9 Amazing Raspberry Pi Apps You Didn’t Know Existed

There are thousands of apps for Raspberry Pi, and sifting through them to find the best can be tricky. Many awesome apps slip under the radar, yet they can help boost your productivity, spark creativity, or add some cool features. Let me share some that you might not have heard of yet.

Raspberry Pi OS supports numerous powerful yet underrated applications, ranging from media players and creative tools to productivity utilities. These hidden gems can make your Raspberry Pi more versatile and efficient.

I’ve tried out a bunch of really cool Raspberry Pi applications, and I’m excited to share my top 9 favorites. Let’s jump right in and take a look!

If you’re looking for inspiration for your next Raspberry Pi project, I’ve put together a list of 75+ ideas with full descriptions, difficulty ratings, and links to tutorials. Whether you’re a beginner or more advanced, there’s something here for you. Grab the list for free here!

Syncthing – Sync Files Over LAN

Have you ever wondered if you could host your own Google Drive or Dropbox-like server without the requirement of a subscription?

Syncthing is an application that allows you to host your private file sharing. It can work both over LAN and over the Internet. It runs as a service and automatically syncs files of shared folders between all nodes.

Syncthing can be installed from the official repository using the command:
sudo apt install syncthing

Once installed and enabled through systemd; the control panel can be launched on a webpage on any device connected to the LAN by opening the web address.
https://<Host Name or IP>:8384

The web interface provides an intuitive way to configure your file-sharing server. By installing Syncthing and sharing the device IDs, you can connect other devices to your server and sync folders between them.

Once correctly configured on two or more devices, Syncthing works seamlessly in the background, automatically syncing all files in the synced folders on the two machines while on the same LAN or over the Internet.

Syncthing uses UPnP and Relaying to share files over the Internet. However, you can also set up a port forwarding configuration. For any such configuration requirements, consult the official documentation.

Barrier – Share Keyboard & Mouse With Multiple Devices

Another amazing app that I would like to share with you is Barrier. It can be a beneficial application if you run short on a spare keyboard or mouse to connect to your Raspberry Pi or prefer the convenience of using the same keyboard and mouse with multiple devices.

Barrier is a software KVM Switch that allows you to share a mouse and keyboard between multiple devices, similar to using multiple displays on a single computer.

Barrier can be installed from the official repository using the command:
sudo apt install barrier

Barrier can then be launched by navigating to the Raspberry Pi menu -> Accessories -> Barrier.

The configuration menu on the server side allows you to configure the spatial location of displays.

Once the server and client are configured and connected, the mouse can move seamlessly between the displays of the two computers as if two displays were connected to the same computer.

I found this wonderful tutorial and example usage of Barrier by PNP Tutorials on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFtqsU5v18s

Rofi – Lightweight Application Launcher

A cool application launcher is one important feature that seems to be lacking in Raspberry Pi OS. Rofi is a popular application launcher that’s available for Raspberry Pi. It’s primarily known for its use as an application launcher in Linux window manager-based desktop environments.

Rofi can be installed from the official repository using the command:
sudo apt install rofi

Once installed and configured, you can launch Rofi using the command:
rofi -show combi -show-icons

Now, you can start typing the command or program you want to run or launch, and Rofi will execute it.

Rofi is a great application that simplifies navigation on Raspberry Pi OS and allows users to execute simple one-time terminal commands without opening a terminal. Furthermore, LXDE keyboard shortcuts can be used to launch Rofi automatically.

Terminator – Terminal with Multi-Pane Support

The stock Raspberry Pi terminal is great for getting the job done. However, if you want something with a bit more flair, you can use Terminator instead.

Terminator can be installed from the official repository using the command:
sudo apt install terminator

Terminator can be launched by navigating to the Raspberry Pi menu -> System Tools -> Terminator.

Out of the box, Terminator is very similar to your stock terminal. However, it offers a plethora of configuration options. With a little configuration, you can make the terminal semi-transparent and look more immersive.

Using the Terminator keybinding Shift + Ctrl + E, you can split the terminal into two consoles and execute commands and processes in each console. This provides a convenient way to manage separate console processes without opening multiple instances of terminals.

Terminator can be a great alternative to the stock terminal and is highly recommended if you spend much of your time in the Raspberry Pi terminal.

Tip: Command lines can be a pain to memorize. I put the essential Linux commands on a printable cheat sheet so you don't have to keep googling them. You can grab the PDF here if you want to save some time.

