Cheap Raspberry Pi alternatives: 20 computers that cost less than the Pi 3

The cheapest computer around

On its release in 2012, the $35 Raspberry Pi showed just how much computer you could get for a bargain-basement price.

But the cost of single-board computers has just kept dropping, with the Raspberry Pi Foundation releasing the tiny Pi Zero for just $5.

Today the Zero is one of several computers with a single-digit price tag, and if you’re looking for an as cheap as chips board you’re spoiled for choice.

These are the single-board computers that you can pick up for less than a price of the $35 Pi.

One thing to bear in mind is that the cheapest offerings lack many of the features of the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B, and have more in common with the $5/$10 Raspberry Pi Zero.

Even the more expensive boards are at somewhat of a disadvantage compared to the Pi range, lacking their breadth of stable software, tutorials and community support.