Arduino vs. Raspberry Pi: An In-Depth Contrast

Arduino and Raspberry Pi stand out as widely acclaimed boards in the market. Each of these single-board computers boasts unique advantages and drawbacks, rendering the task of declaring one superior to the other quite intricate. The Arduino board is characterized by its simplicity and user-friendly design, whereas the Raspberry Pi steps into the arena with increased processing power, ideal for tackling intricate projects. Consequently, this comprehensive guide aims to extensively explore the distinctions between Arduino and Raspberry Pi, assisting you in selecting the board that aligns with your specific requirements.

 

Ⅰ. What is Arduino ?

 

 

 

Arduino stands out as a freely accessible platform that offers developers a straightforward avenue to code and construct electronic projects, encompassing both software, like the Integrated Development Environment (IDE), and hardware in the form of programmable circuit boards.

 

The Arduino board integrates digital Input/Output pins, facilitating the reading of inputs from sensors and various devices while generating corresponding outputs, such as activating an LED. Its programming language is a simplified version of C, making it user-friendly for programming and crafting basic electronic projects.

 

Among the diverse Arduino boards, Arduino Uno holds a prominent position, and its key features include:

 

• ATmega328P microcontroller
• 14 Digital Input/Output pins
• 6 Analog Input pins
• 16 MHz clock speed
• 32 KB flash memory
• 2 KB SRAM
• 1 KB EEPROM

 

In essence, whether utilizing Arduino Uno or other Arduino board variants, they encompass all the essential components necessary for users to fabricate comprehensive electronic projects.

 

 

Ⅱ. What is Raspberry Pi?

 

Raspberry Pi operates as a fully equipped single-board computer, consolidating all hardware components onto a solitary electronic board. Its primary hardware elements encompass the CPU, memory, USB, LAN, micro HDMI ports, among others.

 

Conceive Raspberry Pi as a compact computer capable of linking to a computer monitor, mouse, and keyboard. It is equipped with its own operating system, recognized as Raspberry Pi OS, a Linux-optimized variant.

 

Among the array of Raspberry Pi boards, the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B holds substantial popularity, boasting key features like:

 

• Quad-core 64-bit ARM-Cortex A72 processor clocked at 1.5GHz
• 1-8GB of LPDDR4 RAM
• Dual 4K HDMI outputs
• Two USB 3.0 and two USB 2.0 ports
• Dual-band 2.4/5.0 GHz wireless LAN, Bluetooth 5.0, BLE
• Gigabit Ethernet and PoE capability (with add-on PoE HAT)
• H.265 (4Kp60) and H.264 (1080p60) hardware decoding
• Support for Linux, Raspberry Pi OS, and various operating systems
• Raspberry Pi standard 40-pin GPIO header with diverse interface options
• Mature Linux software stack with recent Linux kernel support

 

In essence, Raspberry Pi, especially the robust Raspberry Pi 4 Model B, exhibits powerful specifications suitable for assisting in electronic projects ranging from simple to intricate, involving numerous inputs and outputs with specific functionalities, such as robotics, IoT, and more.

 

Ⅲ. Arduino vs. Raspberry Pi: Key Differences

Having covered the fundamentals of both Arduino and Raspberry Pi, let's delve into the distinguishing aspects between them.

 

Microcontrollers vs. Microprocessors

 

Arduino employs microcontrollers (e.g., ATmega series), designed for specific tasks related to I/O operations.

Raspberry Pi utilizes microprocessors (e.g., ARM Cortex), akin to those found in computers. These are capable of running operating systems, providing computer-like functionality.

 

Operating Systems

 

Arduino lacks a dedicated operating system, operating based on simple instructions from the Integrated Development Environment (IDE).

Raspberry Pi supports an extensive array of operating systems, including its proprietary Raspberry Pi OS.

 

Connective Options

 

Arduino offers limited I/O pins, both analog and digital, along with a modest number of communication ports, primarily a USB port. Communication is predominantly based on SPI, UART, and analog pins, providing basic connectivity options.

 

Raspberry Pi provides advanced connectivity, featuring more I/O analog and digital pins, along with diverse communication ports like HDMI and Ethernet. It can connect to various USB peripherals such as mouse, keyboard, webcams, etc.

 

License

Arduino: Arduino is an open-source project. Both its software and hardware design are open source.

Raspberry Pi: Both hardware and software of Raspberry Pi are closed source.

 

Control Unit

Arduino: From Atmega Family

Raspberry Pi:  From ARM Family

 

Clock Frequency

Arduino: 16 MHz (Arduino UNO)

 

Raspberry Pi:Up to 1.5 GHz in Raspberry Pi 4 B

 

RAM

Arduino: Requires less RAM(2KB)

Raspberry Pi:Requires large RAM (more than 1 GB)

 

CPU Architecture

Arduino: 8-bit

Raspberry Pi: 64-bit

 

Logic level

Arduino: Arduino’s logic level is 5V.

