Top 15 Best Media Server Software You Cannot Miss in 2023

A media server gives you access to movies, TV shows, audios, DVD rips, and other digital files from virtually anywhere. If you’ve curated a massive library of digital media, you can take advantages of home media server software to blast your multimedia content to various devices through the use of a NAS or computer. There’s more choice than ever to find such media server, but that also makes pinning down the right software for you a more difficult process. But our round-up for the best home media server software has got you covered.

#1. Plex

• Summary: Best freemium media server software overall.
• Overall rating: ★★★★☆
• Supported devices: Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV, Google Chromecast, Xbox, PS5, and more.
• Link: https://www.plex.tv/

Plex is one of the best media players that also works as a perfect combo with a media server software. Plex earns a top rating for its easy setup, reliable performance, and excellent organizational tools.

If you have a mess of local media collection scattered across your computer or external hard drive, Plex is your perfect solution, available for you to wrangle your messy files into a slick interface and stream them across multiple devices, ranging from TVs, mobiles, game consoles, to desktops. In addition, Plex media server offers as many as 50,000 movie and TV show database so that you don’t even need to store on your server.

On the playback side, Plex supports nearly any media files you throw at it, including MP3, M4A, FLAC, MP4, MKV, HEVC, AVI, MOV, DIVX. However, you may be frustrated by its buffering error when playing 4K HEVC or other computer-intensive video unless you upgrade to its $4.99-per-month Plex Pass and enable the hardware acceleration to fix the issue.

Pros:

• Free and capable.
• Intuitive interface and easy-to-sort navigation.
• Growing library of video streaming content.

Cons:

• Lengthy and unpredictable ads.
• Gaming and podcasts features are removed.
• Lack of HTPC support.

#2. PlayOn

• Summary: Best media server software with DVR features.
• Overall rating: ★★★★☆
• Supported devices: Apple TV, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Roku, and more.
• Link: https://www.playon.tv/

For home theatre enthusiasts, PlayOn is another great media server solution, accompanied by a DVR and streaming service aggregator all-in-one. With PlayOn, you can record and download streaming movies and shows as MP4 from the likes of Netflix, Amazon, Hulu and more.

The home media server software is available in 2 forms: PlayOn Home and PlayOn Cloud. The former works as a media server for Windows 10/11/8/7 only which enables you to save recordings to PC for local playback and access your recordings on compatible devices like Roku, Chromecast, Android and iOS devices. While the latter is exclusively for smartphones, allowing for full TV season recording and ads skipping.

PlayOn is only compatible with Windows. If you are working with Mac, you have to resort ot its Cloud option or turn to other media server software. Another caveat is that you have to upgrade to its subscription plan ($2.99 for 30 recording credits per month) to stream to smart TV, Roku, or mobile device if you want more than 7 free recordings.

Pros:

• Lots of channels available, incl. Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, etc.
• Support recording videos as MP4.
• Doubles as a DVR and media server.

Cons:

• It works with Windows only.
• Limited channel lineup.
• Recordings are limited to 720p video, 2.0 channel audio.
• Less control over local playback.

#3. Kodi

• Summary: Completely free and open-source multimedia server software.
• Overall rating: ★★★★☆
• Supported devices: Xbox One X, Nvidia Shield TV Pro, Amazon Fire TV Cube/Stick, and more.
• Link: https://kodi.tv/

Kodi is a great free and open-source media server. As a media hub, it rearranges your scattered contents together in one place and allows you access shows, videos, movies through multiple devices, from Amazon Fire TV, Android, Apple TV, Chromebox, macOS, Windows to Linux.

Kodi is highly customizable with insanely 900+ official add-ons including PlayOn, DVR, etc, with which you can stream and record live TV from big players like Hulu, YouTube, etc for offline viewing, watch on-demand content, set a lock code for your kids with its parental controls feature, and turn your phone into a remove control to change the channel, switch to another program right from your device.

Kodi’s vast add-on library makes it one of the best solution to beef up your content choices. However, it isn’t the most intuitive home media server out there. Instead, it can be of a steep learning curve as it requires some technical knowledge for more features. And be aware of the unofficial add-ons that may give rise to security concerns.

Pros:

• A lot of add-on libraries.
• Easy navigation via artists, genres, albums and more.
• Free and open-source.

Cons:

• Unreliable and malicious add-ons can be annoying.
• Tricky setup.
• Intermediating mouse and keyboard controls.

