Gerbera vs Ombi
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted media servers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Gerbera
UPnP media server for streaming to DLNA devices
VS
Ombi
Media request tool on Plex/Emby/Jellyfin
| Feature | Gerbera | Ombi |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 84 · Excellent | 88 · Excellent |
| Category | Media Servers | Media Servers |
| License | GPL-2.0 | GPL-2.0 |
| Language | C++ | C# |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 50 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,393 | ★ 4,103 |
| First released | 2018 | 2023 |
| Replaces | Plex | Netflix, Plex |
What are Gerbera and Ombi?
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
Ombi
Media request tool on Plex/Emby/Jellyfin.
Gerbera vs Ombi: key differences
Gerbera is written in C++, while Ombi is built with C#. Ombi is the lighter option, starting around 50 MB of RAM against 128 MB for Gerbera. Gerbera is the more established project (first released 2018), while Ombi arrived in 2023. Ombi has the considerably larger community, at 4,103 GitHub stars versus 1,393. Gerbera lists first-class Docker deployment; Ombi does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Gerbera if…
- Works with DLNA TVs
- Low resource use
- No client apps needed
Watch out for
- DLNA UX is basic
- No remote streaming
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 Gerbera or Ombi better?
Ombi 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 Gerbera and Ombi free and open-source?
Yes. Gerbera is licensed under GPL-2.0 and Ombi under GPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Gerbera and Ombi with Docker?
Gerbera: yes. Ombi: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Gerbera or Ombi?
Ombi has the smaller minimum footprint at 50 MB of RAM, compared to about 128 MB for Gerbera. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.