A Raspberry Pi used for homelab and DIY projects ranges from a $35 network ad blocker to a full self-hosted media and automation stack. Retro gaming consoles, security cameras, VPN gateways, local AI inference — the list is long. Most of these projects would otherwise require dedicated hardware or paid cloud services. This guide covers ten that actually work on current Pi hardware running Bookworm, with honest difficulty ratings and links to the full setup guides on this site.
Note: Project recommendations are based on real builds on Pi 4 and Pi 5 hardware running Raspberry Pi OS Bookworm. Difficulty ratings reflect the time and Linux knowledge required for a working, maintained deployment.
Key Takeaways
- The Pi 4 (4GB) handles the majority of homelab projects comfortably. The Pi 5 (8GB) is the correct choice for projects that require NVMe storage, multiple simultaneous Docker containers, or local LLM inference. A Pi 4 (2GB) is adequate for single-purpose builds like Pi-hole, a print server, or a Calibre library.
- Most Pi projects that “just work” use Docker. Running services in containers means you get a clean install, straightforward updates, and easy removal without leaving packages scattered across the OS. The single most useful skill for Pi homelab work is knowing how to write a compose.yaml file.
- MicroSD cards fail under sustained write loads. Any Pi running a permanent service (a media server, a database, a VPN) should boot from a USB SSD or NVMe drive. An SD card is fine for casual use and experimentation. It is not fine for a server you rely on.
1. Network-Wide Ad Blocker with Pi-hole
Pi-hole runs as a DNS server on your network. Every device that uses it as its DNS resolver gets ads and trackers blocked before they load. No browser extensions required, no per-device configuration, and it covers smart TVs, phones, and IoT devices that don’t support extensions at all. A Pi running Pi-hole uses under 200MB RAM at idle and handles thousands of DNS queries per second without breaking a sweat on a Pi 4. It is the single highest-impact project on this list relative to the effort required to deploy it.
Difficulty: Beginner. Install takes under 20 minutes. The only configuration required is pointing your router’s DNS to the Pi’s IP address.
Hardware: Pi 4 (2GB) or Pi Zero 2 W is sufficient.
Guide: Pi-hole Raspberry Pi setup guide
2. Self-Hosted Media Server with Jellyfin
Jellyfin turns a Pi into a personal Netflix replacement. It organises your video and music library, handles metadata and cover art automatically, and streams to any device on your network through a browser or the Jellyfin app. The Pi 5 with NVMe storage is the correct hardware for a media server running hardware transcoding. The Pi 4 handles direct play well but struggles with simultaneous transcoding streams. Jellyfin is free and open source with no paid tier, no account required, and no data leaving your network.
Difficulty: Beginner to intermediate. Docker install is straightforward. Library organisation and client setup take more time.
Hardware: Pi 4 (4GB) minimum for direct play. Pi 5 (8GB) with NVMe for transcoding.
Guide: Jellyfin Raspberry Pi 5 setup guide
3. A Raspberry Pi Used For A WireGuard VPN Server
A WireGuard server on a Pi gives you an encrypted tunnel back into your home network from anywhere. You can access local services (NAS, media server, home automation) as if you were on the local network, and route all internet traffic through your home connection when on untrusted Wi-Fi. WireGuard is the current standard for this use case. It is faster, simpler, and more auditable than OpenVPN. The Pi handles WireGuard at full gigabit speeds without noticeable CPU load.
Difficulty: Intermediate. Requires understanding of key pairs, port forwarding, and CGNAT limitations.
Hardware: Any Pi 4 or Pi 5 with a stable internet connection.
Guide: WireGuard Raspberry Pi 5 setup guide
4. Docker Homelab Stack
Running Docker on a Pi opens the door to deploying almost any self-hosted service in minutes. A Pi 5 with NVMe storage runs a full homelab stack simultaneously: Portainer, Nginx Proxy Manager, Vaultwarden, Uptime Kuma, and Nextcloud without breaking a sweat. Docker Compose files make the entire stack reproducible. You can rebuild the same setup on a new Pi in under an hour from a saved compose.yaml and .env file.
