The Raspberry Pi is not limited to Raspberry Pi OS. It’s the official distribution, but is far from being the only one. Depending on the model you use, your goals, and your personal preferences, it might be a good idea to examine other options. I tested all of the other options and share my favorites in this post, which should be a great starting point for you.
Raspberry Pi Usage
Recommended distribution
Desktop
Raspberry Pi OS
Server
DietPi
Gaming
Batocera
Media-center
LibreElec
Best Linux distributions per usage
I will introduce the 15 distributions that stand out and deserve to be tested if you’re looking for the ideal system. By the way, note that most of these distributions can be installed on an external SSD drive (this one on Amazon is the best), to improve the boot and daily usage speed. It works really well on Raspberry Pi 4.
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!
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1 – Raspberry Pi OS
Raspberry Pi OS is the official distribution created by the manufacturer specifically for Raspberry Pi devices. It’s the recommended operating system for 90% of Raspberry Pi projects.
Raspberry Pi OS is based on Debian and is built on the same philosophy, i.e., stability and performance. Most Debian packages are available on Raspberry Pi OS.
Since its first release in 2012, this distribution has seen many improvements. Raspberry Pi OS comes with the PIXEL desktop (based on LXDE) and is powered by Wayland in its latest versions, making Raspberry Pi usable as an everyday desktop computer.
Depending on your edition, you may find some pre-installed applications such as Chromium, VLC and LibreOffice. Raspberry Pi OS uses the APT package manager (like Debian), which makes it easy to install additional packages or a different desktop environment.
If you are used to Debian or Ubuntu, it should be pretty straightforward for you. By the way, it’s also possible to directly install Debian on your Raspberry Pi (click on the link to learn more about it).
I put Raspberry Pi OS first in this ranking, and I recommend it for most projects because it has many advantages: compatibility with all models, reliability and a simple interface for beginners.
And for a step-by-step guide to help you begin on Raspberry Pi the right way, I recommend watching my video course here. In a few videos, I teach you everything I know to help you get started, save time by learning quickly and have fun with any project on Raspberry Pi.
Note: If you want to see all these top distributions in action, I have a video lesson available for the community members where I introduce the best ones for desktop usage (so you don’t have to test them all yourself). You can join here and watch it directly if you are interested (with 10+ other lessons for Raspberry Pi and many other benefits).
2 – Ubuntu
In the first few years, installing Ubuntu on a Raspberry Pi was an adventure. But now it is one of the best alternatives to Raspberry Pi OS, with full support on Raspberry Pi devices. It was even the only distribution supported on Raspberry Pi 5 on its release day (in addition to Raspberry Pi OS).
On traditional computers, Ubuntu quickly became the most used Linux distribution in the world. Based on Debian, this distribution runs on a shorter development cycle and therefore provides the latest news a lot earlier than Debian.
If you’re used to Ubuntu and are looking for an alternative to Raspberry Pi OS, Ubuntu for Raspberry Pi is probably a good choice!
Behind a more modern interface, you will find the same basic packages as on Raspberry Pi OS: LibreOffice, VLC, Scratch, … Firefox is installed as the default browser, but you can easily install additional packages with the apt command.
I put this distribution in second because it offers a work environment that is more attractive and more up-to-date than Raspberry Pi OS. There is a catch – it comes with less stability and a smaller community (on Raspberry Pi). It remains a perfect distribution to start.
You can download Ubuntu for Raspberry Pi on this page, or find it in Raspberry Pi Imager. A Raspberry Pi 4 or more recent is recommended to have the best experience with a desktop environment.
If you are interested, I explain everything here on how to install Ubuntu on Raspberry Pi. You’ll get tips that will help you save time and avoid the most common issues while installing this operating system.
Note: Using Armbian on Raspberry Pi can be a lighter option to consider if you want to run Ubuntu. Check the link for more details.
3 – Batocera
Batocera is currently my favorite app for retro-gaming on a Raspberry Pi. It’s pretty new, so it might not be one you’ve heard a lot of, but I think it deserves this place on the podium.
Batocera is inspired from Recalbox, another solution that I’ll discuss a bit later. It takes all the good stuff from Recalbox and adds another layer with great features (like the built-in content downloader) and optimized performance. The best way to show you is through a video, so here is the Batocera trailer:
Manjaro is a distribution I only discovered lately in my Raspberry Pi journey, but it works well and I like it.
