Jellyfin
Media ServersFree software media system for streaming your library
Replaces Plex, Emby
Best Free Media Servers for self-hosting
The 159 best Free media servers you can self-host, ranked by community traction.
qBittorrent
Media ServersBittorrent client that aims to be a good alternative to all other
Replaces µTorrent
SRS
Media ServersA simple, high efficiency and real-time video server, supports RTMP,
Kodi
Media ServersOpen-source home theater and media center
Replaces Plex
Koel
Media ServersPersonal music streaming server with an elegant interface
Replaces Spotify
Sonarr
Media ServersSeries collection manager for Usenet and BitTorrent users
Jackett
Media ServersAPI support for your favorite torrent trackers
Beets
Media ServersMusic library organizer and metadata management tool
Replaces iTunes
PeerTube
Media ServersDecentralized federated video hosting with P2P streaming
Replaces YouTube, Vimeo
Transmission
Media ServersFast, Easy, and Free BitTorrent Client
Replaces µTorrent
MeTube
Media ServersWeb UI for downloading video from YouTube and many sites
Replaces YouTube Premium
Stremio Web
Media ServersSelf-hostable web frontend for the Stremio media center
Replaces Plex
Radarr
Media ServersMovie collection manager for Usenet and BitTorrent users
Jellyseerr
Media ServersMedia request and discovery tool for Jellyfin and Plex
Replaces Plex Requests
Feishin
Media ServersModern cross-platform music player for self-hosted servers
Replaces Spotify
Streama
Media ServersSelf-hosted streaming media server with a clean web interface
Replaces Netflix, Plex
Mopidy
Media ServersExtensible music server that plays from many sources
Replaces Spotify
Tube Archivist
Media ServersSelf-hosted YouTube media server with metadata and search
Replaces YouTube
Snapcast
Media ServersSynchronized multi-room audio streaming player
Replaces Sonos
Prowlarr
Media ServersComplete management of your indexers for Radarr, Sonarr, Lidarr
Lidarr
Media ServersMusic collection manager and download automation tool
Replaces Spotify
Pinchflat
Media ServersSelf-hosted YouTube media archiving for media servers
Replaces YouTube
Streamyfin
Media ServersFree and open-source Jellyfin client for mobile devices
Replaces Infuse, Plex mobile app
MediaCMS
Media ServersModern video-sharing and content management platform
Replaces YouTube, Vimeo
musikcube
Media ServersTerminal-based music player with a built-in streaming server
Replaces Plexamp
Ant Media Server Community Edition
Media ServersOpen-source low-latency streaming server
Replaces Wowza, Twitch
Qui
Media ServersqBittorrent web UI
Replaces µTorrent
Jellyfin for Android TV
Media ServersNative Android TV and Fire TV client for the Jellyfin server
Replaces Plex for Android TV, Emby for Android TV
Black Candy
Media ServersMusic streaming server
Replaces Spotify, Apple Music
Bazarr
Media ServersAutomated subtitle downloading for Sonarr and Radarr
Tdarr
Media ServersDistributed transcoding system for media library optimization
Replaces Handbrake
Finamp
Media ServersJellyfin music player with offline downloads
Replaces Plexamp, Spotify
Dispatcharr
Media ServersModern IPTV and stream management dashboard
Replaces Cable TV
Findroid
Media ServersThird-party Android client for Jellyfin with offline playback
Replaces Plex for Android
Swiftfin
Media ServersNative Jellyfin client for iOS and tvOS
Replaces Infuse, Plex for Apple TV
Dim
Media ServersSelf-hosted media manager with automatic library scanning
Replaces Plex
Ombi
Media ServersMedia request tool on Plex/Emby/Jellyfin
Replaces Netflix, Plex
AzuraCast
Media ServersAll-in-one self-hosted web radio management suite
Replaces Live365
Strawberry Music Player
Media ServersMusic player and collection organizer with Subsonic support
Replaces iTunes, Clementine
Moodist
Media ServersAmbient sounds for focus and calm
Ampache
Media ServersWeb-based audio and video streaming application
Replaces Spotify
Headphones
Media ServersAutomated music downloader for NZB and Torrent
Yamtrack
