Ampache vs Finamp
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted media servers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Ampache | Finamp |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 88 · Excellent | 74 · Good |
| Category | Media Servers | Media Servers |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | MPL-2.0 |
| Language | PHP | Dart |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 3,832 | ★ 4,279 |
| First released | 2001 | 2021 |
| Replaces | Spotify | Plexamp, Spotify |
What are Ampache and Finamp?
Ampache
Ampache is a web-based audio and video streaming application and file manager that lets you access your music from anywhere. It supports the Subsonic API, sharing, and a wide range of clients.
- Subsonic API support
- Audio and video streaming
- Sharing and playlists
- Many client apps
Finamp
Finamp is a free and open-source music client for Jellyfin built with Flutter for Android and iOS. It allows downloading albums and playlists for offline listening and supports gapless playback and transcoding.
- Offline music downloads
- Gapless playback
- Transcoded streaming
- Cross-platform mobile
Ampache vs Finamp: key differences
Ampache is written in PHP, while Finamp is built with Dart. Licensing differs — AGPL-3.0 for Ampache versus MPL-2.0 for Finamp. Finamp is the lighter option, starting around 256 MB of RAM against 512 MB for Ampache. Ampache is the more established project (first released 2001), while Finamp arrived in 2021. Ampache lists first-class Docker deployment; Finamp does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Ampache if…
- Long-established project
- Flexible catalog options
Watch out for
- Configuration can be complex
- Dated areas of the UI
Choose Finamp if…
- Reliable offline mode
- Active community
Watch out for
- Mobile only
- Requires Jellyfin server
Frequently asked questions
Is Ampache or Finamp better?
Finamp is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Ampache if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Ampache and Finamp free and open-source?
Yes. Ampache is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Finamp under MPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Ampache and Finamp with Docker?
Ampache: yes. Finamp: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Ampache or Finamp?
Finamp has the smaller minimum footprint at 256 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for Ampache. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.