Manjaro is based on Arch Linux, a rare base system on Raspberry Pi. But that’s cool, it allows us to test and learn new things. The goal of the developers is to create a fast and user-friendly distribution.
Manjaro is available in various flavors with the most known desktop environments (XFCE, GNOME, KDE, Cinnamon, LXDE, Mate, …). You can also start with a minimal version (named Architect), where you can install only what you need and configure everything yourself.
Manjaro is available on recent Raspberry Pi models (4, 400, 3B/3B+ and Pi Zero 2), and I highly recommend using at least a Pi 4 to enjoy this system in graphic mode. You can download the system images here.
On the screenshot, it doesn’t seem very different from any other distribution running Kodi. But it’s different, everything is different, it’s LibreELEC.
LibreELEC is a fork of OpenELEC, a system built from scratch to run Kodi and only Kodi. The goal of OpenELEC and LibreELEC is to provide the lightest possible distribution to make Kodi work in the perfect conditions. Like OSMC (I’ll introduce it later), you can use a universal remote control with it (like the famous Harmony remote on Amazon). All you just need is a cheap USB adapter like this one to make it work.
So, it’s not based on Raspberry Pi OS or any other operating system, it’s something different. LibreELEC was born in 2016 as the OpenELEC project started to decline.
If you are interested, you can read the entire story here, or download the image on this page. I also have a quick video on YouTube if you need help with installation, you can find it here.
Recalbox is another Retro gaming system I want to recommend in this list. Like Retropie and Lakka, it allows you to play old games on your Raspberry Pi (NES, SNES, Atari, etc.). If you are a bit lost with all of these options, I recommend that you read my comparative here, but Recalbox is a great option to consider.
Here is a short video overview of this system (not the latest version, but you will understand the concept):
RecalBox is a younger system than Retropie, but with different features. So, you have to try it to make your own choice. For example, I really like that everything is integrated into the interface (you don’t need to use Raspi-config or the Retropie setup script, for example).
DietPi is my favorite minimal distribution on Raspberry Pi. I really like this distribution because it’s very close to Raspberry Pi OSLite, and you can have an easy setup included and minimal packages installed. If you need better performance or want to install only what you need, DietPi is definitively a good option to consider.
DietPi is a recent distribution (created in 2015 I think) with an image size under 1G (1.8G for Raspberry Pi OS Lite) and half of the Raspberry Pi OS Lite packages are installed by default. On the first boot, a wizard will help you to configure your system as you want.
You can find all the details about the DietPi installation in my guide here, including the detailed comparison with Raspberry Pi OS Lite. And you can download the system on the official website. For your information, DietPi works on Raspberry Pi 4. It is the perfect operating system for a small server, like a file server or a VPN server you run at home.
8 – Fedora
Fedora is a popular Linux distribution, based on RedHat, with approximately 1.5 million users today. Fedora was created in 2003, as the open-source alternative to RedHat. And for a few months, Fedora has been available as a stable release on Raspberry Pi (3 versions: Server, Minimal, and Workstation).
If you are new to Fedora, you’ll get something similar to other distributions like Debian or Ubuntu in terms of software and usage, as you can run most of the desktop environment on Fedora, with any popular software. But there are some changes you may have issues with. Some commands are completely different and you’ll also note differences in the package manager or the file locations
Note: you can also try OpenSUSE or Rocky Linux instead of Fedora, both are derived from Red Hat, so they have many similarities.
9 – Gentoo
Gentoo is a lightweight distribution that you can build as you want, to install any package you need. With the end of the support of Arch Linux for the Raspberry Pi development, Gentoo could become the new standard if you need flexibility in your projects (with Manjaro).
Gentoo is not a beginner in the Linux world. The first version was released in 2000. I remember having trouble at this time installing my first Gentoo, but there has been a lot of progress since 2000. Most of the time, you can now add new packages with emerge and portage.
75+ project ideas for your Raspberry Pi Need some inspiration for your next Raspberry Pi project? Get access to my personal list here! Download now
The big difference between Gentoo and other distributions is that packages are compiled locally on your computer. If you choose to install new software, the system will download the source code, extract it, and build it according to your preferences and your computer type. So, it’s very optimized for you, unlike in Debian systems, where you get the same generic binary package that everyone receives.
