14 Most Searched Raspberry Pi Project Ideas This Year
Unsure of what to do with your Raspberry Pi? It’s understandable; it can be overwhelming with so many possibilities. That’s why I put together this list of the most searched projects, the stuff people are actually trying. If anybody can do it, why not you too? Doesn’t matter if you want to build something or learn more about it.
The most popular Raspberry Pi projects this year include building a smart home hub, creating a NAS, setting up a VPN, running retro gaming emulators, and experimenting with AI or Windows installations.
That’s just a quick overview. In this article, I’ll break down each project idea and show what you can do with it. You will have a link to detailed tutorials, so you can get started right away, even if you’re a beginner.
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!
Build a Smart Home Hub (CasaOS)
Building your own smart home hub is one of the hottest solutions using your Raspberry Pi. It’s more affordable than purchasing multiple pre-built systems, and it gives you complete control over how everything works. You can connect lights, sensors, and even your TV—without breaking the bank.
There are many ways to do it, but one of the easiest is with CasaOS. With it, you can run media servers, smart light controllers, and share files between devices. And the best part? You don’t need to touch your command line or write a single line of code.
I’ve tried many tools and applications, but I found CasaOS was a great tool that I could install easily. Even today, it works well. We’ve also written a step-by-step article showing you how to install it.
Run Your Own Virtualization Lab (Proxmox)
Do you need to run virtual machines on your Raspberry Pi? That’s totally possible, especially if you’re using the latest Pi 5. It’s a great way to run multiple services and machines, turning your Pi into a mini data center.
With Proxmox, you can spin up different operating systems like Ubuntu, Debian, or even lightweight versions of Windows. This is great for testing without messing up your main setup, or if you want to split different web, app or any service into different virtual machines.
I usually use this setup to test scripts or try out tools in isolated environments because it helps me separate everything without breaking anything. It’s like having multiple computers in one tiny box! Did I mention that it’s easy to install with the right guide and tools? Well, now you know.
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Experiment with AI Locally (AI Kit & LLM)
AI isn’t just for massive data centers anymore. With the right tools, it can run locally on almost any machine — even small devices like a Raspberry Pi. No cloud required, and it’s getting better every day.
Using the Raspberry Pi AI Kit, you can set up cool projects like voice recognition, chatbots, or image detection. It’s getting better by the day.
You can check out our different guides to get started, for example:
- Easy AI Project Ideas You Can Try Right Now.
- 10 Awesome Projects You Can Do With the Raspberry Pi AI Kit.
- Running ChatGPT Locally on Raspberry Pi with Ollama.
- Using ChatGPT with Python.
- Making a YouTube Summary Bot.
Want even more ideas? I put together a free resource with over 75 Raspberry Pi project ideas, each with a quick description, tutorial link, and hardware requirements. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for something to do this weekend, this list will keep you busy for a while. Just click here to get instant access.
Set Up Your Private VPN (Tailscale)
Do you want to access your home network from anywhere? In that case, setting up a personal VPN is mandatory and a fun project on your Raspberry Pi. It sounds easier than it is, and it’s way safer than using a public Wi-Fi.
Bonus tip: When I started, the hardest part wasn’t the setup, it was figuring out what to build next. I ended up creating a list of 75+ project ideas with links and difficulty, so it’s easier to just pick something and try it. Grab the list here.
Tailscale makes it incredibly easy—no need for complicated setups like port forwarding or messy firewall rules. Install it on your Raspberry Pi, sign in, and you’re good to go.
Wait, you want more options? Well, there are other options that are great for the Raspberry Pi if you want to compare setups and discover new VPN options.
Design Electronics from Scratch (KiCad)
If you want to go beyond breadboards and start building real PCBs for your electronic projects, this one’s for you. Tools like this go perfectly with a Raspberry Pi, making you an all-rounder learner of DIY projects, and this one will help you design your own electronics from scratch.
Kicad, can help you draw schematics, route the board, simulate it, and export files to get it manufactured. The best thing about this? You can do all this on your little Pi, and it will totally handle it.
Whether you’re building a custom sensor board or your own gadget, this tool makes you feel like a real hardware engineer with so little.
Turn Your Pi into a Developer Workstation (Code Editor)
Sometimes, having so many apps and games on our main desktop can be a distraction. In those cases, everyone wants a distraction-free device for working as a developer. The good news is that you can turn your Raspberry Pi into a coding workstation.
Install VS Code (or use any other option) to use it remotely and start writing code, running scripts, or managing git projects; all this is possible. You even work with different programming languages such as Python, HTML or small web apps.
This is especially useful if you constantly move and aren’t at home all the time, so with this, you can even code on your living room TV, in coffee shops and even on the go. You will be surprised how flexible this can be.
