Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Subsonic VS Serviio

Compare Subsonic VS Serviio 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.

Serviio logo Serviio

Web on Big Screen. Serviio enables playback of online sources like RSS feeds, live streams or web site content so that you can listen to your favourite podcasts or watch latest TV programmes published online.
  • Subsonic Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-10-11
  • Serviio Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-29

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  • Outdated User Interface
    Although functional, the web interface can appear outdated compared to more modern media server applications.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

Serviio features and specs

  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    Serviio runs on various operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux, which makes it versatile and accessible to a wide user base.
  • Device Support
    Serviio supports a wide range of devices for streaming including TVs, Blu-ray players, game consoles, and mobile devices.
  • Media Format Support
    The software supports a variety of media formats and can transcode unsupported formats on the fly, ensuring compatibility across different devices.
  • Metadata Fetching
    It automatically fetches metadata such as posters, subtitles, and descriptions for your media files, enhancing the user experience.
  • User Interface
    Offers a concise and easy-to-use web-based console for managing the server and configuring settings.
  • Freemium Model
    The basic version of Serviio is free, offering enough features for the average user while providing a Pro version for advanced functionalities.

Possible disadvantages of Serviio

  • Premium Features Locked
    Some advanced features like media library organization and access from mobile devices are locked behind the Pro version, which may be a drawback for some users.
  • Complex Setup
    Initial configuration might be complicated for users who are not tech-savvy, as it may require network and device compatibility setup.
  • Performance
    On lower-end hardware, running the server and on-the-fly transcoding can be resource-intensive, potentially affecting performance.
  • Limited Built-in Content
    Unlike some other DLNA servers that come with built-in channels or plugins for streaming online content, Serviio focuses mainly on serving local content.
  • No Official Mobile Apps
    The lack of an official mobile app for managing or accessing the media server may detract from the convenience for smartphone users.

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 Serviio

Overall verdict

  • Serviio is considered a good choice for users looking for a versatile and reliable media server solution. It caters to both novice and advanced users with its ease of use and robust functionality, making it a popular choice among media server software options.

Why this product is good

  • Serviio is a flexible and powerful media server application that allows users to stream media files to various devices. It supports a wide range of formats, is compatible with numerous devices such as TVs, Blu-ray players, and game consoles, and offers features like online content integration, a simple user interface, and minimal resource consumption.

Recommended for

    Serviio is recommended for users who want to stream media across multiple devices with minimal configuration. It's ideal for households with various types of media consumption devices, as well as for tech-savvy individuals who appreciate extensibility and advanced features like plugin support and custom library organization.

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!

Serviio videos

Ultimate Serviio Media Server Setup Guide - Stream PC to PS3, XBOX 360, Android...

More videos:

  • Review - Serviio Plugins HDHomerun Setup

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Subsonic and Serviio)
Media Player
42 42%
58% 58
Video
25 25%
75% 75
Music Streaming
100 100%
0% 0
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 Subsonic and Serviio

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

Serviio Reviews

The Best 5 Kodi Alternatives You Can Try
Serviio is also regarded as one of the best Kodi alternatives. Itโ€™s a free media server and allows you to stream media files (video, music, images) to rendered devices. It also can stream content from online sources. And it supports subtitles, RAW camera images, video thumbnails, CD covers, etc. Also, Serviio can classify video files. And it offers a paid pro edition.
7 Best Home Media Server Software Choices (2022)
Serviio requires you to already have your content organized and titled correctly, otherwise, it will look like a total mess. In the free version, you can stream to newer Playstation and XBox devices, as well as other computers, but other devices like Sonos, Roku, and Chromecast have been known to have issues working with Serviio. Because of its detailed configuration...
Source: heavy.com
15 Best Plex Alternatives [2022] โ€“ FREE and BETTER Options
Serviio also implements the standard DVD file structure stack video stacking feature. If you have a DVD file structure or split videos, Serviio can stack multiple parts into one. It supports most playlist formats and subtitles. Serviio also supports RAW camera images.
Top 10 Best Linux Media Server Software
Serviio is an interesting free media server. Note that it is not an open-source solution, but supports Linux.
Source: itsfoss.com
Top 10 Alternatives to Plex Media Server
Serviio is a freemium multifunctional media server for the Mac, Linux and Windows operating systems. Serviio is capable in streaming the media files of all type for home based DLNA devices only. Serviio is the expert in streaming media files to renderer devices - Blu-ray player, smartphones, games consoles, TV sets - on the connected home network.
Source: www.easefab.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Serviio seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 8 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.

Serviio mentions (8)

  • Old cMP 5,1 - Help me decide what to do with it?
    I was using https://serviio.org/ for streaming until it broke, never got around to fixing it (around 2017~). No idea if there's better options. Source: almost 4 years ago
  • M3U
    I setup the Serviio server on my computer. I put in links to m3u8 channels I want to watch and broadcast them to my Roku TV. Source: about 4 years ago
  • Non-Internet way of watching movies from an External Hard drive?
    I use Serviio, https://serviio.org/, which I personally have found much easier to use than Plex. Streaming to BluRay players can be hit and miss (worked fine on my Sony, Samsung sucks) but it works fine with Roku (just need to install Roku Media Player from the app store). Source: over 4 years ago
  • Can Hypnotix m3u8 links be extracted
    I don't have an HDMI cable long enough to go from the computer to the TV. I plug the links into Serviio and use the Roku Media Player on my TV to display the media browser from the server, so I can pick which IPTV channel I want to watch. As a bonus, I can stream local media, usually used for PLEX, on Serviio as well. But I can't plug entire lists in Serviio, and wouldn't want to anyway. Too many junk links. It's... Source: over 4 years ago
  • Smart Audio for the Smart Home
    Im my experience Serviio was the only thing that made DNLA even half work and even with that it was flakey. https://serviio.org/. - Source: Hacker News / over 4 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

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

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

Universal Media Server - Universal Media Server allows you to host your entire library of video, music, and pictures, and broadcast them conveniently to a wide variety of different devices.

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

Emby - media server for personal streaming movies tv music photos in mobile app or browser for all devices android iOS windows phone appletv androidtv smarttv and dlna.

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.

MediaTomb - Update 2017-04-03: MediaTomb was fun, but we moved on to other things and will not continue the project.