For this distribution, the easiest option is to check my Gentoo tutorial for Raspberry Pi to get the full installation procedure, including downloads.
10 – Retropie
Retropie is a well-known distribution, which allows you to turn your Raspberry Pi into a retro-gaming console. Built on Raspberry Pi OS, it gives you the ability to play old games from classic PC to N64 games.
Retropie provides an easy setup and a user-friendly interface to start and play your favorite games. Before playing, you have to download ROMs from the Internet (my top websites for this are listed here) and upload them to your Raspberry Pi. They will automatically show in the Retropie menu.
For a better experience, you can even add a controller like on SNES and enjoy a game as if you were back in your childhood!
I decided to place the Retropie distribution in this list because it’s still a good choice, and it allowed Raspberry Pi to be discovered by many players, which helped it become well known. But the Retropie project seems to be a bit less active than the alternatives nowadays, so I decided to put Batocera and Recalbox sooner in this list (for more details, you can read my article where I compare Retropie with the other retro-gaming alternatives).
Behind Kali Linux, we find Offensive Security, a major security trainer and pen-testing provider. They have funded and maintained this distribution, formerly known as Backtrack, to become a reference in the security market.
If you want to go deeper, you can read my post about 15 steps to start with Kali Linux on Raspberry Pi. I not only show you how to install it but also introduce all the fantastic tools you can use on this distribution. As almost everything is pre-installed it will be a shame to miss them. By the way, if you want to push it a step further, you can also check my guide on how to hack a Wi-Fi network here.
The download image is available here and are also list in Raspberry Pi imager. You have to scroll to the Raspberry Pi Foundation part.
12 – OSMC
OSMC (Open Source Media Center) is one of the best media center solutions built for Raspberry Pi. Based on Debian and using Kodi as a front-end, OSMC is a Linux distribution that’s easy to install and use. OSMC can play most media formats and stream from all kinds of sources.
I chose to put it in this list because it has a significant use for the Raspberry Pi, as you can set up your media center for $50 with OSMC. The Kodi interface is excellent, the system self-updates and the community is always present if you have an issue.
You can Download OSMC from the official website. If you need further advice, check my dedicated post about OSMC and Kodi. It will show you all of the steps from download to a full media center setup (including how to use a USB storage or even a NAS). I also introduce the best add-ons you can install and the web interface that most users don’t know about.
13 – Rocky Linux
If you remember the days when CentOS was the recommended distribution for most servers because of its high stability and respect for the Linux standard, and you’re looking for a replacement, you’ll love Rocky Linux.
Launched by the creator of CentOS after a controversial decision by Red Hat to discontinue the CentOS project, Rocky Linux is an interesting distribution. The goal is to provide a community supported alternative to Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL).
Recent Raspberry Pi models have been supported from the beginning, as there is an image available for the aarch64 architecture (meaning it will run on Raspberry Pi 3B+ and newer models).
Rocky Linux is a good choice for Raspberry Pi servers, and is currently only available with a minimal image (I’d recommend Fedora for desktop use), but it’s possible to install a GUI on top of it if needed.
If you want to create a network drive easily and at a low cost, OpenMediaVault is probably a good choice. OpenMediaVault is based on Debian and provides a NAS solution that ships the needed services: SMB, SSH, FTP, NFS, …
OpenMediaVault is an easy-to-use, out-of-the-box solution that everyone can install at home or in a small office. It works very well on Raspberry Pi. You can add a larger SD card or an external hard drive to increase capacity and store all kinds of files (movies, backups, …). The best accessory for that kind of server would be something like the NAS Kit from Sunfounder. This kit includes everything you need to host a file server on a Raspberry Pi (SATA slot, fan, case, etc.), click to see how it works.
Another thing you have to know is that you can install many plugins to improve OpenMediaVault. This system allows you to run most of the services on your Raspberry Pi, even if you are not interested in a NAS. For example, you can install the Nginx and MySQL plugins to build a web server with a simple configuration in the web interface from OpenMediaVault. Plugins are now directly available in the web interface.
