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Plex Alternatives for Linux

Looking for Plex alternatives? We've curated 15 top alternatives that offer similar functionality. Whether you need Linux options, free plans, or open source solutions, explore our comprehensive list to find the perfect fit for your needs.

Spotify

Spotify

Freemium

Spotify is a leading digital music, podcast, and video service that provides you with access to millions of songs and other content from creators all over the world. Its extensive library, intuitive interface, and powerful discovery features make it a go-to platform for music enthusiasts and podcast listeners alike.

Key Features

  • Massive library of music and podcasts.
  • Excellent music and podcast discovery features.
  • Works seamlessly across many devices.

vs Plex

Massive library of music and podcasts. compared to Plex
Free tier includes frequent advertisements. unlike Plex
Kodi

Kodi

Open Source

Kodi is a powerful, free, and open-source media player software designed to transform your device into a comprehensive home theater PC. It provides a stunning interface optimized for large screens, allowing you to manage and play virtually all popular types of digital media.

Key Features

  • Excellent media organization and library management.
  • Supports a vast range of media formats.
  • Highly customizable through skins and add-ons.

vs Plex

Excellent media organization and library management. compared to Plex
Initial setup for advanced features can be complex. unlike Plex
Universal Media Server

Universal Media Server (UMS) is a free UPnP and DLNA media server that allows you to stream your media files to various devices on your network. It's a powerful tool for accessing your movies, music, and pictures on smart TVs, game consoles, and other DLNA-compatible devices without needing to copy files.

Key Features

  • Excellent device compatibility via DLNA/UPnP.
  • Powerful real-time media transcoding support.
  • Supports a vast array of media formats.

vs Plex

Excellent device compatibility via DLNA/UPnP. compared to Plex
Can be resource-intensive, especially with transcoding. unlike Plex
Emby

Emby

Freemium

Emby is a powerful, open-source media server that revolutionizes how you access and enjoy your personal media collection. It organizes your movies, TV shows, music, and photos into a visually stunning and easily navigable interface, streaming them seamlessly to practically any device, anywhere.

Key Features

  • Excellent media organization and metadata fetching.
  • Robust and efficient media transcoding.
  • Wide compatibility with various devices.

vs Plex

Excellent media organization and metadata fetching. compared to Plex
Initial setup can be complex for beginners. unlike Plex
Subsonic

Subsonic

Freemium

Subsonic is an open-source music and video streaming server that allows you to access your media collection from anywhere. With a web-based interface and support for various clients, it transforms your computer into a personal media hub.

Key Features

  • Full control and ownership of your media files.
  • Stream from anywhere with internet access.
  • Supports a wide range of audio and video formats.

vs Plex

Full control and ownership of your media files. compared to Plex
Requires technical knowledge for server setup and maintenance. unlike Plex
MythTV

MythTV

Open Source

MythTV is a free and open-source digital video recorder (DVR) software designed to transform a Linux-based computer into a complete home media center. It allows users to watch, record, and play live television, manage their video library, listen to music, and more.

Key Features

  • Free and open source
  • Highly configurable
  • Powerful DVR capabilities

vs Plex

Free and open source compared to Plex
Requires technical proficiency for setup and configuration unlike Plex
PS3 Media Server

PS3 Media Server

Open Source

PS3 Media Server is a discontinued, yet highly functional, UPnP/DLNA media server designed initially for the PlayStation 3 but compatible with a wide range of rendering devices. It allows users to stream and transcode various media formats from their computer to network-connected devices.

Key Features

  • Powerful real-time transcoding for wide format compatibility.
  • Free and open-source with no licensing costs.
  • Broad compatibility with DLNA-compliant devices.

vs Plex

Powerful real-time transcoding for wide format compatibility. compared to Plex
Development has been discontinued, meaning no new features or updates. unlike Plex
Stremio

Stremio

Free Personal

Stremio is a modern media center application that aggregates video content from various sources, allowing users to discover, organize, and watch movies, series, live TV, and more in a unified interface. It streamlines the process of finding and enjoying video entertainment across different platforms and devices with its add-on system.