 

Raspberry Pi: Raspberry Pi’s logic level is 3V.

 

Power Consumption

Arduino: Consumes about 200 MW of power

 

Raspberry Pi: Consumes about 700 MW of power

 

Based on

Arduino: Arduino is a Microcontroller

 

Raspberry Pi:Raspberry Pi is based on a microprocessor

 

Hardware Structure

Arduino: Simple hardware structure

 

Raspberry Pi:  Complex hardware Structure

 

Software

Arduino: Arduino boards are programmable using C/C++ languages.

 

Raspberry Pi:Raspberry Pi supports its own Linux-based operating system Raspberry Pi OS. You can also install the OS you like.

 

Internet

Arduino: Arduino does not have internet support. You need additional modules or shields to connect it to the internet.

 

Raspberry Pi:  Raspberry Pi has a built-in Ethernet port and WiFi support.

 

Cost

Arduino: Arduino boards are cheaper.

 

Raspberry Pi:  Raspberry Pi boards are expensive.

 

How they handle power drop

 

Arduino: Arduino devices begin executing code when they are turned on. Therefore, when power is turned off, abruptly, you won’t end up with a corrupt operating system or errors. The code will simply start again when plugged in.

 

Raspberry Pi: Raspberry Pi requires the same care as a PC. You have to shut the operating system down properly.

 

Current drive strength 

Arduino: Higher current drive strength

 

Raspberry Pi:Lower current drive strength

 

Capability

 

Arduino: Arduino is generally used to perform single (and simple) tasks repeatedly.

 

Raspberry Pi:  Raspberry Pi can perform multiple tasks simultaneously.

 

Wireless connectivity

Arduino: Arduino does not support Bluetooth or WiFi.

 

Raspberry Pi:  Raspberry Pi supports Bluetooth and WiFi.

 

RAM

 

Arduino boards are equipped with limited memory, typically ranging from 2-8 KB RAM for different models.

Raspberry Pi boasts more RAM, extending up to 8 GB. This makes Raspberry Pi better suited for complex projects requiring substantial memory.

 

Cost

 

Arduino boards are generally more cost-effective compared to Raspberry Pi. For instance, Arduino UNO REV3 is priced around $28, while Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (4 GB) costs approximately $55.

 

Processor & Clock Speed

 

Arduino integrates a microcontroller (e.g., ATmega series) with an average clock speed of 16 MHz for most models.

Raspberry Pi features a microprocessor (e.g., ARM Cortex) with a clock speed around 1.5 GHz. The higher clock speed, coupled with a powerful processor, positions Raspberry Pi as more suitable for intricate projects.

 

Application

 

Arduino: Traffic light countdown timer, Parking lot counter, Weighing machines, etc.

Raspberry Pi:Robot controller, Game servers, Stop motion cameras, etc.

 

Selecting Between Arduino and Raspberry Pi for Various Applications: A Guide

 

 

After examining the detailed comparison above, it's clear that both Arduino and Raspberry Pi come with their own advantages and disadvantages. While Raspberry Pi boasts greater power compared to Arduino, it doesn't replace the versatility of Arduino; they each have their own areas of effectiveness. Now, the question arises: how to decide between Arduino and Raspberry Pi?

 

To gain a better insight into the diverse scenarios where Arduino and Raspberry Pi shine, let's explore specific projects and tasks where each excels.

 

Arduino is well-suited for:

 

• Simple robots (like robot arms)
• Parking lot counters
• Repetitive tasks (such as reading from sensors, closing doors, turning lights on/off)
• Weighing machines
• Smart home devices

 

On the other hand, Raspberry Pi is suitable for:

 

• Complex, multitasking software
• Sophisticated robots
• Media centers for streaming local/online content
• Smart home applications
• Home security systems
• Industrial applications

 

In essence, Arduino proves excellent for straightforward projects with low power requirements, often involving repetitive tasks. Conversely, Raspberry Pi functions as a versatile computer capable of handling complex projects with internet connectivity or intricate functionalities.

 

Bottom Line

 

Arduino and Raspberry Pi have gained global popularity owing to their compact size and capability to execute designated tasks. Arduino is a preferred choice for beginners or those involved in uncomplicated projects. In contrast, Raspberry Pi is employed in intricate projects, extending to industrial applications. As a result, this guide affirms that there is no clear winner in this comparison. The recommendation is to choose between Arduino and Raspberry Pi depending on the specific requirements of the project.