SHSelfHostIndex

LMS vs Tempo

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?
LM LMS Lightweight music server with Subsonic API support VS TE Tempo Material You Subsonic music client for Android
FeatureLMSTempo
Deploy effortUnder-an-hour setupRead-the-docs project
Health score85 · Excellent20 · At risk
CategoryMedia ServersMedia Servers
LicenseGPL-3.0GPL-3.0
LanguageC++Java
Setup difficultyMediumEasy
Min. RAM128 MB128 MB
Deploymentdocker, bare-metalbinary, source
GitHub stars★ 1,680★ 2,240
First released20142022
ReplacesSpotifySpotify, Plexamp

What are LMS and Tempo?

LMS

LMS is a lightweight, self-hosted music streaming server with a focus on performance and a built-in recommendation engine. It exposes the Subsonic API for compatibility with a wide range of clients.

  • Subsonic API compatible
  • Music recommendations
  • Low resource use
  • Scrobbling support

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

Read the full Tempo guide →

LMS vs Tempo: key differences

LMS is written in C++, while Tempo is built with Java. LMS is the more established project (first released 2014), while Tempo arrived in 2022. LMS lists first-class Docker deployment; Tempo does not.

Why pick each one

Choose LMS if…

  • Released under the GPL-3.0 license
  • First-class Docker support for quick deployment
  • Active community (1.7k GitHub stars)
  • Written in C++

Watch out for

  • Smaller community
  • Web UI is functional but plain
LMS details

Choose Tempo if…

  • Modern Android design
  • Works with multiple servers

Watch out for

  • Android only
  • No video support
Tempo details

Frequently asked questions

Is LMS or Tempo better?

Tempo is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider LMS if its specific feature set fits your needs better.

Are LMS and Tempo free and open-source?

Yes. LMS is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Tempo under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.

Can I run LMS and Tempo with Docker?

LMS: yes. Tempo: check the project docs for container support.

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