Choosing the Right Platform to Build Your Project

In this post, we’ll break down the most well-known platforms and how to decide which fits your project best.

Key considerations before choosing a board:

• Complexity & compute: Need to read a sensor or run a camera feed? Arduinos handle simple tasks (e.g., toggling LEDs), while a Raspberry Pi runs Linux and can multitask or process images. ESP32 lands in between—more powerful than Arduino, less complex than Pi.
• Connectivity: ESP32 and Raspberry Pi include built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Most Arduino boards require add-ons. If internet/cloud features are essential, lean toward ESP32, Pi, or Particle.
• Power: Battery-powered? Go microcontroller. Arduino and ESP32 are low-power and start instantly. Pi draws more current and needs proper shutdown, less ideal for mobile or remote use.
• Real-time needs: Arduinos (and ESP32) are great for real-time control. Pi isn’t real-time and lacks analog inputs, external components are needed.
• Community & support: Arduino and Raspberry Pi have massive ecosystems. ESP32 and Adafruit have solid support too. If you’re new to hardware, this matters.
• Scalability: Arduino and ESP32 are open and easy to embed in custom hardware. Raspberry Pi is harder to scale (unless you use a Compute Module). Particle is fast to deploy but ties you to their ecosystem.

Let Flux’s AI Guide Your Choice

If you’re not sure which board to choose, Flux’s AI can help. It understands these platforms and trade‑offs. Describe your project in plain language and it will ask clarifying questions, compare options, and even suggest components and reference designs based on your needs.Flux’s AI can:

• Clarify requirements like real‑time control, wireless connectivity, power budget and compute needs.
• Compare microcontroller boards versus single‑board computers for your specific use case.
• Suggest parts, modules and reference designs that fit your chosen platform.
• Generate a starter schematic and block diagram so you can start designing immediately in Flux.

Prompt Examples

Try asking Flux’s AI:

“I want to build a battery‑powered temperature logger that sends data over WiFi. Which board should I use?”
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“Compare ESP32 and Raspberry Pi Pico for a low‑power wearable that needs Bluetooth.”
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“Help me design a prototype around Arduino Nano that could scale to a custom PCB later.”
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“Which microcontroller would be best for a small robot that needs real‑time motor control and wireless communication?”
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The AI will walk you through the decision, suggest parts and generate a starting design file you can modify.

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Quick platform overview

Arduino

Arduino is a microcontroller-based platform known for its simplicity and approachability. Boards like the Arduino Uno are ideal for real-time tasks such as reading sensors or controlling LEDs. You write code in C/C++ using the Arduino IDE, and it runs directly on the hardware without the need of an operating system.

Pros

• Super easy to get started with, strong community, tons of libraries, ultra-low power, fast boot-up.
• Great for early prototypes, simple control loops, or wearables.

Cons

• Very limited compute and can’t handle multitasking, networking, or complex logic.
• Classic boards don’t include Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, so wireless adds extra cost and complexity.

Best for

• First-time hardware builders, projects with tight power budgets, or prototypes that don’t need connectivity.

One example project is SmokeSensor Shield which used to monitor chimney smoke and provide feedback to stove.

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Raspberry Pi

The Raspberry Pi is a full Linux computer in a small form factor. It can run Python, connect to a monitor, and handle USB peripherals, ideal for complex prototypes, especially when you need a GUI, internet access, or heavier processing like image or audio.

Pros

• Powerful compute, native wireless (on newer models), great for software-heavy projects or anything needing a display or camera.
• Huge support and open-source software ecosystem.

Cons

• Not real-time, no analog inputs, relatively high power draw, needs proper shutdown.
• Supply issues can also be a concern.

Best for

• Projects with a software focus, multimedia or ML requirements, or when fast prototyping with a familiar OS matters.

Raspberry Pi has many use cases, including this Pico Smart Automation Controller project which enables intelligent control for sensors, relays, and devices.

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ESP32

The ESP32 strikes a balance: it’s a 32-bit dual-core microcontroller with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It has much more power than Arduino but doesn’t run an OS like the Pi. It’s great for IoT applications where you want connectivity, battery efficiency, and scalability.

Pros

• Strong wireless out of the box, decent compute for a microcontroller, sleep modes for low-power operation, programmable via Arduino IDE or Espressif IDF.

Cons

• Steeper learning curve than Arduino.
• Some quirks in peripherals (e.g., analog input accuracy), and wireless features require careful power management.

Best for

• Connected products, battery-powered IoT sensors, or startups wanting to go from prototype to production without switching chips.

The ESP32 is one of the more widely known microcontroller, so that means you can find from the simplest to more advanced projects and templates, like these Dual Ultrasonic Water Level Monitoring System and ESP32 Robot Controller project.

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Particle

Particle combines hardware and cloud into one platform. You get microcontroller boards with built-in connectivity (Wi-Fi, LTE, etc.), plus tools for remote management, firmware updates, and data collection, all managed via Particle Cloud.

