Amperfy vs Tempo
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted media servers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Amperfy | Tempo |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 84 · Excellent | 20 · At risk |
| Category | Media Servers | Media Servers |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | Swift | Java |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,761 | ★ 2,240 |
| First released | 2021 | 2022 |
| Replaces | Spotify, Apple Music | Spotify, Plexamp |
What are Amperfy and Tempo?
Amperfy
Amperfy is a free and open-source iOS music streaming app that connects to Ampache and Subsonic-compatible servers. It supports offline playback, playlists, and CarPlay for self-hosted music libraries.
- Ampache and Subsonic support
- Offline playback
- CarPlay integration
- Playlist sync
Tempo
Tempo is a free and open-source music streaming client for Subsonic-compatible servers such as Navidrome and Airsonic. It features a Material You interface, offline downloads, and Android Auto support.
- Subsonic API support
- Material You theming
- Android Auto
- Offline downloads
Amperfy vs Tempo: key differences
Amperfy is written in Swift, while Tempo is built with Java.
Why pick each one
Choose Amperfy if…
- Native iOS experience
- Supports two server APIs
Watch out for
- iOS only
- Music only
Choose Tempo if…
- Modern Android design
- Works with multiple servers
Watch out for
- Android only
- No video support
Frequently asked questions
Is Amperfy or Tempo better?
Neither is universally better. Tempo has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Amperfy and Tempo free and open-source?
Yes. Amperfy is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Tempo under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Amperfy and Tempo with Docker?
Amperfy: check the project docs for container support. Tempo: check the project docs for container support.