Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

mStream VS Subsonic

Compare mStream VS Subsonic and see what are their differences

mStream logo mStream

mStream lets you sync and stream your music between all your devices.

Subsonic logo Subsonic

Subsonic is a free, web-based media streamer, providing ubiquitous access to your music and video.
  • mStream Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-04
  • Subsonic Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-10-11

mStream features and specs

  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    mStream can be used on various platforms including Windows, macOS, and Linux, allowing users to access their music library from different devices without compatibility issues.
  • Open Source
    mStream is an open-source project, which means users can modify and improve the software according to their needs and contribute to the community.
  • Remote Access
    The software allows users to stream their music collection remotely, offering the flexibility to listen to their library from any location with internet access.
  • No Cost
    mStream is free to use, making it a cost-effective solution for personal music streaming without subscription fees.
  • Customizable Interface
    Users can personalize the appearance and functionality of mStream, tailoring it to their preferences for a more enjoyable user experience.

Possible disadvantages of mStream

  • Technical Setup
    Setting up mStream requires some technical knowledge, which can be a barrier for users who are not tech-savvy or unfamiliar with server configurations.
  • Limited Support
    Being an open-source project, mStream may have limited official support, relying primarily on community forums and user-generated content for troubleshooting.
  • Self-Hosting Requirements
    Users need to host their own server to use mStream, which involves additional resources and management that may not be suitable for everyone.
  • Potential Stability Issues
    As with many open-source projects, users might encounter stability issues or bugs that are not immediately fixed due to the community-driven nature of development.
  • Privacy & Security Concerns
    Self-hosting can raise concerns about data privacy and security, requiring users to implement their own measures to protect their music libraries and personal information.

Subsonic features and specs

  • Web-based Interface
    Subsonic offers a web-based interface that allows users to access their media library from anywhere with an internet connection.
  • Media Streaming
    Enables users to stream music and videos to multiple devices simultaneously, including smartphones, tablets, and other computers.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    Subsonic is compatible with various operating systems including Windows, macOS, Linux, and has mobile apps for Android and iOS.
  • Podcast Support
    The system includes features for subscribing, downloading, and streaming podcasts directly within the application.
  • Transcoding
    Supports on-the-fly transcoding, converting media files into various formats to best suit the device being used.
  • User Management
    Offers comprehensive features for creating, managing, and restricting user access, making it suitable for multi-user environments.
  • API Availability
    Subsonic provides a well-documented API, which allows for extensive customization and integration with other applications.

Possible disadvantages of Subsonic

  • Premium Features
    Many advanced features such as mobile streaming and higher quality audio are only available with a paid subscription.
  • Outdated User Interface
    Although functional, the web interface can appear outdated compared to more modern media server applications.
  • Complex Setup
    Initial setup and configuration can be complex for users who are not familiar with setting up servers or tweaking network settings.
  • Server Dependent
    Requires a dedicated server to host the media library, which can be a barrier for users without the necessary hardware.
  • Limited Official Support
    Official support options are limited, which may necessitate reliance on community forums and user guides for troubleshooting.
  • Resource Intensive
    Streaming and transcoding operations can be resource-intensive, necessitating a powerful server for optimal performance.
  • Security Concerns
    Self-hosted services need to be properly secured, requiring users to manage updates and configurations to protect against vulnerabilities.

Analysis of Subsonic

Overall verdict

  • Subsonic is considered a good option for users who need a robust solution to stream their personal media library. However, it's worth noting that it has transitioned to a subscription-based model, which might deter some users. Some alternatives like Plex and Emby are also recommended for similar functionalities.

Why this product is good

  • Subsonic is a media server software that allows users to stream their music and video collection from anywhere with internet access. It provides features like support for various media formats, mobile apps, playlist management, transcoding capabilities, and an active community for plug-ins and enhancements. Users appreciate its customizable interface and the convenience it offers for managing and accessing large media libraries remotely.

Recommended for

    Subsonic is recommended for tech-savvy users who are comfortable managing and hosting their own media server. It's ideal for those with extensive media collections who require remote access and prefer a self-hosted solution to commercial streaming services.

mStream videos

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Subsonic videos

Subsonic - Your Own Personal Streaming Server (Overview)

More videos:

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  • Review - Ammunition Review: CCI QUIET vs Aquila Subsonic. Which is best for stealth hunting? With BLOOPERS!

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to mStream and Subsonic)
Music Streaming
20 20%
80% 80
Audio & Music
18 18%
82% 82
Media Players And Streaming Platforms
Media Player
14 14%
86% 86

User comments

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Reviews

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

mStream Reviews

35 Open-source Free Music and Audio Streaming Servers (Self-hosted)
mStream is an exceptional personal music streaming server. With mStream, you have the power to effortlessly stream your music collection from your home computer to any device, regardless of your location.
Source: medevel.com

Subsonic Reviews

7 Best Home Media Server Software Choices (2022)
At the end of the day, Subsonic will not be the best choice for everybody, especially since it is only compatible with a limited number of streaming devices. Avid show and movie watchers will have to deal with a lack of subtitle support, plus an inability to stream quality settings. For myself, music makes up over half the media I own, and Subsonic adequately meets my needs....
Source: heavy.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, mStream seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 4 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.

mStream mentions (4)

  • Not on streaming
    Right now I’m just loading music to the free VLC app on my iPhone. Though I’ve long thought about setting up my own private cloud streaming server via the open source https://mstream.io but haven’t got around to it yet. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • A music server
    I am running mStream. See https://mstream.io/. Source: about 2 years ago
  • I don't want streaming music, I just want to stream my music
    Generally, I hate the experience of streaming from a service. Occasionally to discover, but youtube's good enough for that. For me, the greatest unsung innovation was the car USB player. That took it from the 10 CD's or so to basically whatever I want, however I want. As for streaming my music, I was an MPD user for years, but the client/server experience was often fiddly. Once I discovered mstream (one very good... - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • Barebones music server with permalinks
    So basically, I need something like mStream or Audioserve that you point at a folder and you can play the mp3s in it. Nothing fancy, I don't need tags, etc. Something strictly folder-based. It also needs the ability to link directly to the file. Mousikofidi does this, but I need something for Windows (I know, I know...) Essentially Apache but prettier. Source: over 2 years ago

Subsonic mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Subsonic yet. Tracking of Subsonic recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing mStream and Subsonic, you can also consider the following products

LMS - Lightweight Music Server - Access your self-hosted music using a web interface.

Ampache - Web ( HTTP centralized ) based audio/video streaming application

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

Funkwhale - Funkwhale is a modern, self-hosted, free and open-source music server

YouTube Music - YouTube Music is a streaming app primarily designed for Android and iOS mobile devices. The app lets individuals search for music from their favorite artists, enjoy playlists, and access 30 million musical tracks.

Airsonic - Airsonic is a Free and Open Source community driven media server which allows you to stream...