Polaris

Self-Hosted

Open-source self-hosted music streaming server

Overview

Polaris is an open-source self-hosted music streaming server that lets you access your personal audio library from anywhere. It supports popular formats like FLAC, MP3, WAV, and OGG, with features including playlist management, artist/album browsing, search, and user access control. Compatible with Subsonic clients, it works on mobile devices and third-party apps. Deployment is simplified via Docker, or manual installation on Linux servers. It prioritizes privacy, keeping your music library on your hardware without external service reliance.

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:
  polaris:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: polaris
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Stream personal audio library remotely
Supports FLAC, MP3, WAV, and OGG formats
Subsonic API compatibility for client apps
User access control and playlist management
Docker deployment support

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Polaris hard to install?

Polaris is easy to install via Docker, which packages all dependencies. Manual installation on Linux requires Python and basic libraries, but official documentation provides clear, step-by-step guides for both methods.

? Is it a good alternative to Subsonic?

Yes! Polaris supports the Subsonic API, so you can use the same client apps as Subsonic, while being open-source and self-hosted—giving you full control over your music library without proprietary lock-in.

? Is it completely free?

Absolutely! Polaris is licensed under the MIT License, meaning it’s free to use, modify, and self-host with no subscription fees or hidden costs.

Top Alternatives

Subsonic (proprietary) Search Google

Plexamp (proprietary) Search Google

Amazon Music Unlimited (proprietary personal streaming) Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Open Source

Category Media Streaming - Audio Streaming

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-focused (full control over your data)
⊕ No subscription fees
⊕ Works with Subsonic mobile/desktop clients
⊕ Lightweight and resource-efficient

Cons

⊖ Limited to personal library (no curated content)
⊖ Requires basic server maintenance
⊖ Fewer advanced features than commercial alternatives