The Raspberry Pi is one of our favorite gadgets. The possibilities it offers for its price are so numerous that, regardless of whether you're an advanced user or not, our advice is to get one. Of course, once you have it, it's normal to have many questions. The first is what to do with it. And the second, but no less important, is which operating system to install . Depending on the project you want to undertake, there are many operating systems that can get the most out of your miniature computer. In the following lines, we'll show you the best free distributions available.
The best operating systems for the Raspberry Pi
If you've followed some of the Raspberry Pi projects we've covered, you've probably noticed that they don't always use the same operating system . This is because, while sharing the same foundation, each one offers a number of advantages that make it a better choice than the others.
Of course, how to know which is the best distribution. To make that choice easier for you, or simply so that you have a base of what each one offers, this quick guide on the different operating systems for Raspberry Pi might interest you. They are not all there, but they are the most interesting.
Raspbian (Raspberry Pi OS)
For years it was known as Raspbian, although it recently changed its name to Raspberry Pi OS. It is the quintessential and almost default operating system for the Raspberry Pi. Behind it are the same creators of the development board. Due to the number and type of tools it includes by default, it is an optimal distribution for all kinds of tasks , from general to specific, such as programming.
If you are going to take your first steps, it is the most recommended option. Not only because of the stability and options, but because you will have everything you may need at the beginning as long as you are not looking for something more concrete or specific.
To download Raspbian, visit the official Raspberry Pi website or the Raspbian website itself.
NOOBS and NOOBS Lite
NOOBS, for its part, is another recommended option, also for beginners , and with one unique feature: it offers two versions: a full version and a Lite version. The full version integrates Raspbian and LibreELEC, so after installation you'll be ready to do whatever you want with your Raspberry Pi. It also allows you to install other operating systems after downloading them from the internet once the Raspberry Pi is connected.
NOOBS Lite we could say that it is the second part of NOOBS. In other words, once installed and executed, what it offers is access to other operating systems that you can install via the Internet.
You can download NOOBS and NOOBS Lite from the Raspberry Pi website.
RetroPie
If you've seen any Raspberry Pi emulation projects, you've probably already heard of this operating system. Its main advantage is that it already includes everything needed to emulate various entertainment systems, such as old arcade machines or 8-bit and 16-bit consoles.
With a very well-adapted interface, its main alternative would be RetroArch (you can download it here ). Both are very similar in terms of options and functionality. So it's just a matter of choosing the one you're most comfortable with. If you're interested in RetroPie, download the image here.
OSMC
OSMC is the operating system for Raspberry Pi designed to use the small computer as a media center . Its applications include everything needed to play all types of audio and video, from 4K content to HEVC video, 10-bit material, and HD audio.
With its user-friendly interface, especially when connected to a TV, OSMC is a great option if you're looking for a media player for your television, whether it's a Smart TV or not. You can download OSMC from here.
OpenELEC
OpenELEC is another option that allows you to turn your Raspberry Pi into a multimedia center . Its main advantages stem from the fact that it was designed almost from scratch for ease of configuration, although its greatest strength is its low resource consumption, ideal for older Raspberry Pi models. While it can also be used on other devices, that's not our primary focus right now.
Everything about OpenELEC , image downloads and more documentation on the official website.
OS RISC
OS RISC is an operating system that isn't Linux-based like the previous ones, and that's both a good and a bad thing. The downside is that it's not so easy to find resources or guides on how it works or how to resolve certain questions. The good thing is that for certain uses and more advanced users, it can be the ideal option because it only takes up 4 MB, allowing for super-fast boot times.
The easiest way to install OS RISC is through NOOBS.
Windows IoT Core
Although it shares the name of Microsoft's operating system, Windows IoT Core is not a minor version of the popular Windows 10. This is a system designed for use with connected devices . While it's true that it can be incredibly useful, it does require a slightly higher level of expertise to fully understand what you're doing.
If you're interested in learning more about Windows IoT Core, you can visit the Microsoft website , where you can also download the image. However, we should mention that it's a distribution designed for advanced users and programmers.
Ubuntu core
Like Windows IoT Core, Ubuntu Core is intended for IoT (Internet of Things) applications. Of course, here we do have a Linux Ubuntu-based system and you have access to the same applications that you can find in the Snap store.
Ubuntu LTS 22.04
Canonical releases an LTS version of its operating system every few years . LTS stands for "long-term support," meaning it provides updates for five years. In April 2022, Ubuntu 22.04 LTS was released, which will receive updates until April 2027. This system only works with motherboards that have a 64-bit ARM chipset . Currently, the supported models are as follows:
- Raspberry Pi 4 (2GB of RAM or better)
- Raspberry Po 400
- Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 (2 GB RAM and 16 GB eMMC or SD minimum).