Key Features

  • Aggregates content from various sources into one interface.
  • Modular add-on system allows for content customization.
  • Built-in player handles various formats with subtitle support.

vs Plex

Aggregates content from various sources into one interface. compared to Plex
Reliance on community add-ons can lead to variability in reliability. unlike Plex
Serviio

Serviio

Freemium

Serviio is a robust freeware media server application empowering users to seamlessly stream their digital media collection across their home network. It supports a wide range of devices including DLNA-compliant TVs, game consoles like PlayStation and Xbox, and mobile devices, making accessing your music, movies, and photos easy and convenient.

Key Features

  • Wide compatibility with DLNA devices
  • Excellent media format support and on-the-fly transcoding
  • Effective automatic metadata retrieval

vs Plex

Wide compatibility with DLNA devices compared to Plex
Client interface experience is dependent on the receiving device unlike Plex
MiniDLNA

MiniDLNA

Open Source

MiniDLNA, now ReadyMedia, is a lightweight and simple media server designed for full compliance with DLNA/UPnP-AV clients. It allows streaming multimedia content stored on your network to compatible devices such as smart TVs, game consoles, and mobile devices.

Key Features

  • Extremely lightweight and low resource usage.
  • Excellent compatibility with DLNA/UPnP-AV client devices.
  • Simple to setup and configure through a text file.

vs Plex

Extremely lightweight and low resource usage. compared to Plex
Lacks a graphical web interface for management. unlike Plex
MediaTomb

MediaTomb

Open Source

MediaTomb is a free, open-source UPnP MediaServer designed to share digital media content (video, audio, images) across a home network to compatible devices like smart TVs, game consoles, and other UPnP/DLNA clients.

Key Features

  • Highly configurable and flexible.
  • Open-source and free to use.
  • Supports dynamic media transcoding.

vs Plex

Highly configurable and flexible. compared to Plex
Configuration can be complex for beginners. unlike Plex
Madsonic

Madsonic

Open Source

Madsonic is a robust, web-based media server optimized for streaming music collections. It allows users to access and stream their entire music library from anywhere with an internet connection, supporting multiple users and a wide range of audio formats.

Key Features

  • Complete control over your music library and data.
  • Supports a wide range of audio formats with on-the-fly transcoding.
  • Robust multi-user support with customizable access levels.

vs Plex

Complete control over your music library and data. compared to Plex
Requires technical knowledge for initial setup and network configuration. unlike Plex
HomeNet Local Media Server

HomeNet Local Media Server is a streamlined, open-source alternative for streaming your local media collection (videos, music, photos) across your home network. It functions as a lightweight media server, offering playback on various devices including smart TVs, mobile devices, and game consoles, with support for casting technologies like Chromecast and AirPlay.

Key Features

  • Lightweight and resource-efficient operation
  • Simple setup and configuration
  • Good compatibility with local devices via DLNA, Chromecast, and AirPlay

vs Plex

Lightweight and resource-efficient operation compared to Plex
Fewer advanced features compared to larger alternatives unlike Plex
Pith

Pith

Open Source

Pith is a versatile media server designed to be the central hub for your digital content. It seamlessly connects your local storage, media devices, and mobile devices, allowing you to control playback and stream content across your home network using DLNA and AirPlay protocols.

Key Features

  • Decentralized and private media management
  • Broad compatibility with DLNA and AirPlay devices
  • Effective media transcoding for wider format support

vs Plex

Decentralized and private media management compared to Plex
Requires technical knowledge for server setup and management unlike Plex
Ushare uPnP media server

Ushare uPnP Media Server is a lightweight and open-source media server software designed to share your digital media content across your home network using the UPnP AV and DLNA protocols. It allows compatible devices, such as smart TVs, game consoles, and media players, to easily discover and stream your local audio, video, and photo files.

Key Features

  • Lightweight and resource-efficient
  • Strong compliance with DLNA/UPnP standards
  • Simple and straightforward to use once configured

vs Plex

Lightweight and resource-efficient compared to Plex
Limited advanced features (e.g., metadata, transcoding) unlike Plex

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