Imagine walking into your home, and the light turns on without you touching the outlet, and the room’s AC temperature is already adjusted. Sounds surreal, right? Well, iOT or the Internet of Things, have made it possible, allowing you to enter the world of seamless automation where your desires are fulfilled before you even realize them. From smart wearables and tracking devices to smart kitchen appliances and voice assistance, iOT has made every fantasy a reality. However, every IoT project requires hardware for its seamless functioning and operation. There are two most important devices/boards that are used to build and implement iOT applications – Arduino and Raspberry Pi. Both devices are used globally by people to harness the advantage of IoT inventions and innovations. Now, the question is which one you should choose for iOT applications and home automation projects. Although both seem similar, they are poles apart in terms of architecture, software structure and purposes. In this blog, we will shed light on the differences between Arduino and Raspberry Pi to help you make the correct choice according to your preferences.
Data Processing Unit
Arduino boards are based on microcontrollers, which means a computer on a chip/circuit board, whereas Raspberry Pi is a microprocessor-based minicomputer that performs ALU operations and computer functions. The hardware and software structure of Arduino is simpler than that of Raspberry Pi, which is a bit complex.
Technical Differences
Arduino boards have limited processing power, storage and memory. They allow you to control the electronic parts attached to the circuit board. On the other hand, Raspberry Pi uses a System on a Chip (SoC) with CPU, GPU, RAM, memory capabilities and other components integrated into a single board. It is more powerful and functions like a small computer.
Operating System
In the Arduino vs Raspberry Pi operating system difference, Arduino does not have a dedicated traditional operating system; instead, it uses a programming language that executes code directly into a microcontroller. On the other hand, Raspberry Pi can run on different operating systems, including Windows 10, Linus, Android, etc., and works like a computer.
Programming
Arduino’s programming can only be done using C or C++, which are relatively easy and suitable for beginners. Raspberry Pi supports a wide range of programming languages like Java, C/C++, Python, Ruby, and many more, giving more flexibility in programming options.
Connectivity Options
Arduino has a limited number of input and output pins, including digital and analogue I/O pins and communication ports like USB. In contrast, Raspberry Pi has an extensive range of I/O pins, including multiple digital and analogue pins, communication ports, etc. Moreover, Arduino boards do not support internet or wireless connectivity, whereas Raspberry Pi supports internet through Ethernet or WI-FI.
Processor and Clock Speed
Arduino uses an AVR microcontroller that boasts a clock speed of 16 MHz or 48 MHz, whereas Raspberry Pi uses an ARM cortex-A72 processor and ARM Cortex-A53, depending on the model. The clock speed of Raspberry Pi 4 is 1.5 GHz, Raspberry Pi 400 is 1.8 GHz, and the other variants are 1.2 GHz. This means the Raspberry Pi processor is more powerful than the Arduino processor due to the high speed of Raspberry Pi, making it perfect for complex projects.
RAM
The Arduino board has very little RAM, 2-8 KB as per the board, whereas Raspberry Pi has high RAM, generally more than 1 GB. Its different variants have different RAM, like Pi 4 – 1 GB of RAM, Pi 3 – 512 MB of RAM, and Raspberry Pi 2 – 256 MB of RAM. The larger the memory, the more suitable it is for complex projects.
Price Comparison
Arduino boards are relatively cheaper than Raspberry boards, making them affordable for beginners. They cost nearly $10 – $50, whereas Raspberry boards are slightly more costly and start from $35 – $75.
Power Management
Arduino and Raspberry are powered by USB, but both operate on different powers. Raspberry PI requires more power/current with high wattage and voltage due to its higher processing capacities and extra components. In contrast, Arduino can be powered directly from a USB port using low power. This makes Arduino suitable for battery-powered and low-power applications.
Use Cases
Arduino is ideal for simple projects or repetitive tasks that require monitoring and controlling devices like robotics, sensors, home automation, lights, LEDs, Motors, AC, water overhead tanks, etc. It is basically ideal for small-scale projects that require real-time interaction. Raspberry PI, being more powerful, is suitable for a wide range of complex and large-scale projects, including media centres, software applications, video games, home automation systems, web servers, operating complicated robots, using IoT applications, and many more.
Shields and Accessories
Arduino boasts a wide array of shields and accessories such as Wi-Fi shields, Ethernet shields, breadboards, resistors, LEDs, etc. They offer additional functionalities such as wireless communication, sensors, displays, motor control, etc. On the other hand, Raspberry Pi also includes a wide range of expansions and accessories like HATs, displays, camera modules, HDMI cables, USB peripherals, etc., making both devices highly customizable and adaptable to the latest innovations.
Complexity
Arduino is easy to use, making it more user-friendly than Raspberry. It comes with multiple resources, tutorials and projects to help you get started easily, making it best for beginners. On the other hand, Raspberry is a complex platform that needs high technical knowledge, programming knowledge as well as steps and strategies to set up and use it efficiently. Although it provides more features and scope than Arduino, it’s difficult for beginners to use.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we can say that there is an array of controller boards for IoT hardware projects, but the most popular ones are Arduino and Raspberry Pi. Both boards are used to execute instructions and control electronic equipment, but there are still many distinctions between them. From differences in operating system, programming, connectivity, etc., to power, price, RAM, etc., there is a list of such differences that make Arduino and Raspberry different from each other. If you are a beginner looking to work on a small-scale project, Arduino is the perfect choice, whereas Raspberry Pi is more suitable for complex and large-scale projects.
