Everything You Can Do with a Raspberry Pi in 2025: A Complete Guide

Have you ever wondered how far the small but powerful Raspberry Pi can go in 2025? What began as a low-cost educational computer has evolved into a hyper-versatile platform. Today, with the latest generation of motherboards, the possibilities go far beyond what you might imagine: from home servers, home automation, and artificial intelligence projects to tools for learning programming, multimedia systems, and security and professional monitoring solutions.

In this article, you'll find a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of everything you can do with a Raspberry Pi in 2025. You'll find practical ideas, inspiring projects, and detailed advice on software, hardware, accessories (HATs), and applications, whether you're a beginner or an experienced DIYer. Get ready to take advantage of your miniPC in ways you've never considered.

What exactly is a Raspberry Pi and why is it still gaining popularity?

The Raspberry Pi is a computer the size of a credit card., capable of running Linux operating systems, with ARM processors, up to 8GB of RAM, and a host of ports and connectivity options (Ethernet, HDMI, microSD, GPIO, USB, WiFi, Bluetooth). Thanks to its affordable price, low power consumption, and flexibility, it has transcended the educational environment and is now found in homes, offices, classrooms, and businesses, serving as the core of countless DIY projects and professional solutions.

Why is it so addictive? Because you can connect virtually any peripheral.: keyboards, screens, sensors, cameras, SSD drives, expansion modules (HATs)... and transform the Pi into whatever you want: a desktop PC, server, robot, multimedia system, NAS, AI station, etc. In addition, the community continues to launch ideas, tutorials and support, helping any user profile, even a novice, to shape their projects.

Recommended operating systems and environments for Raspberry Pi in 2025

The starting point for any Raspberry Pi project is choosing the right operating system. By 2025, the choice has diversified, ranging from lightweight, task-oriented systems to powerful distributions geared toward education, virtualization, security, and entertainment.

Some of the Top operating systems for Raspberry Pi in 2025 include:

• Raspberry PiOSBased on Debian 12, it's the classic, stable, lightweight, and platform-optimized operating system. It includes the LXDE desktop environment and native support for Pi hardware, making it ideal for education, learning, and multipurpose projects.
• Ubuntu Server and Desktop: Allows you to transform your Raspberry Pi into a powerful server (with Docker, Kubernetes, LTS support, etc.) or a desktop PC with many development and administration possibilities.
• RetroPie: The ultimate system for turning your Pi into a retro console, with support for emulators for virtually any classic platform. Includes the EmulationStation interface, ideal for nostalgic gaming enthusiasts.
• LibreELEC, OSMC and Kodi: Specialized solutions for creating home media centers, enabling local and streaming content (YouTube, Netflix, IPTV, music, etc.) with support for 4K, HDR, remote control, plugins, and add-ons.
• Kali Linux: Distribution focused on ethical hacking and cybersecurity, with professional tools for pentesting, monitoring, and auditing networks and systems.
• OpenMediaVault: Based on Debian, it turns your Raspberry Pi into a complete NAS server, with a web interface for file and disk management, users, backups, and multimedia.
• Home Assistant OS: To centralize home automation, compatible with hundreds of smart devices.
• Android for Raspberry PiBy installing a customized version and adding a touchscreen, you can create anything from a DIY tablet to an interactive multimodal system.
• Virtualization and container systemsBy 2025, the latest Pis will run virtual machines and containers, enabling testing, development, and simulation labs.

The choice of system largely determines the approach of the project. Be sure to explore the distributions that best suit your goals, as many come preconfigured for specific uses and offer active community support.

Software projects: get the most out of it without the extra hardware hassle

Many projects with Raspberry Pi can be done only with the plate and a microSD cardThese ideas, without requiring any additional investment in components, are perfect for getting started or for maximizing the digital potential of your Pi:

• Homemade web server: Raise a server LAMP or LEMP (Linux, Apache/Nginx, MySQL/MariaDB, PHP), ideal for hosting websites, blogs, portfolios, applications, and testing before publishing online. You can even add FTP and SSH access to manage everything remotely.
• Print serverWith software like CUPS, you can turn any USB printer into a wireless printer available to all devices on your network.
• File Server/NASUsing Samba, OpenMediaVault, or Nextcloud, share and sync files, create your personal cloud, and manage photos, music, and videos from any computer at home or on the go.
• VPN server: With WireGuard, browse securely, access your home network from anywhere, or bypass geographic content restrictions.
• database server: Install MariaDB or PostgreSQL to support applications, bots, family databases, or web projects.
• Password server: Host your own data manager with Bitwarden, ensuring privacy and complete control over your sensitive data.
• Email server: Learn to manage a professional system (although it requires advanced networking and security knowledge).
• Torrent server: Set up Transmission, qBittorrent, or similar to download and manage torrents remotely and efficiently.
• DNS server: Speed ​​up your local network browsing and add layers of privacy and filtering.
• Network and systems monitoringInstall Nagios, Grafana, or Prometheus to monitor performance, alerts, and availability on your home or small business infrastructure.
• Ad blocker for the entire networkPi-Hole or AdGuard Home blocks ads at the DNS level, protecting all devices in your home from tracking and intrusive advertising.
• Bot for social networks: Use the Pi to automate messages, notifications and tasks on Twitter/X, Discord and other platforms via APIs and scripts.
• Minecraft server: Host multiplayer games for you and your friends, managing maps, mods, and users from a lightweight console.
• Torrent management and control: Download and manage files anytime, without having to turn on your main computer.
• Music server (Spotify, Volumio, MusicBox…): Turn your Raspberry Pi into a web-controllable Hi-Fi audio player with plugins and support for streaming services.

The great advantage of these projects is that Almost all of them have simple tutorials and active support., so you can jump right in even if you have little prior knowledge. Plus, they're easy to expand and customize as your learning evolves or your needs change.

Automation, home automation, and smart home control

One of the most popular fields in 2025 is low-cost home automation with Raspberry Pi.Thanks to systems like Home Assistant, Domoticz, OpenHAB, or Node-RED, you can unify the management of your smart lights, sensors, security cameras, Wi-Fi outlets, and other connected devices.

What can you do?

• Centralize control of your entire home automation ecosystem, without relying on the cloud.
• Create custom rules (by schedule, sensors, presence, voice…).
• Monitor security cameras, alarms, and automatic alerts from your mobile or computer.
• Integrate voice assistants, such as Alexa or Google Assistant (even create your own assistant with microphone and speaker modules using tools like Vosk and Gemini AI).
• Automate plant watering: Connect a pump and humidity sensors so your plants can water themselves based on their actual needs.

The Raspberry Pi home automation community is huge and growing, so you'll always find ideas, support for new gadgets, and DIY projects to customize your smart home.

Entertainment: media center, gaming and more

Did you know you can turn your Raspberry Pi into your home entertainment center? Entertainment projects are among the most rewarding: easy to set up and useful for everyday life.

• Multimedia center/Smart TVInstall LibreELEC, OSMC, or Kodi to play videos, music, photos, or access services like Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, Prime Video, IPTV, and more. You can control it from your phone, add plugins, and organize your media library.
• Retro gaming console: Use RetroPie, Recalbox, or Lakka to relive games from Super Nintendo, PlayStation, MAME, Sega, Game Boy, and many more. There are impressive cases to build your own arcade machine, bartop, or even a Game Boy-style handheld.
• Game serverWhether it's Minecraft, Quake, or multi-user emulators, the Pi can host and manage multiplayer sessions efficiently.
• Steam Game Streaming: Use the Pi as a streaming client to play games on your TV while your PC does the heavy lifting—ideal for taking advantage of your main computer's power without moving it from your desk.
• Wireless music player: Create a customizable stereo capable of playing local and network-streamed music, with support for high-fidelity audio thanks to dedicated DAC HATs.
• Video capture and streaming: OBS Studio is compatible with Raspberry Pi, allowing you to record your screen, stream videos, or create educational projects, tutorials, or games.

Changing the use of your Raspberry Pi is as simple as swapping out the microSD card (or M.2 SSD, if you have the appropriate module). This allows you to switch between console, media center, PC, or server as needed.

Networks, security and advanced monitoring

The world of cybersecurity and network administration has found an indispensable ally in the Raspberry Pi. Using systems like Kali Linux, the Pi becomes a powerful pentesting, ethical hacking, and security auditing tool.

