Plex vs Universal Media Server : Which is Better?

Plex icon

Plex

Plex is a client-server media player system and software suite. Developed by Plex

License: Freemium

Categories: Video & Movies

Apps available for Mac OS X Windows Linux Android iPhone

VS
VS
Universal Media Server icon

Universal Media Server

Universal Media Server is a DLNA-compliant UPnP media server. It originated as a fork of PS3 Media Server. Developed by Universal Media Server

License: Open Source

Categories: Games OS & Utilities Video & Movies

Apps available for Mac OS X Windows Linux

Plex VS Universal Media Server

Plex is a feature-rich media server that excels in user experience and additional functionalities like live TV and DVR, but requires a subscription for premium features. In contrast, Universal Media Server is a free, open-source option that supports a wide range of formats and customization, but lacks some advanced features and a polished interface.

Plex

Pros:

  • User-friendly interface.
  • Excellent transcoding capabilities.
  • Strong mobile app support.
  • Robust library management features.
  • Supports live TV and DVR functionality.
  • Offers user profiles for personalized experience.
  • Wide device compatibility.
  • Rich metadata fetching for media organization.
  • Supports offline viewing with Plex Pass.
  • Strong community support.

Cons:

  • Premium features require a Plex Pass subscription.
  • Limited customization options compared to open-source alternatives.
  • Some features are geo-restricted.
  • Not open-source, limiting flexibility.
  • Can be resource-intensive on low-end devices.

Universal Media Server

Pros:

  • Completely free and open-source.
  • Good transcoding capabilities.
  • Supports a wide range of formats.
  • Flexible and customizable through plugins.
  • Lightweight and easy to install.
  • No remote access restrictions.
  • Active development and community support.
  • No premium subscription required.
  • Supports external subtitles easily.
  • Good streaming performance.

Cons:

  • User interface may not be as polished as Plex.
  • Lacks some advanced features like live TV and DVR.
  • Not as user-friendly for beginners.
  • Limited mobile app experience compared to Plex.
  • Less support for certain devices.

Compare Plex

vs
Airflow vs Plex
Compare Airflow and Plex and decide which is most suitable for you.
vs
Moovida vs Plex
Compare Moovida and Plex and decide which is most suitable for you.
vs
HomeNet Local Media Server vs Plex
Compare HomeNet Local Media Server and Plex and decide which is most suitable for you.
vs
Infuse vs Plex
Compare Infuse and Plex and decide which is most suitable for you.
vs
JRiver Media Center vs Plex
Compare JRiver Media Center and Plex and decide which is most suitable for you.
vs
Madsonic vs Plex
Compare Madsonic and Plex and decide which is most suitable for you.
vs
Emby vs Plex
Compare Emby and Plex and decide which is most suitable for you.
vs
MediaTomb vs Plex
Compare MediaTomb and Plex and decide which is most suitable for you.
vs
MiniDLNA vs Plex
Compare MiniDLNA and Plex and decide which is most suitable for you.
vs
MythTV vs Plex
Compare MythTV and Plex and decide which is most suitable for you.
vs
nessMediaCenter vs Plex
Compare nessMediaCenter and Plex and decide which is most suitable for you.
vs
nessViewer vs Plex
Compare nessViewer and Plex and decide which is most suitable for you.