Raspberry Pi Ubuntu Setup: Installation, Configuration, and Best Use Cases
July 30, 2025
Why Use Ubuntu on Raspberry Pi?
Ubuntu offers a robust, enterprise grade Linux environment that brings greater versatility and performance to the Raspberry Pi platform—learn more in our Ubuntu on Raspberry Pi Setup Guide.
One of Ubuntu's key advantages is its widespread compatibility with cloud native tools like Docker, Kubernetes, and LXD—see our blog on setting up Docker on Raspberry Pi for more.This makes it ideal for prototyping and scaling IoT solutions, from simple sensor nodes to full-fledged edge gateways. Ubuntu’s active long-term support (LTS) releases also provide stability and predictable updates, which are essential in production-grade deployments.
In addition, Ubuntu supports 64-bit architecture, unlocking more performance from modern Raspberry Pi boards (Pi 4, Pi 400, Pi 5), particularly in applications that demand memory efficiency or multithreading.Developers benefit from access to the full Ubuntu software ecosystem, and can use Snap packages on Raspberry Pi Ubuntu along with security features typically reserved for larger systems.
Ultimately, using Ubuntu on Raspberry Pi bridges the gap between maker hardware and enterprise-class software—enabling developers and IoT professionals to build, test, and deploy with confidence on a platform that’s both flexible and production-ready, making it one of the best OS options for Raspberry Pi.
Key Differences: Ubuntu vs Raspberry Pi OS
When comparing Raspberry Pi Ubuntu vs Raspberry Pi OS, it’s important to understand their distinct purposes and strengths—explore our Ubuntu vs Raspberry Pi OS comparison blog.
Compatible Raspberry Pi Models with Ubuntu
Ubuntu supports a range of Raspberry Pi boards, but performance and feature availability vary depending on the model. Below is an overview of the officially supported and practically usable devices for Ubuntu-based deployments, especially in IoT and edge computing environments:
Note: For production IoT projects, it’s strongly recommended to use Pi 4 or Pi 5 with at least 2GB of RAM and a class 10 microSD or SSD to ensure reliable performance and security updates from Canonical.If you plan to install Ubuntu on Raspberry Pi 5, this model offers the best performance for edge AI, container workloads, and high-throughput applications.Ideal for Ubuntu Server or Desktop, this board is frequently featured in any reliable Raspberry Pi 4 Ubuntu guide as a stable platform for production-grade deployments.
Installation Steps: Flashing Ubuntu on Raspberry Pi with Raspberry Pi Imager
Prerequisites
Raspberry Pi Ubuntu installation is straightforward when using the Raspberry Pi Imager.
• A compatible Raspberry Pi (preferably Pi 4, 400, or 5)
• MicroSD card (16 GB minimum, Class 10 or better) or USB SSD
• MicroSD card reader or USB adapter
Step-by-Step Guide
Download and Launch Raspberry Pi Imager
Download and Launch Raspberry Pi Imager by referring to this detailed Ubuntu installation guide.
1.Go to the official Raspberry Pi Imager download page.
2.Download the version for your OS (Windows, macOS, Ubuntu)
3.Install and open the Raspberry Pi Imager
Choose the Ubuntu Image
1.Click "Choose OS" and navigate to: Other general-purpose OS → Ubuntu
2.Select the desired version:
Ubuntu Server 25.04 LTS (64-bit) — the ideal Raspberry Pi Ubuntu server setup for
headless and IoT
workloads
Ubuntu Desktop 25.04 LTS (64-bit) — a suitable Raspberry Pi Ubuntu desktop choice for
GUI development
environments
Ubuntu Core 24 —for secure, containerized IoT systems (advanced use). You can install Ubuntu Core on Raspberry Pi by following the official Ubuntu Core installation guide.
Select Storage
1.Click "Choose Storage" and ensure that you are selecting the Micro SD
2.Click "Write" to start flashing Ubuntu to your selected storage device
3.Once the write is complete, safely eject the microSD/SSD.
4.Insert it into your Raspberry Pi and power it on
Post-Installation Setup
1. Enable SSH for Remote Access
SSH (Secure Shell) is crucial for headless operation, especially in IoT environments where physical access is limited.You can follow the Raspberry Pi official SSH enabling guide for a step-by-step walkthrough.
