Universal Media Server vs iStream

Struggling to choose between Universal Media Server and iStream? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Universal Media Server is a Video & Movies solution with tags like media-server, video-streaming, audio-streaming, image-streaming, transcoding, dlna.

It boasts features such as Streams video, audio and images to various devices, Supports a wide range of media formats, Transcodes media on the fly, DLNA/UPnP media server, Web UI for remote control and configuration, Supports subtitles, Live TV streaming, Chromecast support, AirPlay support and pros including Free and open source, Cross-platform (Windows, Mac, Linux), Lightweight and easy to set up, Supports many devices and formats, Active development and community support.

On the other hand, iStream is a Video & Movies product tagged with streaming, video, movies, tv-shows, entertainment.

Its standout features include Large library of movies, TV shows, and other video content, Original and exclusive content, Multiple subscription plans to choose from, High-quality video streaming, Offline downloading capability, Personalized recommendations, Support for multiple devices like smart TVs, phones, tablets, etc., and it shines with pros like Huge content library with new additions regularly, Good value for money compared to cable TV, High video quality and smooth streaming, Offline viewing option is convenient, Intuitive interface and easy to navigate, Simultaneous streaming on multiple devices.

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison of these two products, delving into their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more. Get ready to explore the nuances that set them apart and determine which one is the perfect fit for your requirements.

Universal Media Server

Universal Media Server

Universal Media Server is a free open source media server that allows you to stream video, audio and images to devices like smart TVs, gaming consoles, mobile devices and media players. It supports a wide range of media formats and allows transcoding on the fly.

Categories:
media-server video-streaming audio-streaming image-streaming transcoding dlna

Universal Media Server Features

  1. Streams video, audio and images to various devices
  2. Supports a wide range of media formats
  3. Transcodes media on the fly
  4. DLNA/UPnP media server
  5. Web UI for remote control and configuration
  6. Supports subtitles
  7. Live TV streaming
  8. Chromecast support
  9. AirPlay support

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Free and open source

Cross-platform (Windows, Mac, Linux)

Lightweight and easy to set up

Supports many devices and formats

Active development and community support

Cons

Lacks some advanced configuration options

Not all formats work perfectly

No mobile apps

Some stability issues


iStream

iStream

iStream is a video streaming service that allows users to watch movies, TV shows, sports, and other content online. It has a large content library and offers various subscription plans to choose from.

Categories:
streaming video movies tv-shows entertainment

IStream Features

  1. Large library of movies, TV shows, and other video content
  2. Original and exclusive content
  3. Multiple subscription plans to choose from
  4. High-quality video streaming
  5. Offline downloading capability
  6. Personalized recommendations
  7. Support for multiple devices like smart TVs, phones, tablets, etc.

Pricing

  • Subscription-Based

Pros

Huge content library with new additions regularly

Good value for money compared to cable TV

High video quality and smooth streaming

Offline viewing option is convenient

Intuitive interface and easy to navigate

Simultaneous streaming on multiple devices

Cons

Monthly subscription fee

Some new movie releases only available for rental/purchase

Recommendation algorithm could be better

Limited number of simultaneous streams depending on plan

Content library varies by region due to licensing restrictions