Media ServersMedia tracker for movies, TV shows, anime, manga, games, books
Replaces Goodreads, IMDB
Ryot
Media ServersSelf-hosted tracker for movies, shows, books, games, and more
Replaces Trakt, Goodreads
Tvheadend
Media ServersTV streaming server and recorder for DVB and IPTV
Replaces TiVo, Cable DVR
OvenMediaEngine
Media ServersStreaming Server with Sub-Second Latency
Wizarr
Media ServersAn advanced invitation and management system for media servers
Music Assistant
Media ServersMusic library manager that streams to many speaker types
Replaces Sonos, Spotify Connect
SABnzbd
Media ServersNewsreader for downloading, verifying and extracting files from Usenet
ErsatzTV
Media ServersIPTV streaming server that creates custom TV channels
Replaces Cable TV
ytdl-sub
Media ServersSubscribe to and download media into a self-hosted media library
Replaces YouTube Premium
Flood
Media ServersMonitoring service for various torrent clients
TubeSync
Media ServersSyncs online video channels into a local media library
Replaces YouTube Premium
mpd
Media ServersDaemon to remotely play music, stream music, handle and organize
Polaris
Media ServersMusic streaming server focused on speed and simplicity
Replaces Spotify
Profilarr
Media ServersConfiguration management tool for Radarr/Sonarr that automates
Universal Media Server
Media ServersDLNA-compliant media server for streaming to TVs and consoles
Replaces Plex, Serviio
Fladder
Media ServersCross-platform Flutter client for Jellyfin
Replaces Plex, Emby Theater
Tunarr
Media ServersCreate live TV channels from your Plex and Jellyfin libraries
Replaces Cable TV
Gonic
Media ServersLightweight Subsonic-compatible music streaming server
Replaces Spotify, Plex
OwnTone
Media ServersMedia server with AirPlay, Chromecast and Spotify support
Replaces Spotify, Apple Music
NymphCast
Media ServersTurn your choice of Linux-capable hardware into an audio and video
Kyoo
Media ServersOpen-source media browser for movies and TV shows
Replaces Plex, Netflix
Unmanic
Media ServersLibrary optimizer that automatically processes media files
Replaces Handbrake
Jellystat
Media ServersStatistics and analytics dashboard for Jellyfin
Replaces Tautulli
Jellyfin MPV Shim
Media ServersCast Jellyfin media to a desktop MPV player
Replaces Plex Media Player
mStream
Media ServersPersonal music streaming server with mobile apps
Replaces Spotify
Supersonic
Media ServersCross-platform desktop client for Subsonic music servers
Replaces Plexamp, Spotify desktop
Reiverr
Media ServersUnified interface for Jellyfin, Radarr, and Sonarr
Replaces Plex
Maintainerr
Media ServersRule-based media cleanup tool for Plex, Sonarr and Radarr
Replaces Plex Meta Manager
Broadcast Box
Media ServersSelf-hosted low-latency WebRTC live streaming server
Replaces Twitch, YouTube Live
xTeVe
Media ServersM3U proxy and HDHomeRun emulator for live TV streaming
Replaces Cable TV
Tempo
Media ServersMaterial You Subsonic music client for Android
Replaces Spotify, Plexamp
Recyclarr
Media ServersSync TRaSH guide quality profiles to Sonarr and Radarr
Replaces Notifiarr
Swing Music
Media ServersSelf-hosted music player with a modern interface
Replaces Spotify, Apple Music
Podgrab
Media ServersSelf-hosted podcast manager and downloader
Replaces Pocket Casts
Maloja
Media ServersSelf-hosted music scrobbling and listening statistics server
Replaces Last.fm
Amperfy
Media ServersiOS music streaming client for Ampache and Subsonic
Replaces Spotify, Apple Music
Lyrion Music Server
Media ServersOpen-source music server for Squeezebox and software players
Replaces Sonos, Spotify
Musicn
Media ServersCommand-line tool to download high-quality music
Replaces Spotify
Quod Libet
Media ServersPowerful audio player and music library manager
Replaces iTunes, MusicBee
Threadfin
Media ServersM3U proxy that emulates an HDHomeRun tuner for IPTV
Replaces Cable TV
Jellyfin Vue
Media ServersExperimental modern web client for Jellyfin
Replaces Plex Web
LMS
Media ServersLightweight music server with Subsonic API support
Replaces Spotify
CyTube