I included it in this list for two reasons:
It makes it easy for beginners to build a server at home.
It is reliable. I used it for years in a company of 200 people with very few problems.
Note: if you want to use SATA drives to build your NAS with your Raspberry Pi, you can use a NAS kit like this one. It works on any Raspberry Pi model and supports any SATA disk you already have. Much cheaper than a real NAS device.
15 – Pop!_OS
Pop!_OS is a new distribution in the Linux world, based on Ubuntu and using GNOME as a desktop environment. Its release on PC caused a stir, and it’s now available for Raspberry Pi. I have tested it for you, and I chose to add it to the end of this ranking.
As a whole, the Pop!_OS distribution is promising. Based on Ubuntu 64 bits for the latest applications and decent performances, using GNOME for a modern-looking desktop, and with several optimizations that might make it even better than the original Ubuntu for our Raspberry Pi.
The default desktop environment is GNOME, so I would recommend a Raspberry Pi 4 or 400 with enough RAM to use it, but in fact, I find it was working even better than with Ubuntu. The dock, launcher and app store make it a nice distribution for desktop usage.
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Recommended hardware to test these distributions
Fast & big SD card: If you are like me, and often switch from one distribution to another, I recommend a big SD card (at least 128 GB) with all your operating systems on it (with BerryBoot for example). This one is the best model available right now (and often in discount).
Raspberry Pi 4: Almost all operating systems in this list are now supported on Raspberry Pi 4. There’s no need to think more about it, get a Raspberry Pi 4 with at least 4 GB, you’ll not regret it.
SSD drive: If you expect more performance, a Raspberry Pi and an SSD allows you to run systems really fast. My favorite model is this one, and SSD drives are now really affordable, go for it (USB adapter included).
The best controller for retro-gaming OS: If you are a serious gamer, you should take a look at this controller. I tested many of them, and it’s my favorite (for style, tech and comfort).
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This is the end of this ranking, which was intended to help you discover the 15 operating systems that are worth using on Raspberry Pi. If I had to do a synthesis, I would say that for beginners and for most small projects, Raspberry Pi OS is the best choice. And then the other distributions are typically chosen for a specific purpose.
For your convenience, I created a page on this website with a list of all images for the Raspberry Pi, with download and tutorial links. Make sure to check it or even bookmark it if you try different systems.
Want to see the best ones in video? Watch this comparison on my YouTube channel:
If I forgot some that you think should be here, feel free to use the report link at the end of this page to contact me, and I’ll take a look. I know that Linux Mint on Raspberry Pi is asked a lot, but it’s not yet fully supported (check the link for a workaround).
Whenever you’re ready, here are other ways I can help you:
The RaspberryTips Community: If you want to hang out with me and other Raspberry Pi fans, you can join the community. I share exclusive tutorials and behind-the-scenes content there. Premium members can also visit the website without ads.
Master your Raspberry Pi in 30 days: If you are looking for the best tips to become an expert on Raspberry Pi, this book is for you. Learn useful Linux skills and practice multiple projects with step-by-step guides.
The Raspberry Pi Bootcamp: Understand everything about the Raspberry Pi, stop searching for help all the time, and finally enjoy completing your projects.
Master Python on Raspberry Pi: Create, understand, and improve any Python script for your Raspberry Pi. Learn the essentials step-by-step without losing time understanding useless concepts.
You can also find all my recommendations for tools and hardware on this page.
I'm the lead author and owner of RaspberryTips.com.
My goal is to help you with your Raspberry Pi problems using detailed guides and tutorials.
In real life, I'm a Linux system administrator with web developer experience.
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36 Comments
It’s not the rosy picture you paint here.
I installed Ubuntu MATE. But once you run apt-get upgrade, it’s a broken install. And both Mate and Raspberry say its the other’s fault and don’t address it.
I’m trying to install Alpine. Sure, it looks like there is a lot of documentation until you try to use it to install. But the install docs are incomplete. I have yet to get it working.
The only one I’ve gotten to work is Raspbian. But it is a really ugly 90’s style UI.
Not a NOOB – I’ve been using Linux for the past decade, and I’ve been a dev for about 35 years.
True but you can just install Ubuntu server for raspberry pi and then install lxqt on top of it
Hi Bruce,
What is the error you get exactly?
