Rygel

Self-Hosted

Open-source UPnP/DLNA media streaming server

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Overview

Rygel is an open-source UPnP/DLNA media streaming server for Linux that lets you share audio, video, and photos to compatible devices like smart TVs, speakers, and game consoles. It supports on-the-fly transcoding to adapt media formats for devices with limited playback capabilities, ensuring seamless streaming. Integrating with the GNOME desktop environment, it offers a web interface for easy management and can be deployed via Linux package managers (APT, DNF) or built from source. Lightweight and resource-efficient, it runs in the background to keep your local media library accessible across your network.

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

Key Features

  • UPnP/DLNA compliance for streaming to smart devices
  • On-the-fly media transcoding for format compatibility
  • GNOME desktop integration and web interface
  • Lightweight background operation

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Rygel hard to install?

Rygel is easy to install on Linux systems—most distributions offer it via package managers like APT (Ubuntu) or DNF (Fedora). For source installation, you can clone its GitLab repo and build it using standard GNOME build tools. However, it doesn’t support native installation on Windows or macOS.

? Is Rygel a good alternative to Plex?

Rygel is a great lightweight alternative for users who prefer open-source software and UPnP/DLNA compliance. Unlike Plex, it has no subscription fees and focuses on local network streaming. However, it lacks Plex’s advanced features like cross-platform sync, user profiles, or cloud streaming.

? Is Rygel completely free?

Yes! Rygel is licensed under the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL), meaning it’s completely free to use, modify, and distribute. There are no hidden costs or premium tiers for any of its features.

Top Alternatives

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Tool Info

Pricing Open Source
Category Multimedia Streaming
Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

  • ⊕ Completely free and open-source (LGPL license)
  • ⊕ Low resource usage ideal for older Linux devices
  • ⊕ Supports transcoding to fix playback issues
  • ⊕ Seamless integration with GNOME ecosystem

Cons

  • ⊖ Primarily Linux-only (no native Windows/macOS support)
  • ⊖ Lacks advanced features like user profiles or cloud sync
  • ⊖ Configuration may be complex for non-Linux users