If not already enabled during imaging:
sudo systemctl enable ssh
sudo systemctl start ssh
To verify:
systemctl status ssh
Once active, you can connect remotely using:
ssh username@<raspberry_pi_ip>
2. Connect to Wi-Fi (Optional if using Ethernet)
To configure Wi-Fi on Ubuntu Server (headless setup), you can follow this guide to set up Wi-Fi on Ubuntu for Raspberry Pi, or manually edit the Netplan configuration file:
sudo nano /etc/netplan/50-cloud-init.yaml
Example configuration:
network:
version: 2
ethernets:
eth0:
dhcp4: true
wifis:
wlan0:
optional: true
access-points:
"Your_SSID":
password: "Your_Password"
dhcp4: true
Apply the changes:
sudo netplan apply
3. Update the System and Install Basic Tools
To ensure security and compatibility, update the package index and upgrade existing packages:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
Install commonly used development and diagnostic tools:
sudo apt install -y python3 python3-pip vim git htop curl wget net-tools
These tools are often needed for writing scripts, managing packages, monitoring system performance, and debugging network issues.
Common Use Cases
Containerized Services and Microservices
The Raspberry Pi Ubuntu IoT platform’s native support for Docker, Snap, and LXD makes it a perfect candidate for running containerized workloads at the edge. Developers can deploy Docker containers on Raspberry Pi with Ubuntu to run lightweight services such as Node-RED, Grafana, or Mosquitto for distributed applications and real-time data visualization.
AI and Computer Vision at the Edge
With Raspberry Pi 4 or 5, Ubuntu can host lightweight AI frameworks such as TensorFlow Lite or OpenVINO. This allows for on-device inference in scenarios like object detection, facial recognition, and anomaly detection—reducing latency and minimizing cloud dependency.
Local Web and API Servers
Ubuntu’s full Linux stack makes it suitable for hosting RESTful APIs, MQTT brokers, or even local web dashboards. This is particularly valuable in industrial or remote environments with intermittent connectivity, where on-site control and visualization are critical.
Secure Prototyping and Testing Environments
Raspberry Pi with Ubuntu is often used to simulate production environments for early-stage development. It allows testing of OTA updates, VPN connections, firewalls, and other security configurations before scaling to production hardware.
Educational Labs for Embedded Linux and IoT
Universities and training centers use Ubuntu on Raspberry Pi to learn embedded Linux with Raspberry Pi, covering system-level programming, device management, and edge networking.
It provides a hands-on learning environment aligned with industry practices. For classroom-ready hardware, check out our Raspberry Pi educational kits for learning IoT.
Performance Tips for Ubuntu on Raspberry Pi
Looking for practical Raspberry Pi Ubuntu performance tips? Here are some ways to optimize your system for better speed and efficiency.
√ Use a Lightweight Desktop Environment (if GUI is needed)
Ubuntu Desktop with GNOME can be heavy for Raspberry Pi, especially with 2 GB RAM or less. Instead, install XFCE or LXQt, which offer a more responsive experience with lower memory consumption:
sudo apt install xfce4 lightdm
To minimize overhead further, consider using Ubuntu Server for headless deployments.
√ Enable ZRAM for Better Memory Efficiency
You can enable ZRAM on Raspberry Pi Ubuntu to create a compressed block device in RAM that acts as swap, reducing disk writes and improving responsiveness under load:
sudo apt install zram-tools
After installation, ZRAM will be enabled automatically with default settings. You can fine-tune compression ratio and size in /etc/default/zramswap.
√ Minimize Background Services
Disable unnecessary services to free up CPU and RAM:
sudo systemctl disable bluetooth
sudo systemctl disable cups
Use htop to identify processes consuming excessive resources and remove unused packages accordingly.
√ Optimize Logging and Disk Writes
For headless or embedded deployments, reduce disk wear and improve efficiency by:
Consider optimizing logging on Raspberry Pi Ubuntu by moving logs to RAM using log2ram
• Moving logs to RAM using log2ram
• Reducing journal size:
• sudo journalctl --vacuum-size=50M
Conclusion
Running Ubuntu on a Raspberry Pi unlocks powerful possibilities—from lightweight servers and development platforms to advanced IoT and edge AI projects. With robust long-term support, a familiar Linux ecosystem, and broad community resources, Ubuntu makes the Raspberry Pi more versatile than ever. Whether you're a beginner exploring Linux or a developer deploying production workloads, Ubuntu provides the stability, flexibility, and performance to help you get the most out of your Raspberry Pi. To get started with compatible hardware, check out our Raspberry Pi kits and accessories.
