gigabit Ethernet which is nearly 10x faster than the Orange Pi’s Fast Ethernet port.

For wireless, the Raspberry Pi 4 comes with on-board dual-band WiFi and Bluetooth. The Orange Pi lacks built-in wireless support, so you need to add a USB WiFi dongle.

In terms of USB ports, the Orange Pi 3 provides 2 ports including a USB 3.0 port. The Raspberry Pi 4 has 2x USB 3.0 and 2x USB 2.0 ports, for a total of 4. This flexibility makes it easier to connect multiple accessories.

So overall, the Raspberry Pi generally provides faster and more versatile connectivity options. But the Orange Pi still has a useful assortment of ports.

Community and Documentation

The Raspberry Pi benefits from a far larger community than the Orange Pi. Tens of millions of Pi boards have been sold to date.

This gives the Pi a tremendous amount of documentation, tutorials, videos, projects, and dedicated users willing to provide assistance online. Virtually any issue or project idea you might have has likely been covered in detail.

As a less mainstream board, the Orange Pi community is smaller. There is less documentation available, though you can still find details for common topics. Support may be harder to find for niche issues.

So the Raspberry Pi’s community resources are unparalleled. But the Orange Pi community still provides helpful guides and insights for newcomers.

Applications and Projects

Thanks to its huge community adoption, you’ll find more examples projects and tutorials for the Raspberry Pi. People have used the Pi for:

• Home automation with Home Assistant
• Retro gaming emulators and ROMs
• Media centers and HTPCs with Kodi
• Smart mirrors with voice assistants
• IoT and data logging
• Self-hosting websites and VPNs
• Running Minecraft servers
• Robotics with motors and sensors
• Smart home security cameras

Many of these projects can be adapted to work on the Orange Pi as well. But you’ll generally find more documentation and examples tailored specifically for the Raspberry Pi.

The Pi also supports various ready-made HATs like touchscreens, cameras, or soil sensor boards. These makes building custom projects easier.

That said, the Orange Pi can still handle plenty of fun electronics and programming projects with a bit more DIY effort.

Pricing and Availability

Pricing wise, the base Orange Pi 3 with 1GB RAM starts around just $20 USD. The Raspberry Pi 4 Model B with 2GB RAM is pricier at $55 USD.

However, the Pi 4 is regularly in stock at electronics retailers like Adafruit, Micro Center, and CanaKit. The Orange Pi can be harder to source, especially depending on your region. Vendors like AliExpress offer global shipping of the Orange Pi but delivery times are slower.

So while the Orange Pi is appealing for its low cost, the readily available and supported Raspberry Pi is worth the higher price for many users. Downtime from supply issues can quickly outweigh any savings when prototyping projects.

Pros and Cons Summary

Here’s a quick rundown of the key advantages and limitations for each board:

Raspberry Pi 4 Model B Pros:

• Significantly better performance
• Official OS support with Raspbian
• Huge community support and documentation
• Reliable availability from electronics retailers
• On-board dual-band WiFi and Bluetooth
• 4x USB ports for accessories

Raspberry Pi Cons:

• Higher cost than Orange Pi
• Can struggle with high-res H.265 video playback

Orange Pi 3 Pros:

• Extremely affordable starting price
• Extra USB 3.0 port
• Slightly more compact form factor

Orange Pi Cons:

• Weaker CPU and GPU performance
• Minimal built-in wireless options
• Less software support and documentation
• Potential supply and shipping wait times

Verdict: Raspberry Pi 4 Still the Best Bet for Most

For tinkerers, hobbyists, and professionals alike, the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B remains the best single-board computer for 2023. Its excellent performance, thriving ecosystem, and robust community give it the edge over the Orange Pi.

However, the Orange Pi still deserves consideration strictly on a budget. If you just need basic I/O and computing for simple projects, the cost savings could make it worthwhile. Just be prepared for less hand-holding.

For industrial uses or designs needing to be mass-produced, the Orange Pi’s lower pricing may also give it an advantage. But for one-off projects and prototyping, grabbing a readily available Pi is your best bet.

Hopefully this detailed Raspberry Pi vs Orange Pi comparison has helped summarize their key similarities and differences. Their specifications may continue evolving over time. But the Pi’s substantial community support will keep it as the go-to choice when performance and compatibility matter most.

Uncover a wealth of 3D printing wisdom by exploring our comprehensive list of posts in our content hub – your source for expert insights and trends!