Free Plex Alternatives

The best free alternative to Plex is Stremio, which is also Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Plex and loads of them is free so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free alternatives to Plex are Jellyfin, Emby, Universal Media Server and Serviio.

Plex alternatives are mainly Media Centers but may also be Media Servers or Audio Players. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Plex.

This page was last updated

Plex

830

Freemium • Proprietary
Media Center

Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
Chrome OS
Windows S
Android Tablet
Windows Phone
iPad
Apple TV
Daydream
Kindle Fire
Android TV
Kodi
Roku

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Stremio
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Video Streaming App
Media Center
Media Player
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
Flathub
Flatpak
65 alternatives to Stremio
Media center allowing to watch movies, series, YouTube channels instantly. You can watch in HD, with subtitles, and easily cast any file to TV through DLNA, Chromecast, AppleTV!

Stremio also gives you notifications for new episodes / movies.
Suggest and vote on features
Stremio Features
1. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Stremio without registration.
2. Dark ModeStremio supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
3. Personalized RecommendationsStremio can recommend content you like, whether it's something you already know or not.
4. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
5. Chromecast SupportCast your content to a Chromecast connected device with Stremio.
Automatic subtitles download
Casting to TV
Torrent player
TV Streaming
Built-in subtitle search
Media library
Built-in player
No Buffering
Stream video to Apple TV
PS4 Streaming
Stremio vs Plex opinions
This alternative is disputed. Stremio is still a legitimate alternative to Plex, but it might have issues that some users think are important.
Guest
Does not play local content, only paid online content.
Negative comment•
12

Guest
Does't allow local content.
Negative comment•
1
Jellyfin
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Media Center
Media Server
Audio Player
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
HP webOS
Chrome OS
Android Tablet
iPad
Self-Hosted
Google Chrome
Ungoogled Chromium
Mopidy
Cloudron
Kodi
Fire TV
Xbox
Firefox
Tizen OS
Android TV
Docker
32 alternatives to Jellyfin
Jellyfin is a personal media server and client. The Jellyfin project was started as a result of Emby's decision to take their code closed-source, as well as various philosophical differences with the core developers.
Suggest and vote on features
Jellyfin Features
1. Ad-freeJellyfin doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
2. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsJellyfin can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
3. Privacy focusedJellyfin is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
4. Dark ModeJellyfin supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
5. Kids ModeJellyfin allows you to create and manage your kids' profiles in order to protect them.
6. Works OfflineJellyfin can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
Media Streaming
Local server
Support for DLNA
FOSS
Media Transcoding
Audio Books
Metadata Search
Dockerized
Jellyfin vs Plex opinions
Almost everyone thinks Jellyfin is a great alternative to Plex.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
tijmen
Jellyfin is actually open source, unlike Emby.
Top positive comment•
4

prayagprajapati17
Jellyfin is customizable, its transcoding is better than plex and there is much more to it than plex. Sure right now it is not as polished as plex but they are working on it
Top positive comment•
1

Guest
FOSS, easy to implement, & configure
Positive comment•
0

kelsonv
Jellyfin was easier to set up (especially on a headless server), doesn't require me to log into a cloud account just to play my local media collection, doesn't keep pushing a subscription service when I just want to listen to my own music.
Positive comment•
0

onkoe
It's a fork of pre-proprietary Emby with numerous fixes and changes to make the experience more smooth and modern. Simply amazing for privacy and functionality!
Positive comment•
0

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5 of 15 comments
Emby
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Media Center
Media Server
Media Manager
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
BSD
Windows Phone
iPad
Self-Hosted
Apple TV
Kindle Fire
Cloudron
Playstation
Xbox
45 alternatives to Emby
Emby, formerly Media Browser, is a media aggregator plugin for Media Center that takes your recorded, digital, or ripped media and presents it in a simple, easy to use interface. Emby prides itself on delivering a fast, intuitive, media rich experience for the whole family.
Suggest and vote on features
Emby Features
1. Chromecast SupportCast your content to a Chromecast connected device with Emby.
2. Ad-freeEmby doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. Kids ModeEmby allows you to create and manage your kids' profiles in order to protect them.
Media Streaming
Browser Gallery
Private gallery
Optimized for Mobile
Local server
Remote Media Access
Media Transcoding
Asset Pipeline
Remote playback
Emby vs Plex opinions
Most users think Emby is a great alternative to Plex.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
Guest
Very good alternative to Plex media server and free multi-user (for Plex one needs a Plex account first and a Plex pass).
Top positive comment•
2

Horaciogarro
Is the exact alternative to Plex.+ web server!
Top positive comment•
4

dzevel5
Plex is horrible at consumer privacy! Emby just a perfect solution especially for NAS.

