Third-party Software Package

Raspberry Pi - Popular Software Packages

One of the Raspberry Pi’s greatest strengths is the vast amount of software available for it, thanks to its Linux-based operating system (usually Raspberry Pi OS, derived from Debian). Many useful applications come pre-installed, while thousands more can be added using the package manager (apt) or the graphical ‘Add/Remove Software’ tool.

Here are some popular and useful software packages, categorized by purpose:

Programming & Development

Thonny Python IDE

Pre-installed on Raspberry Pi OS Desktop. A beginner-friendly Integrated Development Environment (IDE) specifically designed for learning Python. Includes features like syntax highlighting, debugging, code completion, and easy package management.

Access: Application Menu -> Programming -> Thonny Python IDE.

Geany

Often pre-installed. A lightweight yet powerful text editor and basic IDE supporting many programming languages. Features syntax highlighting, code folding, simple project management, and build commands.

Access: Application Menu -> Programming -> Geany.

Visual Studio Code (VS Code / code-oss)

A highly popular, powerful, and extensible code editor from Microsoft. While not pre-installed, official or community builds (code-oss) can be installed, providing a feature-rich development environment with extensive language support, debugging, Git integration, and a vast marketplace of extensions.

Installation: Search ‘code’ in Add/Remove Software or follow instructions from the official VS Code website (code.visualstudio.com).

Scratch 3

Pre-installed. A visual programming language where users create programs by snapping together graphical blocks. Excellent for teaching programming concepts to beginners, especially children. Can interact with GPIO pins.

Access: Application Menu -> Programming -> Scratch 3.

Node-RED

Often pre-installed (or easily added). A flow-based programming tool for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services. Excellent for IoT projects and automation tasks. Accessed via a web browser.

Installation/Access: Check under Application Menu -> Programming or install with sudo apt install nodered then run node-red-start and access via http://<your-pi-ip>:1880.

Office & Productivity

LibreOffice

Often pre-installed (full version or components). A free and open-source office suite, compatible with Microsoft Office formats. Includes Writer (word processing), Calc (spreadsheets), Impress (presentations), Draw (vector graphics), Math (formula editor), and Base (database).

Access: Application Menu -> Office.

Chromium Web Browser

Pre-installed. The default web browser, providing access to websites, web applications, and online services.

Access: Taskbar icon or Application Menu -> Internet.

Graphics & Media

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

A powerful, free, and open-source image editor, similar in capability to Adobe Photoshop. Suitable for photo retouching, image composition, and creating graphics.

Installation: sudo apt install gimp or via Add/Remove Software.

VLC Media Player

A versatile media player capable of handling a wide variety of audio and video formats, as well as streaming protocols.

Installation: sudo apt install vlc or via Add/Remove Software.

Audacity

A free, open-source, cross-platform audio software for multi-track recording and editing.

Installation: sudo apt install audacity or via Add/Remove Software.

Utilities & System Tools

Raspberry Pi Imager

Pre-installed. The official tool for flashing operating system images onto MicroSD cards. Can also be used to back up your card to an image file.

Access: Application Menu -> Accessories -> Imager.

htop

An interactive process viewer for the terminal. Provides a real-time, color-coded overview of CPU usage, memory usage, running processes, and more. More user-friendly than the basic top command.

Installation: sudo apt install htop. Run by typing htop in the terminal.

RealVNC

Included with Raspberry Pi OS. Allows remote access to the Pi’s desktop environment from another computer or mobile device using a VNC client. Needs to be enabled in Raspberry Pi Configuration (Interfaces tab).

Specialized Software

Mathematica & Wolfram Language

Included with Raspberry Pi OS Desktop. A powerful technical computing system used for complex calculations, data analysis, visualization, and symbolic computation. Free for non-commercial use on Raspberry Pi.

Access: Application Menu -> Programming.

Sense HAT Emulator

Pre-installed. Allows you to write and test code for the Sense HAT add-on board without needing the physical hardware. Simulates the LED matrix, joystick, and sensors.

Access: Application Menu -> Programming -> Sense HAT Emulator.

Home Assistant / OpenHAB

Popular open-source home automation platforms. While often run as dedicated OS images, they can also be installed (e.g., in Docker containers or Python virtual environments) on Raspberry Pi OS to turn your Pi into a smart home hub.

Installation: Requires specific setup steps, refer to the official documentation for each platform.

RetroPie / Lakka

Software suites that turn your Raspberry Pi into a retro gaming console, providing emulators for many classic systems. Often installed as dedicated OS images, but RetroPie can also be installed on top of Raspberry Pi OS.

Installation: Usually via dedicated image flashed with Raspberry Pi Imager, or follow RetroPie manual installation guide.