Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Ampache VS Funkwhale

Compare Ampache VS Funkwhale and see what are their differences

Ampache logo Ampache

Web ( HTTP centralized ) based audio/video streaming application

Funkwhale logo Funkwhale

Funkwhale is a modern, self-hosted, free and open-source music server
  • Ampache Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-30
  • Funkwhale Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-07-24

Ampache features and specs

  • Open-source
    Ampache is open-source software, which means it is free to use and modify. This allows for a high level of customization and the ability to adapt the software to specific needs.
  • Cross-platform compatibility
    Ampache can run on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and various Linux distributions, making it versatile and accessible to a wide range of users.
  • Remote streaming
    Ampache allows for streaming your music library over the internet, enabling access from anywhere with an internet connection. This can be particularly useful for personal use or sharing with friends and family.
  • Comprehensive music management
    Ampache offers extensive music management features, including metadata editing, playlist creation, and support for a wide range of audio formats.
  • Third-party integrations
    Ampache supports integration with various third-party software and services, enhancing its functionality. Examples include integration with music players and media server software.

Possible disadvantages of Ampache

  • Complex setup
    Setting up Ampache can be technically challenging for users who are not familiar with server management and web applications. This might require a steep learning curve and additional time investment.
  • Performance issues
    Depending on the serverโ€™s hardware and the size of the music library, Ampache can experience slow performance and lag during operation, particularly with larger collections.
  • Limited support
    As an open-source project, Ampache relies on community support. While there is an active user community, professional support options are limited compared to commercial products.
  • Security concerns
    Hosting your own music server over the internet exposes you to potential security risks. Proper configuration and updates are crucial to mitigate vulnerabilities.
  • User interface
    While functional, Ampache's user interface may be seen as outdated or less polished compared to modern commercial music streaming services.

Funkwhale features and specs

  • Federation
    Funkwhale supports the ActivityPub protocol, allowing users to connect with other instances and share music across a decentralized network.
  • Open Source
    Funkwhale is fully open-source, which means anyone can audit the code, contribute to its development, and fork it for their own needs.
  • Privacy
    Being a self-hosted solution, Funkwhale offers greater privacy and control over your data compared to commercial streaming services.
  • Community-Driven
    As an open-source project, Funkwhale benefits from community feedback and contributions, which can lead to a more user-focused development.
  • Customizable
    Users can customize their instances to fit specific needs, from appearance to functionality, making it a very flexible choice.
  • No Advertisements
    Funkwhale does not include any advertisements, offering an uninterrupted listening experience.

Possible disadvantages of Funkwhale

  • Technical Complexity
    Setting up and maintaining a Funkwhale instance requires a certain level of technical expertise, which might be challenging for non-technical users.
  • Server Costs
    Self-hosting a Funkwhale instance involves costs associated with server hosting and maintenance.
  • Limited Music Database
    Unlike major streaming services, the music available on Funkwhale is only as extensive as the tracks uploaded by its users and participating instances.
  • Dependency on Federation
    While federation is a strong feature, its effectiveness depends on the number and quality of other instances connected to the network.
  • Lack of Third-Party Integrations
    Compared to mainstream services, Funkwhale may lack integration with popular third-party applications and devices.
  • Support and Documentation
    While the community is active, the level of professional support and extensive documentation might not match that of commercial services.

Analysis of Ampache

Overall verdict

  • Ampache is generally considered a good choice for users looking for a comprehensive and flexible music streaming solution, particularly those who prefer open-source software with customizable options. Its user-friendly interface and wide range of features make it a competitive option in the market.

Why this product is good

  • Ampache is a web-based audio streaming application and file manager that allows users to access their music collection from any location and on any device, given internet access. It has a robust feature set that includes support for multiple playback options, including local, cloud, and third-party services. It is open-source and highly customizable, which makes it appealing to those who like to have control over their software environment. It also offers web-based and cross-platform access, aiding in user convenience. Additionally, the community-driven development ensures continuous updates and improvements.

Recommended for

  • Music enthusiasts who have large personal music collections.
  • Users who prefer open-source software and want to customize their music streaming platform.
  • Individuals seeking a self-hosted music streaming solution.
  • Tech-savvy users who can handle installation and configuration processes on their own server or hosting service.
  • Cross-platform users who need access to their music from various types of devices.

Analysis of Funkwhale

Overall verdict

  • Yes, many users find Funkwhale to be a good platform.