I can try it and let you know if I find a solution
I installed Ubuntu MATE. But once you run apt-get upgrade, it’s a broken install. And both Mate and Raspberry say its the other’s fault and don’t address it.
I’m trying to install Alpine. Sure, it looks like there is a lot of documentation until you try to use it to install. But the install docs are incomplete. I have yet to get it working.
The only one I’ve gotten to work is Raspbian. But it is a really ugly 90’s style UI.
Not a NOOB – I’ve been using Linux for the past decade, and I’ve been a dev for about 35 years.
i tried risc os a couple o times but it hangs after 20 – 50 sec in the
desktop
nothing helps cannot change anything in this time for it to run
if i would know what
and why is amibian not in this list?
Hi,
I do not remember having problems with Risc OS when I tested it.
Maybe you can try to ask for help from the official community
I have never heard of Amibian
I’ll try it in the next few weeks and add it to the list if it’s worth it
Thank you for your comment
Next to OSMC, you could mention LibreELEC, which also turns the Raspberry Pi into a top-notch KODI Media Server with lots of ‘remotes’ that one can install on Android, iOS. https://libreelec.tv/
Of course, everybody has always wanted their own PABX. Here is you chance with Asterix & FreePBX for Raspberry Pi: http://www.raspberry-asterisk.org/
Raspberry Pi was developed to have people experiment with computers. Some of the above mentioned installable SD images will offer just that. If however you just want a (bare bones) Linux desktop computer, there is really only one contender and that is Raspbian. It might look a bit dated, but it is the best supported Raspberry Pi OS out there.
I have tried it today in preparation to an update of this post
But I didn’t get network, wired or wireless (Raspberry Pi 3B+)
Even if the OS seems interesting, I can’t recommend it in this list
Any idea?
Patrick
Manjaro also has a RPi version of their Arch-based OS. I’ve used it for a couple of projects like building a wifi repeater. Having access to the AUR is always a plus 🙂
Looks like they’ve also got one up for the RPi 4B now too.
I already have it my list of posts to write soon
I tested it two weeks ago and seems to work fine
Stay tuned 🙂
How about DietPi? Minimalist install. I used it in headless mode as a wireless security camera that creates its own WiFi point without internet. With a hidden SSID and a Portable 10ah 5Volt LiOn battery this is a great Eavesdropping plant.
Hi Dave,
Yes, I tested it (a post comes out this weekend)
And it deserves to be in an updated version of this post
Have you been able to install windows 10 iot onto a Raspberry PI 4? I have found no good examples in my googling and when i tried it following PI 3 instructions (loading IoT onto the Sim directly then booting with PI) I have no boot. I have also found that there is doubt in the community as to if MS is going to continue to support this device. I appreciate whatever insight you have on it.
Hi Joel,
I didn’t try it yet because I have read many posts saying that it was too slow to use
But I’m interested in your project, let us know if you have any news
Coming in a bit late, but worth a mention since you mention Retropie are Ambian which runs your Pi 3b+ (and possibly others) as an Amiga Computer, it will allow simulation of all Amiga systems, and does a better job at it than the Original old Amiga 500.
and it’s related cousin Combian which allows you to run your Pi as a Commodore 64/128/16/Vic 20/Plus 4 etc. the great part about Combian is that it runs at boot up striaght into the Commodore cursor screen the same as the original computer did back in the day.
of the OS you mentioned I only use Raspian but that is about to change with many on this list about to be taking up my spare SD cards…. Thank You for this article.
Hi,
I’ve checked this to see if it’s interesting or not
But Armbian doesn’t display the Raspberry Pi models on its download page, so it’s probably not a good idea to recommend it here https://www.armbian.com/download/
I will try Combian for fun, but not sure it could appear in this list 🙂
Hello,
I just updated the post to remove the obsolete systems and add the true challengers at the moment
I have updated almost all the screenshots, and added a compatibility information for the Raspberry Pi 4 when I have tested it
Hope you’ll enjoy this new list 🙂
Could you elaborate on Arch linux ending support for the Raspberry Pi? I was thinking of installing Arch on my Raspberry Pi 4. Is there be anything I should be concerned of?
Actually, I didn’t check this point when updating the post.
