Silo-Server / silo-server

What is silo-server?

Silo is a self-hosted media streaming server that lets you serve your video library to any Jellyfin or Emby client. It pairs a Go backend with a React web interface, handling everything from library scanning to hardware-accelerated transcoding on the fly. You point it at your media folders, and it handles the rest.

The project runs as a single Docker Compose stack that bundles PostgreSQL, Redis, and FFmpeg for a one-command deployment. It exposes both a native web UI on port 8090 and a Jellyfin-compatible API on port 8096, meaning apps like VidHub and Findroid work out of the box without any client-side configuration.

Why is it gaining traction?

The Jellyfin compatibility layer is the main draw. Instead of running a full Jellyfin instance with its Java backend, you get a leaner Go-based alternative that speaks the same protocol. For users already invested in the Jellyfin client ecosystem, switching servers is transparent.

The distributed architecture also stands out. You can run an integrated server for simple setups, or split into separate API, proxy, and transcode nodes for multi-host deployments. The plugin system for metadata providers and the catalog seed import/export for migration support are practical touches that self-hosters actually need.

Who should use this?

Self-hosted media enthusiasts who want Jellyfin client compatibility without the Jellyfin server. Developers running media libraries on modest hardware who need hardware transcoding and per-user access controls. Anyone migrating from Plex, Jellyfin, or Emby who wants a fresh start with a Go-based stack.

Verdict

At 10 stars, this is an early-stage project with a credibility score of just 1.0% -- approach it as an experimental option, not production-ready infrastructure. The feature set is comprehensive and the architecture is sound, but the low community traction means you're largely on your own for troubleshooting. Worth watching if the Jellyfin compatibility angle solves a real problem for you, but don't bet your media library on it yet.