Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Subsonic VS Funkwhale

Compare Subsonic VS Funkwhale and see what are their differences

Subsonic logo Subsonic

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

Funkwhale logo Funkwhale

Funkwhale is a modern, self-hosted, free and open-source music server
  • Subsonic Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-10-11
  • Funkwhale Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-07-24

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  • Outdated User Interface
    Although functional, the web interface can appear outdated compared to more modern media server applications.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.

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 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.

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.

Subsonic videos

Subsonic - Your Own Personal Streaming Server (Overview)

More videos:

  • Review - 223 Subsonic Ammo
  • Review - Ammunition Review: CCI QUIET vs Aquila Subsonic. Which is best for stealth hunting? With BLOOPERS!

Funkwhale videos

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

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Subsonic and Funkwhale)
Music Streaming
41 41%
59% 59
Audio & Music
57 57%
43% 43
Media Players And Streaming Platforms
Music Player
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

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

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

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 seems to be more popular. 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.

Subsonic mentions (0)

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

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 Subsonic and Funkwhale, you can also consider the following products

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

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

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.

SoundCloud - Enjoy music & follow favourite artists

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

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.