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Emby vs Netflix

Emby logo

Emby

Software

Your personal entertainment server

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Netflix logo

Netflix

Software

Watch TV shows and movies anytime, anywhere

From
$6.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Emby has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Emby hardware accelerated transcoding requires Emby Premiere, so a server GPU sits unused without a subscription; Netflix the entry plan caps video at 720p and allows one simultaneous stream and one download device
  • They diverge on capability: Emby covers Personal media server, Netflix covers Video streaming.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Emby and Netflix actually diverge.

Attributes where Emby and Netflix differ
AttributeEmbyNetflix
Starting priceFree$6.99/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, DesktopWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, Streaming-devices
Founded20141997

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Emby

  • Personal media server
  • Streaming
  • Library management
  • Sync
  • Remote access
  • User management
  • Remote access controls
  • Smart-tv support

Only in Netflix

  • Video streaming
  • Offline downloads
  • Multiple profiles
  • Personalized recommendations
  • Original content
  • Multi-device support
  • Auto-play next episode
  • Gaming consoles

Both cover

  • Smart TVs
  • Streaming devices
  • Mobile devices
  • Parental controls
  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Emby

  • Running a personal media server for films, television and musicnot Netflix
  • Streaming a home library to phones, tablets and televisionsnot Netflix

Netflix

  • Streaming films and series on demand across TVs, phones and browsersnot Emby
  • Downloading titles for offline viewing on a limited number of devicesnot Emby
  • Playing Netflix mobile games included with a subscriptionnot Emby

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Emby

  • Hardware accelerated transcoding requires Emby Premiere, so a server GPU sits unused without a subscription
  • The mobile, Fire TV, Xbox and PlayStation apps need Premiere for full access, with only basic playback unlockable per app
  • Offline downloads to phones and tablets are Premiere only
  • Premiere is $4.99 a month or $54 a year, with a lifetime option at $119

Netflix

  • The entry plan caps video at 720p and allows one simultaneous stream and one download device
  • 1080p and two simultaneous streams require the Standard plan
  • 4K Ultra HD, HDR and spatial audio are restricted to the Premium plan, which allows 4 streams and 6 download devices
  • Netflix states an account is for people who live together in a single household, so viewers outside the home need a paid extra member slot
  • Plan prices and availability differ by country and change when Netflix is bought through a partner package or add-on

Pricing, plan by plan

Emby

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Media server
    • Local streaming
  • Premiere$4.99/month
    • Cloud sync
    • Remote access
    • Sync to devices

Netflix

$6.99/month
  • Standard with ads$6.99/month
    • All but a few movies and TV shows
    • Unlimited ad-free series and movies
    • Watch on 2 supported devices at a time
  • Standard$15.49/month
    • All Netflix movies and TV shows
    • Watch on 2 supported devices at a time
    • Watch in HD
  • Premium$22.99/month
    • All Netflix movies and TV shows
    • Watch on 4 supported devices at a time
    • Watch in Ultra HD

Which should you pick?

Choose Emby if

  • You need personal media server.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Desktop.
  • You also want streaming.
Emby review

Choose Netflix if

  • You need video streaming.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, Streaming-devices.
  • You also want offline downloads.
Netflix review

Questions people ask

Is Emby or Netflix better?
Neither clearly leads. Emby starts at Free and Netflix at $6.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Emby or Netflix?
Emby has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Emby and $6.99/month for Netflix.
Does Emby or Netflix run on more platforms?
Emby runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Desktop. Netflix runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, Streaming-devices.
Can I use Emby for free?
Yes. Emby has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Netflix starts at $6.99/month.
What is Emby best used for?
Emby is most often used for running a personal media server for films, television and music, streaming a home library to phones, tablets and televisions. Of those, running a personal media server for films, television and music and streaming a home library to phones, tablets and televisions are not what Netflix is typically brought in for.
What can Emby do that Netflix cannot?
Emby covers Personal media server, Streaming, Library management, Sync. Netflix covers Video streaming, Offline downloads, Multiple profiles, Personalized recommendations. Both handle Smart TVs, Streaming devices, Mobile devices, Parental controls.
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