6 best media server software for Linux

Creating a server has many benefits. However, it also causes problems such as increased data control, or a lack of interesting options such as game servers and media servers.

A normal file server is different from a media server or a game server. When setting up a media server, there is a guide on navigation and user interface (UI). For Linux, media server software options are numerous. The following article will summarize the 6 best media server applications for Linux.

1. Plex.tv

Plex has been heralded as a DIY Netflix. It is a simple media server program with a great user interface. Plex has installers for Linux, FreeBSD and even an official Docker container or comes with CoreOS's Linux Container. For client devices, Plex supports a variety of hardware including Windows 10, macOS, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV and Roku. Kodi users benefit from a Plex as an add-on for Kodi.

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Link media Plex servers to Linux software to the corresponding movie, TV and music folders, making your media accessible via the client application. Although Windows has both Plex Media Server software and Plex Media Player software installed, Linux only has media server software. But although Linux lacks media player, you can still watch videos and listen to music on Linux using Plex Media Server software for Linux. This simply launches the web player on your Linux machine. However, when you set up a server, local playback on Linux's media server may not be a priority unless you are using it in conjunction with a home theater PC (HTPC) - media center. Computer at home.

As media server software for Linux, Plex is quite intuitive, with both formal and informal channels. This is a great means of storing movies, music and great TV shows, available on many different devices. Installing Linux is extremely simple. If you need a server, NAS, DIY options and built-in options are great for Plex.

Best Plex for new users of media servers. It is truly one of the best media server applications available and is one of the leading multimedia streaming tools for Linux.

2. Emby.media

Emby is similar to Plex, in terms of functionality. While installing and configuring Plex is quite beginner friendly, Emby is a bit more complicated. Much of this comes from Emby's varied customization. Because it has a lot of options for managing databases and metadata, Emby is specifically designed for advanced users. What Emby lacks is client compatibility and ease of use, but in return it offers users great interface and metadata options.

Although Emby is not set up like Plex, it is certainly an incredible media server option for Linux. Emby hosts dedicated installers for Debian, CentOS, Dedora, OpenSUSE, Arch Linux, Docker and Ubuntu. In addition, it is available as a manual download for some Linux operating systems. Notably, Windows users can appreciate Emby as an alternative to Windows Media Center.

Emby is best suited for advanced users, looking for custom options.

3. Subsonic.org

Subsonic uses the slogan 'easy listening'. This is a media server software aimed at music, but retains compatibility with video. The highlight of Subsonic includes a wide range of music features, such as a podcast receiver, integrated Sonos, automatic singing mode and downsampling, as well as a fast conversion capability. You will also find support for lyrics, album art and tags.

For Linux, Subsonic is available for Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora and Red Hat. You can find client applications for Android, iOS, BlackBerry, Windows, Roku, Sonos, macOS and another web application. The user interface is not great for video, but its performance is excellent. Using Subsonic, you can even build a WiFi PC radio channel.

Subsonic is best suited for music lovers.

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4. Madsonic.org

Madsonic is a branch of Subsonic. Similarly, it is a music player with support for video. Madsonic not only works as well as an online media server for Linux, but also acts as a jukebox. Features such as bitrate limits and resampling make the Madsonic a great media server for music. Like Subsonic, Madsonic supports Sonos, gathering metadata through Musicbrainz, Last.fm, Echonest, IMDB, and highly scalable. You can easily manage more than 100,000 different files.

Although Madsonic is quite intuitive, there is a REST API for the application, script and addon creation. In addition, Madsonic also has LDAP for custom access. You can see a difference between Madsonic and Subsonic. Overall, the Madsonic gives users a more feature-rich experience, but many of them have a lot of premium features or fees.

Madsonic is best suited for music lovers.

5. OpenFlixr.com

OpenFlixr is slightly different from most media server solutions for Linux in this article. This is a media server focused on automation. It includes Plex Media Server, as well as torrent and usenet automation programs like CouchPotato, Headphones and SickRage. This avoids installing individual programs. Therefore, OpenFlixr is a comprehensive media server. It is both an installer and an update, including intelligent automatic updates to ensure the installed software is always up to date.

OpenFlixr is a virtual device, so you will need an application like VirtualBox or VMWare Fusion. But you can run OpenFlixr as a virtual device on Linux, and it's a great way to combine Linux with an outstanding media server.

OpenFlixr is best suited for high-end media server users and knowledgeable about automation. OpenFlixr requires advanced knowledge of virtual machines.

6. TvMOBiLi.com

TVMOBiLi is another great media server software application for Linux. Although it has high performance, but TVMOBiLi is still intuitive to set up and run. It's as simple as specifying your media folder. Like Emby and Plex, TvMOBiLi allows remote access. The Linux installer is available for Redhat, Debian, BSD, Synology and QNAP devices. There is also a Raspberry Pi Arch Linux installer.

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Among the many rich features, TVMIBiLi provides excellent integration and support for iTunes. It is lightweight and simple platform to set up. However, TvMOBiLi has to pay. Although there are free services, such as Emby, Plex and Madsonic, TVMOBiLi still stands out for providing great support and notable iTunes integration. This feature automatically fills TVMOBiLi with database content from your iTunes library.

TVMOBiLi is best suited for Apple users, wanting iTunes to integrate into their media server, or beginners to use media servers and are seeking advanced support.

Where is the best media server software for Linux?

There are many media server software options for Linux. VLC is not entirely a media server program, but VLC can be configured to play online at home. Which option you choose depends on what you are looking for on your media server. While Subsonic is a great choice for music lovers, its user interface for video is not as good as Emby or Plex. Likewise, Plex does not handle music but Madsonic or Subsonic is primarily aimed at playing music.

You might consider a hybrid server using Plex or Emby for video, and Subsonic or Madsonic for music. If you're setting up your server, these Linux server operating systems, including Ubuntu Server and openSUSE, are great options.

Do you recommend any media server software for Linux? Let us know in the comments section below!

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