Raspberry Pi OS—formerly known as Raspbian—may be the default operating system for your Raspberry Pi, but it’s far from your only option. Whether you’re building a tiny NAS, mini PC, or home server, you’ve got some great choices.

1
DietPi

Most Linux distributions aimed at running on the Raspberry Pi aim to be lightweight, but DietPi takes things even further. Like many other Pi-focused distros, it’s based on Debian, but DietPi has a strict goal of tightly optimizing CPU and RAM usage to make the most out of your Pi.

While some minimal images for the Pi leave you to deal with the consequences and make up for it with complex package installs, DietPi aims to make it easy for you. This doesn’t just mean it’s easy to install a different text editor, either. DietPi LetsEncrypt and DietPi VPN make setting up these two more complex pieces of software far easier.

DietPi supports a wide variety of single-board computers (SBCs) aside from the Raspberry Pi, as well, so you shouldn’t be limited by your choice of hardware.

2
RetroPie

One of the most popular use cases for the Raspberry Pi is retro gaming, and RetroPie is the most popular option for a gaming-centric OS for the hardware. It’s far from your only option, but there are a few reasons that RetroPie is so popular.

It’s easy to install, as it comes in a base image that is built on top of Raspberry Pi OS, ensuring compatibility. That said, you can install the RetroPie packages and interface on top of any other base operating system, so if you prefer another operating system running as the bedrock of your system, it’s easy to do.

RetroPie uses the EmulationStation frontend, which makes it easy to navigate with a controller on a TV screen. Similarly to DietPi, RetroPie runs on a wide range of hardware beyond the Raspberry Pi.

3
Batocera

Another of the more popular gaming options for the Raspberry Pi, Batocera is an even more user-friendly take on the idea. While you don’t get the modular approach of RetroPie and its ability to install on other operating systems, instead, you get an easier install process and even broader hardware support.

While we’re focusing on the Raspberry Pi here, Batocera features the best support for handheld SBCs, not to mention the juggernaut Valve Steam Deck. Conversely, it’s also a great option if you’re looking to put some older hardware to use, as it has versions available for older 32-bit PCs and Intel Atom-powered processors.

The documentation also deserves a shoutout, as the Batocera Wiki will help you easily configure nearly every aspect of the system.

4
LibreELEC

If gaming isn’t what you had in mind for your Raspberry Pi hardware, but you do want to be entertained, LibreELEC may be the perfect distro for you. Self-described as “just enough OS for Kodi,” this distribution makes turning your Pi into a streaming media center.

Of course, any stripped-down Linux distribution will work to run the feature-packed Kodi media center software, but LibreELEC takes things even further. In addition to freeing up valuable system resources for Kodi, the distribution also packages several add-ons. These include audio and video encoders and decoders, plus FFmpeg and other system tools.

Don’t worry about going it alone either. Thanks to an informative LibreELIC wiki and the LibreELEC forum, you’ll find plenty of help to get everything running perfectly.

5
OSMC (Open Source Media Center)

Another media-centric distribution based around Debian, OSMC is another option for media center software. Similarly to LibreELEC, this distribution is built around Kodi. OSMC is built around the Vero V as its flagship device, letting you build a sort of custom Apple TV alternative.

Speaking of the Apple TV, you can actually install OSMC on the first-gen model of that hardware, but it supports the Pi from the first generation onward as well, letting you put that old Pi hardware to use. That’s all the hardware this project supports, but this tight focus lets OSMC keep the installation process simple, easy, and as straightforward as possible.

Assuming the promise of an easy installation isn’t enough, you’ll be glad to know that the OSMC wiki is well-stocked with information, including frequently asked questions.

6
ProxMox

So far, we’ve mainly explored distributions with a focus, whether it’s providing entertainment or a stripped-down base for other applications. ProxMox Virtual Environment, on the other hand, lets your Pi serve as a tiny homelab, controlling virtual machines and Linux containers (LXC) with ease.

Like many other distros, ProxMox is built on top of Debian, but you’d barely know it just by using it. Once you’ve started the installation, you connect via the web interface from another computer. Once connected, managing storage, containers, and all the other aspects of your tiny Pi-powered server is far easier than using the command line over SSH.

While you won’t find a custom image for the Raspberry Pi available for download, nor is the hardware mentioned in the system requirements, but there are plenty of reports of people successfully running ProxMox on various models of Pi computers.

7
Ubuntu MATE

What if you’re not looking to run a miniature homelab from your Raspberry Pi? Is there a perfect distribution for just using your Raspberry Pi as a standard (albeit small) computer? There are several, but Ubuntu MATE is a great option for a few reasons.

To start, the MATE desktop is an excellent combination of easy-to-use and light on resources. This is guaranteed not to bog down even older Raspberry Pi models, and while it may not look as flashy as some other desktops, its simple design is easy to navigate. Using Ubuntu as a base also ensures a wide variety of available software, though you’ll need to keep hardware limitations in mind.

Even better, Ubuntu MATE has ready-to-run images available for the Raspberry Pi 2 Model B, 3, 3+, and 4.

8
FreeBSD

Who says Linux distributions should have all the fun? FreeBSD is another great option for the Raspberry Pi, especially if you’re looking to broaden your knowledge of Unix-like operating systems. It’s also a solid option if you’re looking to use your Pi to build a network-attached storage (NAS), for example.

It does take a bit of bravery to run FreeBSD on the Pi, at least compared to most of the other options we’re looking at. There are pre-built Raspberry Pi images available, as well as information on getting them up and running. That said, when it comes to getting Xorg running or using newer models, information seems more limited.

If you’re debating whether to buy an older model Pi and you’ve got FreeBSD in mind, an older model like the 2 or 3 appears to be the better choice at the moment. While people may be happily running FreeBSD on the Pi 5, the official website doesn’t seem to even acknowledge its existence at the time of this writing.

9
Debian

It wouldn’t be right to mention so many distributions based on Debian without a nod to the official distro itself. It may not be as custom-fit for a single purpose as many of the other distributions we’ve looked at, but that’s what makes it the perfect distribution for anyone looking to tinker a bit.

The lack of a single focus means that, even more so than with FreeBSD—since you have more packages available—you can shape the software stack in whichever direction you want. This is equally handy whether you’re planning on using your Pi as a general-purpose computer, or to power a unique project.

Debian makes tested Raspberry Pi images available for download. These just get you a running base system, without any desktop environment. Any software you want, you can add after you have the base up and running.

If you’ve got a spare Raspberry Pi hanging around or you’re looking for an excuse to buy one, take a look at some cool projects for your Raspberry Pi.