Streaming content from your PC to your television has become the modern cable-cutting dream—and for good reason. Powerful desktop machines can now serve as fully functional media servers, and thanks to smart streaming clients, you don’t need to splurge on expensive boxes like Apple TV or Nvidia Shield to enjoy high-quality playback on the big screen. Reddit’s vibrant tech and cord-cutting communities frequently recommend a range of reliable solutions that marry performance, flexibility, and (often) open-source ethos. We’ve researched and aggregated the most praised apps that help users cast movies, shows, and music from their PCs to TVs quickly and effortlessly—many for free.
TL;DR:
Redditors often suggest ditching expensive streaming boxes in favor of Chromecast-compatible media server clients. The most popular picks include Plex, Jellyfin, and Kodi—all praised for their seamless integration. For those wanting direct casting via Chrome or DLNA, Videostream and Universal Media Server come up frequently. With these solutions, your existing PC becomes a powerful media hub with no extra hardware required.
1. Plex – The King of Media Servers
If there’s one media server and streaming client that consistently dominates discussions on subreddits like r/cordcutters and r/PleX, it’s Plex. Offering a slick user interface, multi-platform support, and robust media organization tools, Plex allows you to stream your entire media library to virtually any device—including Chromecast-enabled TVs.
- Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Web
- Chromecast Support: Natively supported
- User Highlights: Rich metadata, auto-tagging, remote access
One notable Reddit comment reads, “Plex is hands down the best media server. Set it and forget it. Streams to every device I own, including my TV via Chromecast Ultra.”
While Plex offers a free tier, some advanced features (like hardware-accelerated transcoding and offline downloads) are locked behind a Plex Pass subscription. Still, the base experience is more than enough for most users.
2. Jellyfin – The Open-Source Darling
Born as a community-driven fork of Emby (which went closed-source), Jellyfin is beloved among privacy-conscious users and open-source advocates. Redditors celebrate its 100% free features, lack of ads, and no signup/login requirement. It functions much like Plex but without the proprietary restrictions.
- Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android TV, Fire TV
- Chromecast Support: Yes, and improving continuously
- User Highlights: Active development, plugins, no paywalls
“I switched from Plex to Jellyfin and haven’t looked back. No more surprise paywalls and full control over my media server.” – one Redditor notes in r/Jellyfin.
The community is vibrant and often helps fellow users troubleshoot custom setups, including advanced transcoding and subtitle rendering for Chromecast devices.
3. Kodi – The OG Home Theater Software
Kodi has stood the test of time as an all-in-one entertainment hub. While it doesn’t natively support Chromecast as easily as Plex or Jellyfin, Reddit users have devised several workarounds using external apps like Yatse (Android) or BubbleUPnP to cast content from Kodi to TVs.
- Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, Raspberry Pi
- Chromecast Support: Via third-party apps or screen mirroring
- User Highlights: Add-on ecosystem, advanced customization
Reddit threads in r/Addons4Kodi and r/Kodi often dive into optimization tips and settings tweaks for best casting results.
One power user remarked, “Kodi plus Yatse gives me better control than Plex ever did. A bit more work to set up but totally worth it.”
4. Videostream – For Simple PC-to-Chromecast Casting
If you’re looking for a no-fuss way to cast a video from your PC to TV, Videostream may be your best friend. Acting as a Chrome extension with a companion desktop app, Videostream specializes in playing local media to a Chromecast device without any complex server setup.
- Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Chrome browser
- Chromecast Support: Yes, primary feature
- User Highlights: No server setup, subtitle support, minimal interface
“It just works. Drag, drop, cast. That’s all I needed,” is a common refrain among fans on r/Chromecast and r/GoogleHome.
Despite being lightweight, Videostream supports SRT subtitles and remembers where you left off, quite handy for binging long series.
5. Universal Media Server (UMS) – DLNA Workhorse
Sometimes the best solution is the one that supports every device you can throw at it. Universal Media Server, built on the back of PS3 Media Server, is a Java-based DLNA-compliant utility that streams to smart TVs, consoles, mobile devices—and yes, supports Chromecast through plugins or linked applications.
- Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux
- Chromecast Support: Partially (requires configuration)
- User Highlights: DLNA standard, supports nearly all media formats
Users in r/unRAID and r/HomeNetworking praise its ability to function well in complex home setups. Though the UI feels old-school, the functionality is robust.
“I set up UMS on a headless Linux server in 10 minutes, and now I can cast stuff to my living room, upstairs bedroom, and even my PlayStation 5. Awesome.”
6. Serviio – Another DLNA-Based Favourite
Serviio isn’t mentioned as frequently as Plex or Jellyfin, but when it is, it’s with great admiration, especially in niche subreddits where users are building dedicated media servers. Like UMS, Serviio supports DLNA and transcoding, crucial for casting unsupported formats to Chromecast-connected TVs.
- Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux
- Chromecast Support: With configuration, or via other DLNA-capable casting apps
- User Highlights: Excellent codec support, remote access features in Pro version
Serviio also offers profiles for different devices, ensuring optimal format and quality. While the free version is powerful, the Pro version adds some handy features like media browser access and remote control via mobile apps.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re an open-source purist, casual dresser-upper for Friday-night movies, or a power user with large curated media libraries, there’s a PC-to-TV streaming solution that fits your needs—without fancy external boxes.
Reddit’s top recommendations show that combining a home PC with powerful software like Plex, Jellyfin, or Kodi offers a scalable and budget-friendly way to take control of your home entertainment. They offer high quality, flexibility, and often stronger performance than many out-of-the-box streaming sticks or players.
In short, if you own a PC and a Chromecast-enabled device, you’re already halfway to media-server bliss. All you need now is the right client.