Difficulty: Intermediate. Requires comfort with the command line and basic networking concepts.
Hardware: Pi 4 (4GB) for single services. Pi 5 (8GB) with NVMe for a full stack.
Guide: Docker Raspberry Pi 5 setup guide
5. Retro Gaming Console with RetroPie
RetroPie turns a Pi into a retro gaming console that emulates dozens of classic platforms: NES, SNES, Mega Drive, PlayStation 1, Game Boy Advance, and more. EmulationStation provides the front-end interface. The Pi 4 handles everything up to and including PlayStation 1 and N64 emulation well. PlayStation 2 emulation is possible on Pi 4 with reduced settings. The Pi 5 handles PS2 more comfortably. You need to supply your own ROM files from games you legally own. RetroPie does not include any game files.
Difficulty: Beginner. RetroPie has a straightforward installer and extensive documentation.
Hardware: Pi 4 (2GB) covers most platforms. Pi 5 for PS2 emulation.
Guide: Retro Gaming Raspberry Pi setup guide
6. Home Automation Hub with Home Assistant
Home Assistant is the leading open-source home automation platform. Running it on a Pi gives you local control over smart home devices without cloud dependencies. Automations work even when the internet is down. Home Assistant integrates with Zigbee, Z-Wave, Matter, and hundreds of other protocols through add-ons and integrations. The Home Assistant OS install method is the recommended approach for Pi. It handles updates, backups, and add-on management cleanly. The Google Coral USB accelerator pairs well with Home Assistant Frigate for local AI camera processing.
Difficulty: Intermediate to advanced. The initial install is simple. Building a useful automation setup takes significant time and hardware investment.
Hardware: Pi 4 (4GB) minimum. Pi 5 (8GB) for Frigate with camera streams.
Guide: Home Automation Raspberry Pi setup guide
7. Network-Attached Storage with OpenMediaVault
OpenMediaVault turns a Pi into a NAS, a file server that makes storage available to every device on your network over SMB, NFS, or SFTP. It provides a web-based management interface for managing shares, users, and attached drives. A Pi 4 or Pi 5 with two USB SSDs or a powered USB hub with HDDs covers the storage needs of most households. Transfer speeds over gigabit ethernet reach 100-115 MB/s, which is adequate for media streaming, backups, and document access.
Difficulty: Intermediate. Requires understanding of file sharing protocols and network storage concepts.
Hardware: Pi 4 (4GB) or Pi 5 with USB 3.0 storage.
Guide: Raspberry Pi projects overview for entry-level builds.
8. DNS-Over-HTTPS Resolver with Unbound or AdGuard Home
Running a recursive DNS resolver on a Pi means your DNS queries never leave your network in plaintext. Unbound resolves queries directly against the root DNS servers. AdGuard Home combines DNS filtering with DNS-over-HTTPS and DNS-over-TLS support, blocking trackers while encrypting your queries upstream. Both run comfortably on a Pi Zero 2 W or any Pi 4. This is a natural complement to Pi-hole. Some users run both together with Unbound handling recursive resolution behind Pi-hole.
Difficulty: Intermediate. Requires basic DNS knowledge and careful router configuration.
Hardware: Pi Zero 2 W or Pi 4 (2GB).
Guides: Unbound Raspberry Pi setup | AdGuard Home Raspberry Pi setup
9. Python Learning Platform
The Pi is the machine Python was built for in spirit. GPIO access, sensor interfacing, hardware control, and web servers all come together on a Pi in a way that a laptop cannot replicate. Bookworm ships Python 3.11. The gpiozero library makes GPIO projects accessible with clean, readable code. Thonny IDE provides a beginner-friendly environment. For more advanced learners, the same Pi that runs a Python script also runs Flask, FastAPI, SQLite, and systemd services: the full stack of a production Python application in miniature.
