Raspberry Pi Pico vs Arduino ESP32: Which Microcontroller to Use?

 Raspberry Pi Pico vs Arduino ESP32: Which to Use?

If you're just starting out with electronics, robotics, or DIY projects, you've likely encountered two of the most widely used microcontrollers: the Raspberry Pi Pico and the Arduino ESP32. Both are compact, powerful, and inexpensive, but they're designed for different strengths. Let's compare so you can decide which one is best for your projects.

1. Processing Power

• Raspberry Pi Pico: Based on the RP2040 chip with a dual-core ARM Cortex-M0+ processor operating at 133 MHz. Perfect for light tasks, sensor projects, and easy-to-use coding.

• ESP32: Far more powerful here — dual-core Tensilica processor operating at up to 240 MHz. It's faster, so it's better for projects that involve multitasking or processing heavy loads.

Winner: ESP32, particularly if you require additional computing power.

2. Connectivity

• Raspberry Pi Pico: No built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. You’d need external modules to add wireless connectivity.

• ESP32: This is where the ESP32 shines — it has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth built right in, perfect for IoT (Internet of Things) projects like smart home devices or wireless sensors.

Winner: ESP32, hands down, if wireless matters to you.

3. GPIO (Pins & Inputs)

• Raspberry Pi Pico: 26 multipurpose GPIO pins, perfect for sensors, LEDs, and hardware control. It's highly versatile.

• ESP32: Provides about 34 GPIO pins, although not all are accessible based on your configuration. ESP32 also has support for capacitive touch and analog in.

Winner: Tie — Pico has easier GPIO handling for newbies, while ESP32 is more advanced for experienced users.

4. Programming & Ecosystem

• Raspberry Pi Pico: Can be coded in MicroPython or C/C++, with lots of encouragement towards Python, so it's great for beginners.

• ESP32: Typically programmed using the Arduino IDE (C/C++) or MicroPython. The community is enormous, and there are loads of tutorials available.

Winner: It depends on you — Pico is simpler if you prefer Python, ESP32 is the way to go if you want Arduino's ecosystem or more complex projects.

5. Price

• Raspberry Pi Pico: Extremely cheap, typically around $4–$6.

• ESP32: A bit pricier, typically $6–$10, depending on the version of the board.

Winner: Raspberry Pi Pico if budget is your number one priority.

6. Best Use Cases

Raspberry Pi Pico:

• Learning to code with hardware

• Basic robotics

• Sensor-based projects

• Budget builds

ESP32:

• IoT devices (wireless sensors, smart lights)

• Wi-Fi/Bluetooth projects

• Advanced robotics

• Projects requiring greater processing capacity

Final Verdict

If you’re a beginner who just wants to learn microcontrollers, play with LEDs, and experiment with sensors, the Raspberry Pi Pico is the easiest and cheapest way to start.

But if your projects need Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and more power, the ESP32 is the better choice.

Honestly? A lot of makers keep both in their toolkit — the Pico for quick and simple builds, and the ESP32 for more advanced, connected projects.