LANStream is a lightweight, database-free, web-based media browser and player for local networks.
It is designed for people who want to open a browser, peruse a media collection, and play videos without maintaining a proper database, importing a library, matching metadata, running background scans, or really putting any effort into it at all.
LANStream runs on Linux through Docker or as a portable Windows application. It supports direct playback whenever the browser can handle the source file and automatically falls back to hardware-accelerated or software transcoding when necessary.
Most home media servers are built around a managed library. That is ideal if you want posters, metadata matching, watch history, recommendations, user profiles, and a streaming-service-style interface.
Not everybody needs all that. If your media is already organized into folders and you simply want to poke around and play the files, a full media-management platform can be more effort than it's worth.
LANStream is
- Database-free
There is no media database to create, migrate, repair, or back up. - Scan-free
LANStream does not need to index your entire collection before it becomes usable. Directories are read when you browse them. - Folder-native
Your existing directory structure is the interface. There is no requirement to rename or reorganize files for metadata matching. - Read-only toward your media
LANStream does not need to modify files in your media collection. - Portable
The Windows build can be extracted and run as a self-contained application. The Linux version can run in Docker with configuration and cache files kept outside the container. - Low-maintenance
There are no library refresh schedules, database upgrades, metadata agents, or background cataloging jobs to manage. - LAN-focused
LANStream is optimized for simple local-network playback rather than trying to be an all-purpose cloud media ecosystem.
This makes it particularly useful for:
- large collections that are already organized by folder
- archive drives
- home-video collections
- temporary or portable media servers
- off-grid or popup media streaming
- shared household folders
- systems where simplicity and transparency matter more than rich metadata
- Browse ordinary folders directly from a web browser
- Multiple configurable media roots
- Client-side filtering of the currently displayed directory
- Lazy thumbnail generation
- Cached thumbnails and preview images
- Dedicated browser-based video player
- Extremely low seek latency and buffering times
- Audio & subtitle track selection
- Low-bandwidth mode for congested networks
Videos will be streamed directly to the browser when possible. For formats unsupported by the browser, LANStream automatically detects available encoders and selects an appropriate backend.
Windows
- Intel Quick Sync Video (QSV)
- NVIDIA NVENC
- AMD AMF
- software H.264
Linux / Docker
- VAAPI
- NVIDIA NVENC
- software H.264
The active backend and capability-test results can be viewed at:
<your LANStream address>/transcoder-status
LANStream can run completely passwordless on a trusted LAN, use a single master password, or define multiple password profiles.
Profiles can expose different roots and exclude specific subfolders.
The Windows release is distributed as a portable, self-contained folder. Download the latest release zip.
- Extract the release archive.
- Edit
config.txt. - Run
LANStream.exe. - Open the displayed LAN URL in a browser.
See manual.md for detailed setup instructions.
LANStream can be run in Docker.
The recommended deployment keeps user data outside the container:
config.txt
cache/
Media directories are mounted read-only.
This means the container can be rebuilt or replaced without losing configuration or thumbnail cache data.
NVIDIA NVENC in Docker requires NVIDIA Container Toolkit on the host.
A Linux Easy Config preset is provided for deployments using LEC.
A reasonably modern web browser with HTML5 video support.
- 64-bit Windows 10/11
- Hardware acceleration is optional
- Docker
/dev/driaccess for VAAPI when applicable- NVIDIA Container Toolkit when using NVENC in Docker
The code and documentation included in this project is primarily vibeslop. The human writing this sentence in particular can barely code and doesn't really understand how any of this works. It Works On My Machine and hasn't caused my genitals to explode, but your mileage may vary. I make absolutely no guarantee as to the safety or security of the contents of this project. Use at your own risk. Or don't.
LANStream is primarily intended for trusted local networks. It is not "secure" in any meaningful sense and should never be exposed to the internet at large. If you choose to ignore this advice and do it anyway, for the love of fuck at least place it behind an appropriately configured reverse proxy and TLS endpoint.
Detailed setup and usage instructions can be found in the User Manual.
LANStream is released into the public domain under The Unlicense.
Third-party libraries and dependencies remain subject to their respective licenses. See Third-Party Licenses for attribution and licensing information.
Copyleft 2026. Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law. One step closer to AGI.