Dim vs Ombi
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted media servers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Ombi
Media request tool on Plex/Emby/Jellyfin
| Feature | Dim | Ombi |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 37 · At risk | 88 · Excellent |
| Category | Media Servers | Media Servers |
| License | GPL-2.0 | GPL-2.0 |
| Language | Rust | C# |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 50 MB |
| Deployment | docker, binary | bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 4,116 | ★ 4,105 |
| First released | 2020 | 2023 |
| Replaces | Plex | Netflix, Plex |
What are Dim and Ombi?
Dim
Dim is a self-hosted media manager that automatically scans, identifies, and organizes your movies and TV shows. It transcodes media on demand and streams to a clean web interface.
- Automatic media scanning
- On-demand transcoding
- Written in Rust
- Clean web UI
Ombi
Media request tool on Plex/Emby/Jellyfin.
Dim vs Ombi: key differences
Dim is written in Rust, while Ombi is built with C#. Ombi is the lighter option, starting around 50 MB of RAM against 512 MB for Dim. Dim is the more established project (first released 2020), while Ombi arrived in 2023. Dim lists first-class Docker deployment; Ombi does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Dim if…
- Low resource usage
- Single binary option
Watch out for
- Development pace varies
- Fewer features than Jellyfin
Choose Ombi if…
- Released under the GPL-2.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- Active community (4.1k GitHub stars)
- Written in C#
Frequently asked questions
Is Dim or Ombi better?
Neither is universally better. Dim has the larger community, while Ombi is simpler to set up (easy difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are Dim and Ombi free and open-source?
Yes. Dim is licensed under GPL-2.0 and Ombi under GPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Dim and Ombi with Docker?
Dim: yes. Ombi: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Dim or Ombi?
Ombi has the smaller minimum footprint at 50 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for Dim. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.