#4. Emby

• Summary: Best media server software for advanced users.
• Overall rating: ★★★★☆
• Supported devices: Android, iPhone, iPad, Windows Phone and Windows Tablets.
• Link: https://emby.media/

Emby was originally an open-source project and has been evolved as freemium media server software that delivers a highly customizable home media experience owning to its perfect combination of the sleek interface of Plex media server and the open-source foundation of Kodi media player.

Like Kodi, Emby comes with some desirable plug-ins and offers a laundry list of powerful features. For instance, you can tailor the user interface to a cinema mode to enhance your viewing experience, keep copies of your contents on both the media server and mobile devices for offline playing, send your files to other DLNA-compliant devices or a TV connected to a Chromecast, enable hardware accelerated transcoding, access to the Emby apps for Linux, macOS, iOS, Android, FireTV, Xbox and more.

However, most advanced features mentioned above are put behind the paywalls. The paid version Emby Premiere costs either $4.99 a month, $54 a year or $119 for a lifetime pass. If you are interested in these additional features, go ahead and upgrade to the Premiere version.

Pros:

• Easy setup.
• Support remote streaming and parental controls.

Cons:

• Less customization.
• No support for foreign libraries.
• Advanced features requires subscription or lifetime pass.

#5. Jellyfin

• Summary: A completely free yet privacy-conscious media server with no data tracking.
• Overall rating: ★★★★☆
• Supported devices: Android and Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple iOS, samsung TV, and more.
• Link: https://jellyfin.org/

Plex is one of the best media players that also works as a perfect combo with a media server software. Plex earns a top rating for its easy setup, reliable performance, and excellent organizational tools.

If you have a mess of local media collection scattered across your computer or external hard drive, Plex is your perfect solution, available for you to wrangle your messy files into a slick interface and stream them across multiple devices, ranging from TVs, mobiles, game consoles, to desktops. In addition, Plex media server offers as many as 50,000 movie and TV show database so that you don’t even need to store on your server.

On the playback side, Plex supports nearly any media files you throw at it, including MP3, M4A, FLAC, MP4, MKV, HEVC, AVI, MOV, DIVX. However, you may be frustrated by its buffering error when playing 4K HEVC or other computer-intensive video unless you upgrade to its $4.99-per-month Plex Pass and enable the hardware acceleration to fix the issue.

Pros:

• Allows parental control.
• Support DVR for media recording.
• Customizable options.

Cons:

• No voice command.

Also read: How to Rip and Add DVDs to Jellyfin Server

#6. OSMC

• Summary: Open source media center support 4K with Vero 4K+.
• Overall rating: ★★★☆☆
• Supported devices: Apple TV, Paspberry Pi, Vero.
• Link: https://osmc.tv/

OSMC (short for open source media center) is the successor to Raspbmc and is a linux distribution based on Debian and Kodi. OSMC is also listed as one of the best free media server solutions simply because of its ease of use, quick installation, regular upgrade, and simple HTPC experience.

You can download and install OSMC on to a variety of platforms, including Windows, macOS and Linux thanks to the GUI based utility, and then play music, movies, videos, and TV shows like MP4 from across devices.

Furthermore, OSMC provides Vero 4K+, a flagship device enabling to play anything you want with full 4K support, 10-bit content, HD audio and HEVC. You can also play all popular containers such as MKV, MOV, Mp4, MTS, and so on.

Pros:

• Quick installation.
• Work with Linux.

Cons:

• Regular software updates may cause playback error or freezing issue.

#7. Universal Media Server

• Summary: A free home media server software compatible with all devices.
• Overall rating: ★★★★☆
• Supported devices: Apple iPhone, Apple TV, BlackBerry, LG TV, Sony PS3, XBMC Media Center, etc.
• Link: https://www.universalmediaserver.com/

If all you need out of a media server is the ability to stream media on your home network, Universal Media Server is absolutely the right choice. Without asking for a dime, Universal media server lets you free stream videos, music and photos on a huge selection of devices, whether they are phones, tablets, laptops, or game consoles.

UMS is a free DLNA-compliant UPnP media server and is originally based on PS3 media server with support for all major OS, including Windows, macOS and Linux. It includes a set of features to pair it with a media sever software like plex. With it, you can filter video or music by genre, year, and more, display the correct cover for your content with services like IMDb, add and manage your online radio channels, access your media instantly, download subtitles on the fly, and support a range of media formats powered by FFMPEG, VLC, Mediainfo, and more.

