Raspberry Pi 3 Simulator
Full Linux · Python · GPIO — In Your Browser
Run a full Raspberry Pi 3B with Raspberry Pi OS directly in your browser — ARM Cortex-A53 quad-core emulation via QEMU. Write Python, control GPIO, install packages. No hardware needed.
QEMU ARM64 · Full Raspberry Pi OS · Free trial, then Maker and Pro plans
What can you do with the Pi 3 simulator?
Velxio emulates a complete Raspberry Pi 3B — not just GPIO pins, but the entire Linux operating system. It's a full computer in your browser.
Run Python Scripts
Python 3 pre-installed on Raspberry Pi OS. Run scripts, use pip, import libraries — full Python environment.
GPIO Control
Use RPi.GPIO or gpiozero to control LEDs, read buttons, drive motors — real GPIO emulation in QEMU.
Linux Terminal
Full bash terminal with apt, nano, git, and all standard Linux tools. Install packages, edit files, run services.
ARM Cortex-A53
Quad-core 64-bit ARM CPU at 1.2 GHz via QEMU raspi3b machine. Runs the official Raspberry Pi OS image.
No SD Card Needed
The OS image is pre-loaded. No flashing, no SD card, no power supply — just open the browser and start coding.
Multi-Board Canvas
Mix Raspberry Pi 3 with Arduino and ESP32 on the same simulation canvas. Control Arduino from Pi via serial.
Raspberry Pi Pico vs Pi 3 — which to choose?
Raspberry Pi Pico (RP2040)
Microcontroller. ARM Cortex-M0+ at 133 MHz. Runs Arduino C++ code. No OS, bare-metal. Best for embedded, IoT, sensors. Try Pico Simulator →
Raspberry Pi 3 (ARM Cortex-A53)
Full Linux computer. Quad-core at 1.2 GHz. Runs Python, Node.js, bash. Best for automation, servers, GPIO scripting, education.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I simulate a Raspberry Pi 3 in my browser?
- Yes. Velxio emulates a full Raspberry Pi 3B using QEMU raspi3b — ARM Cortex-A53 quad-core at 1.2 GHz running Raspberry Pi OS (Linux). You get a real terminal to run Python, bash, and system commands.
- Is the Raspberry Pi simulator included in the free plan?
- Partly. You can build and save a Raspberry Pi circuit with any account, and a free account gets three 15-minute trial sessions to run it (every run inside a session is free). Unlimited Raspberry Pi Linux emulation runs a full ARM guest on our servers, so it is part of the Maker and Pro plans, or of Velxio Desktop with a paid licence. The editor and the Arduino, ESP32 and Raspberry Pi Pico simulators are free and need no account. Velxio itself stays open-source (GNU AGPLv3).
- Can I run Python scripts on the Raspberry Pi simulator?
- Yes. The emulated Raspberry Pi 3 runs full Raspberry Pi OS with Python 3 pre-installed. You can run Python scripts, use RPi.GPIO for GPIO control, install pip packages, and more.
- What is the difference between Pi Pico and Pi 3 simulation?
- Raspberry Pi Pico (RP2040) is a microcontroller — runs Arduino C++ code, no OS. Raspberry Pi 3 is a full Linux computer — runs Python, bash, and system services. Velxio supports both.
- Does it support GPIO on Raspberry Pi 3?
- Yes. The QEMU-emulated Raspberry Pi 3 supports GPIO via RPi.GPIO and gpiozero Python libraries. Control LEDs, read buttons, and interface with sensors from Python.
Ready to simulate Raspberry Pi 3?
Open the editor, select Raspberry Pi 3, and boot into Linux — right in your browser.
Launch Pi 3 Simulator →