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Software · head to head

Emby vs Tubi

Emby logo

Emby

Software

Your personal entertainment server

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Tubi logo

Tubi

Software

Watch movies and TV shows for free

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; Tubi the App Store listing (Tubi, Inc) shows the app as entirely free with advertising; there is no in-app purchase, ad-free tier, or premium subscription offered anywhere in the listing, meaning users who want to remove ads have no paid option at all
  • They diverge on capability: Emby covers Personal media server, Tubi covers Full catalog.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Emby and Tubi actually diverge.

Attributes where Emby and Tubi differ
AttributeEmbyTubi
Pricing modelfreemiumfree
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, DesktopWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), founded (2014).

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 Tubi

  • Full catalog
  • Search
  • Recommendations
  • Watchlist
  • Content filtering
  • Account management
  • Roku support
  • Fire-tv support

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 Tubi
  • Streaming a home library to phones, tablets and televisionsnot Tubi

Tubi

  • Free streamingnot Emby
  • Content discoverynot 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

Tubi

  • The App Store listing (Tubi, Inc) shows the app as entirely free with advertising; there is no in-app purchase, ad-free tier, or premium subscription offered anywhere in the listing, meaning users who want to remove ads have no paid option at all

Pricing, plan by plan

Emby

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

Tubi

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full catalog
    • Ad-supported

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 Tubi if

  • You need full catalog.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv.
  • You also want search.
Tubi review

Questions people ask

Is Emby or Tubi better?
Neither clearly leads. Emby starts at Free and Tubi at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Emby or Tubi?
Emby starts at Free and Tubi at Free.
Does Emby or Tubi run on more platforms?
Emby runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Desktop. Tubi runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-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 Tubi is typically brought in for.
What can Emby do that Tubi cannot?
Emby covers Personal media server, Library management, Sync, Remote access. Tubi covers Full catalog, Search, Recommendations, Watchlist. Both handle Streaming, Smart TVs, Streaming devices, Web support.
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