Softwr

Software · head to head

Emby vs Showtime

Emby logo

Emby

Software

Your personal entertainment server

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
S

Showtime

Software

Signature entertainment and sports

From
$10.99/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; Showtime showtime is now offered only as part of Paramount+'s Premium plan, per the App Store listing (Paramount+ by CBS Mobile)
  • They diverge on capability: Emby covers Personal media server, Showtime covers Original series.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Emby and Showtime actually diverge.

Attributes where Emby and Showtime differ
AttributeEmbyShowtime
Starting priceFree$10.99/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, DesktopWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv
Founded20141983

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
  • Library management
  • Sync
  • Remote access
  • Mobile devices
  • User management
  • Parental controls
  • Remote access controls

Only in Showtime

  • Original series
  • Movies
  • Sports
  • Live events
  • Account security
  • Content filtering

Both cover

  • Streaming
  • Smart TVs
  • Streaming devices
  • 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 Showtime
  • Streaming a home library to phones, tablets and televisionsnot Showtime

Showtime

  • Premium streamingnot Emby
  • Sports watchingnot 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

Showtime

  • Showtime is now offered only as part of Paramount+'s Premium plan, per the App Store listing (Paramount+ by CBS Mobile)
  • Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current subscription period rather than immediately, with continued access through the paid period, per the App Store listing

Pricing, plan by plan

Emby

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

Showtime

$10.99/month
  • Showtime Standalone$10.99/month
    • Original content
    • Ad-free

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 Showtime if

  • You need original series.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv.
  • You also want movies.
Showtime review

Questions people ask

Is Emby or Showtime better?
Neither clearly leads. Emby starts at Free and Showtime at $10.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Emby or Showtime?
Emby has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Emby and $10.99/month for Showtime.
Does Emby or Showtime run on more platforms?
Emby runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Desktop. Showtime runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv.
Can I use Emby for free?
Yes. Emby has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Showtime starts at $10.99/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 Showtime is typically brought in for.
What can Emby do that Showtime cannot?
Emby covers Personal media server, Library management, Sync, Remote access. Showtime covers Original series, Movies, Sports, Live events. Both handle Streaming, Smart TVs, Streaming devices, Web support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Emby

More on Showtime

Keep looking

Other head to heads