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Entertainment · head to head

Emby vs MUBI

Emby logo

Emby

Entertainment

Your personal entertainment server

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
MUBI logo

MUBI

Entertainment

Discover extraordinary cinema

From
$7.99/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; MUBI curated, rotating catalogue - films leave the service on a schedule rather than staying permanently available
  • They diverge on capability: Emby covers Personal media server, MUBI covers Curated films.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Emby and MUBI actually diverge.

Attributes where Emby and MUBI differ
AttributeEmbyMUBI
Starting priceFree$7.99/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, DesktopWeb, iOS, Android
Founded20142007

Identical on both: 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
  • Streaming
  • Library management
  • Sync
  • Remote access
  • Mobile devices
  • User management
  • Parental controls

Only in MUBI

  • Curated films
  • World cinema
  • Documentaries
  • Classics
  • New releases
  • Account security
  • Content access
  • Roku support

Both cover

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

MUBI

  • Watching curated arthouse, independent, and classic international cinemanot Emby
  • Discovering festival and awards-circuit films not on mainstream platformsnot Emby
  • Getting a free weekly theatrical ticket via MUBI GO in eligible citiesnot Emby
  • Reading editorial film notes and curation alongside streamingnot 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

MUBI

  • Curated, rotating catalogue - films leave the service on a schedule rather than staying permanently available
  • No live TV or broad back-catalogue - deliberately small, curated library rather than a comprehensive on-demand one
  • MUBI GO (free theater ticket plus streaming) is limited to select cities

Pricing, plan by plan

Emby

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

MUBI

$7.99/month
  • Monthly$7.99/month
    • Unlimited streaming access to curated films
    • Download capability via iOS and Android apps
    • Ad-free viewing

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 MUBI if

  • You need curated films.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want world cinema.
MUBI review

Questions people ask

Is Emby or MUBI better?
Neither clearly leads. Emby starts at Free and MUBI at $7.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Emby or MUBI?
Emby has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Emby and $7.99/month for MUBI.
Does Emby or MUBI run on more platforms?
Emby runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Desktop. MUBI runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use Emby for free?
Yes. Emby has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. MUBI starts at $7.99/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 MUBI is typically brought in for.
What can Emby do that MUBI cannot?
Emby covers Personal media server, Streaming, Library management, Sync. MUBI covers Curated films, World cinema, Documentaries, Classics. Both handle Smart TVs, Streaming devices, Web support, Ios support.

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
MUBI: How much does MUBI cost?

MUBI costs $7.99 per month USD on a monthly plan. An annual plan is available that saves 38% compared to monthly billing, though the exact annual price is not shown on the pricing page.

Source
MUBI: Is there a free trial for MUBI?

Yes, MUBI offers a 7-day free trial with no credit card required. After the trial ends, the membership converts to paid status.

Source
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