Why this product is good

  • Funkwhale is an open-source, decentralized, and customizable music streaming platform. It allows users to host their own server or join existing ones, promoting community and user autonomy. It supports integration with a variety of clients and applications, providing a flexible experience. The platform respects user privacy and avoids advertisements, which many users appreciate.

Recommended for

  • Users who prioritize privacy and open-source solutions.
  • Music enthusiasts looking for a decentralized streaming platform.
  • Communities or individuals interested in hosting their own music server.
  • People seeking an ad-free music streaming experience.

Ampache videos

Hak5 - Ampache, Boxee and Wireless Virtual Machines

Funkwhale videos

Les Tutos: Docker No. 9: Funkwhale - Music streaming server

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Ampache and Funkwhale)
Media Player
100 100%
0% 0
Music Streaming
35 35%
65% 65
Audio & Music
51 51%
49% 49
Media Players And Streaming Platforms

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Ampache and Funkwhale

Ampache Reviews

We have no reviews of Ampache yet.
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Funkwhale Reviews

Best Spotify Alternatives In The World [Top 10] 2024
Funkwhale is a leading choice among open-source enthusiasts seeking alternatives to mainstream music smooth platforms like Spotify. Funkwhale allows users to maintain complete control over their personal music libraries, free from concerns about content disappearance.
35 Open-source Free Music and Audio Streaming Servers (Self-hosted)
Funkwhale is a music server and player designed for small to medium communities. It also serves as a social platform for music and podcast enthusiasts to discover new content.
Source: medevel.com
List of Top Free Open Source & Self Hosted Application for Media Streaming
Funkwhale โ€“ Modern, web-based, convivial, multi-user and free music server. BSD-3-Clause Python/Django

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Funkwhale should be more popular than Ampache. It has been mentiond 38 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Ampache mentions (23)

  • Ask HN: Flac/MP3 listeners: How do you store/play your music?
    I'm not sure if this would fit all your needs aside from running on Linux but Ampache [1][2] has been around for a very long time and has the ability to mesh with other instances. It started as a small project run by some students at OSU and evolved over time. [1] - https://ampache.org/ [2] - https://github.com/ampache/ampache. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • self-hosted alternative to spotify?
    Https://ampache.org/ could be an alternative. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Step Up in Linux knowledge
    You can also do something such as build a mp3 server on headless Debian install https://ampache.org/. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Where I can do my backup?
    Now it's time to make backups of my nextcloud, bitwarden, ampache files. Source: over 2 years ago
  • What's yout preferred selfhosted music streaming suite?
    Ampache. I've been using it for a while and it's great. I'd suggest using it with Ample, as Ample's UI is better. It supports the Subsonic API, so subsonic clients will work with it. It also supports DAAP and uPnP, for other clients. It has it's own API as well, but not many apps use that. Source: over 2 years ago
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Funkwhale mentions (38)

  • Ask HN: Feedback on this proposed funding model for supporting musicians?
    For context: I recently set up a Funkwhale[0] instance [1] for Communick subscribers, where people can upload their music collection, stream on mobile/web and share with their friends. That's useful already and can be thought of as a replacement to the original Google Play Music, but I guess that those with large music collections will either just play from their dedicated devices or self-host a service like... - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Favourite music streaming service?
    I use my own service, but have heard great things about https://funkwhale.audio/. Source: over 2 years ago
  • What 'selfhosting' solution is for me?
    I run Funkwhale. I can listen to my songs online from the browser, or on my phone using the Subsonic protocol (I use an app called dsub on Android). Source: over 2 years ago
  • I don't want streaming music, I just want to stream my music
    For multi-room-audio, I use Iris+Mopidy+Snapcast [2] alternative frontend to my Funkwhale library. [1]: https://funkwhale.audio/ [2]: https://github.com/jaedb/Iris. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • Looking for a simple audio hosting solution with comments
    I hear funkwhale can also do comments. Worth checking it out too. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Ampache and Funkwhale, you can also consider the following products

Subsonic - Subsonic is a free, web-based media streamer, providing ubiquitous access to your music and video.

Spotify - Map shows when two people play same song at same time

Navidrome - Music Server and Streamer compatible with Subsonic/Airsonic.

SoundCloud - Enjoy music & follow favourite artists

Jellyfin - Jellyfin is a personal media server.

Deezer - Deezer is a music streaming app created in France. It is available in 180 counties and gets 16 million users a month. 6 million of the users have paid subscriptions. Read more about Deezer.