Raspberry Pi is an affordable gateway to computing, IoT, robotics, and DIY electronics. This tiny but powerful device has revolutionized how we approach diy projects, making it possible for anyone to create retro gaming consoles, web servers, robots, drones, and home automation systems without breaking the bank.

Before diving into complex projects, it’s crucial to understand Raspberry Pi’s basic architecture, its operating system, and how to program it effectively. That’s why I’ve curated this Best Courses Guide (BCG) for Raspberry Pi beginners.

Drawing from my experience as a learner, I’ve compiled the top free online courses to help you get started with Raspberry Pi and expand your skills in Linux, Python programming, and hardware interfacing. Whether you’re a complete novice or have some programming experience, this guide will set you on the path to becoming proficient with Raspberry Pi.

Click on the shortcuts for more details:

• Top Picks
• What is Raspberry Pi?
• Courses Overview
• Why You Should Trust Us
• How We Made Our Picks and Tested Them

Here are our top picks

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What is Raspberry Pi?

Raspberry Pi is a small pocket-size computer powerful enough to run a full operating system – Linux. At its core, the Raspberry Pi is built around a chip similar to what you’d find in a smartphone (ARM architecture). This platform can run various Linux-based OS, giving you a platform to code, connect to the internet, or set up a mini server.

What sets it apart from your average computer is its ability to interact with other electronic components using a set of GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) pins. This means you can control lights, motors, sensors, and even robots.

This platform is perfect for:

• Learning programming and electronics
• Building home automation systems
• Creating retro gaming consoles
• Setting up media centers or network-attached storage
• Powering robotics projects
• Serving as an inexpensive, always-on computer for various tasks.

However, as incredible as it is, Raspberry Pi is not meant to replace your computer, unless you want to do some light coding and web browsing only. It can run some old games too (BTW, I’ve seen some great portable mini arcades built that way), but that’s about it.

Arduino vs Raspberry Pi

Both platforms offer exciting possibilities for makers and hobbyists, but they have distinct characteristics that make them suitable for different types of projects.

Arduino is a microcontroller board designed for simple, repetitive tasks and direct interaction with sensors and actuators. It’s ideal for projects that involve controlling physical objects including robots, smart home devices, or interactive art installations. Arduino boards are low-power, have no operating system, and run a single program in a loop. They’re perfect for beginners due to their simplicity and robust nature – you can’t “break” an Arduino by unplugging it mid-operation.

On the other hand, Raspberry Pi is a single board computer (SBC) that runs a complete operating system, usually a version of Linux. It’s more powerful than Arduino and can handle complex tasks like web serving, multimedia playback, and even basic desktop computing. Raspberry Pi excels in projects requiring more processing power, internet connectivity, or a graphical interface. However, it’s also more complex to set up and use, and requires safe shutdown procedures to avoid data corruption.

To put simply, when choosing between Arduino and Raspberry Pi for your projects, you should consider:

1. If you need to control hardware directly and don’t need much processing power, go with Arduino
2. If you need a more powerful brain for your project, especially with multitasking or internet connectivity requirements, Raspberry Pi is the better choice.

Many makers even use both in their projects, leveraging the strengths of each platform.

Courses Overview

• All courses are free or free to audit
• The Raspberry Pi subject is followed by 4.1K learners on Class Central
• Courses in this guide have more than 803K enrollments and views
• The most featured provider is Coursera with 2 courses.

Best Raspberry Pi Course for Beginners (Paul McWhorter)

This comprehensive series taught by Paul McWhorter from toptechboy.com will teach you how to use Raspberry Pi from the very beginning step by step. Paul is an engaging and experienced instructor that creates free learning materials for makers, engineers, and enthusiasts alike.

It’s easy to follow along even if you have no experience at all. However, it’s required that you have a Raspberry 4 or higher (version 3 might also work for most projects), a SunFounder Ultimate Raspberry Pi kit containing all the components you’ll need or another similar starter kit.

In this course, you’ll learn:

• Set up and configure a Raspberry Pi, including Linux basics and Python programming
• Understand and utilize GPIO pins for various electronic projects
• Work with different sensors and components (e.g., ultrasonic, PIR, DHT-11, LCD displays)
• Develop projects like alarms, temperature monitors, and motion detection systems
• Implement networking capabilities and remote access to Raspberry Pi
• Use the Raspberry Pi camera with OpenCV for image processing and object tracking
• Create advanced projects involving face detection and TensorFlow Lite object recognition
• Gain practical experience with RFID modules and IR proximity sensors.

Paul has other series on his channel worth checking out if you want to learn other platforms:

• Raspberry Pi Pico W Lessons for Absolute Beginners
• Arduino Tutorials
• Fusion 360 for 3D Printing for Absolute Beginners
• Learn Python for Beginners.

Best Comprehensive Course for Custom Raspberry Pi Projects from Your Home (John Hopkins University)

If you have basic knowledge but still feel like a beginner, it’s time to step up and build custom projects, filling in the gaps with this beginner-friendly series.

This specialization, Powering your Home Projects with Raspberry Pi, from Johns Hopkins University guides you through building custom projects with Raspberry Pi. Over four courses, you’ll progress from basic setup to advanced hardware design. While the first course focuses on Raspberry Pi basics, the subsequent courses delve into crucial aspects of home project development.

