Best Python Single Board Computers for Development in 2025

Python single board computers have revolutionized prototyping and IoT development, offering powerful computing in compact, affordable packages.  In this guide, we'll compare top options like the Kiwi Pi 5, Raspberry Pi, and other boards perfect for Python programming.

Why Use Python on Single Board Computers?

Python has become the lingua franca of single board computing due to its simplicity and extensive library support. Here's why it's ideal for SBCs:

Advantages of Python for SBC Development

• Easy GPIO Control - Libraries like RPi.GPIO and GPIO Zero simplify hardware interaction

• AI/ML Readiness - TensorFlow Lite, PyTorch, and OpenCV run efficiently on modern SBCs

• Rapid Prototyping - Test ideas quickly without complex compilation

• Cross-Platform Compatibility - Code often runs unchanged across different boards

Key Features to Look For

• Python 3.9+ Support - Ensure compatibility with modern libraries

• Adequate RAM - ≥2GB for machine learning applications

• GPIO Pins - For sensor and actuator connectivity

• Cooling Solutions - Python can be resource-intensive

Top Python Single Board Computers Compared

We've tested the most popular SBCs for Python development across various use cases:

Performance Comparison

Why Kiwi Pi 5 Excels for Python

The Kiwi Pi 5 series offers exceptional Python support with:

• Pre-installed Python 3.11 on default OS images

• RKNN toolkit for accelerated machine learning

• 4GB/32GB RAM options for large datasets

• Active cooling for sustained performance

Getting Started with Python on SBCs

Setting Up Your Development Environment

Most modern single board computers running Linux come with Python pre-installed. For optimal setup:

• Update to the latest Python version using your package manager

• Install virtual environments (python3 -m venv)

• Consider Thonny IDE for beginners or VS Code for advanced users

Essential Python Libraries for SBCs

• GPIO Control: gpiozero, RPi.GPIO

• Computer Vision: OpenCV, SimpleCV

• IoT Protocols: Paho-MQTT, Requests

• Data Science: NumPy, Pandas (for compatible boards)

Choosing Your Python SBC

When selecting a Python single board computer:

• For AI/ML projects, consider Kiwi Pi 5 with NPU acceleration

• Educational purposes often favor Raspberry Pi's extensive community

• Budget-conscious developers might prefer Orange Pi

All modern SBCs support Python, but performance varies significantly. Evaluate your project's requirements for RAM, I/O, and specialized hardware like NPUs before deciding.