I just saw that they have a Raspberry Pi 4 page, so it may work now
Let us now after your test, so I can update the post if needed
I really had a bad experience with Raspbian. It breaks very easy after unexpected shutdowns or being a couple of weeks turned off. Which alternative you suggest that could be more resilient?
How do you make an image which is in turn made from a .iso file actually work on the pi. Starting with Ubuntu I had image after image after image not work at all; the Pi wouldn’t even respond at all. Took me a few minutes to realize that all the images that didn’t work were written from .iso files, so clearly there’s something about those images that the Pi doesn’t work with, but there are no instruction manuals ANYWHERE on how to either mount the .iso file and in turn use that to write the image via some intermediary program, or convert the .iso file into a .img file directly.
Note that these will delete all other items on the card when they ‘write’ the os to the card.
I finally got a Pi4B with 4GB ram. After playing around with the Pi’s since the pI2, The only real good os for the Pi is Raspbian. After the Stretch version came Buster, which totally changed how the Pi boots. I have two Pi3B+, one with Stretch and the other with Buster. Stretch seemed to run better on the Pi3 then Buster. When using Buster on the Pi4B, I noticed the Pi doesn’t use that much ram, 2GB is plenty! What a waste! As for 64-bit os’es, I really don’t think they got it out yet, even though they say it’s 64 bit, I have my doubts. Seems to me there would be better choices or even getting the Raspbian people to do better. The Pi4B runs hot, even with the new firmware installed. Anyway, it’s a fun computer box to play with, that is about it.
I think OSMC is still not available for Pi 4. I have a 4GB Pi 4 with Libreelec which works well apart from occasional freezing if a video is reset to the start. This setup works well with my Pi3 as a backend which has the UK tuner add-on for TV using TVHeadend and an original PiDrive. The PI 4 has the metal-surround heatsink which does the job – only hand warm – but then won’t fit in any of the taller boxes once installed. I’m going to try a RockPi 64 next to replace my desktop.
Other than the fact that it does work – I cannot say anything bad about ubuntu. 64 bit Ubuntu on Raspberry pi 4 is a loser. I cannot get past the login. I have written it off. I use ubuntu in several other configurations and like the lubuntu gui. There is room for improvement on an os that does not work at all. It is too bad.
Hi,
Why do you say this?
Have you had any issue with it?
Hi, thanks for your review! I tried Ubuntu Gnome 64 bit on my Raspberry Pi4B. It does work and I could login as well, also, wifi worked. But, it is quite slow (too slow) and the bluetooth did not work. I also got a temperature warning.
Hi,
Thanks for your feedback!
Yes, Gnome is not the best environment on Raspberry Pi
But good to know that almost everything work
I want a cpu.which operating system is required.for all purpose ( coding, chrome, youtube,media, etc)
For raspberry Pi 3 model b v1.2
Hallo Patrick,
i think the “How to FreeBSD installation” is now not up to date because the Image-Servers don’t provide any “RPI3” arm64 any more. There are only “RPI” for arm64 and all off them didn’t work with my Pi 400. I tried them all 13.0 Beta-2 , 3 and 4 and before, I found your absolute marvelous website, all of the 12-series. ggrrrhhh
But I’m just an amateur.
Carry on with this Site, its very good.
Yours sincerely,
Michael
Thanks Michael, will check that soon 🙂
You should try Chromium OS: Download it from GitHub
Comments are closed.
Every Raspberry Pi User’s Secret? This Downloadable Linux Command Cheat Sheet!
It’s not the rosy picture you paint here.
I installed Ubuntu MATE. But once you run apt-get upgrade, it’s a broken install. And both Mate and Raspberry say its the other’s fault and don’t address it.
I’m trying to install Alpine. Sure, it looks like there is a lot of documentation until you try to use it to install. But the install docs are incomplete. I have yet to get it working.
The only one I’ve gotten to work is Raspbian. But it is a really ugly 90’s style UI.
Not a NOOB – I’ve been using Linux for the past decade, and I’ve been a dev for about 35 years.
True but you can just install Ubuntu server for raspberry pi and then install lxqt on top of it
Hi Bruce,
What is the error you get exactly?
I can try it and let you know if I find a solution
I installed Ubuntu MATE. But once you run apt-get upgrade, it’s a broken install. And both Mate and Raspberry say its the other’s fault and don’t address it.
