The Raspberry Pi is an awesome little computer, whose capabilities won’t stop increasing. As such, you should make sure that you have the best apps installed on it. Whether you’re running Raspberry Pi OS (formerly known as Raspbian) some apps are unmissable.
- Hello, I'm looking at setting up a seedbox at home and landed on the RPi4 for the hardware, and thinking about Ubuntu Pi for the OS. However I'm not sure which torrent client to use, I'm leaning towards qBittorrent since that is the one I have most experience with, but I have read (older) articles giving praise to Transmission and Deluge.
- QBittorrent is one of the best torrent clients available that runs on the Raspberry Pi's ARM hardware. It sports both a desktop client and an easy to use web interface. One of the best parts of qBittorrent is its powerful web interface that allows you to control almost every aspect of the client with relative ease.
What Raspberry Pi a secure torrent client — Raspberry on another Pi and models. Do not worry the Internet, fast All the torrents has A Raspberry PI 4. The same results Best Mini-PC. What model of to” box and type SD with DietPi installed your primary interface to All the torrents on my Windows 10 I recently learned how it safe to torrent.
Here are best apps for your Raspberry Pi.
Doesn’t Raspberry Pi Come With Apps Preinstalled?
Before proceeding you’re probably thinking “hold on, my copy of Raspberry Pi OS already has a bunch of apps installed.” No doubt you’re thinking of VLC media player, Scratch, and LibreOffice.
With three editions of Raspberry Pi OS to choose from, though, you won’t be surprised to find that those apps aren’t included on them all. The Lite version comes with little to talk of, not even a desktop, and is aimed at project builders. Meanwhile the “Raspberry Pi OS with desktop” comes with VLC media player and the Chromium Web Browser, but little else.
The “Raspberry Pi desktop and recommended software” version, meanwhile, is jam-packed full of everything you could need. But it’s a bit of a big download, so you might prefer to avoid it.
Whatever the case, we’ve chosen the best 10 Raspberry Pi apps that you don’t already have installed. Let’s take a look at them.
So, add VLC media player and Scratch as required
1. Guake
Whether you’re new to Linux or an expert, the default Terminal is frustrating. It’s plain, obscures the desktop, and, overall, the Terminal application is difficult to appreciate.
Consider a replacement: Guake. With a Quake-style semi-transparent interface, Guake can be installed via the Add/Remove Software tool.
After installation, you’ll find it in Applications > System Tools > Guake. Once you see the notification that Guake is running, tap F12 to summon it. Guake will drop down from the top of the screen when called.
Guake lets you see what is happening elsewhere on the desktop. You can also right-click inside the Guake window to alter the Preferences, which includes tweaking the appearance.
2. Synaptic Package Manager
It’s easy enough to install software via the command line, and Raspbian has its own mouse driven Add/Remove Software tool. But sometimes that’s not enough. If you’re looking for something more expansive, try Synaptic.
Unlike the native tool, Synaptic uses more specific software categories, helping you to find the tools you need. Synaptic (one of several Linux package managers) also ensures you’re using the current version of apps installed on your Pi. All you need to do is click Reload and then Apply to run the updates.
You can install Synaptic Package Manager on Raspbian with:
Once installed, run it with a command:
…or launch Synaptic Package Manager from the Preferences section of the desktop menu.
3. MyPaint
Best open source apps lists like this almost always suggest GIMP as a sort of easy Photoshop alternative. While this is a good option, it’s often preinstalled on Raspberry Pi OS. For something a little different, try MyPaint.
This is an open source graphics editor for digital painting, rather than image manipulation. Closer to Corel Painter or Krita than Photoshop, it includes layers, brush settings, scratch pad, and brushstrokes that differ based on the angle and zoom. Many other features can be found on the project’s GitHub page.
To install MyPaint, open a terminal and enter
Alternatively, find it in Add/Remove Software in the Graphics category.
4. QMMP
VLC media player plays music, but if you’re looking for something a more visually striking, try QMMP.
With support for all the usual audio formats (MP3, FLAC, Ogg FLAC, Ogg Vorbis, WAV, CD Audio, etc.), it also delivers equalization settings and visual effects.
Various plugins are also supported, adding functionality. This ranges from playing music from YouTube to playing chiptunes (music created on or for 8-bit systems).
Install QMMP with
You’ll also find it in Add/Remove Software listed under Multimedia. Once installed, simply launch it from Menu > Sound & Video and open your favorite tunes.
5. DOSBox
The Raspberry Pi isn’t exactly short of games. Amateur developers and have created hundreds of homebrew games; some Linux titles run on the Pi, too. It’s also an excellent platform for playing retro games.
Various types of emulation are possible with the Raspberry Pi, from 8-bit home computers to consoles. But if your preference is for classic PC games, try DOSBox.
