elementary OS vs Raspberry Pi Imager
| elementary OS | Raspberry Pi Imager | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | No | No |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Paid from | — | — |
| Open source | No | No |
| Platforms | Linux | Linux |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Device types | PCs and Macs; Apple Silicon and Raspberry Pi devices are listed as ARM download targets | Raspberry Pi computers; PC and Mac (Raspberry Pi Desktop) |
| CPU architectures | Intel or AMD 64-bit; ARM 64-bit | 32-bit and 64-bit |
| Built-in management | AppCenter and System Settings provide app and OS updates; automatic OS updates can be enabled | APT software and firmware updates; graphical Add / Remove Software; raspi-config / Control Centre |
| App compatibility | Curated AppCenter apps; Flatpak sideloading from third-party sources | APT package manager; desktop Add / Remove Software; 64-bit edition can run 32-bit software |
| Deployment models | Installable on physical computers; ISO installation media; OEM installation and custom disk imaging | Installable disk image on Raspberry Pi boot media; PC and Mac image via Raspberry Pi Desktop |
| Support lifecycle | — | Regular free updates, including security patches; no fixed support duration stated |
Both are listed in Best Operating Systems. On Inferse, Raspberry Pi Imager scores higher on our published basis.