Best OS for Raspberry Pi 5: What to Install for Every Project
The Raspberry Pi 5 is fast enough to be a desktop, a media center, a smart-home hub, or a retro arcade — but each job has a clearly better OS. Here's the short, honest version of what to install and when.
Raspberry Pi OS (64-bit) — the default for a reason
For general use, learning, GPIO projects, and anything that follows a tutorial, install Raspberry Pi OS (the Debian “Bookworm”-based build, 64-bit). It gets first-class hardware support the day new boards ship, the desktop is light and fast on the Pi 5, and virtually every guide on the internet assumes you're running it. If you only install one OS, make it this one.
Ubuntu Desktop — when you want a full PC experience
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS runs well on a Pi 5 with 8 GB of RAM and gives you the exact same desktop and package ecosystem as a laptop install. Choose it if you already use Ubuntu elsewhere or need software packaged for it. It's heavier than Raspberry Pi OS — expect more RAM use and slightly slower boots.
Home Assistant OS — the set-and-forget smart-home hub
If the Pi's whole job is running Home Assistant, don't install it on top of a desktop OS — flash Home Assistant OS directly. It manages updates, add-ons, and backups itself, and a Pi 5 handles even large smart homes with headroom to spare.
LibreELEC — the dedicated media center
LibreELEC boots straight into Kodi in seconds and plays 4K HEVC smoothly on the Pi 5. It's deliberately minimal: the OS is just enough to run Kodi, which is exactly what you want plugged into a TV.
Batocera — retro gaming without the fuss
For an emulation box, Batocera has solid Raspberry Pi 5 support, boots into a controller-friendly interface, and needs no Linux knowledge. Pair it with a good cooling case — sustained emulation is one of the workloads that makes a bare Pi 5 throttle.
Two practical notes before you flash
Always pick the 64-bit image — the Pi 5 has no 32-bit advantage, and several modern packages are 64-bit only. And buy a fast card: an A2/U3-class microSD makes the desktop feel dramatically snappier than a bargain card. Our preloaded 64 GB card ships with Raspberry Pi OS 64-bit already imaged, tested, and ready for first boot on any Pi from the 3 to the 5.
Frequently asked questions
Should I install the 32-bit or 64-bit Raspberry Pi OS?
64-bit, always, on a Pi 5. The 32-bit build exists for older boards and a few legacy cases; on a Pi 5 the 64-bit image is faster and better supported.
Can the Raspberry Pi 5 boot from NVMe instead of a microSD card?
Yes — with an M.2 HAT and a one-line boot-order change, the Pi 5 boots from NVMe, which is faster than any microSD. A quality A2 microSD is still the simplest start, and you can migrate to NVMe later.
Which OS is best for a Raspberry Pi 5 used as a kid's first computer?
Raspberry Pi OS. It includes educational software out of the box, the desktop is simple, and the Raspberry Pi Foundation's learning resources all target it.