You’ll learn to:

• Configure a Raspberry Pi and control it over a network
• Work with sensors and motors
• Understand high-speed signal communications
• Design custom printed circuit boards
• Use open-source software like QUCS, KiCAD, and FreeCAD for circuit simulation, PCB design, and 3D modeling.

The specialization is ideal for those interested in embedded systems, IoT, and home automation. By the end, you’ll be equipped to create sophisticated, custom Raspberry Pi projects from concept to physical implementation.

It includes four free-to-audit courses:

1. Beginning Custom Projects with Raspberry Pi
2. Communications and High-Speed Signals with Raspberry Pi
3. Using Sensors With Your Raspberry Pi
4. Designing Hardware for Raspberry Pi Projects

“A great course. Covers all that was promised in a practical way, yet without omitting the necessary theoretical background.” – Georg P, Coursera learner

Best RetroPie Tutorial: Building a Gaming Machine (NetworkChuck)

If you have a Raspberry Pi 4 or higher, a TV, and a USB game controller lying around, you’re ready to set up your own gaming machine.

RetroPie sits on top of your operating system and emulates hundreds of old school games from multiple retro consoles, featuring modern additions like achievements, save states, and online multiplayer.

In this tutorial, Chuck and Alex will guide you through the process of installing RetroPie on a Raspberry Pi. You’ll learn how to set up a RetroPie step-by-step, from preparing the microSD card to configuring controllers and personalizing game libraries. The video also highlights advanced features such as cheats and retro achievements, culminating in a demonstration of online play between two Raspberry Pi devices.

Chuck also made available this guide with the additional settings to install RetroPie on Raspberry 5 and the SSH commands used to add ROMs (digital copies of games) to your board.

NetworkChuck has a whole playlist full of projects using Raspberry Pi including: 3CX PBX – phone system at home, dynamic DNS using Cloudflare API, super computer with kubernetes cluster, crypto mining, and VPN travel router.

Best Introductory Course for Raspberry Pi B+ and Python in IoT Development (University of California, Irvine)

This course from the University of California, Irvine introduces you to the Raspberry Pi platform and Python programming for IoT devices. It’s important to note that the course focuses on the Raspberry Pi B+ board, which may limit its relevance to the latest hardware. However, the fundamental concepts remain valuable for beginners.

The course is designed for those new to IoT development and embedded systems, offering practical skills in using integrated development environments (IDEs) and creating graphical user interfaces for Raspberry Pi projects.

Key learning points:

• Understanding Raspberry Pi B+ board functionality
• Setting up and configuring the Raspberry Pi
• Navigating the Linux file system and managing processes
• Learning Python basics for Raspberry Pi control
• Using the RPi.GPIO library for pin control
• Creating graphical interfaces with the Tkinter library

“By far one of the best videos so far in this specialization. Could use more circuit design and GPIO theory. Also, a review could be made of the final project. I would have to believe that 3 of the 4 projects I reviewed are all of the same YouTube video.” – Dennis M, Coursera learner

Best Raspberry Pi Text-Based Projects & Guides (Random Nerd Tutorials)

Random Nerd Tutorials offers an extensive collection of over 30 step-by-step written tutorials, guides, and projects for Raspberry Pi enthusiasts. Unlike traditional courses, this resource allows you to choose specific projects based on your interests and skill level. The tutorials cover a wide range of topics, from basic setup to advanced projects, providing detailed instructions and technical introductions for each component. This flexible approach lets you learn at your own pace and purchase components as needed for each project.

The resource is free to access, allowing learners to choose projects that match their interests and budget for components:

• Setting up and getting started with Raspberry Pi
• Programming Raspberry Pi remotely using VS Code (Remote-SSH)
• Building various projects like motion detectors, CCTV systems, and email alert systems
• Working with Raspberry Pi cameras and accessories
• Using Node-RED for automation and IoT projects
• Installing and configuring software like MotionEyeOS, Home Assistant, and SQLite
• Learning basic Linux commands for Raspberry Pi
• Raspberry Pi Web Server using Flask to Control GPIOs
• Exploring GPIO controls and sensor integration.

Why You Should Trust Us

Class Central, a Tripadvisor for online education, has helped 60 million learners find their next course. We’ve been combing through online education for more than a decade to aggregate a catalog of 200,000 online courses and 200,000 reviews written by our users. And we’re online learners ourselves: combined, the Class Central team has completed over 400 online courses, including online degrees.

How We Made Our Picks and Tested Them

Trying to find “the best” can be daunting, even for those of us who live and breathe online courses. Here’s how I approached this task.

First, I combed through Class Central’s Catalog and the internet to find a variety of free and paid open courses, some with certificates.

When choosing courses, I considered the following factors:

• Renowned Institutions: I looked for recognized institutions in Raspberry Pi
• Instructor experience: I sought instructors with extensive experience in Raspberry Pi and engaging presentation styles
• Popularity: I checked numbers of enrollments and views to find popular courses
• Course content: I examined courses that covered a range of topics and presentation styles, including the basics and more advanced topics. I watched some course videos to sample courses I hadn’t already taken
• Learner reviews: I read learner reviews (when available) to get a sense of the quality of each course, leveraging the Class Central database with its thousands of course ratings and reviews written by our users as well as available course provider reviews.

Then, I defined the scope for these recommendations. A Raspberry Pi course can cover various topics, so I chose top courses from a range of sub-fields.

Ultimately, I used a combination of data and my own judgment to make these picks. I’m confident these recommendations will be a reliable way to learn about Raspberry Pi.