CasaOS is an open-source home cloud system that turns a spare machine or Raspberry Pi into a personal server. It sits on top of Docker and provides a web dashboard and an app store, so self-hosted applications can be installed and managed without working directly with containers on the command line.
SRS (Simple Realtime Server) is a high-efficiency open-source media server for live video. It ingests and delivers streams over RTMP, WebRTC, HLS, HTTP-FLV, HTTP-TS, SRT, MPEG-DASH and GB28181, with codec support for H.264, H.265, AV1, VP9, AAC, Opus and G.711. The server is highly configurable, clusters well for large audiences, and integrates with existing workflows through its broad protocol support.
- Makes self-hosting approachable without Docker command-line knowledge
- One-click app store for common self-hosted software
- Runs on modest hardware including Raspberry Pi and old PCs
- Free and open source with an active community
- Free and open‑source
- Supports a wide range of streaming protocols
- Low latency suitable for interactive use cases
- Active community support via GitHub and forums
- Adds an abstraction layer that advanced Docker users may not want
- Smaller app catalogue than assembling containers yourself
- Aimed at a single home server rather than multi-node setups
- Requires manual self‑hosting and configuration
- Documentation can be fragmented for beginners
- Limited official commercial support options
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to CasaOS
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Alternatives to SRS
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The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataCasaOS is the safer default for home‑server beginners who want a simple UI and one‑click apps; SRS is for developers needing real‑time video streaming with protocol depth.
Key differences
- •Target audience: CasaOS serves home users/small teams, SRS targets developers/media professionals.
- •Core function: CasaOS provides a general‑purpose home server with Docker app store; SRS is a specialized real‑time video streaming server.
- •Ease of setup: CasaOS offers a web dashboard and one‑click installs; SRS requires manual configuration and command‑line work.
- •Protocol support: SRS includes RTMP, WebRTC, HLS, MPEG‑DASH, SRT, GB28181, HTTP‑FLV; CasaOS does not provide streaming protocols.
- •API availability: SRS provides an HTTP API and Prometheus exporter; CasaOS has no API.
Pricing & value
Both are free, but CasaOS adds more out‑of‑the‑box UI value for home users without extra tooling.
Ease of use / learning curve
CasaOS offers a web dashboard and one‑click app store; SRS needs manual self‑hosting and fragmented docs.
Features & depth
SRS supports many streaming protocols, transcoding, load‑balancing, clustering, and monitoring APIs; CasaOS focuses on general server tasks.
Integrations & ecosystem
CasaOS integrates Docker, Raspberry Pi, ZimaBoard, Portainer; SRS lists only its own streaming stack.
Collaboration
Both are self‑hosted with community support; no built‑in multi‑user collaboration features.
Scalability
SRS includes built‑in load‑balancing and clustering for thousands of viewers; CasaOS is aimed at a single home server.
Support
Both rely on community GitHub issues and forums; neither offers official commercial support.
Choose CasaOS if…
Home users or small teams needing an easy, UI‑driven personal server on modest hardware.
Choose SRS if…
Developers or media professionals building low‑latency, multi‑protocol streaming services.
Common questions
Is there any cost to use either product?
Both CasaOS and SRS are free and open source.
Can I run CasaOS on a Raspberry Pi?
Yes, CasaOS explicitly supports Raspberry Pi and other modest hardware.
Does SRS provide an API for automation?
Yes, SRS includes an HTTP API, callbacks, and a Prometheus exporter.