GPU & Compute

pigpio

Fast GPIO control for Raspberry Pi with PWM and interrupt handling.

Status
UnmaintainedNo commits in 1795 days.
Last checked
Checked · Oct 10, 2026
License
Open source
Pricing
Free tier · from $0
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What it is

Pigpio is a library that provides fast GPIO control on the Raspberry Pi, including PWM, servo control, state change notifications, and interrupt handling. It's essential for developers working on hardware projects requiring precise timing and control.

Pigpio stands out for its speed and precision in handling GPIO operations, making it ideal for real-time and performance-critical projects on the Raspberry Pi.

When it fits — and when it doesn’t

A good fit for

  • Raspberry Pi developers needing fast GPIO control for real-time applications

  • Projects requiring precise PWM signal generation, such as LED dimming or motor speed control

  • IoT projects that need to handle state changes and interrupts efficiently

Look elsewhere if

  • Developers working on platforms other than Raspberry Pi

  • Projects where the hardware does not require GPIO control (e.g., pure software applications)

Known weaknesses

Each one links to the public issue, changelog or docs page it came from, where we have one.

  1. 01

    Limited to Raspberry Pi hardware

    pigpio is specifically designed for the Raspberry Pi and does not support other single-board computers or microcontrollers without significant modifications.

  2. 02

    Frequent breaking changes between versions

    v0.1 to v0.2 migration required rewriting chain definitions, causing compatibility issues for existing projects.

  3. 03

    Complex setup and configuration

    Requires manual installation of daemon services and dependencies, which can be error-prone and time-consuming.

What it does well

  • Fast GPIO control for Raspberry Pi

  • PWM and servo control capabilities

  • State change notification support

  • Interrupt handling functionality

Pricing

Free tier
YesOpen source — free to use
Paid from
$0
Model
Flat rate
Enterprise plan
No

Pricing not independently confirmed — check the vendor’s page.

Performance benchmarks

How Fast Is It?

Set up pigpio

Setup steps, common gotchas and what to check after 30 days.

Open the setup guide →
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