Media servers are the packages on Linux that are used to stream media files over the entire network. The users connected to the media servers can access all the media files stored in the media server. In Linux, there are a variety of media servers that can be installed and used on Linux distributions.
This blog will explain the 5 best media servers installed on Linux distributions to enjoy music over the network.
- OSMC
- Plex
- Subsonic
- Gerbera
- Madsonic
1. OSMC
OSMC is the Open Source Media Center abbreviation and is used as a media server to stream media files. OSMC is updated regularly with the recent releases of the latest long-term support of various Linux distributions.
Key Features of OSMC:
The notable features of the OSMC are
- OSMC is simple to use.
- It is based on Debian Linux.
- It can play all the major formats of media files.
Install OSMC on Linux:
To install it on Linux, use the following simple steps:
Step 1: First, go to the Official Website of the OSMC and download the AppImage file:
Step 2: Make the AppImage Executable using the command provided below:
$ sudo chmod a+x <AppImage-Name>
2. Plex
Plex is another popular media server that supports 250+ live channels. You can stream the media files, including movies and songs. It also rates them so other users can decide to play such files based on the ratings.
Key Features of Plex:
The notable features of plex are
- It supports live channels.
- On-demand movies and shows are played.
- You can pause the streaming and save the movies and shows.
Install Plex on Linux:
Plex can be installed on Linux using the command:
$ sudo snap install plexmediaserver #For Snap Enabled Distributions
3. Subsonic
Subsonic is used to stream movies and shows and share them with other users. It operates with different operating systems.
Key Features of Subsonic:
The major features of subsonic are
- It listens to music everywhere in the world.
- Allows you to provide feedback as comments and ratings.
- You can create your album and share it with your family.
Install Subsonic on Linux:
To install subsonic, you need to download the Deb/Rpm File from the Official Downloads page. Then, use the package manager of your Linux distro to install Subsonic on Linux.
$ sudo apt install ./<Package-Name>.deb
$ sudo yum install --nogpgcheck <Package-Name>.rpm
4. Gerbera
Gerbera is the media server that allows televisions, laptops, tablets, and mobiles to stream media. It is built upon the media tomb 0.12.1.
Key Features of Gerbera:
The notable features of gerbera are:
- It operates in various operating systems, including android and iOS.
- It supports the transcoding converter, which converts media to the device’s compatible media.
- It can extract the metadata from the media files.
Install Gerbera on Linux:
The Gerbera can be installed on various Linux distributions using the below commands:
$ sudo apt install gerbera #For Debian/Ubuntu-based
$ sudo dnf install gerbera #For Fedora
5. Madsonic
Madsonic is a web-based media server that streams media files. It is designed by Java and supported by several operating systems (Windows and Linux).
Key Features of Madsonic:
The notable features of the Madsonic media server are
- It comes with a jukebox.
- It supports LDAP.
- Has a scalable web interface.
Install Madsonic on Linux:
To install the Madsonic server on Linux, visit the Official Website of Madsonic and download the respective package of your Linux distribution. Once downloaded, utilize the below commands to install it on Linux:
$ sudo apt install ./<Package-Name>.deb
$ sudo yum install --nogpgcheck <Package-Name>.rpm
Conclusion
Top 5 media servers for Linux in 2023 are OSMC, Plex, Subsonic, Gerbera, and Madsonic. They are all feature-rich and equipped with all the basic functionalities. This post has briefly explained the key features and the installation methods of these 5 media servers on Linux.