If you're interested in installing this system on your board, you can download Ubuntu 22.04 for Raspberry Pi from its official website.
BalenaOS
Like the previous version of Ubuntu, BalenaOS is an operating system designed to take advantage of the 64-bit capabilities of the Raspberry Pi 4. It is based on Yocto Linux and supports the 4GB of RAM offered by the most powerful Raspberry Pi 4 currently available.
If you own one of these motherboards and are looking for a robust operating system, this might be your best option right now. BalenaOS is available for download here.
Arch Linux
Finally, we have Arch Linux , which many consider one of the best Linux distributions you can install on a Raspberry Pi. The system supports a wide variety of devices that you can connect when using the board as a conventional desktop computer. For example, keyboards, mice, Bluetooth headphones, and more.
As we said, if your idea is to use the Raspberry Pi as a desktop computer , try this distribution almost before any of the others mentioned.
You can download Arch Linux from this page ; simply search for the device you are going to use (Raspberry Pi model) and download its image.
Lakka
Lakka is a free, lightweight, and open-source distribution. With this system, you can turn your Raspberry Pi into a fully functional gaming console without needing a keyboard or mouse. Lakka boasts a beautiful user interface and so many customization options that it can be overwhelming. Its UX is similar to that of the PlayStation, as it uses the typical XMB system. If you own a Sony console, this is an advantage, as you'll already be familiar with its interface.
Lakka is fully compatible with RetroArch , and you can use this system to create a complex emulator setup right in your living room. This distribution isn't very well-known, but it's definitely worth checking out. You can download the installation files from the official Lakka website . There are different versions for each Raspberry Pi model, so choose the distribution that matches the exact board you have.
Pi-hole
This system is primarily used to filter your network , with the Raspberry Pi acting as a physical firewall . Pi-hole has multiple uses. Most people use it to block advertising, but it can also be used to block access to specific websites or perform particular Google searches, as well as to prevent intrusions into your network.
If you use it to block ads , Pi-hole requires you to enter a list of IP addresses to block. However, we'll warn you right off the bat that you'll be playing a game of cat and mouse forever. Ad networks know these tricks, so they often change the addresses and domains to evade these filters.
However, a Pi-hole is also useful for preventing our children from viewing age-inappropriate content online . It can even be used to block access to certain websites for our employees. You can use a keyword filter in the configuration—which is done through a web interface —or even manually enter the addresses of servers you don't want to be accessible from your network. Installing Pi-hole is quite simple, and you can even use the most basic Raspberry Pi. However, we recommend always using a board with an Ethernet connection.
OpenMediaVault
With this system, you can turn your Raspberry Pi into a NAS storage system . OpenMediaVault is known for its desktop versions, but it also has a Raspberry Pi build that's very popular. This system works very similarly to FreeNAS, except it's Debian-based instead of FreeBSD.
With OpenMediaVault you can create your own online file server , both on your local network and over the internet. Setting it up isn't straightforward, but once you get the hang of it, you'll see that every second spent learning how it works is worthwhile.
Other noteworthy systems
Those up there are the most common systems that are usually installed on the Raspberry Pi. However, there are other slightly more specific alternatives that are also interesting:
- batocera: inspired by Recalbox, it is another very interesting system if the Raspberry Pi is going to be used to emulate video games. It's a much more modern system than its competitors, and it's really well optimized.
- Manjaro: This distribution is based on Arch Linux, and it is one of the systems that can perform better on your device if you have a Raspberry Pi 4.
- DietPi: This is a minimalist distribution very similar to Raspberry Pi OS Lite.
- Kali Linux: yes, the Linux of hackers. It is used to audit wireless networks, and it has its version for Raspberry Pi. Of course, to audit networks you will almost certainly have to use a USB antenna.
An operating system for each type of project
Now that you are more or less clear about what type of operating system is best for depending on what project you want to carry out, why don't you dare and start with one. We have been posting some that might interest you, such as how to create an emulator for arcade games and old consoles, get rid of intrusive advertising within your local network, create your own NAS with a Raspberry Pi or even set up your own smart doorbell.
There are many more, so stay tuned because we'll be publishing new ideas to help you get the most out of your development board. And remember, installing these operating systems is as simple as downloading the image and using an application like ApplePi-Backer or Berryboot.
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