While Plex logging and collecting data, Emby won’t and then device can go into sleep mode perfect.
Positive comment•
-1

Guest
A superb alternative to plex, much faster streaming start of the video over internet.
Positive comment•
-1

Dalcolli
enable subtitle, imdb sync, and more
Positive comment•
0

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5 of 9 comments
Universal Media Server
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Media Server
Media Center
Mac
Windows
Linux
48 alternatives to Universal Media Server
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.
Suggest and vote on features
Universal Media Server Features
1. LightweightUniversal Media Server consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Configurable
DNLA Server
Dedicated Server Hosting
Media Transcoding
Simple installation
Playstation
Support for DLNA
Java based
Streaming
Universal Media Server vs Plex opinions
Most users think Universal Media Server is a great alternative to Plex.
Guest
Works fine with Chromecast.
Positive comment•
0

Guest
ums is only a dlna server but plex serves the clients with custom apps, video transcoding and other features.
Negative comment•
-11

Guest
No faffing about and less intrusive and no personal data shared like plex does.
Positive comment•
3

jebofponderworthy
Extremely easy install. Completely seamless connection to Roku Media Player. Very lightweight, but fully functional.
Positive comment•
2
Serviio
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Media Server
Video Streaming App
Mac
Windows
Linux
47 alternatives to Serviio
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.
Suggest and vote on features
Serviio Features
Create Playlist
Playstation
Support for DLNA
Media Streaming
Stream audio
Support for subtitles
Xbox
Serviio vs Plex opinions
Almost everyone thinks Serviio is a great alternative to Plex.
Infuse
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Media Center
Media Server
iPhone
iPad
Apple TV
Mac
72 alternatives to Infuse
Ignite your video content with Infuse – the beautiful way to watch almost any video format on your iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV. No need to convert files! Infuse is optimized for iOS 12, with powerful streaming options, trakt sync, and unmatched AirPlay & subtitle support.
Suggest and vote on features
Infuse Features
Vast format support
Support for DLNA
TV Shows meta data support
HDR Support
Metadata Search
Infuse vs Plex opinions
Most users think Infuse is a great alternative to Plex.
Guest
This is equivalent to other media players (like VLC etc.) not to streaming media servers like Plex.
Negative comment•
2
Ampache
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Music Streaming Service
Audio Player
Media Center
Mac
Windows
Linux
Self-Hosted
PHP
Cloudron
86 alternatives to Ampache
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.
Suggest and vote on features
Ampache Features
Subsonic API
Streaming
Self-hosted music
Support for MPD
WebDAV Support
Web-Based
Based on Laravel
Ampache vs Plex opinions
Some users think Ampache is a great alternative to Plex, some don't.
Guest
Ampache is an audio server only, which is only a small subset of what Plex does, and not even Plex's primary focus.
Negative comment•
0

Guest
Ampache is an audio server, while plex supports both audio and video (and it is heavily focused on video streaming)
Negative comment•
6
Subsonic
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Music Streaming Service
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Windows Phone
Self-Hosted
83 alternatives to Subsonic
Subsonic is a free, web-based media streamer, providing ubiquitous access to your music and video. Use it to share your music with friends, or to listen to your own music while at work. You can stream to multiple players simultaneously, for instance to one player in your kitchen...
Suggest and vote on features
Subsonic Features
Media Streaming
Play local content
Music collection
Music Library
Streaming your own media
Local server
Subsonic vs Plex opinions
Most users think Subsonic is a great alternative to Plex.
Guest
No video server. Just music.
Negative comment•
0
MiniDLNA
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Media Server
Linux
32 alternatives to MiniDLNA
MiniDLNA (aka ReadyDLNA) is server software with the aim of being fully compliant with DLNA/UPnP-AV clients. It is developed by a NETGEAR employee …
Suggest and vote on features
MiniDLNA Features
1. LightweightMiniDLNA consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
DNLA Server
Support for DLNA
MiniDLNA vs Plex opinions
Almost everyone thinks MiniDLNA is a great alternative to Plex.
Guest
Plex is too commercial too many nags - also smart tv apps are variable SAMSUNG smart tv app hasn't worked for years :(
Positive comment•
3

Guest
Overly complicated and conditional 'compiling' required. A very out-dated approach for today. Much as I hate Plex, this doesn't come close to its convenience, power, and simplicity in execution.
Negative comment•
-8
OSMC
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Media Center
Audio Player
Apple TV
Raspberry Pi
41 alternatives to OSMC
OSMC (Open Source Media Center) is a free and open source media player based on Linux and founded in 2014 that lets you play back media from your local network, attached storage and the Internet. OSMC is the leading media center in terms of feature set and community and is based...
Suggest and vote on features
OSMC Features
1. LightweightOSMC consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Designed for TVs
Momentjs integration
Auto-identifies vids
Based on Debian
Stream video to Apple TV
OSMC vs Plex opinions
This alternative is disputed. OSMC is still a legitimate alternative to Plex, but it might have issues that some users think are important.
Guest
From the FAQ of the project: What is the difference between OSMC and Kodi?

Kodi is a media center application and OSMC is the operating system that runs Kodi and brings it to your device. OSMC is not a fork of Kodi but rather a Linux distribution that ships Kodi as the main application.
Negative comment•
15

Guest
totally different piece of software
Negative comment•
7