Single-board computers have matured into legitimate home server platforms in 2026, offering impressive performance while consuming minimal power. Whether you are building a NAS, running Docker containers, or hosting services for your smart home, these compact boards deliver the processing power and connectivity you need without the noise or electricity costs of traditional servers. The key considerations are CPU performance for your workloads, RAM capacity for container hosting, storage connectivity (NVMe and SATA support), and networking capabilities (preferably 2.5GbE or better).
Orange Pi 5 Plus
The Orange Pi 5 Plus stands out as the most balanced Raspberry Pi alternative in 2026, built around the Rockchip RK3588 processor. This 8nm chip features four Cortex-A76 cores at 2.4GHz and four Cortex-A55 efficiency cores, delivering performance that leaves the Pi 5 behind for compute-intensive tasks. With support for up to 32GB of RAM and native PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe support, the board delivers storage speeds up to 3,500 MB/s (roughly seven times faster than the Raspberry Pi 5's PCIe 2.0 x1 implementation).
The dual 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports make this board exceptional for NAS builds and router projects, providing aggregate bandwidth of 5Gbps for network-intensive applications. Multiple USB 3.0 ports and HDMI 2.1 output bring it closer to mini-PC territory than most single-board options. At approximately $120 (110 EUR) for the 16GB variant, it delivers impressive raw power for its size and price. The active cooling solution keeps thermals in check during sustained workloads, making this an excellent choice for 24/7 server deployments running Plex, Nextcloud, or Home Assistant.
Radxa Rock 5C RK3588S2
For builders seeking desktop-class ARM performance at a budget-conscious price point, the Radxa Rock 5C RK3588S2 delivers compelling value. This compact board features the same capable RK3588S2 octa-core processor with Mali-G610 MP4 GPU found in higher-end models, supporting up to 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM. The board includes M.2 slots for NVMe storage, providing the fast disk I/O necessary for database applications and container deployments.
What sets the Rock 5C apart is its power efficiency, making it a compelling choice for 24/7 deployments like network-attached storage or home automation servers where electricity costs are a consideration. The board typically draws under 10W at idle and scales efficiently under load. At around $80 (74 EUR) for the 8GB version, it provides excellent performance per dollar for developers, tinkerers, and makers who want efficient ARM computing without compromise. The strong Radxa community and comprehensive Linux support mean you will find plenty of tutorials and documentation for common server applications.
Raspberry Pi 5
The Raspberry Pi 5 remains the top recommendation for beginners and those who value ecosystem maturity over raw performance. The board features a quad-core Cortex-A76 processor at 2.4GHz with support for up to 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM, providing enough power for lightweight Docker containers, media servers, and home automation controllers. The addition of PCIe 2.0 support via the M.2 HAT+ enables NVMe storage, significantly improving disk performance compared to previous generations.
What you are really buying with the Pi 5 is the unparalleled community support, documentation, and software compatibility. Nearly every home server application (Raspberry Pi OS, Ubuntu Server, OpenMediaVault, Pi-hole) has been extensively tested on Pi hardware. At $60 (55 EUR) for the 4GB model or $80 (74 EUR) for 8GB, the pricing is competitive though not the cheapest option available. The Gigabit Ethernet port is adequate for most home server tasks, though power users may miss the 2.5GbE connectivity found on alternatives. For first-time server builders or those running standard applications, the Pi 5's stability and support make it the safe choice.
Radxa X4
The Radxa X4 brings x86 architecture to the single-board computer form factor, featuring an Intel N100 processor that delivers better software compatibility than ARM alternatives. This is one of the cheapest x86 SBCs on the market at approximately $90 (83 EUR), handily overshadowing the Raspberry Pi 5 in fields like container performance and software support (every Docker image works without architecture concerns).
The N100's four cores and Intel UHD Graphics handle transcoding workloads admirably, making this board excellent for Plex or Jellyfin media servers. The board includes dual HDMI outputs, multiple USB 3.0 ports, and Gigabit Ethernet. The main trade-off compared to ARM boards is power consumption (the N100 draws more power under load) and thermal management (requiring active cooling for sustained workloads). For users running applications with x86-only binaries or needing Windows Server compatibility, the architectural advantage justifies the slightly higher power draw.
