Single-board computers (SBCs) have evolved far beyond simple educational tools. Today, they are widely used in edge AI, industrial control, robotics, multimedia processing, and even lightweight servers. Among the most discussed platforms in the current generation are Radxa ROCK 5, Kiwi Pi 5, and Raspberry Pi 5.
Although these boards may appear similar at first glance, they target very different use cases and design philosophies. This article provides a technical and practical comparison to help developers, system integrators, and product designers choose the right platform. Some information taken from this Rock Pi 5 (Radxa Rock 5) comparison article.
Overview of the Three Platforms
Radxa ROCK 5 Series
The Radxa ROCK 5 family is designed as a high-performance SBC platform, focusing on CPU/GPU power, PCIe expansion, and advanced multimedia capabilities. It is widely used in AI inference, 8K video processing, and edge computing applications.
Kiwi Pi 5
Kiwi Pi 5 is positioned as a commercial-grade and customizable SBC, targeting OEM, ODM, and industrial clients. While offering performance comparable to flagship SBCs, its key differentiator lies in hardware customization, long-term supply, and product adaptation for specific business needs.
Raspberry Pi 5
Raspberry Pi 5 continues the Raspberry Pi Foundation’s philosophy of accessibility, education, and ecosystem stability. While it significantly improves performance over previous Raspberry Pi generations, it remains focused on general-purpose computing and learning, rather than high-end edge AI or industrial workloads.
Raspberry Pi 5 benefits from a massive accessory ecosystem, while Kiwi Pi 5 emphasizes custom I/O layouts and industrial interfaces, which are often critical for embedded deployments.
While Radxa ROCK 5, Kiwi Pi 5, and Raspberry Pi 5 all belong to the modern SBC category, they serve distinct audiences:
Raspberry Pi 5 excels in education, general computing, and ecosystem stability.
Radxa ROCK 5 targets performance-oriented developers needing strong CPU, GPU, and AI capabilities. For example, you can learn more about Radxa ROCK 5B from Jeff Geerling.
Kiwi Pi 5 bridges high performance with commercial customization, making it well-suited for industrial, OEM, and embedded AI products.
Choosing the right board depends not on raw specifications alone, but on long-term goals, software requirements, and deployment scale.
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