Ombi vs Stremio Server
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted media servers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Ombi
Media request tool on Plex/Emby/Jellyfin
VS
Stremio Server
Self-hostable streaming server backend for Stremio clients
| Feature | Ombi | Stremio Server |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 88 · Excellent | 77 · Good |
| Category | Media Servers | Media Servers |
| License | GPL-2.0 | MIT |
| Language | C# | Rust |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 50 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal | docker, binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 4,103 | ★ 326 |
| First released | 2023 | 2017 |
| Replaces | Netflix, Plex | Plex |
What are Ombi and Stremio Server?
Ombi
Media request tool on Plex/Emby/Jellyfin.
Stremio Server
The Stremio Server is the self-hostable backend component that handles streaming, transcoding, and torrent resolution for Stremio media clients. Running your own instance keeps streaming traffic on your network.
- Self-hosted streaming backend
- On-the-fly transcoding
- Works with Stremio clients
- Local network streaming
Ombi vs Stremio Server: key differences
Ombi is written in C#, while Stremio Server is built with Rust. Licensing differs — GPL-2.0 for Ombi versus MIT for Stremio Server. Ombi is the lighter option, starting around 50 MB of RAM against 512 MB for Stremio Server. Stremio Server is the more established project (first released 2017), while Ombi arrived in 2023. Ombi has the considerably larger community, at 4,103 GitHub stars versus 326. Stremio Server lists first-class Docker deployment; Ombi does not.
Why pick each one
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#
Choose Stremio Server if…
- Keeps traffic private
- Lightweight server
Watch out for
- Needs a Stremio client
- Limited standalone UI
Frequently asked questions
Is Ombi or Stremio Server better?
Ombi is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Stremio Server if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Ombi and Stremio Server free and open-source?
Yes. Ombi is licensed under GPL-2.0 and Stremio Server under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Ombi and Stremio Server with Docker?
Ombi: check the project docs for container support. Stremio Server: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Ombi or Stremio Server?
Ombi has the smaller minimum footprint at 50 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for Stremio Server. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.