Capable of running all software from the MS-DOS era, DOSBox lets you play PC games from the 1980s and 1990s.
To install DOSBox on the Raspberry Pi, open Preferences > Add/Remove Software and search for it. Once installed, head to your Home directory and create a new folder, dosgames. This is where you should save the extracted contents of downloaded games to, ready to use them.
DOSBox itself can be launched from Menu > Applications > Games > DOSBox Emulator. See our guide to using DOSBox for help on configuring the application and finding and installing games.
6. Arduino IDE
Planning to pair your Raspberry Pi up with an Arduino for some maker fun? If so, you’ll need Arduino IDE (Integrated Development Environment). The IDE makes it simple to write and upload code to any Arduino connected to your Raspberry Pi.
You can install Arduino IDE on your Pi via Preferences > Add/Remove Software.
Once installed, launch via Applications > Programming > Arduino IDE. Use the Tools > Boards menu to select the correct Arduino model (Arduino Uno and clones are selected by default).
Torrent Box Raspberry Pi
From here, you can check File > Examples for some useful example scripts for the Arduino. You can also extend its capabilities via new libraries. You’ll find information on these at www.arduino.cc/en/Reference/Libraries. Meanwhile, our detailed guide to Arduino will help you get started.
7. NixNote
Using a different computer doesn’t mean you won’t need to keep notes from time to time. NixNote is an open source client for Evernote, easily installed in Add/Remove Software.
Once installed, NixNote gives you access to your existing Evernote archive of ideas, jottings, lists, and so on. It can export as PDF, and the data can be backed up and restored as needed.
In short, this is a useful notebook client that syncs with Evernote on your other devices for unified notetaking.
8. Deluge
First things first: Deluge is a BitTorrent client. This doesn’t mean that it is illegal; BitTorrent itself isn’t illegal. Rather, the misuse of the peer-to-peer networking technology to download copyright-protected movies and games is illegal.
For instance, many Linux operating systems (including Raspbian) can be downloaded over BitTorrent. This provision reduces the overhead on hosting the distribution on a dedicated server. Our guide to BitTorrent explains this in more detail.
Why might you need a BitTorrent client on your Raspberry Pi? Well, it depends how you’re using the computer. If you utilize it as a repository for personal data, Deluge can download data from your Pi wherever you are. Full details on how to this can be found on the Deluge Wiki.
You’ll find Deluge in Preferences > Add/Remove Software. If you want to use the torrent app in headless mode, connect via SSH and run:
Once this is done, Deluge is ready to run. Pi desktop users can launch it in Menu > Internet.
9. OpenVPN
Every computer should connect to the internet via a VPN. While there are no VPN clients for the Raspberry Pi, there is OpenVPN.
This is a VPN client app that lets you connect to your preferred VPN server using existing account credentials. For example, you can connect to ExpressVPN VPN servers using the configuration files they provide.
Install OpenVPN with
Be sure to download the OVPN configuration file for your preferred server and save it on your Pi. Most VPN services provide OpenVPN support so this should be straightforward.
Check our guide to setting up a VPN on the Raspberry Pi for configuration tips.
10. Steam Link
While the Raspberry Pi doesn’t have the hardware to run standard PC games, it is good enough to stream them. This is possible thanks to the Steam Link software from Valve, which lets you stream games from a PC.
With the games you want to play installed on your PC and streaming enabled, setup is simple. Just connect your Raspberry Pi to your TV and run
Learn more in our guide to Steam Link for Raspberry Pi.
Awesome Raspberry Pi Apps You Can Install Today
Along with the apps already installed on your Raspberry Pi, a wealth of alternatives is available. They bring new functionality, improve privacy, deliver gaming, improve productivity, and more.
Which apps you install will determine how you use your Raspberry Pi. Explore the possibilities further in our guide to the best Raspberry Pi projects.
Read the full article: The 10 Best Apps to Install on Your Raspberry Pi
Back in the golden age of computing, circa 1960’s everyone was jumping on to the computer bandwagon. Most often than not, one would buy a computer from Intel or a Macintosh and then go on to write their own programs or applications. It was during that time, that many standard programming languages which are pretty commonly used now, were created. Out of which FORTRAN, COBOL and BASIC are still in use. While computing languages may make or break an application, one of the key ingredients of computing is chip or the processor which is in the machine. Many would be looking for the solution in the form of apps which is readily available as listed in this article for best Raspberry Pi apps.
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List Of Best Raspberry Pi Apps
Raspberry Pi is a small computerized chip. It is instrumental in creating many projects. But, it needs best Raspberry Pi apps, which make the experience of using a Raspberry Pi easier and more fun.
So, without further ado, here are the best applications for Raspberry Pi.
