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Entertainment · head to head

Emby vs Starz

Emby logo

Emby

Entertainment

Your personal entertainment server

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Starz logo

Starz

Entertainment

Premium originals and hit series

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; Starz standard monthly rate after 3-month promotion not disclosed on landing page; requires signup to see renewal pricing
  • They diverge on capability: Emby covers Personal media server, Starz covers Original series.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Emby and Starz actually diverge.

Attributes where Emby and Starz differ
AttributeEmbyStarz
Starting priceFree$6.99/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, DesktopWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv
Founded20141994

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

Only in Starz

  • Original series
  • Movies
  • Exclusive content
  • Downloads
  • Account security
  • Roku support
  • Fire-tv support

Both cover

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

Starz

  • Drama streamingnot Emby
  • Original series 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

Starz

  • Standard monthly rate after 3-month promotion not disclosed on landing page; requires signup to see renewal pricing

Pricing, plan by plan

Emby

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

Starz

$6.99/month
  • Standard$6.99/month
    • HD
    • Ad-supported
  • Premium$12.99/month
    • 4K
    • 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 Starz if

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

Questions people ask

Is Emby or Starz better?
Neither clearly leads. Emby starts at Free and Starz at $6.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Emby or Starz?
Emby has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Emby and $6.99/month for Starz.
Does Emby or Starz run on more platforms?
Emby runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Desktop. Starz runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv.
Can I use Emby for free?
Yes. Emby has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Starz 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 Starz is typically brought in for.
What can Emby do that Starz cannot?
Emby covers Personal media server, Library management, Sync, Remote access. Starz covers Original series, Movies, Exclusive content, Downloads. Both handle Streaming, Smart TVs, Streaming 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
Starz: What is the current STARZ subscription cost?

STARZ offers a limited-time promotional rate of $4 per month for the first three months. The standard monthly rate after this period is not displayed on the website and appears during signup.

Source
Starz: How many devices can stream simultaneously on STARZ?

STARZ subscriptions allow streaming on up to 4 devices at the same time, with unlimited HD streaming and downloads included.

Source
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