Ombi 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?
Ombi
Media request tool on Plex/Emby/Jellyfin
VS
Universal Media Server
DLNA-compliant media server for streaming to TVs and consoles
| Feature | Ombi | Universal Media Server |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Media Servers | Media Servers |
| License | GPL-2.0 | GPL-2.0 |
| Language | C# | Java |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 50 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal | docker, bare-metal, binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 4,107 | ★ 2,636 |
| First released | 2023 | 2012 |
| Replaces | Netflix, Plex | Plex, Serviio |
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 Universal Media Server if…
- Works with old TVs and consoles
- Simple setup
Frequently asked questions
Is Ombi or Universal Media Server better?
Neither is universally better. Ombi has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Ombi and Universal Media Server free and open-source?
Yes. Ombi 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 Ombi and Universal Media Server with Docker?
Ombi: check the project docs for container support. Universal Media Server: yes.