ZimaBoard 2
The ZimaBoard 2 distinguishes itself as a purpose-built single-board server with an Intel N150 processor and native support for dual SATA drives without requiring an external power supply. This makes it exceptionally practical for NAS builds, as you can attach two 3.5-inch hard drives directly to the board for multi-terabyte storage arrays. The dual 2.5G Ethernet ports support link aggregation for 5Gbps aggregate bandwidth or separate LAN/WAN configurations for router applications.
The board ships in a compact metal case with mounting points for drives, providing a more finished appearance than typical bare SBCs. Configurations range from $159 (147 EUR) for the base 4GB model to higher-end variants with more RAM and storage. The x86-64 architecture ensures compatibility with virtually any server OS (TrueNAS, Proxmox, OpenMediaVault, Unraid), making this an excellent choice for users who want a turnkey solution rather than a project. The superior processing power and integrated storage connectivity make the ZimaBoard a compelling option for data-intensive home server applications.
LattePanda Sigma
For users who need genuine desktop-class performance in a single-board form factor, the LattePanda Sigma brings a 13th generation Intel Core i5 processor with Intel Iris Xe graphics to the table. This board supports up to 32GB of onboard LPDDR5 memory and includes dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, dual 2.5Gb Ethernet ports, and multiple M.2 slots for NVMe storage. This is serious computing power that can handle demanding workloads like multiple virtual machines, intensive container deployments, or development environments.
The Sigma runs full Windows or Linux distributions without compromise, making it suitable for applications requiring native x86 performance or specific OS features. At approximately $400 (370 EUR) and up depending on configuration, this board sits at the high end of the SBC market and competes directly with mini-PCs in both price and capability. The power consumption is correspondingly higher (45W TDP), requiring proper cooling and power delivery. For power users running complex homelab environments or development servers that justify the cost, the LattePanda Sigma delivers workstation-class performance in a compact footprint.
ODROID-XU4
The ODROID-XU4 from HardKernel remains a shockingly capable maker board despite being a more mature design. The octa-core Samsung Exynos 5422 processor (four Cortex-A15 cores at 2.0GHz plus four Cortex-A7 cores at 1.4GHz) paired with Mali-T628 MP6 GPU and 2GB of LPDDR3 RAM makes it more powerful than many commercial NAS devices. The board includes Gigabit Ethernet, USB 3.0 ports, and eMMC storage support for reliable, fast boot media.
At around $65 (60 EUR), the XU4 represents excellent value for lighter server workloads that do not require cutting-edge specifications. The efficient big.LITTLE architecture provides good performance per watt, and the mature software support means stable operation for applications like file servers, print servers, or Pi-hole DNS filtering. While newer boards offer more RAM and faster connectivity, the ODROID-XU4 proves that older hardware can still deliver reliable home server performance at an attractive price point.
Milk-V Mars
For enthusiasts interested in the emerging RISC-V architecture, the Milk-V Mars represents the current state of high-performance RISC-V single-board computing. Built on the StarFive JH7110 processor with four cores and support for up to 8GB of LPDDR4 memory, this credit-card-sized board brings open-source computing to the server space. The board includes Gigabit Ethernet, USB 3.0 support, and eMMC storage options.
While RISC-V is improving rapidly and offers complete transparency and customization potential, the ecosystem is still maturing compared to established ARM and x86 platforms. Software availability remains more limited (fewer pre-built Docker images, less documentation), making this board better suited for experimenting and learning rather than production server deployments. At approximately $70 (65 EUR), the Milk-V Mars represents an investment in the future of open computing and an opportunity to get hands-on with RISC-V before it becomes mainstream. For developers wanting to support and explore open-source hardware architectures, this board offers a compelling entry point.
Choosing Your Home Server SBC
For most users, the Orange Pi 5 Plus offers the best combination of performance, connectivity, and value in 2026. Beginners should consider the Raspberry Pi 5 for its unmatched community support and documentation. Users needing x86 compatibility will find the Radxa X4 or ZimaBoard 2 more practical depending on whether they prioritize cost or integrated storage. Power users with demanding workloads should evaluate the LattePanda Sigma, while those on tight budgets can achieve solid results with the ODROID-XU4. The low power consumption of all these boards (typically 5W to 15W at idle) means you can run them 24/7 without worrying about electricity bills, making single-board computers an increasingly practical choice for self-hosted services in 2026.