Scratch – Visual Programming Language for Beginners

Scratch is a graphical programming language with a drag-and-drop interface.
It lets you make your own stories, games, and animations.

It’s a great way for beginners to start with programming and is primarily aimed at kids and beginners. Scratch comes pre-installed with the full installation of Raspberry Pi OS. However, if you use the light version, you can install it using the recommended software.

You can launch Scratch by navigating to the Raspberry Pi Menu -> Programming -> Scratch 3.

Scratch is a graphical programming language. In it, you use Block Palettes to formulate a logical flow of processes and combine them with different sounds and sprites to bring your imagination into reality.

Scratch can be a great tool if you use your Raspberry Pi as a desktop to help your kids learn programming and electronics or are a beginner yourself. Scratch has a helpful community with many open-source projects and examples available.

I have written a thorough tutorial on getting started with Scratch, in which I guide you through making your first game using Scratch on a Raspberry Pi.

MyPaint – Painting App with Pressure Sensitive Brush

Raspberry Pi OS comes pre-installed with a plethora of programming-related tools. However, what if you want something more artistic? MyPaint is a digital canvas application that uses pressure-sensitive brush strokes to make realistic art.

MyPaint can be installed from the official repository using the command:
sudo apt install mypaint

You can launch MyPaint by navigating to the Raspberry Pi Menu -> Graphics -> MyPaint.

MyPaint provides a clutter-free interface and does not overwhelm users with many options. In its simplest form, you can use it simply as a canvas by selecting your brush of choice and color and unleashing your creativity.

An additional full-screen view is also available for a truly immersive painting experience.

You can combine MyPaint with a touchscreen (like the SunFounder TS-10 or this one on Amazon) to turn your Raspberry Pi into a powerful digital canvas for unleashing your creative side.

Cool Retro Term – Nostalgic Retro Terminal

If you are a sucker for all things retro like me, then Cool Retro Term is a truly cool application to show off to your friends. Cool Retro term is a fully functional terminal emulator that mimics the looks of old CRT displays.

You can install Cool Retro Term from the official repository using the command:
sudo apt install cool-retro-term

Once installed, you can launch Cool Retro Term by navigating to the Raspberry Pi Menu -> System Tools -> Cool Retro Term.

Cool Retro Term is a fully functional terminal emulator. Anything you traditionally do in your stock terminal can also be done in Cool Retro Term.

It can be run in full-screen mode to create the illusion of an actual CRT monitor. Several cool themes are available, including this paradoxical futuristic retro theme.

Cool Retro Term is a truly cool and aesthetic terminal emulator that will surely catch your friends by surprise.

Note: Want to see best apps in action for Raspberry Pi? I have a video where I tested them out just for community members. Join here to watch, and get access to 30+ other lessons for Raspberry Pi along with many other benefits!

MuseScore – Music Notation & Composition Tool

Another cool artistic application available for Raspberry Pi is MuseScore. MuseScore is free music composition and notation software. Whether you are an experienced musician or are looking to get started, it can be a great tool.

MuseScore is unavailable through the official repository. However, it can be installed using the Pi-Apps tool. An in-depth tutorial is available on Pi-App’s official website.

Once installed, MuseScore can be launched by navigating to the Raspberry Pi Menu -> Sound & Video -> MuseScore.

In MuseScore, you can compose your symphony using different instruments in the official music notations. You can also create your score sheets or download and play or edit scores from their website.

MuseScore also has many examples available on its website that can be downloaded and played in the application.

If you are a seasoned instrument player, Raspberry Pi can be a great platform to run MuseScore and enhance productivity. It can be a great tool for people getting started with musical notations and composition.

FBReader – Lightweight Ebook Reader

If you are an avid book reader, check out Favourite Book Reader.
FBReader can turn your Raspberry Pi into your very own eBook reader.

FBReader can be installed from the official repository using the command:
sudo apt install fbreader

Once installed, FBReader can be launched by navigating to the Raspberry Pi Menu -> Office -> E-Book Reader.

FBReader is a lightweight E-Book Reader that supports EPUB, MOBI, FB2, HTML, RTF, and plain text formats. Its straightforward interface keeps your E-Book Reading experience clutter-free.

FBReader can be a great addition to your Raspberry Pi Applications arsenal if you want to create a simple and lightweight E-Book Reader. Its simplicity and ease of installation make it extremely accessible.

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