Pros

• Rapid cloud integration, OTA firmware updates, scalable fleet management, production-ready modules.
• Great docs and prototyping tools.

Cons

• Vendor lock-in, recurring cloud costs, less flexibility long-term.
• Not ideal if you need full hardware/software control.

Best for

• Startups that need to deploy small connected fleets quickly and don’t want to build cloud infrastructure from scratch.

Particle has their own great specific use cases, and this Robo project gives you a great idea where to start.

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BeagleBone & others

BeagleBone boards are Linux-capable computers like Raspberry Pi but with a focus on industrial use and I/O. Boards like the BeagleBone Black have built-in PRUs (real-time units) and tons of GPIO—perfect for robotics, automation, or anything requiring lots of sensors.

Pros

• Open hardware, Linux OS with real-time capabilities, high I/O count, better support for industrial interfaces.

Cons

• Smaller community, less plug-and-play than Pi, fewer beginner resources.

Best for

• Industrial applications, robotics, or open-source purists who need a Linux board with real-time control.

Other notable platforms and ecosystems

Beyond the “big names” above, here are several other hardware platforms and ecosystems that a small hardware startup might consider, each with niche strengths:

• BeagleBone (BeagleBoard): Another family of Linux‑powered single‑board computers, similar to Raspberry Pi but with different trade‑offs. Some models include dual real‑time co‑processors (PRUs) and very high I/O counts. If you require many sensors/actuators and open‑hardware design, a BeagleBone board may be a better fit.
• Adafruit ecosystem: Not a single platform, but a company/community producing many development boards, kits, and the popular Feather format. These often incorporate chips like ESP32 or Arduino‑compatible MCUs, packaged in convenient small‑form factor boards with “wings” for expansion. For teams with more software background, Adafruit is a gentle entry point into hardware.
• Other microcontroller platforms (STM32, NXP, TI, etc.): If your startup has strong engineering resources and needs a specific capability (very high performance, special peripherals, extreme power constraints), you may explore MCUs beyond Arduino/ESP32. These typically require more embedded firmware expertise and are less beginner‑friendly, but they can offer highly optimised results for production hardware.
• NVIDIA Jetson & specialised boards: If your project involves heavy AI or video processing at the edge (e.g., real‑time image recognition in a camera), platforms like NVIDIA Jetson Nano/Orin or Google Coral may be appropriate, they offer GPU/TPU accelerators. But they fall into the “power‑hungry, costly, complex” category, so only choose if you have a specialised high‑compute requirement and the budget for it.

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Which platform is right for you?

Ultimately, there’s no one‑size‑fits‑all answer. The “best” platform depends on your project’s unique requirements and constraints. As a small hardware startup founder, you want to maximise development speed and flexibility while ensuring a viable path to scale. Here are some guideline decision‑paths:

• For quick, low‑cost prototypes of simple devices: Start with Arduino (or a similar 8‑bit microcontroller board). If you just need to read a few sensors and toggle outputs, Arduino will get the job done with minimal fuss. It’s inexpensive, easy to learn, and has a large community. Just remember its limitations; be ready to upgrade if your needs grow.
• For battery‑powered IoT sensors or wearables: Consider ESP32 (or a similar low‑power microcontroller with built‑in connectivity). Its Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth saves you from adding extra modules. It also supports sleep modes for conserving power. ESP32 is ideal if you need connectivity but don’t want the overhead of a full Linux OS. Many startups use ESP32 in prototypes that transition directly into products.
• For projects requiring multimedia, GUI, or heavy processing: Raspberry Pi is the top choice. If you need to attach a camera, display graphics or run multiple software components (database, web server, UI), the Pi’s computing power and Linux environment are indispensable. Use Raspberry Pi when a microcontroller just isn’t enough firepower or when development speed with high‑level languages matters. Do plan for power supply and potentially a UPS or battery shield for safe shutdown in remote units.
• If you need an out‑of‑the‑box cloud solution: Particle might be your friend. For a founder whose expertise lies more on the application side than deep firmware/hardware, Particle provides a ready pipeline from device to cloud with minimal configuration. Use it to get a connected prototype up fast. Just be mindful of long‑term costs and lock‑in, and have an exit‑strategy or plan for transitioning to your own infrastructure if you scale.
• When you require extensive I/O or open‑hardware Linux boards: Look at BeagleBone. If Raspberry Pi doesn’t give you enough I/O pins, or if open‑hardware design is a priority, BeagleBone boards can be a better fit. They’re niche, but for industrial or robotics projects involving many motors/actuators/sensors they shine.
• For beginners or community support focus: The Adafruit ecosystem (Feather boards, CircuitPython) is fantastic. If your team is just getting started with hardware and has more of a software background, Adafruit’s boards and tutorials are a gentle entry point. Use them to prototype quickly—and if things work, you can later design a custom PCB around the same microcontroller.

Start Building with Flux’s AI

Ready to pick a platform and start building? Open Flux, create a new project and ask the AI to help you choose a board. From there you can explore component options, generate schematics and iterate quickly — all without leaving your browser.

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