Plex AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Video Streaming Apps

The best Video Streaming alternative to Plex is Universal Media Server, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Plex and 18 are Video Streaming Apps so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Video Streaming App alternatives to Plex are Serviio, Ampache, Olaris and Videostream.

filter to find the best alternatives

Plex alternatives are mainly Video Streaming Apps, but if you're looking for Media Servers or Media Centers you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Open Source, Android, Apple TV, Linux, Mac, Chrome OS and Free. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Plex.
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Alternatives list

  1. Universal Media Server icon

    Universal Media Server

     133 likes
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    Universal Media Server is a media server capable of serving videos, audio and images to any DLNA-capable device. It supports any device capable of DLNA and runs on all major operating systems: Windows, OS X and Linux.

    46 Universal Media Server alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Universal Media Server screenshot 1
     
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    4
    37
    Comments about Universal Media Server as an Alternative to Plex
    Jonathan Brickman
    Positive
    3

    Extremely easy install. Completely seamless connection to Roku Media Player. Very lightweight, but fully functional.

    Guest
    Positive
    4

    No faffing about and less intrusive and no personal data shared like plex does.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Works fine with Chromecast.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Show more comments
    3 of 4 comments
    Plex Icon
    Universal Media Server icon

    • Most users think Universal Media Server is a great Plex alternative.

    • Universal Media Server is Free and Open SourcePlex is Freemium and Proprietary
  2. Serviio icon

    Serviio

     54 likes
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    Serviio is a free media server. It allows you to stream your media files (music, video or images) to any DLNA-certified renderer device (e.g. a TV set, Bluray player, games console) on your home network.

    49 Serviio alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Serviio screenshot 1
     
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    19
  4. Ampache icon

    Ampache

     62 likes
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    Ampache is a web based audio streaming application and file manager allowing you to access your music from anywhere, using almost any internet enabled device.

    98 Ampache alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Self-Hosted
    • PHP
    • Cloudron
    Ampache screenshot 1
     
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    2
    6
    Comments about Ampache as an Alternative to Plex
    Guest
    Negative
    6

    Ampache is an audio server, while plex supports both audio and video (and it is heavily focused on video streaming)

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    Ampache is an audio server only, which is only a small subset of what Plex does, and not even Plex's primary focus.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Plex Icon
    Ampache icon

    • Some users think Ampache is a great Plex alternative, some don't.

    • Ampache is Free and Open SourcePlex is Freemium and Proprietary
  5. Olaris icon

    Olaris

     2 likes
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    Olaris is an open-source, community driven, media manager and transcoding server.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Self-Hosted
    Olaris screenshot 1
     
  6. Videostream icon

    Videostream

     15 likes
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    Select any video from the Videostream extension for Google Chrome and, using the Chromecast extension, play it on your Chromecast. It's fast and simple to use. Videostream supports subtitles, MKV, AVI, MP4, playlists, and more.

    25 Videostream alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Chrome OS
    • Google Chrome
    Videostream screenshot 1
     
  7. nextPVR icon

    nextPVR

     11 likes
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    NextPVR. NextPVR is a popular free personal video recorder application for Microsoft Windows, making it easy to watch or record Live TV.

    19 nextPVR alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Mac
    • Linux
    • Docker
    Home
     
  9. Airflow icon

    Airflow

     38 likes
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    An all-in-one solution for sending about any video from your Windows or Mac computer to your Chromecast or Apple TV.

    14 Airflow alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    Airflow screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Airflow as an Alternative to Plex
    fPortal
    Negative
    2

    Nothing to do with Plex. This software just streams to your media devices. (Chromecast or Apple TV)

    Plex Icon
    Airflow icon
    • Airflow is Paid and ProprietaryPlex is Freemium and Proprietary
  11. iMediaShare icon

    iMediaShare

     8 likes
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    Play videos from your mobile to your HD TV! No box, no cables, no TV apps! Just pick a video and tap to play!

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    iMediaShare screenshot 1
     
  12. VLC Streamer icon

    VLC Streamer

     7 likes
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    Sit anywhere in your house and watch movies or TV shows on your iPhone, iPod or iPad.

    68 VLC Streamer alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • iPad
     
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    1
    Comments about VLC Streamer as an Alternative to Plex
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    very good app for IOS lovers. I use it always on my ipad.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Plex Icon
    VLC Streamer icon
    • VLC Streamer is Freemium and ProprietaryPlex is also Freemium and Proprietary
  13. Emit icon

    Emit

     4 likes
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    Emit can stream from a Windows/Mac/Linux machine to an android/iOS device. Videos are transcoded live and can be in any format. It supports subtitles (including mkv subtitles). The devices do not need to be in the same WLAN network, the streaming works over 3G as well.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Emit screenshot 1
     
  14. Jinzora Media Server icon

    Jinzora Media Server

     12 likes
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    Jinzora Media Server is a web based media streaming and management system, allowing you to stream your music and videos to any device with a web browser.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Self-Hosted
    Jinzora Media Server screenshot 1
     
12 of 17 Plex alternatives