Gerbera vs Universal Media Server
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted media servers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
Gerbera
UPnP media server for streaming to DLNA devices
VS
Universal Media Server
DLNA-compliant media server for streaming to TVs and consoles
| Feature | Gerbera | Universal Media Server |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Media Servers | Media Servers |
| License | GPL-2.0 | GPL-2.0 |
| Language | C++ | Java |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | docker, bare-metal, binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,390 | ★ 2,636 |
| First released | 2018 | 2012 |
| Replaces | Plex | Plex, Serviio |
Why pick each one
Choose Universal Media Server if…
- Works with old TVs and consoles
- Simple setup
Frequently asked questions
Is Gerbera or Universal Media Server better?
Universal Media Server 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 Universal Media Server free and open-source?
Yes. Gerbera is licensed under GPL-2.0 and Universal Media Server under GPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Gerbera and Universal Media Server with Docker?
Gerbera: yes. Universal Media Server: yes.