Some of the projects most valued by administrators and makers include:

• WiFi access point and firewall: Turns the Pi into a gateway by filtering access, applying firewall rules, isolating devices (especially useful in home networks with many IoT devices).
• Network ad blocker (Pi-Hole, AdGuard): Cuts off most advertising and tracking at the network level.
• Network monitoring (Nagios, Grafana): Monitor the status of other PCs, servers, NAS, bandwidth, resource usage, email alerts, etc.
• VPN and DNS Server: For safer and more private browsing.
• Tor proxy server and gateway: Anonymizes browsing across all your devices, ideal for improving privacy or bypassing restrictions.

In the industrial or business sectorThe Raspberry Pi also serves as a monitoring, process control, and automation tool without requiring large investments. Its integration is increasingly common in factories, workshops, offices, and smart city projects.

Hardware projects and experimentation with GPIOs, HATs and accessories

The true potential of the Raspberry Pi is unleashed when you integrate additional hardware.GPIO pins make it possible to connect sensors, relays, motors, cameras, and all kinds of expansion modules (HATs), expanding the possibilities to the limit.

Some of the most popular and current hardware project ideas in 2025 include:

• Magic Mirror: Mount a smart mirror that displays the time, weather, and your personalized notifications. It combines software, a display, and sensors.
• AI-powered video surveillance camera: Use a Pi camera, cloud service integration, or local AI modules for facial recognition, motion detection, and automatic alerts. Perfect for home security and remote monitoring.
• Advanced weather station: Integrates temperature, humidity, pressure, particle, UV, and other sensors. Measure everything and display data on web dashboards or LCD screens.
• 3D printer controller: Use Raspberry Pi to monitor and manage 3D printers (OctoPrint, Duet), freeing your PC from having to be on during long prints.
• Automated irrigation systems: Control pumps and humidity sensors to keep your plants always cared for.
• Homemade FM station: With the Pi you can broadcast on FM radio, ideal for electronics projects and events.
• Bluetooth speaker inhibitor module: To control and filter the signal in conflictive environments (real example: project to identify and block invasive reggaeton in neighborhood communities).
• Raspberry Pi Cluster: Combine multiple Pis for cooperative tasks, simulation, learning, rendering, and testing of distributed systems.
• Educational and professional robotics: Use motor control HATs and sensors to bring autonomous robots to life.

The key to hardware projects is modularity. You can start with something simple and gradually integrate more sensors, displays, relays, or modules based on your needs and expertise.

The most useful and in-demand HATs in 2025

HATs (Hardware Attached on Top) have revolutionized the way you expand your Pi. With them, you can add advanced functionality without the hassle of soldering or circuitry:

• Sense HAT: Adds temperature, humidity, accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, and LED array sensors. Used in space missions and educational projects.
• M.2 HAT+ module: Allows you to connect NVMe SSDs, achieving storage speeds and reliability far superior to SD cards. Essential for servers, NAS, and professional use.
• Enviro HAT: Specialized in indoor environmental sensors (temperature, light, noise, pressure, etc.). Perfect for home or office monitoring.
• Adafruit Capacitive Touch HAT: Allows you to add up to 12 capacitive touch zones to interactive projects.
• Unicorn Hat: RGB LED matrix for advanced visual effects, indicators, light panels and creative projects.
• Automation HAT: Adds relays, protected inputs and outputs, ideal for industrial or home automation and control.
• AI HAT: Enables local AI capabilities, with 13 or 26 TOPS power, perfect for computer vision, speech recognition, and advanced data processing without relying on the cloud.
• HAT Audio DAC: Improves sound quality, provides RCA and jack outputs, ideal for home music and theater systems.
• TV HAT: Turn your Pi into a digital TV receiver, compatible with DVB and recording/programming channels.
• UPS HAT: Uninterruptible power supply with battery, avoiding power outages in critical projects.
• Robot HAT: Facilitates the control of motors, sensors and power supplies in mobile robotics projects.

The selection of HATs grows year after year, with models designed for both educational and professional use. You can browse updated catalogs and compare features before choosing the right one for your project.