Difficulty: Beginner for basics. Scales to advanced for GPIO and systems programming.
Hardware: Any Pi model. Pi 4 (2GB) gives comfortable headroom for development.
Guide: Python Raspberry Pi setup guide
10. Local AI Inference with llama.cpp
The Pi 5 runs small quantised language models locally via llama.cpp. A 1B parameter model (Llama 3.2 1B Q4) fits in under 1GB RAM and generates responses in 2 to 5 seconds. Slow by desktop GPU standards, but entirely offline, private, and running on $80 worth of hardware. This is a genuinely new use case that was not practical on Pi hardware before the Pi 5. Larger models (3B, 7B) run but require 8GB RAM and patience. The practical applications include local chatbots, document summarisation, and code completion in offline environments.
Difficulty: Intermediate. Requires familiarity with compiling from source and model management.
Hardware: Pi 5 (8GB) required. NVMe storage recommended for model storage.
Guide: llama.cpp Raspberry Pi 5 setup guide
FAQ
Which Raspberry Pi model should I buy for a first project?
Pi 4 (4GB) covers the majority of projects on this list comfortably and is widely available. Pi 5 (8GB) is the better long-term investment if you plan to run a full homelab stack or want NVMe boot. Pi 4 (2GB) is the right choice for single-purpose builds like Pi-hole or a print server where cost matters. Avoid the original Pi 4 (1GB) for server use. It hits memory limits quickly under Docker. See Raspberry Pi Accessories for the full hardware buying guide including power supplies and storage.
Do I need to know how to code to use a Raspberry Pi?
No for most projects on this list. Pi-hole, Jellyfin, WireGuard, RetroPie, and Home Assistant all have web interfaces and require no coding to install or maintain. Basic Linux command line comfort is more useful than any programming knowledge. Being able to run a command, edit a config file, and read an error message covers 90% of what Pi projects require. Python is worth learning if you want to do GPIO projects, automate tasks, or build custom tools on top of the services you’re running. See Python Raspberry Pi for a practical starting point.
Can a Raspberry Pi replace a desktop computer?
For light use, yes. The Pi 5 runs a full Wayland desktop, handles web browsing, document editing, and 1080p video without issues. It struggles with GPU-intensive work: video editing, 3D rendering, and gaming beyond retro emulation. It is not a replacement for a modern laptop or desktop for development work. It is a perfectly usable daily driver for email, web, and document tasks, which is how the Raspberry Pi Foundation markets it for education.
How much does it cost to run a Raspberry Pi continuously?
A Pi 4 at full load draws about 6 to 8 watts. At idle with a USB SSD, around 4 to 5 watts. At $0.15 per kWh, running a Pi 4 24/7 costs roughly $5 to $7 per year. A Pi 5 at full load draws up to 12 watts but idles at similar levels to the Pi 4. The operating cost is negligible compared to leaving a desktop or even a NUC running continuously. This low power consumption is why the Pi is the correct choice for always-on services.
What is the difference between Raspberry Pi OS Lite and the full desktop version?
Raspberry Pi OS Lite has no desktop environment. It boots to a command line and uses significantly less RAM and storage. It is the correct choice for headless server builds: Pi-hole, WireGuard, Docker stacks, media servers. The full desktop version includes a Wayland compositor, file manager, browser, and standard desktop applications. Use it if you need a graphical interface on the Pi itself. For everything else, Lite reduces attack surface and resource usage with no drawback.
References
About the Author
Chuck Wilson has been programming and building with computers since the Tandy 1000 era. His professional background includes CAD drafting, manufacturing line programming, and custom computer design. He runs PidiyLab in retirement, documenting Raspberry Pi and homelab projects that he actually deploys and maintains on real hardware. Every article on this site reflects hands-on testing on specific hardware and OS versions, not theoretical walkthroughs.
All projects listed have been deployed and tested on Raspberry Pi 4 or Pi 5 hardware running Raspberry Pi OS Bookworm.