[elliotec]

What are some more powerful cheaper options?

[geerlingguy]

Orange Pi and ODROID-C2, and there are a few slightly more expensive but vastly faster and higher specced options (like the Tinker Board). But the onboarding experience and ongoing support is usually far worse than with the Pi.

[kingosticks]

At least in the UK, the ODROID-C2 is around £50 (compared to £35 for the latest Rpi). So Yeh more powerful, but ~50% more expensive.