I’m trying to install Alpine. Sure, it looks like there is a lot of documentation until you try to use it to install. But the install docs are incomplete. I have yet to get it working.
The only one I’ve gotten to work is Raspbian. But it is a really ugly 90’s style UI.
Not a NOOB – I’ve been using Linux for the past decade, and I’ve been a dev for about 35 years.
i tried risc os a couple o times but it hangs after 20 – 50 sec in the
desktop
nothing helps cannot change anything in this time for it to run
if i would know what
and why is amibian not in this list?
Hi,
I do not remember having problems with Risc OS when I tested it.
Maybe you can try to ask for help from the official community
I have never heard of Amibian
I’ll try it in the next few weeks and add it to the list if it’s worth it
Thank you for your comment
Next to OSMC, you could mention LibreELEC, which also turns the Raspberry Pi into a top-notch KODI Media Server with lots of ‘remotes’ that one can install on Android, iOS.
https://libreelec.tv/
Google Coder is also worth a look if you’re into web development (or want to get a taste of it):
https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/google-coder/
Although Bodhi Linux for the Pi has been discontinued for, what, 5 years or so, it is still a nice eye candy OS to try out
https://sourceforge.net/projects/bodhilinux/files/ARMHF/Pi/
Of course, everybody has always wanted their own PABX. Here is you chance with Asterix & FreePBX for Raspberry Pi:
http://www.raspberry-asterisk.org/
Raspberry Pi was developed to have people experiment with computers. Some of the above mentioned installable SD images will offer just that. If however you just want a (bare bones) Linux desktop computer, there is really only one contender and that is Raspbian. It might look a bit dated, but it is the best supported Raspberry Pi OS out there.
Hi Mike,
Thanks for all this extra information!
You can try Daylight linux for Raspberry Pi there : http://www.daylightlinux.ch
Hi,
I have tried it today in preparation to an update of this post
But I didn’t get network, wired or wireless (Raspberry Pi 3B+)
Even if the OS seems interesting, I can’t recommend it in this list
Any idea?
Patrick
Manjaro also has a RPi version of their Arch-based OS. I’ve used it for a couple of projects like building a wifi repeater. Having access to the AUR is always a plus 🙂
Looks like they’ve also got one up for the RPi 4B now too.
https://manjaro.org/download/arm8-raspberry-pi-4-xfce/
Hi Michael,
Yes thanks for your suggestion
I already have it my list of posts to write soon
I tested it two weeks ago and seems to work fine
Stay tuned 🙂
How about DietPi? Minimalist install. I used it in headless mode as a wireless security camera that creates its own WiFi point without internet. With a hidden SSID and a Portable 10ah 5Volt LiOn battery this is a great Eavesdropping plant.
Hi Dave,
Yes, I tested it (a post comes out this weekend)
And it deserves to be in an updated version of this post
Have you been able to install windows 10 iot onto a Raspberry PI 4? I have found no good examples in my googling and when i tried it following PI 3 instructions (loading IoT onto the Sim directly then booting with PI) I have no boot. I have also found that there is doubt in the community as to if MS is going to continue to support this device. I appreciate whatever insight you have on it.
Hi Joel,
I didn’t try it yet because I have read many posts saying that it was too slow to use
But I’m interested in your project, let us know if you have any news
Coming in a bit late, but worth a mention since you mention Retropie are Ambian which runs your Pi 3b+ (and possibly others) as an Amiga Computer, it will allow simulation of all Amiga systems, and does a better job at it than the Original old Amiga 500.
and it’s related cousin Combian which allows you to run your Pi as a Commodore 64/128/16/Vic 20/Plus 4 etc. the great part about Combian is that it runs at boot up striaght into the Commodore cursor screen the same as the original computer did back in the day.
of the OS you mentioned I only use Raspian but that is about to change with many on this list about to be taking up my spare SD cards…. Thank You for this article.
