Freedom251 › Audio Player Software
JRiver Media Center
What JRiver Media Center is
JRiver Media Center manages and plays audio, images, television, and video on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It supports network playback and formats including WAV, AIFF, FLAC, APE, WMA Lossless, Apple Lossless, WavPack, DVD, and Blu-ray. Audio features include bit-perfect playback, WASAPI, ASIO, VST plug-ins, and DSD support. The interface can bring local discs and streaming video sources such as Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube together.
For live television, Media Center supports TV tuners and an Electronic Program Guide for watching or recording broadcasts. Media Network shares media between computers and works with DLNA devices such as TVs, Blu-ray players, and receivers. Android devices can use Gizmo as a remote; iPhone and iPad can control Media Center through the browser-based WebRemote. Photo tools include cropping, adjustments, resizing, tagging, stacks, slideshows, and sending images to services including Flickr and Facebook.
JRiver is paid software with a 30-day trial and no free plan. The listed starting price is $79.98. Plan listings include Windows-only, Mac-only, Linux-only, and Master License options; the Master License covers Windows, macOS, and Linux and is valid for one major version.
Who it suits
JRiver Media Center suits people who want to manage and play audio, images, television, and video across Windows, macOS, or Linux. It may also suit listeners who need its listed audio formats and features, or households sharing media with DLNA devices.
What it does well
- Supports Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- Plays network media and listed audio and disc formats.
- Includes bit-perfect playback, WASAPI, ASIO, VST plug-ins, and DSD.
- Supports TV tuners and an Electronic Program Guide.
- Shares media with DLNA devices.
- Includes photo editing and organization tools.
What to know first
- There is no free plan.
- The listed trial lasts 30 days.
- Each license covers one major version.
Limits
There is no free plan; the listed trial lasts 30 days. The cheapest listed plan is Linux only at $79.98 a month, and a license covers one major version.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Master License | $124.98 one-time · Valid for one major version · Windows, Mac, and Linux | $124.98, paid once |
| Windows only | $99.98 one-time · Works only for Windows | $99.98, paid once |
| Mac only | $99.98 one-time · Works only for Mac | $99.98, paid once |
| Linux only | $79.98 one-time · Works only for Linux | $79.98, paid once |
As jriver.com lists them, read 9 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the JRiver website.
- Choose the Windows-only, Mac-only, Linux-only, or Master License plan for your platform needs.
- Use the listed 30-day trial, or purchase a license.
- Install Media Center on Windows, macOS, or Linux.
- Use its media library to manage and play audio, images, television, or video.
Verdict
Consider JRiver if you want one media center for audio, images, television, and video, with network sharing and support for its listed formats. Look elsewhere if you need a free plan or a license that covers more than one major version.
Questions
How much does JRiver Media Center cost?
The listed starting price is $79.98, with a 30-day trial. Plan listings show Master License at $124.98 a month, Windows only at $99.98, paid once, Mac only at $99.98 a month, and Linux only at $79.98 a month.
Is there a free plan?
No free plan is listed. A 30-day trial is available.
Which platforms does it support?
JRiver Media Center supports Windows, macOS, and Linux.
What does the Master License cover?
It works across Windows, macOS, and Linux and is valid for a single major version.
Can it share media over a network?
Yes. Media Network shares media between computers and supports DLNA devices, including TVs, Blu-ray players, and receivers.
Can it play or record live TV?
It supports TV tuners and an Electronic Program Guide for watching or recording live television.
Facts from JRiver Media Center's own pages
- Audio
- Audio features include bit-perfect playback, WASAPI, ASIO, VST plug-ins, and DSD support. · jriver.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Format support
- WAV,AIFF,FLAC,APE,WMA Lossless,Apple Lossless,WavPack,DVD,Blu-ray · jriver.com, 21 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- No · jriver.com, 21 Sept 2026
- License limit
- A license covers one major version, and the Master License works across Windows, OSX, and Linux. · jriver.com, 9 Oct 2026
- License model
- one-time · jriver.com, 21 Sept 2026
- License recovery
- A registration code can generate up to ten new install keys in each twelve-month period, and each key is valid for two weeks. · jriver.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Media library
- Media Center manages and plays audio, images, television, and video. · jriver.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Network playback
- Yes · jriver.com, 21 Sept 2026
- Network sharing
- Media Network shares media between computers and supports DLNA devices, including TVs, Blu-ray players, and receivers. · jriver.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Photo tools
- Image tools include crop, adjust, resize, tagging, stacks, slideshows, and sending images to services including Flickr and Facebook. · jriver.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- Windows,macOS,Linux · jriver.com, 21 Sept 2026
- Privacy and security
- JRiver says account information is password-protected, data is safeguarded with physical, electronic, and managerial procedures, and some site areas use SSL encryption. · jriver.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Remote control
- Android devices can use Gizmo, while iPhone and iPad can control Media Center through the browser-based WebRemote. · jriver.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Paid from
- 79.98 · jriver.com, 21 Sept 2026
- Support
- Support resources include the Interact forum, which JRiver says is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and a user-modifiable wiki that replaces the manual. · jriver.com, 9 Oct 2026
- TV
- It supports TV tuners and an Electronic Program Guide for watching or recording live television. · jriver.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Video
- It combines local discs and streaming video sources such as Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube in one interface. · jriver.com, 9 Oct 2026
Where JRiver Media Center stands on Freedom251
- Audio Player Software#12 of 18
- