A media server allows you to store and stream your personal media library including videos, music, and photos to devices on your local network. With the rising popularity of streaming services, more people are interested in setting up their own media server for greater control, privacy, and customization.
Linux is a great platform for building a home media server thanks to its flexibility, stability, and wide software support. There are many excellent Linux media server software options available – both free and paid. In this guide, we‘ll cover the 10 best Linux media server platforms to help you choose the right one for your needs.
What is a Media Server and Why Have Your Own?
A media server is software that lets you aggregate all your media content in one place and access it from other devices on your local network. This could include videos, music, photos, ebooks, and more. The media server software organizes your files and streams them on-demand to devices like smart TVs, smartphones, media streamers, and gaming consoles.
Here are some of the main benefits of having your own Linux-based media server:
Full control over your media library – No more relying on streaming services that can remove content anytime. You own the files.
Customization – Tweak the software to your exact preferences. Add-ons and skins let you customize look-and-feel.
Accessibility – Stream your media on any device with an internet browser or media app. No need for internet – it uses your WiFi.
Privacy – Keep your viewing habits and data completely private unlike streaming services.
Cost savings – Avoid multiple streaming service subscriptions over time. Storage is cheap.
Family access – Share your library safely with family members without giving access to your personal files.
Now let‘s look at the 10 best options for Linux media server software that help you do all this and more!
1. Plex
Plex is arguably the most popular and capable media server software available today. It‘s packed with features while still being easy to setup and use.
Overview
Plex is a highly versatile media server that organizes your personal media beautifully and makes it accessible on just about any device you own. Whether it‘s a smart TV, smartphone, tablet or laptop – Plex seamlessly streams media from your library to any screen.
It automatically downloads metadata like descriptions, posters, and backgrounds for your movies and shows. And it supports virtually any media format you can throw at it.
Plex has premium features available via Plex Pass for $4.99/month. But the free version already has a ton of functionality.
Key Features
- Automatic media organization using metadata
- Streams media to many devices with full format support
- Sophisticated mobile apps
- Live TV and DVR functionality
- Cloud sync and backup capabilities
- Parental controls and user restrictions
Pros
- Very user friendly and easy to manage
- Packed with features and customization options
- Has apps across all platforms
- Excellent transcoding performance
Cons
- Can be resource intensive during video transcoding
- Many premium features locked behind Plex Pass
With its balances of usability, features and performance – Plex is hands down one of the best Linux media servers for personal use. It may be overkill for small libraries, but it scales seamlessly as your collection grows.
2. Emby
Emby is the main open source alternative to Plex. It offers similar media server capabilities and some unique features too.
Overview
Like Plex, Emby makes your media beautifully accessible across devices. It focuses heavily on ease of use through its apps and web interface. Metadata support is also very good.
Emby is open source but charges a premium for some advanced features. However, the free version packs a punch too.
Overall Emby is excellent choice if you want similar Plex-like media server capabilities but with 100% open source code.
Key Features
- Automatic media organization with metadata
- Streams media to many devices
- Cloud syncing capability
- Very easy to setup and manage
- Support for Live TV with DVR
Pros
- Completely open source software
- Very user friendly interface
- Packed with features including mobile apps
- Good transcoding performance
Cons
- 4K transcoding requires a paid Emby Premiere subscription
- Fewer 3rd party integrations compared to Plex
For those who desire open source credibility over anything else, Emby is hands down the best Linux media server. You sacrifice some premium features, but the free software has all the core functionality.
3. Jellyfin
Jellyfin is another excellent open source alternative inspired by Plex and Emby. It priortizes freedom, privacy and community – making it fast and flexible.
Overview
Jellyfin is focused on being an open, community-driven media solution that puts user privacy first. It is packed with connectivity and codec support to match proprietary alternatives.
As it‘s built on newer technology, Jellyfin feels faster and more responsive especially with large libraries. And it‘s completely free for everyone without limits.
Overall Jellyfin is great for Linux users who prioritize privacy, speed and community over premium features.
Key Features
- Fast media browsing even with large libraries
- Streams media to many devices
- Excellent format support matching Plex
- Open source focused on privacy
- Very active community behind development
Pros
- Lightning fast performance all-round
- Privacy focused without data collection
- No features locked behind paywall
- Very active development community
Cons
- Missing some premium media server features
- Less 3rd party app support compared to Plex & Emby
- Metadata not as fully featured
For media server users who care about speed, privacy and community – Jellyfin is clearly the best open source Linux option. It can match proprietary servers on codec support while offering total freedom.
4. Kodi
Kodi is a hugely popular free media center software. While not a pure media server per se, it can share libraries across devices.
Overview
Kodi is an open source home theater software focused primarily on local media playback. It offers unparalleled format support and video decoding performance.
In addition to working as a standalone media center interface for your TV or monitor, Kodi also lets you share media libraries with other Kodi devices. This gives it basic media server capabilities.
Kodi is ideal if you want a full-featured media center first, with the ability to share libraries as a nice bonus. For pure media server usage though, other options in this list are better suited.
Key Features
- Phenominal format support
- Designed as media center interface
- Lets you share & sync libraries
- Packed with customization via skins and addons
- Free and open source
Pros
- Plays virtually any media format
- Works great as centralized home media center
- Add-ons allow extensive customization
- Lets you share media to other Kodi devices
- Easy to setup on Linux
Cons
- Primarily designed for local playback
- Media server features are secondary
- Metadata scraping not as deep as Plex alternatives
Kodi works brilliantly to turn any Linux device into a home media center. Its ability to share libraries with other Kodi devices gives it usable media server capabilities too.
5. Universal Media Server
Universal Media Server is a free DLNA-compliant media server packed with handy features.
Overview
Universal Media Server is focused primarily on compliance with DLNA media sharing standards. This allows it to stream media seamlessly to smart TVs, gaming consoles and mobile devices.
It has support for all major video, audio and photo formats. Transcoding works smoothly as well, adapting quality dynamically to match your network. Useful features like subtitle downloads and anonymity make UMS stand out.
Key Features
- Streams media to wide range of DLNA devices
- On-the-fly media transcoding
- Automatically handles subtitles
- Anonymity and privacy focus
- Free and open source
Pros
- Works perfectly with DLNA compliant devices
- Handles all media formats
- Privacy focused with no usage tracking
- Easy to setup and manage
Cons
- Web UI is dated and needs improvement
- Metadata support is quite basic
- Fewer client app options compared to other servers
While basic looking on surface, Universal Media Server packs excellent compliance with DLNA devices, great format support and handy unique features under the hood. It‘s a top choice for free Linux media servers focused on privacy.
6. MythTV
MythTV is a free DVR software for watching and recording live television on Linux. It can share recordings over the network too.
Overview
Designed specifically for TV tuner cards, MythTV turns your Linux machine into a fully fledged DVR for recording live television. Shows are stored locally so you can build up your own media library.
In addition to DVR capabilities, MythTV also works as media player for videos you already have. And it lets you stream recordings to other devices like media streamers.
So while MythTV is best suited for DVR usage, its ability to share recordings over UPnP does give it usable media server potential.
Key Features
- Records live television
- Acts a personal video recorder (PVR)
- Media playback from library
- Lets you stream recordings to UPnP devices
- Free open source software
Pros
- Excellent DVR solution for Linux
- Stores recordings locally for ownership
- Can share recordings on local network
- Broad hardware support
Cons
- Designed primarily for DVR, not media serving
- Setup can get complex with many options
- Some features like Netflix integration now dated
MythTV brings DVR functionality for broadcast television to Linux – letting you build a library of recordings. The option share thesemakes MythTV‘s media capabilities a nice bonus.
7. Gerbera
Gerbera is a UPnP media server that streams to standards-compliant devices. It‘s lightweight, flexible and open source.
Overview
Gerbera focuses on standards-compliance to stream media seamlessly among compatible devices. It indexes your media library lightning fast to make browsing snappy.
Underneath lies support for all key media formats, on-the-fly transcoding and even metadata extraction. Subtitles are also handled smoothly.
As Gerbera is lightweight and flexible, it‘s great for lower powered Linux systems. This makes it ideal home theater PC usage.
