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Subsonic VS LibreELEC

Compare Subsonic VS LibreELEC and see what are their differences

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Contents:
  1. » Base Details
  2. » Videos
  3. » Reviews
  4. » Alternatives

Subsonic logo Subsonic

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

LibreELEC logo LibreELEC

LibreELEC is ‘Just enough OS’ for Kodi, a Linux distribution built to run Kodi on current and...
  • Subsonic Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-10-11
  • LibreELEC Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-06

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  • Outdated User Interface
    Although functional, the web interface can appear outdated compared to more modern media server applications.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

LibreELEC features and specs

  • Lightweight
    LibreELEC is a minimalistic, lightweight Linux-based operating system specifically built for running the Kodi media center, which means it is optimized for performance and consumes fewer system resources.
  • Easy Installation
    The installation process is straightforward and user-friendly, designed to get you up and running with minimal hassle.
  • Optimized for Kodi
    Since LibreELEC is designed expressly for Kodi, it offers better performance and stability for this media center compared to more general-purpose operating systems.
  • Wide Hardware Support
    LibreELEC supports a broad range of hardware platforms, including the Raspberry Pi, x86 PCs, and various ARM devices, providing flexibility in terms of device compatibility.
  • Automatic Updates
    The system includes automatic updates, ensuring that users always have the latest features and security patches without manual intervention.
  • Community Support
    LibreELEC has a vibrant community that provides support, plugins, and additional features, making it easier for users to customize their setup and solve any issues they might encounter.

Possible disadvantages of LibreELEC

  • Limited Functionality
    Being a specialized OS for Kodi, LibreELEC lacks the versatility of more general-purpose operating systems, meaning it is not suitable for tasks outside of media consumption.
  • Steep Learning Curve for Beginners
    Although installation is easy, new users might find it challenging to navigate and customize the system to their needs if they're unfamiliar with media center setups.
  • Limited Application Availability
    Because LibreELEC is specifically tailored for Kodi, there is a limited range of additional applications that can be installed compared to more general operating systems.
  • Dependency on Kodi
    The entire user experience is tied to Kodi. If Kodi encounters any bugs or issues, it can severely impact the usability of the whole system.
  • Less Frequent General Updates
    While LibreELEC includes automatic updates, major changes and new features in the underlying OS might not be as frequent as with more active, general-purpose Linux distributions.

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.

Subsonic videos

+ Add

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!

LibreELEC videos

+ Add

LibreELEC Raspberry Pi 1 2 3 Or Zero Quick Look Kodi For Raspberry pi

More videos:

  • Review - Raspberry Pi 4B on LibreELEC 9.2 with Kodi 18.3
  • Review - Kodi Compendium [Part 3]: Raspberry Pi OS Selection, Comparison, Performance Test LibreELEC vs OSMC

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Subsonic and LibreELEC)

Subsonic

LibreELEC

Music Streaming
100 100%
Music Streaming
0% 0
Video
0 0%
Video
100% 100
Audio & Music
100 100%
Audio & Music
0% 0
Media Player
31 31%
Media Player
69% 69

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 LibreELEC

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

LibreELEC Reviews

Top 10 Best Linux Media Server Software
LibreELEC also has special builds for single board computers like Raspberry Pi. You can install this special operating system on your Raspberry Pi and get a media center device ready in minutes.
Source: itsfoss.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, LibreELEC seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 66 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.

LibreELEC mentions (66)

  • Raspberry Pi 5
    - Two LibreELEC (https://libreelec.tv/) mediaplayers in house (yes, one is not enough in my big family). - One for hosting low usage applications at home network (Unifi controller and some more). - Octoprint (https://octoprint.org) connected to the 3d-printer. - One on my desk for hardware hacking – mostly as just a PC with GPIO. - Some Raspberry Pi Zeros as security cameras. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Plex to block all servers hosted at Hetzner
    You might be interested in the https://libreelec.tv/ project. - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • Looking for a distro to replace Roku Stick
    I'm aware of solutions such as LibreELEC but that (if I understand it) is just a Kodi thing. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Watch Jellyfin content on non-smart TV
    Kodi is a media client as it provides a UI for you to browse, search for and view media. I have it running on my Raspberry Pi as LibreELEC. It connects to the same media sources that Jellyfin uses via SFTP. They support the same scrappers and folder structures so they can share the same media sources. If you're not adamant about using Jellyfin on the Raspberry Pi, this could be an option. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Does anyone know why Kodi will not continuously run on a windows 11 machine?
    Thats not a Kodi issue... It is a Windows and hardware issue... If the only job of the pc is Kodi then use LibreELEC's Kodi... 1000 times better! https://libreelec.tv/. Source: about 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

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

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

Kodi - Kodi is an award winning free and open source media player that got its start on the Xbox console.

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

OSMC - OSMC is a free and open source media center built for the people, by the people.

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.

OpenELEC - OpenELEC, which stands for Open Embedded Linux Entertainment Center, is a Linux operating system that makes the host computer a Kodi media center. The software was the winner of the Swiss Opensource Award in 2014.

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