Media ServersSynchronize media, chat, and more for an arbitrary number of channels
Cross-Seed
Media ServersFully-automatic cross-seeding with Torznab
Watcharr
Media ServersSelf-hosted watch-list and media tracking server
Replaces Trakt, Letterboxd
Fireshare
Media ServersSelf-hosted server for sharing personal video clips
Replaces Streamable, YouTube unlisted
ViewTube
Media ServersThe open source, privacy-conscious way to enjoy your favorite YouTube
Meelo
Media ServersPersonal Music Server, designed for collectors and music maniacs
moOde audio player
Media ServersAudiophile-quality music player for Raspberry Pi
Replaces Sonos, Roon
Gerbera
Media ServersUPnP media server for streaming to DLNA devices
Replaces Plex
nefarious
Media ServersAutomate downloading Movies and TV Shows
multi-scrobbler
Media ServersScrobble plays from multiple sources to multiple scrobbling services
MyTube
Media ServersDownloader and player for yt-dlp-supported sites with channel
Mopidy-Iris
Media ServersModern web interface for the Mopidy music server
Replaces Sonos app
Whisparr
Media ServersAdult movie collection manager
PinePods
Media ServersSelf-hosted podcast management with cross-device sync
Replaces Pocket Casts
Castopod
Media ServersSelf-hosted podcast hosting platform with federation
Replaces Anchor, Buzzsprout
LibreTime
Media ServersRadio automation and broadcast scheduling platform
Replaces Live365
Karaoke Eternal
Media ServersHost awesome karaoke parties where everyone can easily find and queue
Rapidbay
Media ServersVideostreaming service/torrent client that allows searching
Audioserve
Media ServersSimple personal server to serve audio files from directories
CodeX.docs
Media ServersFree Docs app powered by Editor.js ecosystem
Movary
Media ServersSelf-hosted movie watch history and statistics tracker
Replaces Letterboxd, Trakt
Shoko Server
Media ServersSelf-hosted anime collection manager with automatic identification
Replaces MyAnimeList
DMS
Media ServersMinimal UPnP DLNA media server in a single Go binary
Replaces Universal Media Server
Reaparr
Media ServersCross-platform Plex media downloader that seamlessly adds media
Downtify
Media ServersDownload Spotify music with album art and metadata
Stretto
Media ServersMusic player with Youtube/Soundcloud import and iTunes/Spotify
Lidify
Media ServersMusic discovery tool that provides recommendations based on selected
Icecast
Media ServersStreaming media server for internet radio broadcasts
Replaces Spotify
myMPD
Media ServersWeb front-end for the MPD music player daemon
Replaces Spotify
ympd
Media ServersStandalone web-based MPD client without dependencies
Replaces Sonos app
Lidarr on Steroids
Media ServersLidarr with some muscles thanks to deemix
LinkStack
Media ServersLinkStack is a highly customizable link sharing platform
MistServer
Media ServersPublic domain streaming media server that works with any device
PodFetch
Media ServersSleek and efficient podcast downloader
Ultrasonic
Media ServersFree Subsonic and Navidrome music streaming client
Replaces Spotify
Airsonic-Refix
Media ServersModern responsive web client for Subsonic music servers
Replaces Spotify
SyncTube
Media ServersLightweight and very simple to setup CyTube alternative to watch
vod2pod-rss
Media ServersConvert YouTube and Twitch channels to podcasts, no storage required
LidaTube
Media ServersFinding and fetch missing Lidarr albums via yt-dlp
Deleterr
Media ServersAutomated media cleanup tool that removes watched and stale content
Stremio Server
Media ServersSelf-hostable streaming server backend for Stremio clients
Replaces Plex
ChannelTube
Media ServersDownload video or audio from YouTube channels on a schedule via yt-dlp
YoutubeDL-Server
Media ServersWeb and REST interface to Youtube-DL for downloading videos onto
gpodder.net (mygpo)
Media ServersSelf-hostable podcast subscription sync service
Replaces Apple Podcasts sync
Olaris
Media ServersMedia manager and transcoding server for personal libraries
Replaces Plex
Supysonic
