Fladder vs Gerbera
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted media servers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Fladder
Cross-platform Flutter client for Jellyfin
VS
Gerbera
UPnP media server for streaming to DLNA devices
| Feature | Fladder | Gerbera |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 87 · Excellent | 84 · Excellent |
| Category | Media Servers | Media Servers |
| License | MIT | GPL-2.0 |
| Language | Dart | C++ |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 2,599 | ★ 1,393 |
| First released | 2024 | 2018 |
| Replaces | Plex, Emby Theater | Plex |
What are Fladder and Gerbera?
Fladder
Fladder is a cross-platform Jellyfin client built with Flutter, supporting Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and the web. It provides library browsing, media playback, and downloads in a single unified codebase.
- One codebase for all platforms
- MPV-based playback
- Offline downloads
- SyncPlay support
Gerbera
Gerbera is a UPnP/DLNA media server that streams audio and video to compatible TVs and devices on a local network. It targets users with DLNA hardware who want simple local streaming. It is deployed via Docker or native packages.
- Standards-based UPnP/DLNA streaming
- Web UI for managing media
- Transcoding support
- Lightweight footprint
Fladder vs Gerbera: key differences
Fladder is written in Dart, while Gerbera is built with C++. Licensing differs — MIT for Fladder versus GPL-2.0 for Gerbera. Gerbera is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 256 MB for Fladder. Gerbera is the more established project (first released 2018), while Fladder arrived in 2024. Gerbera lists first-class Docker deployment; Fladder does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Fladder if…
- Truly cross-platform
- Lightweight
Watch out for
- Younger project
- Requires Jellyfin server
Choose Gerbera if…
- Works with DLNA TVs
- Low resource use
- No client apps needed
Watch out for
- DLNA UX is basic
- No remote streaming
Frequently asked questions
Is Fladder or Gerbera better?
Fladder is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Gerbera if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Fladder and Gerbera free and open-source?
Yes. Fladder is licensed under MIT and Gerbera under GPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Fladder and Gerbera with Docker?
Fladder: check the project docs for container support. Gerbera: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Fladder or Gerbera?
Gerbera has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 256 MB for Fladder. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.