Media centers are the perfect place to shop collections of images, music, and videos that people create on their computers, smartphones, or other devices. Their primary function is to store this media, such as your latest vacation photos or your favorite pic. However, you may find your patience being tested if you start searching for a particular file, only to realize that nothing is organized properly.
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If yous're looking for a suitable management platform for your media files, you lot will no doubt come up across Plex somewhen. Launched as a freeware project in 2007, Plex has an impressive range of features and is undoubtedly one of the best media centers of all time. Thanks to diverse streaming portals and services like Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, or Vevo, Plex users can play online content directly through their media center interface. However, Plex does have some formidable alternatives.
What should a good alternative to Plex be able to do?
The main office of a media eye is to organize all media files (audio, video, and image) on the selected computer system in a clearly arranged format. The user interface should arrive easy for you lot to find and play back the content y'all want.
Plex alternatives (as well every bit Plex itself) should not just permit playback on the original device, but should also exist able to play through external devices. Streaming your own media content on a Television should be a standard feature, which is why almost media center interfaces are also designed to be used with smart TVs.
The best Plex alternatives should also be able to stream video and data services. Of form, your personal interests are most important here: Netflix and YouTube are more widely supported than other services because of their popularity. However, if you are not interested in these mainstream platforms, streaming links will exist irrelevant to you lot every bit a user. It is therefore advisable to check the additional features in accelerate (often available as optional add-ons) that can be used every bit a respectable culling to Plex. It is likewise of import that the selected media management pick allows multiple devices to access the library at the same time. If y'all want to enjoy a film while a roommate or a family unit member is streaming music, your called Plex culling must always be usable by several people at the aforementioned time.
What are the best alternatives to Plex?
In addition to the range of functions, cost and compatibility play an of import role when it comes to choosing the all-time media center. The latter does not just deal with which systems the media center should be created on, it is too virtually what platforms you tin can access the media heart from. You should besides consider how up to date the Plex alternative is when making your decision: since many media centers are interconnected with spider web services, timely updates to close security holes are particularly important.
To make finding a suitable Plex culling easier, hither are some interesting examples of the all-time media centers and a guide to their advantages and disadvantages.
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Mezzmo
On December 20th 2007, the Australian-based software visitor Conceiva released their home entertainment product Mezzmo. The software was initially bachelor as a paid programme for Windows, but Conceiva now relies on a freemium model: you tin can download and use the bones model for free, while the pro edition (which includes a web interface and then that you can access using standard browsers) has lots of extra features and requires a subscription fee. There is also a paid Android app which was released in 2014. The app is mainly used every bit a remote application to retrieve content stored on the local Mezzmo media server on Android devices. Thank you to an integrated digital media server (DMS), you can also stream files stored on the device itself with the app.
Mezzmo is very easy to set upwardly: later installing the program, it automatically searches and organizes all the movies, video clips, music, photos, and stored subtitles saved on the organization being used. These files can later be played back on all devices in the network that back up UPnP or DNLA, or that have the app installed (Android just) – Mezzmo transcodes the media content in real fourth dimension to ensure optimal streaming quality. Y'all tin can access the media collection simultaneously with multiple devices at any fourth dimension, so that sharing the media center is no problem. If you are having technical problems with Mezzmo, yous can contact Conceiva with a ticket or through the user forum.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Multi-user adequacy | Media center cannot be used on macOS/Linux systems |
| Android app with its own media server | Web interface is only bachelor in the paid pro edition |
MediaPortal
In February 2014, Erwin Becker launched the GPL-licensed open source programMediaPortal, which is now managed past the MediaPortal team. A core characteristic of MediaPortal is that it supports TV cards then that you tin lookout TV through your media center. Additionally, the free-of-charge Plex alternative combines FM and internet radio with TV stations, information services (weather condition, news, etc.), and all media files stored on the figurer in a single user interface. It's upwardly to you to decide how content should exist categorized: you tin sort songs past creative person, album, or genre, and video clips and movies past cover, actor, or genre.