Media ServersLightweight Subsonic-compatible music streaming server
Replaces Spotify
AntennaPod gpodder Sync Server Nextcloud GPodder
Media ServersNextcloud app providing a gpodder-compatible podcast sync API
Replaces Apple Podcasts sync
ydl_api_ng
Media ServersSimple youtube-dl REST API to launch downloads on a distant server
Jellyfin for Roku
Media ServersOpen-source Roku channel for the Jellyfin media server
Replaces Plex for Roku
RompR
Media ServersWeb-based control interface for MPD and Mopidy
Replaces Sonos app
MiniDLNA
Media ServersLightweight DLNA/UPnP media server daemon
Replaces Plex
Rygel
Media ServersGNOME UPnP/DLNA media sharing server
Replaces Plex
Submariner
Media ServersGNOME Subsonic client for streaming self-hosted music
Replaces Spotify desktop
Cantata
Media ServersFeature-rich graphical client for the MPD music server
Replaces iTunes
cmyflix
Media ServersMinimalist Plex/Jellyfin alternative to stream video
ClipBucket
Media ServersStart your own video sharing website (YouTube/Netflix Clone)
M3U Stream Merger Proxy
Media ServersProxy that merges multiple IPTV M3U playlists into one
Replaces xTeVe
Snapweb
Media ServersWeb client and player for the Snapcast multi-room audio system
Replaces Sonos
BotWave
Media ServersFM broadcasting system with server-client architecture for managing
NextPVR
Media ServersPersonal video recorder for live and recorded television
Replaces TiVo
Volumio
Media ServersAudiophile music player OS for self-hosted streaming devices
Replaces Sonos, Roon
MKVPriority
Media ServersSelects preferred audio and subtitle tracks using configurable
TrackWatch
Media ServersAutomated music release tracker for Spotify with email notifications,
tinyMediaManager
Media ServersMetadata manager and organizer for movie and TV libraries
Replaces Plex
Crossonic
Media ServersSelf-hosted music server implementing the Subsonic API
Replaces Spotify, Navidrome
Deluge
Media ServersLightweight BitTorrent client
Replaces µTorrent
Tube
Media ServersYoutube-like, video Sharing App
Replaces Dailymotion, Vimeo
üWave
Media ServersSelf-hosted collaborative listening platform
Subsonic
Media ServersWeb-based media streamer and jukebox
VideoLAN Client (VLC)
Media ServersCross-platform multimedia player client and server supporting most
Channels DVR Server
Media ServersFlexible server providing a whole home self hosted DVR experience
Just. Download.
Media ServersDownload torrents. Just. Download
Sickchill
Media ServersAutomatic video library manager for TV Shows
Deemix
Media Serversdeemix is a barebone deezer downloader library built from the ashes
Stalwart Mail
Media ServersOpen-source mail server solution with JMAP, IMAP4, and SMTP support
No apps match these filters.
At a glance
| App | Deploy effort | Difficulty | Min. RAM | License | ★ Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jellyfin | ≈5-minute setup | Easy | 512 MB | GPL-2.0 | 58,066 |
| qBittorrent | Read-the-docs project | Easy | 50 MB | GPL-3.0-or-later | 40,797 |
| SRS | Under-an-hour setup | Medium | 512 MB | MIT | 29,336 |
| Kodi | Read-the-docs project | Medium | 512 MB | GPL-2.0 | 21,321 |
| Koel | Under-an-hour setup | Medium | 512 MB | MIT | 17,279 |
| Sonarr | ≈5-minute setup | Easy | 50 MB | GPL-3.0-only | 17,092 |
| Jackett | Read-the-docs project | Easy | 200 MB | GPL-2.0 | 16,199 |
| Beets | Under-an-hour setup | Medium | 256 MB | MIT | 15,791 |
| PeerTube | Under-an-hour setup | Hard | 2,048 MB | AGPL-3.0 | 15,361 |
| Transmission | Read-the-docs project | Medium | 50 MB | GPL-3.0 | 15,301 |
Quick picks
- Most adopted: Jellyfin (58,066 GitHub stars).
- Lightest footprint: qBittorrent (from 50 MB RAM, against 2,048 MB for the heaviest here).
- Fastest to deploy: Jellyfin (verified single-container compose).
- Licensing: 41 of 159 use MIT; check the rest individually if you plan to modify and redistribute.
Every option here is open-source and self-hostable, tagged Free within the media servers category. Deploy effort is graded from published container recipes, not vendor claims — see the methodology.