Ampache vs Funkwhale
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted media servers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Funkwhale
Federated music streaming and sharing platform
| Feature | Ampache | Funkwhale |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Category | Media Servers | Media Servers |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | PHP | Python |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Hard |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 1,024 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 3,832 | ★ 2,700 |
| First released | 2001 | 2017 |
| Replaces | Spotify | Spotify |
What are Ampache and Funkwhale?
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
Funkwhale
Funkwhale is a self-hosted, federated music server for streaming and sharing audio, including support for podcasts and community libraries. It targets musicians and communities wanting a social music platform. It is deployed via Docker.
- ActivityPub federation
- Music and podcast streaming
- Subsonic API compatibility
- Community libraries
Ampache vs Funkwhale: key differences
Ampache is written in PHP, while Funkwhale is built with Python. Ampache is the lighter option, starting around 512 MB of RAM against 1,024 MB for Funkwhale. Ampache is the more established project (first released 2001), while Funkwhale arrived in 2017.
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 Funkwhale if…
- Federated and social
- Subsonic client support
- Podcast support
Watch out for
- Heavier setup
- Federation adds complexity
Frequently asked questions
Is Ampache or Funkwhale better?
Ampache is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler medium setup. Consider Funkwhale if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Ampache and Funkwhale free and open-source?
Yes. Ampache is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Funkwhale under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Ampache and Funkwhale with Docker?
Ampache: yes. Funkwhale: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Ampache or Funkwhale?
Ampache has the smaller minimum footprint at 512 MB of RAM, compared to about 1,024 MB for Funkwhale. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.