Key Features
- Fast media indexing
- Smooth transcoding performance
- Metadata extraction
- Subtitle support
- Designed for UPnP streaming
- Lightweight and customizable
Pros
- Easy to setup with good documentation
- Compliant with wide range of UPnP devices
- Actively developed and supported
- Low resource usage demands
Cons
- Web UI very dated looking
- Metadata not scraped as extensively as other servers
- Fewer client access apps supported
Gerbera hits a nice sweet spot between features and resource-efficiency for Linux media servers. It brings excellent UPnP streaming in a compact customizable package.
8. Madsonic
Madsonic is self-hosted media streaming server with a focus on audio and music.
Overview
Madsonic is designed for streaming personal music collections. It builds upon the Subsonic music server project with some expanded features for sharing albums, playlists, podcasts and more.
Under the hood, Madsonic still has support for video content as well. But the UI and overall focus is on organizing and streaming audio.
Audio enthusiasts who want greater control and ownership of their music collection will appreciate what Madsonic brings to the Linux ecosystem.
Key Features
- Web interface focused on music
- Mobile apps for Android and iOS
- Handles both lossy and lossless formats
- Podcast organization and streaming
- Last.fm scrobbling capability
Pros
- Specialized streamlined UI for audio
- Lets you access your music anywhere
- Active community behind development
- Handles wide array of audio formats
Cons
- Video support secondary priority
- Fewer client app options for video
- Can‘t compete feature-wise with other servers
Madsonic brings a streamlined music-focused media server option to Linux users. While capable of handling video, it shines best for audio collections.
9. Serviio
Serviio offers a standards-compliant media server with premium Pro options.
Overview
Serviio focuses on standards-compliance much like Gerbera, but has a more modern design. It can stream media to a wide range of devices like smart TVs, gaming consoles, and mobile devices that support DLNA and UPnP.
The free Community version brings excellent codec and device support. The $25 Pro Media Server version adds advanced features like web streaming, API access, and priority updates.
Key Features
- Streams media to standards-compliant devices
- Media transcoding capability
- Support for subtitles
- Media organization and metadata
- Available as free or paid Pro version
Pros
- Good UI and wide device support
- Premium Pro version available
- Active user community forum
- Easy to setup UPnP streaming
Cons
- Few customization options
- Paid version bit pricy
- Can‘t compete feature-wise with Plex and Emby
Serviio hits a nice balance between the free UPnP media server options and premium offerings in terms of capability. Well suited to streaming standards-compliant devices.
10. Stremio
Stremio is a media streaming hub bringing video from many sources into a unified interface.
Overview
Unlike a pure self-hosted media server, Stremio is designed primarily for media streaming aggregation – pulling video content from sources like Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, torrents and more.
However, Stremio does allow you to cast any video to local network devices like TVs and streaming boxes. This basic ability to share streaming video makes it worthy for inclusion here.
Think of Stremio like a smarter media browser that lets you discover, stream and cast on-demand video all from one place.
Key Features
- Unified media streaming interface
- Adds video sources like Netflix and YouTube
- Local library for personal media files
- Streams & casts video to devices
- Calendar for tracking favorites
Pros
- Consolidates all media streaming in one view
- Works like smart streaming browser
- Lets you cast video to local devices
- Apps across all platforms
Cons
- Not self-hosted, uses Stremio cloud
- Limited local library capabilities
- Few configuration options
Stremio offers a unified streaming media experience across many sources. The ability to cast video and audio locally makes it a nifty complementary addition for media enthusiasts.
Conclusion
And there you have it – the 10 best Linux media server software options in 2023!
Each media server software catered to different needs and priorities like features, customization, open source, privacy and cost.
Plex remains top choice that balances usability with premium media server features. For those wanting open source freedom – Emby and Jellyfin are excellent alternatives. Specialist solutions like MythTV add DVR functionality. While Universal Media Server and Stremio prioritize privacy and aggregation respectively.
Hopefully this detailed feature breakdown helps you choose the right Linux media server for your home requirements! Building your own media streaming solution lets you take back control of your personal media.
