mStream vs Tempo
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted media servers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | mStream | Tempo |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 86 · Excellent | 20 · At risk |
| Category | Media Servers | Media Servers |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | JavaScript | Java |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal, binary | binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 2,397 | ★ 2,240 |
| First released | 2016 | 2022 |
| Replaces | Spotify | Spotify, Plexamp |
What are mStream and Tempo?
mStream
mStream is a personal music streaming server that you can run on any computer to access your music from anywhere. It includes mobile apps for offline downloads and playlist syncing.
- Cross-platform mobile apps
- Offline song downloads
- Playlist sync
- Lightweight server
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
mStream vs Tempo: key differences
MStream is written in JavaScript, while Tempo is built with Java. Tempo is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 256 MB for mStream. MStream is the more established project (first released 2016), while Tempo arrived in 2022. MStream lists first-class Docker deployment; Tempo does not.
Why pick each one
Choose mStream if…
- Easy to install
- Good mobile experience
Watch out for
- Basic web UI
- Slower release cadence
Choose Tempo if…
- Modern Android design
- Works with multiple servers
Watch out for
- Android only
- No video support
Frequently asked questions
Is mStream or Tempo better?
Neither is universally better. mStream has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are mStream and Tempo free and open-source?
Yes. mStream is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Tempo under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run mStream and Tempo with Docker?
mStream: yes. Tempo: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, mStream or Tempo?
Tempo has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 256 MB for mStream. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.