Installation of Universal Media server is not as easy as that of Plex, instead, incorrect setup may lead to device failure to find your stream. In addition, Universal Media Server doesn’t offer remote access, which restricts your server to your local wireless network.

Pros:

• Automatic content scanning.
• Offer extra features thanks to third-party plug-ins.
• free and open-source.

Cons:

• Confusing setup.
• Bad compatibility with some theoretically compatible devices.
• No remote control option.

#8. SubSonic

• Summary: The best media server software with large music library.
• Overall rating: ★★★☆☆
• Supported devices: Android, iPhone, Windows Phone, Mac, Chrome and more.
• Link: http://www.subsonic.org/pages/index.jsp

Subsonic is a longstanding contender in media server game. Despite of it used to be music server software, Sobsonic works fairly well with video streaming, too. Delivering the most comprehensive media management experience, Sobsonic lets you download music and video locally, store, access, and share them at any given time.

Thanks to the media transcoding plugin available, it supports extensive media formats, from MP3, OGG, AAC, FLAC, to video format that streams over HTTP and therefore allows you to hear songs in 320 kbps, listen to music with lossless compression and stream contents in HD quality.

SubSonic does have its disadvantages. For example, it lacks subtitle support and you are unable to adjust quality settings. The variety of 25 devices is admittedly a bit limited, compared with other media servers mentioned above. But if the music makes up over half the media you own, Subsonic absolutely meets your need.

Pros:

• Support a large music library.
• Support podcasts and lossless audio.

Cons:

• Video support requires monthly fee.
• Lack of subtitles support.
• Limited device support.

#9. Serviio

• Summary: An attractive media server for managing content through Android apps.
• Overall rating: ★★★☆☆
• Supported devices: Samsung TV, Bluray players, PS3/4, Toshiba TVs, Sharp TVs, Sony TVs, and more.
• Link: https://serviio.org

There is no denying that Serviio is a powerful home media server that can stream contents across a wide range of devices like TV, games console, mobile phones, Bluray player, MusicPal, and more and therefore elevate your content viewing experience.

Specifically, it turns your media collection into an easy-to-access library where the digital files are organized in the best possible manner. On the media files side, it supports audio files like MP3, MP2, WMA, OGG, etc, video files including MPEG1,2,4, Matroska, 3GP, WebM, and subtitle formats such as SubRip, VTT, ASS, and more.

Except for the great compatibility with devices and file formats, Serviio also provides up-to-date content data and makes searching for content really easy. However, it takes quite a lot of patience and effort to figure out how to get the media server software working and sometimes fails to work on some theoretically compatible devices in our testing.

Pros:

• Attractive web interface.
• Stream content with Android apps.

Cons:

• Confusing setup.
• Bad compatibility with some theoretically compatible devices in our testing.
• No iOS apps.

#10. MediaPortal

• Summary: A free yet comprehensive home media server for DVD ripper files.
• Overall rating: ★★★★☆
• Supported devices: TV and HDPC.
• Link: https://www.team-mediaportal.com/

Mediaportal transforms your PC into a comprehensive media solution. With it, you can tweak settings as per your preference, listen to music and radio, play DVDs, blurays, digital videos, movies and photos on a wide range of devices, record and schedule live TV, stream ratio, media and TV connected to your network, control the HTPC using a remote, and so on.

The extensive third-party plugins and skins library helps you change your media center in countless ways. For example, you can preconize the display, user interface, view sports scores, stream or download Web TV, start up MediaPortal playing music from a playlist.

Pros:

• Play media files on TV and remote control system.
• Excellent video playback features and settings.
• Access to the radio and enjoy various podcasts and shows.

Cons:

• Complicated interface.
• No support for macOS and Linux.

Honorable Mentions

#11. Stremio

Stremio is listed as the best free multimedia server software, especially when you want notifications on the latest movies, series, and channels. It works on for Windows, macOS, Linux, and is also available on Google Play and App Store for your Android and iOS devices.

You can rely on various filters, from ratings, genres, to duration, to narrow down to the exact movie you want to watch. The support of Chromecast gives you the liberty to cast from Android mobile. You can even find magnet links, HTTP links and torrent files from the media server.