Learn to program and develop your own ideas

One of the great values ​​of the Raspberry Pi remains its educational vocationThe environment is ideal for learning Python, C/C++, Scratch, and other languages ​​from scratch, thanks to the wealth of documentation and free resources.

• Python: The preferred language for beginners, with pre-installed modules and hundreds of tutorials for automation, web, gaming, hardware control, and more.
• C and C ++: Perfect for projects that require maximum performance and direct access to hardware (GPIO, camera, accelerometers…).
• Scratch: Visual and easy approach for children and total beginners, ideal for introduction to programming logic.
• APIs for smart devices: You can schedule interaction with lights (Philips Hue), speakers, automatic blinds, sensors and much more.

The Raspberry Pi provides the ideal environment to test, fail, and learn, risk-free and with very little investment. Plus, you can combine software and hardware learning by integrating sensors and actuators as you progress along your maker journey.

Inspiring projects and original solutions with Raspberry Pi

To give you a complete idea of ​​the full potential of the Raspberry Pi, here's a sample of real-life projects that have been a hit with users and professionals:

• 3D object/person scannerBy combining multiple Raspberry Pis and cameras, it is possible to capture three-dimensional models of objects or people for 3D printing or augmented reality.
• DIY Mobile Phone (PiPhone): With a touch screen and GSM module, it allows you to make and receive calls, demonstrating the versatility of the Pi hardware.
• Raspberry Pi sent into spaceThe Astro Pi and “Pi in the Sky” projects demonstrate the board’s robustness by measuring environmental variables and transmitting data from stratospheric balloons.
• Collaborative weather stationBy integrating sensors and connectivity, real-time data can be shared with global networks for research or local improvements.
• Emergency button for seniors: With a Pi Zero and a simple button, you can automate the sending of alerts to mobile phones and family members.
• Homemade Ambilight LED Lighting: Replicates the effect of Philips TVs by synchronizing LED lights behind the TV with the visual content.
• Virtual assistant with AI: With voice modules and systems like Gemini and Vosk, you can create an assistant that answers questions, executes commands, and controls home devices.
• Bluetooth speaker jammer: Useful for filtering unwanted music in conflictive environments. Real-life example: project to identify and block invasive reggaeton in residential communities.

The artificial intelligence revolution and Raspberry Pi in 2025

The big news of recent years has been the democratization of local artificial intelligence on Raspberry Pi. With the release of the foundation's AI HAT and support for compute accelerators, the Pi 5—and higher—can run computer vision and speech recognition models without relying on the cloud or expensive dedicated GPUs.

Some implementation ideas already popular this year:

• Intelligent video surveillance systems: Capable of differentiating people from objects, identifying license plates, access control and real-time alerts.
• Voice controllers and custom assistants: To activate lights, control devices, receive responses, and interact with other systems.
• Music recognition and audio filtering: Ability to identify songs/genres to personalize the experience in bars, offices, or public settings.
• Advanced automation in home automation: Complex decisions based on multiple data (presence, weather, routines, predictions, etc.)

The best part: now you can experiment for yourself even if you are a maker and not a professional engineer.AI modules have dropped in price, documentation is accessible, and the power now allows for projects that previously required expensive and bulky equipment.

Before finishing and moving on to some tips, we recommend you take a look at this about How to run DeepSeek R1 on your Raspberry Pi 5 step.

Tips and tricks to get the most out of your Raspberry Pi

• Don't be afraid to try new things: Switching projects is as easy as using another SD card or reinstalling the system.
• Keep your Pi up to dateMany operating systems receive security and feature updates. Update frequently with apt-get or from the graphical interface.
• Remember the coolingNewer models and those with demanding uses (virtualization, gaming, AI) can get hot. Add heatsinks and fans if you're going to be pushing them hard.
• Stable feedingInvest in a quality power supply. Unplugging can corrupt the microSD card or the drive.
• Make backup copies: Especially if you manage servers, databases, photos or important documents.
• Explore the communityThere are forums, Telegram channels, Discord, Reddit, and blogs with hundreds of ideas, guides, and troubleshooting tips.
• Learn to read logs: They will help you debug and improve your projects.
• Be creative and share your achievementsThe maker community values ​​sharing experiences, and you're sure to inspire others.