Media server creates a network where one can access their digital media files such as Video, Audio, music, and so on. Media server lets you access your favorite movies, Tv shows, audio files and many other digital media anytime anywhere. One can easily stream their media in any kind of Network Attached Storage (NAS), smart TVs, personal computers, Apple, Android devices, etc. It gives you the freedom to share streamable content from the media server to your friends, family and colleague which can be viewed/streamed by multiple devices at the same time.
Media server also gives you the facility to manage those media files/data along with many other features as well which for sure depends on the particular media server software you use. So here are some of the best media server software you should check:
Best Media Server Software for Windows & Mac
Plex
Plex can be referred to as an application that reduces the gaps between the computer and a home theatre as it allows access to all media files. Plex has the capacity to play a variety of video, audio, and photo files, as well as music from the internet. On a single screen, it allows users to search results from personal and online media sources. While offline or when plex.tv is unavailable, users can switch to previously utilised home users.
Official Link
PlayOn
PlayOn is one of the best tools to record any streaming video on our desktop or mobile device. Once recorded then you can play those streams offline anytime you want. It lets you record the streams in high quality like 1080p for cloud and 720p and SD quality is only for pc. Its cloud plan lets you record from any device like Android, ios or mobile but the Desktop is obviously limited to PC. Playon also supports game consoles like PlayStation, Xbox 360etc.
Official Link
Stremio
Stremio is a cutting-edge media centre that serves as a one-stop-shop for all of the user’s video entertainment needs. Stremio is considered as a central centre for media material. The sort of content that the user would regularly see on cable TV (movies, documentaries, television series, etc.) is available on Stremio, which allows watching the favourite episodes whenever the user want. Users may, however, install several add-ons to Stremio in order to view free content.
Official Link
Emby
Emby is a personal media server that the user may use on the computer. It's never been simpler to put all of the home films, music, and images into one convenient location than right now. The user’s own Emby Server instantly transforms and broadcasts the media on the fly so that it can be played on any device with no further effort.
Official Link
OSMC
OSMC, also known as Open-Source Media Center, can be referred to as a free and open-source media player based on Linux. It allows the users to playback media from the local network, attached storage or the Internet. The tool is based on Kodi Project. It contains an improved update system, faster interference, and an app store that allows to install new packages and features and a cross-platform, which further allows the application to run on various kinds of devices.
Official Link
Kodi
Kodi, which was earlier known as XBMC can be referred to as a free and open-source media player for operating systems like Linux, Mac OS X, Windows, XBox, and iOS. Kodi is meant to be the ideal partner to a home theatre PC since the application supports an almost infinite number of remote controllers when paired with its attractive interface. With only a few buttons, the user may browse and view films, photographs, podcasts, and music from a hard drive, optical disc, local network, and the internet.
Official Link
Subsonic
Subsonic is a free, web-based media streamer that allows having access to music and videos from anywhere at any time. The user can share music with pals, or listen to their own music while at work, using this app on the phone. The individual may broadcast to numerous players at the same time, for example, to one player in the kitchen and another in the living room.
Official Link
Serviio
Serviio is a free media server. Users’ media files (music, video, and photos) are streamed to renderer devices (such as a television set, Blu-ray player, games console, or mobile phone) on the home network when they are connected to the Internet. Serviio is compatible with a wide range of devices from your connected home (TV, Playstation 3, Xbox 360, smartphones, tablets, etc.). It offers profiles for certain devices, allowing it to be tweaked to maximize the device's capability while also minimising the device's inability to playback certain media formats.
Official Link
MediaPortal
MediaPortal is an application that helps in transforming the PC into a new media solution. The application runs on basic hardware and helps the PC directly connected to the TV, and the users can display the TV series, movies, photos in a more dynamic way. The application allows the users to watch, schedule and record live TV, play videos and listen to music. It allows the users to control the HTPC with a remote. This app can be accessed from the web and mobile devices.
Official Link