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Plex Media Server vs Air Video Server HD: catalog facts
Plex Media Server	Air Video Server HD
Freemium Adding media and streaming it on your home network is free. Streaming your library from…	Paid The Air Video HD app is a single purchase covering all of a user's iOS devices; the server…
Windows, macOS, Linux, Self-hosted, Web, Android, iOS	Windows, macOS
Automatic matching of films, shows and music with artwork and metadata Client apps on more devices than any comparable server, including most smart TVs	Streams without converting or transferring files Supports subtitles, 1080p and 5.1 surround via Apple TV
Streaming from outside the home needs a paid Plex Pass or Remote Watch Pass Closed source, and sign-in goes through a Plex account on the company’s servers	Playback client is only for Apple devices Listed system requirements are old, suggesting infrequent updates
Self-hosted, Downloadable app, Hosted service	Downloadable app
Closed source	Closed source
License not stated	License not stated
Account needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Needs internet	Works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 20, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 2, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.