The Raspberry Pi is a super-affordable single-board computer (SBC) that can be used for a variety of different projects. Some of the most popular uses of the Pi include turning it into a media player or an emulation machine. Given the versatility of the system, some have wondered if it could replace a desktop computer. Well, it can, but you need the help of the following lightweight operating system meant for the Raspberry Pi.
Note: The Raspberry Pi has a number of different models on the market. For this article, we will be highlighting systems that run smoothly on the Raspberry Pi 5. While it may be possible to get these running on weaker hardware, such as the Zero, your mileage may vary significantly.
1. Raspberry Pi OS
Raspberry Pi OS is the official operating system for the Raspberry Pi. It’s a Debian-based Linux distro with many features and programs built for the Pi. The default image provides a sleek web browser, a powerful office suite, and code editor, making it great for both general and specialized computing tasks.
On top of that, Raspberry Pi OS also has its own app store and package repositories similar to Debian and Ubuntu. This allows you to install newer applications as well as get your Pi up to date in a few clicks.
Lastly, you have two different options when downloading Raspberry Pi OS, one with recommended software and one without. Alternatively, if you really want a lightweight version of the system, you can also try Raspberry Pi OS Lite. However, be aware that there it doesn’t have any desktop nor graphical user interface of any kind.
Note: you can learn how to install Raspberry Pi OS with the instructions here.
2. OpenFyde
If you’ve ever used a Chromebook, you’ll be instantly familiar with OpenFyde. OpenFyde is built around Google’s open-source Chromium operating system, which is the same system used on Chromebooks. Like Chromebooks, OpenFyde is based around web applications and services. This makes OpenFyde one of the few lightweight cloud-based OS available for the Raspberry Pi. Think of it as a bargain basement Chromebook.
Because OpenFyde runs a web-based desktop experience, it consumes far fewer resources than a traditional operating system. Ultimately, this means that OpenFyde is quick to boot and launch software. Furthermore, because it doesn’t demand the same sort of processing power as other systems, it’s possible to run OpenFyde on weaker hardware.
In addition, if you are building a portable Pi-based computer, you’re likely to achieve better battery life running OpenFyde. If you only need web-based apps, OpenFyde is definitely worth a look.
3. Edubuntu
Edubuntu is a lightweight, education-focused Linux distro based on Ubuntu. While it’s not specifically designed for the Raspberry Pi, the developers of the OS provides a quick and lightweight port for the system. This makes it a great option for parents that are looking to create a cheap and accessible computer for their kids.
The biggest selling point of Edubuntu is its “zero-config” way of setting up a Pi for educational use. For instance, setting up Edubuntu on the Pi only requires you to burn the image to an SD card and a few simple config tweaks.
On top of that, Edubuntu ships with a ton of learning utilities right out of the box. It has gbrainy for brain teasers, gCompris for younger kids, as well as kGeography and Stellarium for looking at the Earth and stars. Further, Edubuntu also has tools to manage multiple instances, making it useful for both the home and the classroom.
Good to know: looking for more open-source apps and games for your child? Explore some of the best kid-friendly software for Linux today.
4. DietPi
DietPi is a versatile Debian-based Linux distro that provides a lightweight and streamlined OS for SBCs. Aside from the Raspberry Pi, it also supports other similar systems, such as the Odroid, Orange Pi, and Rock64. Further, the DietPi developers also ship an x86_64 image, meaning that you can also install it on a traditional desktop computer.
One of the key selling points of DietPi is its custom DietPi-Software utility, which combines the system tasks on your machine into a single terminal interface. The DietPi developers use this program to cut the complexity of installing and configuring large software packages on your Pi. For example, DietPi condenses the entire NextCloud installation process to a single checkbox tick.
On a side note: Learn how to revive your old PC by installing some of the best lightweight Linux distros today.
5. PiCore
PiCore is the official port of the Tiny Core Linux project for the Raspberry Pi. Just like with its upstream, PiCore doesn’t come with a desktop or any graphical utilities. Instead, it opts to provide the user with a command line and a set of basic UNIX tools. While daunting to most users, this can be attractive to those who want an OS that they can build up.
One of PiCore’s key features is its incredibly lean base image. Sitting at around 32 MB, PiCore is one of the smallest and lightweight Linux OS on the Raspberry Pi today. Aside from that, PiCore is also efficient when it comes to resource management. While running idle, the system consumes around 100-120 MB of RAM, making it a good choice for smaller and older Raspberry Pis.
Good to know: interested in knowing more? Check out our comprehensive review and guide for setting up PiCore.
6. Alpine Linux
Alpine is a powerful Linux distro that provides a highly optimized operating system for virtual machines and bare metal hardware. Unlike other systems, Alpine emphasizes code correctness and security, making it great if you need your Pi to be reliable and lightweight.
One of Alpine Linux’s biggest selling points is that it uses musl instead of glibc for its standard C library. This results in a smaller, lightweight OS with a small attack surface, perfect for resource-limited systems like the Raspberry Pi.
Note: musl is a fundamentally different C library from glibc, which could result in compatibility issues with some software packages.
Like PiCore, Alpine Linux’s base install doesn’t include any GUI tools, which makes it a good choice for deploying Linux servers and container images. On top of that, Alpine’s community repository is mature enough that you can install almost any software you’ll need for your system.
7. Arch Linux ARM
Arch Linux is the king of minimalist, general-purpose Linux distros. With its hands-on install process, its massive community repository, and its focus on simple, bleeding-edge software, Arch provides you with everything you need to create your custom system using the best of what Linux has to offer.
Arch Linux ARM is a version of Arch Linux dedicated to SBCs. While it’s not an official port, it receives a healthy amount of updates from its maintainers and keeps up with the latest kernel developments. It also has access to the AUR, making it one of the distros with the largest available software for the Pi.
With the knowledge of some of the leanest and lightweight OSes for the Raspberry Pi under your belt, you can now dive deep into this wonderful world of low-power embedded systems. Start your journey by learning how to convert your Pi into an emulation powerhouse using Batocera.
Image credit: Harrison Broadbent via Unsplash. All alterations and screenshots by Ramces Red.
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