1. Kodi – Home Theater Software

Kodi (formerly known as XBMC) is a free and open-source media server software that works across multiple platforms including Linux, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. It functions not only as a media server but also as an excellent entertainment hub with a sleek user interface.

Kodi lets you enjoy movies/videos, music/audio, podcasts, and images from your local computer or network server as well as online sources.

Kodi Features:

• Runs on a variety of devices.
• User-friendly interface.
• Supports web interface.
• Extensive add-on ecosystem.
• Works with TVs and remote controls.
• Highly customizable via skins.
• Allows live TV viewing and recording.
• Supports importing pictures into a library.
• Enables browsing, sorting, filtering, and creating slideshows of your pictures.

Installation Instructions:

To install Kodi on Ubuntu-based distributions, use the following PPA:

<code>$ sudo apt install software-properties-common
$ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:team-xbmc/ppa
$ sudo apt update
$ sudo apt install kodi</code>

For Debian, Kodi is available in the default repository:

<code>$ sudo apt-get update
$ sudo apt-get install kodi</code>

For Fedora, use pre-built RPMFusion packages:

<code>$ sudo dnf install --nogpgcheck https://download1.rpmfusion.org/free/fedora/rpmfusion-free-release-$(rpm -E %fedora).noarch.rpm
$ sudo dnf install kodi</code>

2. PLEX – Media Server

Plex is a robust, secure, feature-rich media server software that operates on Linux, Windows, macOS, and more. It facilitates organizing media in a centralized location for easy access.

Its user-friendly interface pairs with a suite of apps tailored for devices like phones, tablets, gaming consoles, and smart TVs.

Plex Features:

• Secure connections with multiple user accounts.
• Flexible sharing options.
• Parental control features.
• Mobile sync for offline access.
• Video flinging between devices.
• Cloud sync capability.
• Audio fingerprinting and photo tagging.
• Media optimization tools.

Installation Instructions:

Download the DEB or RPM package corresponding to your Linux distribution from the Plex website and install it using your package manager.

3. Subsonic – Personal Media Streamer

Subsonic is a secure, dependable, and easy-to-use media server and streamer that functions on Linux, Windows, macOS, and Synology NAS. It supports a broad array of media formats and over 25 apps for direct music streaming on mobile phones.

Subsonic supports multiple users and players simultaneously. It plays movies/videos or music/audio on any compatible DLNA/UPnP devices.

Subsonic Features:

• Configurable UI.
• Secure HTTPS/SSL connections.
• Integration with top-tier web services.
• Multilingual support (up to 28 languages).
• Theme options (30 themes).
• Chat features.
• Customizable server address.
• LDAP and Active Directory integration.
• Podcast receiver.
• Bandwidth limit settings.

Installation Instructions:

First, install Java:

<code>$ sudo apt install default-jre    [On Debian/Ubuntu]
# dnf install java-openjdk        [On Fedora/RHEL]</code>

Then, download the .deb or .rpm package from the Subsonic website and install it using your package manager.

4. Madsonic – Music Streamer

Madsonic is an open-source, flexible, and secure web-based media server and streamer developed using Java, supporting Linux, macOS, Windows, and other Unix-like systems. Developers can utilize the free REST API for custom app development.

Madsonic Features:

• User-friendly interface.
• Jukebox functionality.
• Search and indexing capabilities.
• Chromecast support.
• LDAP and Active Directory authentication.

Installation Instructions:

Install Java:

<code>$ sudo apt install default-jre    [On Debian/Ubuntu]
# dnf install java-openjdk        [On Fedora/CentOS]</code>

Download the .deb or .rpm package from the Madsonic website and install it using your package manager.

5. Emby – Open Media Solution

Emby is a powerful, easy-to-use media server software that operates on Linux, FreeBSD, Windows, macOS, and NAS. It integrates seamlessly with apps on Android, iOS, Windows, and browsers.

Once installed, it helps manage personal media libraries including videos, music, photos, and more.

Emby Features:

• Beautiful UI with mobile and cloud sync.
• Comprehensive web-based tools.
• Parental control.
• Automatic DLNA detection.
• Chromecast support.

Installation Instructions:

Visit the Emby download section and choose your Linux distribution to download the DEB or RPM package and install it using your package manager.

6. Gerbera – UPnP Media Server

Gerbera is a free, open-source UPnP media server with a simple web interface for easy configuration. It offers advanced configuration options to customize server behavior.

Gerbera Features:

• Easy setup.
• Metadata extraction.
• User-defined server layout.
• Container updates.
• Exif thumbnail support.
• Rescan functionality.
• Web UI with tree view.
• External URL support.
• Transcoding plugins.

Installation Instructions:

Use the following commands depending on your Linux distribution:

<code>$ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:stephenczetty/gerbera-updates
$ sudo apt-get update
$ sudo apt install gerbera</code>

Or,

<code>$ sudo dnf install gerbera</code>

7. Red5 Media Server

Red5 is an open-source media streaming server that supports live audio/video streaming, recording, and more. Its plugin architecture ensures flexibility.

Installation Instructions:

Follow the instructions on GitHub to set up Red5.

8. Jellyfin

Jellyfin is an open-source media streaming system that allows controlling and managing media streams from a dedicated server to end-user devices.

Installation Instructions:

Install Jellyfin via the Apt repository in Debian-based distributions:

<code>$ sudo apt install apt-transport-https
$ wget -O - https://repo.jellyfin.org/jellyfin_team.gpg.key | sudo apt-key add -
$ echo "deb [arch=$( dpkg --print-architecture )] https://repo.jellyfin.org/$( awk -F'=' '/^ID=/{ print $NF }' /etc/os-release ) $( awk -F'=' '/^VERSION_CODENAME=/{ print $NF }' /etc/os-release ) main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/jellyfin.list
$ sudo apt update
$ sudo apt install jellyfin</code>

For other distributions, refer to the Jellyfin download page.

9. Universal Media Server

Universal Media Server is a DLNA-compatible UPnP media solution that streams to various devices like TVs, smartphones, gaming consoles, and more.

Installation Instructions:

Download the UMS tarball and compile it from the source.

10. LibreELEC – Open Embedded Linux Entertainment Center

LibreELEC is a lightweight Linux-based OS designed specifically to run Kodi media server software.

Features:

• Movie collection management.
• Photo browser.
• Music and audiobook player.
• TV and PVR functionality.
• Add-on support.

Installation Instructions:

Download the DEB or RPM package and install it using your package manager.

11. OSMC – Open Source Media Center

OSMC is a simple, easy-to-use media server software based on Kodi.

Features:

• Cross-platform support.
• Add-on compatibility.
• Attractive interface.

Installation Instructions:

Visit the OSMC download section and install it accordingly.

12. Ampache

Ampache is an open-source media server and file manager that streams audio and video to various devices.

Installation Instructions:

Refer to the wiki page for installation details.

Conclusion

This article presented some of the best media server software for Linux systems. If you know of any missing from the list, let us know via the feedback form.

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