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Entertainment · head to head

Emby vs Peacock

Emby logo

Emby

Entertainment

Your personal entertainment server

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Peacock logo

Peacock

Entertainment

Stream iconic movies, shows, and live sports

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Emby hardware accelerated transcoding requires Emby Premiere, so a server GPU sits unused without a subscription; Peacock geographic restrictions prevent US access verification
  • They diverge on capability: Emby covers Personal media server, Peacock covers Live sports.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Emby and Peacock actually diverge.

Attributes where Emby and Peacock differ
AttributeEmbyPeacock
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, DesktopWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv
Founded20142020

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Entertainment).

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
  • Library management
  • Sync
  • Remote access
  • Streaming devices
  • User management
  • Remote access controls
  • Desktop support

Only in Peacock

  • Live sports
  • News
  • Original content
  • Profile PINs

Both cover

  • Streaming
  • Smart TVs
  • Mobile devices
  • Parental controls
  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support
  • Smart-tv 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 Peacock
  • Streaming a home library to phones, tablets and televisionsnot Peacock

Peacock

  • Streamingnot Emby
  • Sportsnot Emby
  • Newsnot 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

Peacock

  • Geographic restrictions prevent US access verification

Pricing, plan by plan

Emby

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

Peacock

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Limited content
    • Ads
  • Premium$5.99/month
    • Full library
    • Ads
  • Premium Plus$11.99/month
    • Ad-free
    • Downloads

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 library management.
Emby review

Choose Peacock if

  • You need live sports.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv.
  • You also want news.
Peacock review

Questions people ask

Is Emby or Peacock better?
Neither clearly leads. Emby starts at Free and Peacock at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Emby or Peacock?
Emby starts at Free and Peacock at Free.
Does Emby or Peacock run on more platforms?
Emby runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Desktop. Peacock runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv.
Can I use Emby for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 Peacock is typically brought in for.
What can Emby do that Peacock cannot?
Emby covers Personal media server, Library management, Sync, Remote access. Peacock covers Live sports, News, Original content, Profile PINs. Both handle Streaming, Smart TVs, Mobile devices, Parental controls.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Emby: How much does Emby cost?

Emby does not publish pricing information on its website. The service mentions Emby Premiere as an optional premium tier with bonus features including mobile downloads and hardware accelerated transcoding, but no cost is specified.

Source
Peacock: What is Peacock's pricing?

Peacock pricing information is not available. The website shows geographic restrictions and states the service requires US physical location for domestic customers.

Source
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