Build a Personal NAS (TrueNAS)
Although cloud storage is the most common and convenient option, building your own NAS with a device like the Raspberry Pi offers additional benefits. You have full control over your files, and you don’t have to pay monthly fees or worry about third-party tracking.
You can use TrueNAS (or FreeNAS) plugged with any external hard drive, allowing you to have your own personal cloud storage without any extra fees.
This is a perfect solution if you want to have a backup of photos and stream files to all your devices. It’s always satisfying to build something useful on a Raspberry Pi.
Run Windows 10/11 on a Raspberry Pi
It may sound a bit unreal, but it is possible to run Windows on a Raspberry Pi! Of course, it won’t be the fastest experience, but it’s a fun way to get started or to maintain a familiar setup before fully transitioning to Linux.
With the help of WoR-flasher and an SSD, you can get a fully working Windows system on your Pi 4 or 5. You can also install it on Windows 10 if you prefer the older version.
You might also like: Don't buy a new SD card until your read this.
This setup isn’t for everyone, but it’s fun to play with—and great if you’re curious or need to run specific Windows apps.
Create a Gaming Emulator Station (Emulators)
If gaming and retro are two of your favorite things, then this is the right project for you, because you can turn your Pi into an all-in-one emulator box for playing all your vintage/retro gaming.
You can use tools like RetroPie or Batocera, which allow you to play classics from NES, SNES, PS1 and even more. It’s worth exploring other options as well. All you need is a controller, and you’re ready to go.
As a geek and fan of video games, this is one of my favorite projects, because it allows me to have a tiny device like the Pi as a retro gaming console in my living room. Super fun and way more portable than handling around those old consoles.
Automate your Home (IOT)
Bonus tip: When I started, the hardest part wasn’t the setup, it was figuring out what to build next. I ended up creating a list of 75+ project ideas with links and difficulty, so it’s easier to just pick something and try it. Grab the list here.
Home automation is one of the most exciting uses for Raspberry Pi. From turning on lights to getting alerts when doors open—you can control your home the way you want.
Using tools like Home Assistant, smart plugs, or motion sensors, your Pi becomes the brain of your house. No need for cloud services or expensive hubs.
You can even have your own surveillance system for protecting your home, create your own AI voice assistant or any project you ever dreamed of using your Raspberry Pi. There are different tools worth exploring for improving your home.
Build Simple Electronics on a Budget (Pico 2)
If you’re getting into Raspberry Pi technology and you want something more affordable but still usable, the Raspberry Pico is a great place to start. It’s cheap, beginner-friendly, and powerful enough for a bunch of fun little projects.
Using the latest Pico 2 is a great option if you need a small device for your projects, maybe like a plant watering system, a weather monitor, a Bluetooth device or any creative project you want to build.
Try What Wasn’t Possible Before (Pi 5)
It’s not a surprise that the new Raspberry Pi 5 is one of the most searched; it’s a game changer. It’s faster than older models, so you can finally run projects that used to lag or crash without any issues.
The Raspberry Pi 5 is the new model release with even more RAM, better processors and faster storage, allowing USB 3.0 ports. Have you ever wanted to explore new and different projects? Using this latest version, it is possible.
Block Ads and Secure Your Network (Pi-Hole)
Sick of ads on your phone, laptop or even on your TV? You can now block them at a network level before they even load, and this is not the only thing; you can also protect your network.
Install Pi-Hole on a Pi, and every device on your Wi-Fi gets instant ad-blocking. Plus, it gives you stats on what’s being blocked on your network. Easy as that, without any complication.
This is one of the most life-saving features you can have on your own home; install it, and you won’t even have to worry about any ads on YouTube or any website. You can also try different options, such as AdGuard Home, to protect your home. It’s a different tool, but the goal is the same.
Stuck on this project? Ask me or other Pi users in the RaspberryTips Community. We help each other out and you'll get answers quick. Join and fix it together.
Make Your Own Streaming Device (Media Center)
Why pay for another subscription when you probably already have all your favorite shows and movies saved somewhere? With a Raspberry Pi, you can build your own streaming box and watch your content exactly how you want.
Using Jellyfin, your Pi can stream music, movies, and TV shows from your external hard drive or home network. No ads, no tracking, no monthly fees—just your media, your way.
But, if you want to stick with traditional streaming services like Netflix or Amazon Video, you can also try Kodi, turning your little Pi into a streaming device just like any mainstream option.
Whether you’re into smart homes, retro gaming, AI experiments, or want to build something useful with your Raspberry Pi, there’s no shortage of fun and practical projects to explore. You can turn your tiny board into almost anything, from a media center to a mini server or even a Windows PC.
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