Ampache vs mStream
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted media servers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Ampache | mStream |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 88 · Excellent | 86 · Excellent |
| Category | Media Servers | Media Servers |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | PHP | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | docker, bare-metal, binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 3,832 | ★ 2,397 |
| First released | 2001 | 2016 |
| Replaces | Spotify | Spotify |
What are Ampache and mStream?
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
mStream
mStream is a personal music streaming server that you can run on any computer to access your music from anywhere. It includes mobile apps for offline downloads and playlist syncing.
- Cross-platform mobile apps
- Offline song downloads
- Playlist sync
- Lightweight server
Ampache vs mStream: key differences
Ampache is written in PHP, while mStream is built with JavaScript. Licensing differs — AGPL-3.0 for Ampache versus GPL-3.0 for mStream. MStream 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 mStream arrived in 2016.
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 mStream if…
- Easy to install
- Good mobile experience
Watch out for
- Basic web UI
- Slower release cadence
Frequently asked questions
Is Ampache or mStream better?
Neither is universally better. Ampache has the larger community, while mStream is simpler to set up (easy difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are Ampache and mStream free and open-source?
Yes. Ampache is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and mStream under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Ampache and mStream with Docker?
Ampache: yes. mStream: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Ampache or mStream?
mStream 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.