Best media servers
Self-hosted and personal media servers for streaming your own movies, TV, music, audiobooks and comics to every screen, from Plex-style hubs to lightweight music and DLNA servers.
28 apps, ordered by visits from AppBreakup and how often our research lists each one as an alternative. Open any app to see its alternatives.
All media servers
- Alternatives to Jellyfin
Free, open-source media server with no accounts, subscriptions or premium tier.
Open sourceSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, Self-hosted, Web, iOS, Android - Alternatives to Plex
The best-known personal media server, with polished apps on almost every TV, phone and console.
Free plan + paidSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, Self-hosted, Web, iOS, Android - Alternatives to Navidrome
Lightweight open-source music server compatible with the Subsonic app ecosystem.
Open sourceSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, Self-hosted, Web - Alternatives to Roon
Premium music library and multi-room playback system for audiophiles.
PaidSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android - Alternatives to Kodi
Free, open-source media centre for the TV, with a huge add-on ecosystem.
Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android - Alternatives to Lyrion Music Server
Open-source music server for Squeezebox and compatible players, formerly Logitech Media Server.
Open sourceSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, Self-hosted - Alternatives to Universal Media Server
Free DLNA, UPnP and web media server that transcodes for TVs, consoles and other devices.
Open sourceSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, Web - Alternatives to Ampache
Veteran open-source web music and video streaming server that speaks many client protocols.
Open sourceSelf-hostableSelf-hosted, Web - Alternatives to Emby
Personal media server with official apps everywhere and an optional Premiere licence.
Free plan + paidSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, Self-hosted, Web, iOS, Android - Alternatives to Music Assistant
Free, open-source music library and multi-room player hub that ties into Home Assistant.
Open sourceSelf-hostableSelf-hosted, Web - Alternatives to gonic
Minimal free-software music server that implements the Subsonic API.
Open sourceSelf-hostableSelf-hosted, Linux - Alternatives to Koel
Self-hosted web music streamer with a modern interface and an optional Koel Plus upgrade.
Open sourceSelf-hostableSelf-hosted, Web, iOS, Android - Alternatives to Audiobookshelf
Self-hosted audiobook and podcast server with progress sync and mobile apps.
Open sourceSelf-hostableSelf-hosted, Web, iOS, Android - Alternatives to Kavita
Self-hosted digital library and reader for ebooks, PDFs, comics and manga.
Open sourceSelf-hostableSelf-hosted, Web - Alternatives to Gerbera
Free UPnP media server for Linux and BSD, built on MediaTomb.
Open sourceSelf-hostableLinux, macOS, Self-hosted - Alternatives to Channels DVR
Live TV, DVR and personal media server with standout apps for Apple TV and other devices.
PaidSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, Self-hosted, iOS, Android - Alternatives to Mopidy
Extensible Python music server that plays local files and streaming services, controlled from any device.
Open sourceSelf-hostableLinux, macOS, Self-hosted - Alternatives to OwnTone
Open-source audio server for Linux, BSD and macOS that plays to AirPlay and Chromecast speakers.
Open sourceSelf-hostableLinux, macOS, Self-hosted, Web - Alternatives to Swing Music
Self-hosted music streaming server with a polished interface and folder browsing.
Open sourceSelf-hostableSelf-hosted, Web, Linux, macOS - Alternatives to Funkwhale
Federated, community-run platform for hosting, sharing and publishing music and podcasts.
Open sourceSelf-hostableSelf-hosted, Web - Alternatives to JRiver Media Center
All-in-one desktop media player, library manager and DLNA server with a one-time licence.
PaidSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux - MiAlternatives to MinimServer
UPnP music server known for flexible tag-based browsing and classical music support.
Free plan + paidSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, Self-hosted - Alternatives to Komga
Open-source media server for comics, manga, magazines and ebooks.
Open sourceSelf-hostableSelf-hosted, Web, Windows, macOS, Linux - SeAlternatives to Serviio
Java-based DLNA media server with a free edition and a paid Pro edition.
Free plan + paidSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux - Alternatives to Calibre-Web
Web app for browsing, reading and sharing ebooks from an existing Calibre library.
Open sourceSelf-hostableSelf-hosted, Web - Alternatives to Polaris
Lightweight open-source music streaming server written in Rust, with its own web player.
Open sourceSelf-hostableWindows, Linux, Self-hosted, Web - Alternatives to Subsonic
The original personal music and video streaming server, with a cheap Premium upgrade.
Free plan + paidSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, Self-hosted, Web - Alternatives to Tvheadend
Open-source TV streaming and recording server for Linux, for antenna, cable, satellite and IPTV.
Open sourceSelf-hostableLinux, Self-hosted, Web
Our picks by need
Best for most people
JellyfinBest for a free option
NavidromeBest for open source
KodiBest for self-hosting
PlexBest for Mac
RoonBest for Windows
Lyrion Music ServerBest for Linux
Universal Media ServerBest for iPhone and Android
EmbyPopular comparisons
Common questions
What are the best media servers?
Based on how often our research lists them as alternatives and visits from AppBreakup, the leading media servers right now are Jellyfin, Plex, Navidrome, Roon and Kodi.
Are there free media servers?
Yes. Jellyfin (open source), Plex (free plan + paid), Navidrome (open source), Kodi (open source) and Lyrion Music Server (open source) have a free option, out of 25 free or freemium apps we track.
Which media servers are open source?
Jellyfin, Navidrome, Kodi, Lyrion Music Server, Universal Media Server and Ampache, and 14 more.