1. Vivaldi Browser
What happens when Raspberry Pi inspires developers? They create a whole new web browser that suits its vast scope, albeit limited size the best. The Vivaldi Browser tops our list of best Raspberry Pi applications. This web browser boasts of offering the following features that are a class apart when compared to the usual web browsers.
- Default functions of screenshots and notes.
- Advanced Tab Management for easy use.
- Bookmarking and downloads made easy with a side panel.
- Recording browser history with statistics.
- Customizable look of its interface.
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Launched at the tail end of 2017, this is without doubt the best Raspberry Pi application. Download Vivaldi Browser here.
2. Chromium
For those with very particular choice in web browsing, Chromium is the perfect answer. Compatible even with the small size of Raspberry Pi this Google associated product allows for majority of Google’s plugins to work on Raspberry Pi. The added feather in its kitty is that it comes default and preinstalled with Raspbian OS. For it to work, all one needs to do is install the latest version. This web browser is compatible with Pepper Flash plugin, with which one can enjoy Flash games and online streaming. Download Chromium here.
3. VLC Player
The phrase, ‘All good things come in small packages’ is the most apt in describing Raspberry Pi. Hence, the thought that one can use it to watch audio visuals was unimaginable at the time of its first launch. The adage that there are very few multimedia files that VLC Player can’t play hold true even when loaded on Raspberry Pi. This famous application works seamlessly on Raspbian. Download VLC Player here.
4. GIMP
Gimp is a rather atrociously named copy of Adobe Photoshop. This software once installed on Raspberry Pi enabled computer, makes image editing easy. All the features that are offered by the run in the mill photo editing apps are available on Gimp. (Seriously, who came up with this name?) A word of caution. This software works slower than most due to the limited processing power of the Raspberry Pi. Download GIMP here.
5. IceDove
Is a computer a computer if it does not have the ability to send an email? Similarly, a Raspberry Pi enabled computer will be incomplete without having a mailing option. For this end, we recommend the IceDove on the halfway mark of our list of best applications for Raspberry Pi. IceDove supports chats, manages emails, and even gives one access to the newsfeed. The bonus of adding this application on to the Raspberry Pi is that it comes with an extension named IceOwl, which is a calendar for keeping one’s email synced. This application is easily compatible with Google Hangouts. A win win situation here! Download IceDove here.
6. DOSBox
Best Torrent Client For Raspberry Pi 3
Gamers Alert! Yes, you heard that right. One can easily play games on the Raspberry Pi. All one needs to do is download DOSBox for a complete gaming experience. With the focus of Raspberry Pi is children and young explorers, it was a sad bit of reality that with the exception of Minecraft Pi, there were hardly any mainstream games that were developed on this platform. As it can handle emulation, classic PC games are making a comeback via this medium. Classic games that once ran on MS Dos can now be played via DOSBox. Once installed, one can bet it shall be a blast from the past for many. Download DOSBox here.
7. LIBREOFFICE
This Productivity suite is compatible with all things Linux. With Raspberry Pi essentially being a Linux computer, LibreOffice to runs on Raspberry Pi. with this application one can word process on Writer, (similar to WordPad) create spreadsheets on Calc (similar to Excel) create pictures on Draw (similar to Paint) and even build presentations with Impress (similar to PowerPoint). Easily compatible with Microsoft Office and Google Drive, this is a must have Raspberry Pi application. Download LibreOffice here.
8. Deluge
Now is when things get interesting. A word of caution, Deluge is a Bit Torrent client. But, with it, one can use it for downloading data from one’s Raspberry Pi to another location. All one needs to do is attach additional storage space to it. It is after all a necessary component for thin client setup (lightweight computer) Download Deluge here.
9.Win32 Disk Imager
This SD Card Copier is a must have Raspberry Pi application simply because of the lightweight nature of this Raspbian run computer, one needs to have a external memory card. Win32 Disk Imager only makes it easy for one to transfer data from one source to another. Usually a external HDD is enough for this purpose but in order to create entire backups of your Raspberry Pi’s external memory, one must use a standard desktop operating system or in this case either Linux or Raspbian. A SD Card Copier application only makes this process easier. Download Win32 Disk Imager here.
10. Calibre
Nerd Alert! A Raspberry Pi has a little something to offer everyone. Even bookworms who are comfortable reading a eBook. With Calibre, one can maintain any document collection that they want. The application users love its UI that allows them to custom tag and arrange collections. Also, it converts between a vast range of formats. When one plugs into their Kindle, Calibre automatically identifies the device. What more can one ask for? Download Calibre here.
There you have it folks. Raspberry Pi Apps that are the perfect go to tool for anyone who wants to custom build a device that can create unique interfaces or even create applications and modules of their choice. The above-mentioned applications make Raspbian use easier. Do drop a line in our comment section below to share your views on the same.