Plex, the best home media server software, allows users to store, organize, and stream all media content across devices. Some people might ask, “What media server software can I use instead of Plex”, to answer this question, this post is going to tell you some excellent Plex alternatives.
Are you looking for a place that allows you to watch all the wanted multimedia content? In this post, I will introduce Plex media server and 5 Plex alternatives to you. If you like to make a GIF from your favorite movie, MiniTool MovieMaker is a nice choice!
What Is Plex?
Before knowing Plex alternatives, let’s learn about what is Plex. According to Wikipedia, Plex is a media player system with a client-server model. It enables you to manage their media files and browse streaming content.
It offers 14,000 free movies and shows, and 80 + channels that you can watch on any devices including mobile phones, computers, web browsers, streaming devices, gaming consoles, home accessories and VR.
To unblock additional features, Plex provides three subscription options.
- $ 4.99 / per month
- $ 39.99 / per year
- $ 119.99 / lifetime
You may also like: Top 4 Ways to Watch Movies with Friends Online | 2020 Guide.
So what media server can replace Plex? Let’s move on to the next part.
Top 5 Plex Alternatives
Top 5 alternatives to Plex are listed here. This part will present their features in detail.
5 Best Plex Alternatives You Should Know
- Kodi
- Emby
- MediaPortal
- Universal Media Server
- JRiver Media Center
#1. Kodi
The first free Plex alternative I’d like to recommend is Kodi. Developed by XBMC, Kodi is a free and open-source media player that supports multimedia content playback. With the add-on support, you can browse content from different streaming services such as Vimeo, Popcornflix, Crackle, Disney Plus, Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, etc.
Want to know how to use Kodi? See this post: How to Watch Movies on Kodi (Step by Step Guide).
#2. Emby
Another best Plex alternative is Emby. This media server platform can manage all of your media. And its Cloud Sync function enables you to sync media to the cloud and stream them across devices.
#3. MediaPortal
Hundreds of plugins are available on this media server platform. You can stream media to HTPC / PC, listen to music and watch online videos. Its built-in RSS reader also lets you monitor your favorite RSS news feed.
#4. Universal Media Server
Universal Media Server is one of the best Plex alternatives. This media server is completely free to download and can store your media files on any device.
Also read: Top 8 Best Sites like Project Free TV
#5. JRiver Media Center
The last alternative to Plex is JRiver Media Center. It’s designed for media management and playback. Like the above Plex alternatives, JRiver also offers tons of video sources like YouTube, Netflix, and so on.
Below is the comparison table among Plex alternatives.
Media Server | Price | Availability |
Kodi | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Apple TV OS, Xbox One, FreeBSD |
Emby | Free/Purchase | Windows, macOS, FreeBSD, Linux, Android, iOS, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Apple TV, Xbox One, Xbox 360 |
MediaPortal | Free | Windows, Web browsers, Android |
Universal Media Server | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Sony PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox 360 |
JRiver Media Center | Free/Purchase | Windows, macOS, Linux |
Conclusion
All the Plex alternatives are the best platforms to watch streaming videos. Which one do you prefer? Tell us in the comments box!