#12. PS3 Media Server

As the name suggests, PS3 Media Server was initially created for PlayStation 3, but it extends its support to other platforms like Windows, macOS, and Linux. It's compatible with various DLNA-compliant devices, providing flexibility in streaming options. PS3 Media Server is open-source and free to use, making it an affordable option for users who require basic media streaming without the need for advanced features.

While it efficiently serves its primary purpose of media streaming, PS3 Media Server software lacks some of the advanced features offered by other media servers. Users seeking a more comprehensive set of functionalities might find it somewhat bare-bones. While it has expanded beyond its initial PlayStation 3 focus, the primary compatibility still revolves around a few select platforms. Users with diverse device ecosystems may find the lack of broader support restrictive.

#13. Madsonic

Madsonic is a jukebox fork of Subsonic based on Java technology. It is compatible with a series of devices and operating systems including Windows, Mac, and Linux. Music fans will benefit a lot from Madsonic media streamer since it is highly scalable, capable of handling massive media collections with over 100,000 files with aplomb. Its REST API makes Madsonic a good music-focused media server software. Besides, Madsonic also includes video and photo capabilities and features LDAP, Sonos, and Chromecast support.

#14. Mezzmo

Mezzmo is a DLNA media server software that makes streaming movies, music and photos across cmputers in a home network, along with easy transcoding and pre-transcoding. Without any special configuration, you can quickly set up it and therefore manage the library and playlists without a hassle. It offers metadata details such as artists, titles, artwork, etc. You can also select the audio language, organize your media collection, and get access to full playback control such as play, pause, seek, stop, and more.

Mezzmo's simplicity is a standout feature, making it accessible for users who prefer a hassle-free setup. The ease with which it streams content to DLNA and UPnP devices ensures a seamless multimedia experience. The software's intuitive interface contributes to a user-friendly environment. Despite its strengths, Mezzmo has some limitations. Its support for a narrower range of devices, primarily Windows-centric, may pose challenges for users with diverse device ecosystems. Additionally, the user interface, while intuitive, could benefit from a more modern design for an improved user experience.

#15. TVersity

TVersity supports a variety of platforms, including Windows, iOS, Android, and gaming consoles like PlayStation and Xbox. This broad device compatibility makes it versatile for users with diverse hardware. The home media server software excels in aggregating content from various sources, providing a centralized hub for streaming. This feature can be particularly useful for users with extensive multimedia libraries spanning multiple sources. TVersity, while feature-rich, may have a steeper learning curve for users who are new to media server applications. The configuration process and settings might be more complex compared to more user-friendly alternatives.

The user interface design of TVersity might be considered less modern or visually appealing than some of its competitors. A more intuitive and aesthetically pleasing interface could enhance the overall user experience. While there is a free version of TVersity available, it comes with limitations, and users looking for advanced features may need to opt for the Pro version, which comes at a cost.

FAQ about Media Server Software

1. What is media server software?

A media server is a device that stores videos, audios, images or other digital media and shares them over a network. Typically, it allows to stream any media content to NAS, PC, smart TV, mobile devices, etc.

2. What are the best media server software for Windows 10/11?

Users frequently asked "What is the best server software for home use?" The follow list showcases the best home media server software:

• Plex
• Kodi
• Jellyfin
• OSMC
• PlayOn

3. How media server works?

The media server can be your PC, mobile deice, or any other storage device. Generally, the media server delivers files to you by taking advantages of a web server. First of all, you go to the web page, open the file you want to use, then the server will send a notification to the media server, telling which file you are looking for, bypassing the webserver.

4. How to set up a home media server?

To build a home media server, first of all, you’d better buy a NAS or set up a dedicated computer. Install a hard drive to store the media files. Connect the media server to the network via an Ethernet cable. Transfer the files to the hard drive and install the appropriate app on your TV-streaming box, smartphone, or tablet so as to access your streaming media. Now run your own home server as a streaming service or back up storage solution.

5. Does windows 10 have a media server?

Multimedia server software makes sharing video, music, photo, etc easier. Windows 10 has media server software built-in. You can follow the steps to activate it. Click Start > Control Panel > search the term media and find Media Streaming Options under the Network and Shaing Center > click Turn on Media Streaming button > choose Media Streaming Options for Computers and Devices and then you can play your media in media player.

But if your Windows 10 doesn’t have pre-installed media server software, you can resort to third-party media server software for Windows 10 such as Plex, PlayOn, Serviio, etc to extend your computer’s media server capabilities.