Best Universal Media Server Alternatives

Universal Media Server is described as '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' and is a very popular Media Server in the video & movies category. There are more than 25 alternatives to Universal Media Server for a variety of platforms, including Mac, Linux, Windows, Android and iPhone. The best alternative is Stremio, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Universal Media Server are Jellyfin, Plex, Emby and Infuse.

Universal Media Server alternatives are mainly Media Servers but may also be Media Centers or Video Streaming Apps. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Universal Media Server.

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Universal Media Server

128

Free • Open Source
Media Server

Mac
Windows
Linux

Universal Media Server is a media server capable of serving videos, audio and images to any DLNA-capable device. It...

Learn more about Universal Media Server

Stremio
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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.
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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
Jellyfin
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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.
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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
Plex
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Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Media Center
Media Server
Media Player
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
Chrome OS
Windows S
Android Tablet
Windows Phone
iPad
Apple TV
Daydream
Kindle Fire
Android TV
Kodi
Roku
91 alternatives to Plex
Plex is a one-stop destination to stream movies, TV shows, sports & music. Check good movies to watch on Plex and stream all your personal media libraries on every device.
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Plex Features
1. Kids ModePlex allows you to create and manage your kids' profiles in order to protect them.
Media Streaming
Play local content
Local Storage
Media Transcoding
Remote Media Access
Automatic Library Search
DNLA Server
Media sharing
Support for subtitles
Automatic subtitles download
Plex vs Universal Media Server opinions
Most users think Plex is a great alternative to Universal Media Server.
Emby
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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.
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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
Infuse
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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.
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Infuse Features
Vast format support
Support for DLNA
TV Shows meta data support
HDR Support
Metadata Search
Serviio
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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.
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Serviio Features
Create Playlist
Playstation
Support for DLNA
Media Streaming
Stream audio
Support for subtitles
Xbox
Serviio vs Universal Media Server opinions
Roku
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Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Video Streaming App
Movie Streaming Service
Media Center
iPhone
iPad
85 alternatives to Roku
Roku provides the simplest way to stream entertainment to your TV. On your terms. With thousands of available channels to choose from.
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Roku Features
1. Support for 4KRoku supports watching, rendering or exporting 4K content (also know as UHD or Ultra HD).
TV Streaming
Media Streaming
OSMC
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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...
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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 Universal Media Server opinions
Some users think OSMC is a great alternative to Universal Media Server, some don't.
Guest
it's a media player, not a server
Negative comment•
3
MiniDLNA
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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 …
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MiniDLNA Features
1. LightweightMiniDLNA consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
DNLA Server
Support for DLNA
PS3 Media Server
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No
Free • Open Source
Media Server
Media Center
Mac
Windows
Linux
38 alternatives to PS3 Media Server
PS3 Media Server is a DLNA compliant Upnp Media Server for the PS3, written in Java, with the purpose of streaming or transcoding.
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PS3 Media Server Features
DNLA Server
Support for DLNA
Discontinued
The project seems to be no longer developed, but last version, 1.90.1, released in August 2013, can be still downloaded from the official website.

PS3 Media Server vs Universal Media Server opinions