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Universal Media Server vs Plex Media Server: catalog facts
Universal Media Server	Plex Media Server
Free The open-source software is available without a license fee. Hosting, hardware and…	Freemium Adding media and streaming it on your home network is free. Streaming your library from…
Windows, macOS, Linux, Self-hosted	Windows, macOS, Linux, Self-hosted, Web, Android, iOS
Transcodes on the fly for devices that cannot play a format natively Speaks DLNA, so old TVs and consoles work without an app	Automatic matching of films, shows and music with artwork and metadata Client apps on more devices than any comparable server, including most smart TVs
Transcoding is CPU-heavy on modest hardware DLNA browsing is clumsier than a dedicated client app	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
Downloadable app, Self-hosted	Self-hosted, Downloadable app, Hosted service
Open source	Closed source
License: GPL-2.0	License not stated
Not stated if an account is needed	Account needed
Not stated if it works offline	Needs internet
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 22, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 20, 2026

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