Tool profile
Subsonic: cost, fit and limits
Subsonic is a web-based music streaming server made by Subsonic AS of Norway that serves a personal music library to browsers and apps, with a free basic version and a Premium tier that adds video, Chromecast, Sonos and podcast features.
What to know first
Subsonic keeps its basic server free and charges for Premium: a 30-day trial first, then $1 a month or a one-time payment of $12 per year of access, up to eight years. Premium adds video streaming, Chromecast, Sonos, a podcast receiver, DLNA and UPnP playback and removes ads in the web interface. The pages we read name no AI feature, and some apps are sold separately.
Subsonic at a glance
| Maker | Subsonic AS, Norway |
|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes |
| Entry price | $1 per month (Premium) |
| API access | Yes |
| Category | Best AI Media Server Software in 2026, rank 8 of 13 |
| Website | subsonic.org |
Who Subsonic is best for
Budget-minded music streamers
At $1 a month for Premium, or $12 for a year, Subsonic is among the cheapest paid tiers in this ranking, with a free basic version underneath.
Collectors who edit tags
The features page lists tag editing for MP3, AAC, OGG, FLAC, WMA and APE files, which helps people who clean up metadata inside the server.
Users with Chromecast or Sonos
Premium adds Chromecast and Sonos streaming, so a household that plays music on those speakers can send tracks from the library directly.
Subsonic plans and pricing
| Plan | Price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | Free | The basic Subsonic server and web interface, available without payment, per the premium page, with the 30-day Premium trial offered on top. |
| Premium recurring | $1 per month | Video streaming, no ads in the web interface, Chromecast and Sonos, a podcast receiver and DLNA or UPnP playback. |
| Premium one-time | $12 for 1 year, up to $84 for 7 years (USD) | Premium for the stated number of years, paid once; the page lists options from one to eight years. |
Checked November 2026.
What Subsonic does
- Web interface
- A browser-based interface built for constrained bandwidth and large collections, which suits listeners who reach their library from a slow connection, such as a hotel network or a mobile hotspot.
- Transcoding engine
- The server converts on the fly, for example to MP3, so a phone can receive a smaller file than the lossless original stored on the server.
- Tag editing
- Tags can be edited for MP3, AAC, OGG, FLAC, WMA and APE files from inside the server, which saves a separate tagging tool for tidy-minded users.
- Playlist formats
- Playlists import and export as M3U, PLS and XSPF, and they can be shared with other users, which makes moving between players easier, and a saved playlist survives a change of player.
- Premium streaming extras
- Premium adds Chromecast and Sonos streaming, a podcast receiver and DLNA or UPnP playback, all listed on the premium page, along with an ad-free web interface.
How Subsonic handles your data
The privacy page says account and media information stays on your local server, and that for Premium users the email address and license key are stored by the vendor. The site itself uses Google Analytics for its own traffic, according to the same page. The footer names Subsonic AS as the company. The pages we read state no retention period, no certifications and no policy on training models, so the vendor's policy was not checked for those. Music files and listening history stay on your own machine.
Where Subsonic falls short in practice
- Apps cost extra. The premium page says some apps must be purchased separately, so the $1 monthly fee does not cover every phone or tablet client you might want to use.
- No AI features named. None of the pages we read name an AI feature, so buyers who want AI search or generated playlists must use plugins, other servers or another product.
- Trial then payment. Premium features run for a 30-day trial. After that you need a subscription or a one-time payment, or the server falls back to the basic version.
Works with
Alternatives to Subsonic
Subsonic: common questions
How much is Subsonic Premium?
The premium page lists $1 per month on a recurring plan, or one-time payments of $12 for one year, $24 for two, up to $84 for seven years, with options up to eight years. The first 30 days are a trial. Prices are in USD, so check the live page for taxes.
What do I get with Subsonic Premium?
Premium adds video streaming, no ads in the web interface, Chromecast and Sonos streaming, a podcast receiver and DLNA or UPnP playback. The basic server stays free and handles music streaming through the web interface. Some mobile apps are sold separately and are not covered by Premium.
Does Subsonic collect my listening data?
The privacy page says account and media information stays on your local server. For Premium users, the vendor stores the email address and license key. The website itself uses Google Analytics to measure its own traffic. The page does not describe retention periods for vendor-held data, so ask Subsonic AS directly if you need those.
Who makes Subsonic?
The privacy page footer names Subsonic AS, and Norway is its country in our records. The pages we read give no street address, so confirm company details on the live site if you need them for an invoice or a compliance check. The software itself runs on your own hardware.
Can Subsonic stream video?
Yes, but only with Premium, which the premium page lists as including video streaming. The core product is a music server, and its features page centers on music playback, tag editing and playlists. For a library of films and shows, a dedicated video server fits better than Subsonic.