MediaPortal is an open source application and therefore benefits enormously from collaborating with the customs: plugins developed as a supplement that provide additional functions that can be installed and integrated just as hands as skins to give the user interface a new appearance. This Plex alternative is merely available for Windows and at that place are no separate apps for smartphones, tablets, or smart TVs – just there are extensions that let remote admission to your MediaPortal library from these same devices. All skins and plugins are bachelor at any time from the official download page.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Supports standard Tv cards | Media center can just exist used with Windows |
| Customizable user interface with skins | Complex installation and setup |
Kodi
One Plex alternative, originally designed primarily every bit a media player solution for the Microsoft console Xbox, is Kodi. Published as 'Xbox Media Center' (XBMC) in 2004, the media center kept this name even when it became available for other platforms. In 2014, information technology decided to rename the open source awarding, distributed under the GNU-GPL license, to Kodi. This fabricated it clear that information technology was no longer primarily aimed at consoles. Even so, the media software is non actually an alternative to Plex: the Kodi project – or it'southward Linux version, to exist more precise – formed the basis for Plex. Strictly speaking, Plex is an XBMC separation code.
Kodi delivers all the fundamental features of a good media center: you tin can organize all your media content easily and play it dorsum through the user interface, which supports a variety of audio, video, and image formats. Implementing new formats and technologies (similar video acceleration) is handled by the Kodi team in existent fourth dimension. The Plex alternative automatically retrieves metadata from the web to provide boosted information nearly archived content. Kodi'southward greatest strength, still, is that the software is platform independent. In that location are not merely installation packages for Windows, Linux, and macOS, merely likewise for Android, iOS, and Raspberry-Pi. Remote control apps for iOS and Android consummate the range of options.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Platform contained | Complicated multi-user setup (focused on i device by default) |
| Tin besides be used with alternative hardware like the Raspberry Pi | |
| Experienced developer team |
Stremio
The Bulgarian startup Stremio launched an heady alternative to Plex in 2015 with their application of the same proper name, which was rapidly met with enthusiasm from moving picture and Telly fans. The open source media center, which is easy to utilize, focuses entirely on organizing video content, and integrates video-on-demand services similar Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc. in an interesting way: add together-ons allow content from unlike providers to be combined with the Stremio interface. Video clips, shows and movies on your own device are besides taken into business relationship when creating the library. Thanks to the integrated agenda function, you can too e'er keep track of new episode releases or highly anticipated films.
By integrating various streaming providers, Stremio not only provides an fantabulous overview of when and where content is available, but also offers a adept price comparison. In terms of compatibility, the open source platform is just equally well set upwardly as Kodi: desktop versions for Windows, macOS, and Linux are available, as well every bit complimentary apps for Android and iOS. Additionally, the programmer plans to release a spider web application for the Plex alternative, which will then permit them to manage and admission their own library likewise every bit the existing clients for desktop PCs and mobile devices.
Note
Third-party add-ons that permit free streaming of paid video content are illegal and should non be used or installed.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Very easy to ready and apply | No function for organizing music and image files available |
| Calendar features assist to go along track of new picture releases, serial, or episodes | Number of official developer add-ons is very manageable |
Universal Media Server
The Universal Media Server is besides an example of an open source program, written in Java. The spin-off program from PS3 Media Server was developed in May 2012 by the developer SubJunk, who had previously played a decisive role in the media server for Sony'southward game console. As an alternative to Plex, the software is especially impressive because of its broad device compatibility: both DNLA (Digital Living Network Brotherhood) and UPnP (Universal Plug & Play) are supported, so that music, videos, and images can be streamed easily on all devices that work to these standards (this includes PS4, Xbox 360, iPhone, Android devices, and diverse smart TVs). Universal Media Server runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS, cheers to its multiple versions.
