Red5 Open-Source Streaming Media Server Software
Build live streaming applications using a reliable free media streaming
server with over 1,000,000 installs.
About Red5 Free Media Server
Red5 open-source media server is one of the free live streaming solutions provided by Red5. It is written in Java and is designed to be flexible with a simple plugin architecture that allows for customization of virtually any video-on-demand (VOD) and live streaming scenario. Installed over 1,000,000 times worldwide, our free media server has powered applications for organizations like Amazon, the US Department of Defense, Akamai, Harvard University, and many others.
TRUSTED BY
Key Features & Capabilities
Live Streaming
Deliver video (FLV, F4V, MP4, 3GP), audio (MP3, F4A, M4A, AAC), or data content with latency from 250 ms.
Recording
Capture live streams for VOD playback and archiving (AVC, AAC, HEVC, AV1, VP8 in FLV container).
RTMP Egress
Deliver RTMP streams to external platforms and players.
RTMPS Protocol Support
Secure live streaming using Real-Time Messaging Protocol Secure.
RTMPE Protocol Support
Protect streams with Real-Time Messaging Protocol Encryption.
Metadata
Attach and deliver generic metadata alongside streams.
Need More?
If you feel limited by these features, you can use our advanced streaming products for free:
With Red5 Cloud platform, you can start streaming right away completely free of charge, with 50 GB of streaming and 6,000 instance hours every month, no credit card required. It’s a fully managed solution with an intuitive web interface for those who don’t have DevOps experience.
For more flexibility, you can start a 30-day trial of Red5 Pro server software.
Why Choose Red5 Open-Source Streaming Media Server?
20
YEARS
on the market
1
MILLION +
media server installs
108
COUNTRIES
streaming worldwide
Forever free of charge
Use Red5 without hidden fees. Our open-source media server has been freely available since 2005 and will remain that way.
Regularly updated and maintained
Still actively developed and improved 20 years after its first release, Red5 continues to release new versions, keeping it reliable and up to date.
Developer community
Join our Slack community to explore questions from other developers, connect with them, and learn from their experience.
Use Cases
The Red5 open-source media server is ideal for developers, hobbyists, and students who want to experiment with live video streaming technology, build a media server and learn how it works.
Get Started in Minutes
You can install and run your deployment on any operating system or device where Java 21 can be installed. Read our blog to set up your free media server in 5 steps.
Check Out Other Red5 Products
Red5 Cloud
A fully managed PaaS that delivers globally scalable, ultra-low-latency streaming with dedicated infrastructure for each customer, ensuring performance, security, and flexibility at ant scale.
Sign up to start building for free!
No credit card required. 50 GB of streaming and 6,000 instance hours for free each month.
Red5 Pro
Server software designed for ultra-low latency streaming at scale for those who need to deploy on-premises and have more flexibility and customization.
Start a 30-day trial to try all capabilities.
Red5 Open-Source
Free tools for developers, including the Red5 media server, TrueTime Solutions™, Load Testing Tools, and more.
Access, customize, and contribute to our open-source projects.
FAQs
Is Red5 open-source media server free to use?
Yes, Red5 open-source media server is completely free to use. You can download, modify, and deploy it without any licensing fees or limitations. It’s a great option for developers who want to build personal or small-scale streaming projects while learning about real-time media delivery. The community continues to keep it active and supported.
When was Red5 open-source media server initially released?
Red5 open-source media server was first released in 2005. It was created as a community-driven alternative to Adobe Flash Media Server. Paul Gregoire, its core developer, has been maintaining and improving the project for nearly two decades, ensuring that it remains a stable, reliable, and educational platform for developers interested in live streaming technology.
Can I use Red5 open-source media server for personal reasons?
Yes, you can use Red5 open-source media server for personal projects. Many users set it up as home media server software to stream videos, music, or movies within their local network. It’s lightweight, flexible, and easy to customize, making it ideal for personal experimentation or learning how real-time media servers work before moving to larger-scale projects.
How is Red5 open-source media server different from Jellyfin?
Jellyfin is primarily designed as a home media server software focused on organizing, storing, and streaming personal media libraries. Red5 open-source media server, on the other hand, is a live streaming server built for live and interactive video use cases. It supports custom application development and live streaming protocols, while Jellyfin is mainly for on-demand playback and media management.
How is Red5 open-source media server different from Kurento?
Kurento is a WebRTC media server focused on processing, mixing, and analyzing real-time streams for advanced communication features. Red5 open-source media server supports RTMP, RTMPS, RTMPE protocols, but doesn’t support WebRTC. If you need a WebRTC media server, use our other products – Red5 Cloud and Red5 Pro.
How can I contribute to the Red5 open-source media server?
Third-party patches are essential for keeping the project going. We encourage developers to contribute by submitting pull requests that improve performance, fix bugs, or add new features. Your contributions help the community grow and ensure Red5 stays active and reliable. Read the contribution guide on our GitHub to learn more about how to get started and make an impact.