Easier than Plex, but Premiere required – Emby Review

I host my own media server and got fed up with Plex requiring registration of my server with my online account because my server wasn't showing up. Enter Emby Media Server! Easy to install, and no requirement to register anything in order to access my media locally. HOWEVER... You cannot watch your hosted media on iOS without being forced to purchase. I understand devs need to eat, and the devs have done great work with Emby, but if users can't watch their own media on their own server in their own home without having to purchase a feature, then make the app $4.99 to download. Making it a free download and then requiring a purchase to use is borderline bait-and-switch in my book. Premiere service should unlock extra features and extra media available online through my account that I don't already own-- I would be willing to spend money on that. Premiere should not be required for basic functionality. That one flaw dropped my rating from 5 stars to 3. Still prefer Emby over Plex, but instead of paying for extra content I'm now deleting this app.
Review by cglavan83 on Emby.