Icecast 2

Self-Hosted

Open-source media streaming server for audio and video broadcasts

Overview

Icecast 2 is a free, open-source media streaming server supporting audio (MP3, Ogg Vorbis, Opus) and video (WebM, Ogg Theora) content. It enables self-hosted live broadcasts, podcasts, and on-demand streams with multiple mount points, listener authentication, and real-time statistics. Deployable on Linux, Windows, and macOS, it integrates with encoders like Liquidsoap or Butt. Ideal for community radio, independent podcasters, or content creators wanting full control over their streams, avoiding third-party platform restrictions and ensuring data privacy.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  icecast_2:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: icecast-2
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Supports audio (Opus, MP3) and video (WebM) streaming formats
Multiple mount points for concurrent streams
Listener authentication and access control
Real-time statistics and logging for stream monitoring

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Icecast 2 hard to install?

Icecast 2 has pre-built packages for major OSes, making installation simple. However, configuring streams (mount points, encoders) requires basic technical skills—Docker images are available to simplify deployment for those new to self-hosting.

? Is it a good alternative to Shoutcast?

Yes! Icecast 2 is a free, open-source alternative to Shoutcast, offering more format flexibility (Opus, WebM) and no commercial licensing costs. It’s a popular choice for independent broadcasters seeking control over their streams.

? Is it completely free?

Absolutely—Icecast 2 is released under the GNU GPL license, so it’s free to use, modify, and distribute for personal or commercial purposes with no hidden fees.

Top Alternatives

Shoutcast (Proprietary) Search Google

Wowza Streaming Engine (Paid) Search Google

Adobe Media Server (Discontinued) Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Free/Open Source

Category Media Streaming - Multimedia Streaming

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Fully open-source with no licensing fees
⊕ Cross-platform compatibility (Linux, Windows, macOS)
⊕ Flexible integration with popular encoders like Liquidsoap
⊕ Highly customizable via configuration files

Cons

⊖ Requires technical knowledge to set up encoders and stream configurations
⊖ Limited built-in user interface (mostly relies on config files)
⊖ Advanced features (like SSL) need manual setup
⊖ Less intuitive for beginners compared to some proprietary tools