Hi,
I’ve checked this to see if it’s interesting or not
But Armbian doesn’t display the Raspberry Pi models on its download page, so it’s probably not a good idea to recommend it here
https://www.armbian.com/download/
I will try Combian for fun, but not sure it could appear in this list 🙂
Hello,
I just updated the post to remove the obsolete systems and add the true challengers at the moment
I have updated almost all the screenshots, and added a compatibility information for the Raspberry Pi 4 when I have tested it
Hope you’ll enjoy this new list 🙂
Could you elaborate on Arch linux ending support for the Raspberry Pi? I was thinking of installing Arch on my Raspberry Pi 4. Is there be anything I should be concerned of?
Actually, I didn’t check this point when updating the post.
I just saw that they have a Raspberry Pi 4 page, so it may work now
Let us now after your test, so I can update the post if needed
I really had a bad experience with Raspbian. It breaks very easy after unexpected shutdowns or being a couple of weeks turned off. Which alternative you suggest that could be more resilient?
How do you make an image which is in turn made from a .iso file actually work on the pi. Starting with Ubuntu I had image after image after image not work at all; the Pi wouldn’t even respond at all. Took me a few minutes to realize that all the images that didn’t work were written from .iso files, so clearly there’s something about those images that the Pi doesn’t work with, but there are no instruction manuals ANYWHERE on how to either mount the .iso file and in turn use that to write the image via some intermediary program, or convert the .iso file into a .img file directly.
Hi,
I just downloaded Ubuntu again to verify, it’s a .img not iso (https://ubuntu.com/download/raspberry-pi)
Did you use the links in this post?
Patrick
If it is a .Img file you will have to get a i,age writer like the official one from raspberry pi or etcher or Rufus.
Etcher – https://www.balena.io/etcher/
Rufus – https://rufus.ie/
Raspberry Pi Imager – https://www.raspberrypi.org/software/
Note that these will delete all other items on the card when they ‘write’ the os to the card.
I finally got a Pi4B with 4GB ram. After playing around with the Pi’s since the pI2, The only real good os for the Pi is Raspbian. After the Stretch version came Buster, which totally changed how the Pi boots. I have two Pi3B+, one with Stretch and the other with Buster. Stretch seemed to run better on the Pi3 then Buster. When using Buster on the Pi4B, I noticed the Pi doesn’t use that much ram, 2GB is plenty! What a waste! As for 64-bit os’es, I really don’t think they got it out yet, even though they say it’s 64 bit, I have my doubts. Seems to me there would be better choices or even getting the Raspbian people to do better. The Pi4B runs hot, even with the new firmware installed. Anyway, it’s a fun computer box to play with, that is about it.
I think OSMC is still not available for Pi 4. I have a 4GB Pi 4 with Libreelec which works well apart from occasional freezing if a video is reset to the start. This setup works well with my Pi3 as a backend which has the UK tuner add-on for TV using TVHeadend and an original PiDrive. The PI 4 has the metal-surround heatsink which does the job – only hand warm – but then won’t fit in any of the taller boxes once installed. I’m going to try a RockPi 64 next to replace my desktop.
Other than the fact that it does work – I cannot say anything bad about ubuntu. 64 bit Ubuntu on Raspberry pi 4 is a loser. I cannot get past the login. I have written it off. I use ubuntu in several other configurations and like the lubuntu gui. There is room for improvement on an os that does not work at all. It is too bad.
Hi,
Why do you say this?
Have you had any issue with it?
Hi, thanks for your review! I tried Ubuntu Gnome 64 bit on my Raspberry Pi4B. It does work and I could login as well, also, wifi worked. But, it is quite slow (too slow) and the bluetooth did not work. I also got a temperature warning.
Hi,
Thanks for your feedback!
Yes, Gnome is not the best environment on Raspberry Pi
But good to know that almost everything work
I want a cpu.which operating system is required.for all purpose ( coding, chrome, youtube,media, etc)
For raspberry Pi 3 model b v1.2
Hallo Patrick,
i think the “How to FreeBSD installation” is now not up to date because the Image-Servers don’t provide any “RPI3” arm64 any more. There are only “RPI” for arm64 and all off them didn’t work with my Pi 400. I tried them all 13.0 Beta-2 , 3 and 4 and before, I found your absolute marvelous website, all of the 12-series. ggrrrhhh
But I’m just an amateur.
Carry on with this Site, its very good.
Yours sincerely,
Michael
Thanks Michael, will check that soon 🙂
You should try Chromium OS: Download it from GitHub