The media middle is regularly updated by the developer team. Contempo updates are often available as a beta version for download – however, users must expect that the software may non always work properly in these pre-releases. The Plex alternative has an optional web browser interface and is expandable with plugins. This tin be used, for instance, to integrate a link to SoundCloud. Further information on the evolution status and useful links to interesting Universal Media Server websites can be found in the official directory for the project on Github Github.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Platform independent thank you to broad device support and an optional web interface | No carve up customer applications/apps for accessing the media server |
| Fourth dimension consuming, uncomfortable to start with, and not like shooting fish in a barrel to connect devices |
Emby
If you lot're looking for a skilful alternative to Plex, you volition no doubt come beyond the Emby. The largely royalty-free application (GNU-GPL), which has been maintained by Emby LLC since 2015, provides all the features you lot might need for the multi-device organization of your media files, starting with a costless-of-accuse media server available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, as well as NAS and docker platforms. Configuration for the Emby server takes place independently of the chosen system through the very circuitous web interface. The server is automatically recognized past all DNLA-capable devices – but the developers likewise offer diverse proprietary (and partly chargeable) apps for mobile devices (iOS, Android, Windows) as well every bit for smart TVs and consoles (Samsung, LG, PS4, Xbox One).
If y'all start the Emby server subsequently installation, the web dashboard will automatically open, assuasive you to configure all the necessary settings for your personal media server. This is non just about filling the library, but besides nearly finding the perfect setup for transcoding the content. It is too possible to create different user profiles, including access authorizations. This fashion yous tin ensure that developed content is not accessible to children, for case. If y'all subscribe to the monthly Emby Premiere package, y'all can use numerous additional features like cloud and folder synchronization, a comprehend configurator, and a backup office. In addition, yous can stream videos and music to private devices, too every bit relieve them when you lot have out a subscription then that they can exist played without a network connection.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Excellent user account management | Express extensions available |
| Apps for various platforms/devices bachelor | Some features are only available in the paid premiere subscription |
TVersity
TVersity is a proprietary Plex alternative from TVersity Inc. Their paid media server package uses DNLA/UPnP applied science to enable users to stream content from their own PCs to a wide variety of devices (content tin also be accessed through standard web browsers). If the format/codec on the target devices is not supported, the TVersity server will transcode the corresponding files in existent time. Indexing photos, songs, and videos happens automatically in the background, ensuring that your collection is always up to date. When information technology comes to server performance, unfortunately this Plex alternative only runs on Windows.
Note
There is a complimentary version of TVersity, simply information technology only supports a small portion of the formats and codecs. In addition, there is no real-time transcoding in the free output, which then limits streaming capabilities considerably.
TVersity combines your personal media collection with useful web content similar free video streams, RSS feeds, or podcasts that can be retrieved from the customer on the called device. If you lot're looking for a specific file, you'll do good from the media middle's outstanding performance, which is sure to print even large libraries with more 100.000 entries. A large part of their fast, uncomplicated file retrieval system is the powerful search mask and integrated enshroud function, which caches transcoded content. The Plex alternative has a Residual API that allows you lot to integrate the media center into other tools easily.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Platform independent web app available | Server application is only available for Windows |
A tabular comparison of the best Plex alternatives
| Media center | Release twelvemonth | Programmer | License | Media library platform | Payment model |
| Emby | 2015 | Emby LLC | GNU GPL, proprietary (Apps) | Windows, macOS, Linux, Docker, NAS | Freemium |
| MediaPortal | 2014 | Team MediaPortal | GNU GPL | Windows | Gratuitous |
| Mezzmo | 2007 | Conceiva | GNU GPL, LGPL | Windows, Android | Freemium |
| Kodi | 2004 | Kodi Team | GNU GPL | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Raspberry Pi | Free |
| Stremio | 2015 | Stremio | GNU GPL | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS | Free |
| TVersity | 2005 | TVersity Inc. | proprietary | Windows | Paid Pro edition, free basic edition |
| Universal Media Server | 2012 | SubJunk and others | GNU GPL | Windows, macOS, Linux | Free |
Plex is ane of the most popular applications for organizing your own multimedia collection on PCs, smartphones, and other devices, but there are a number of good alternatives that don't have to hide backside the mainstream media centers when it comes to functionality and streaming quality. This article explains exactly what characterizes software that manages and plays back audio, video, and epitome files, and what Plex alternatives are available.
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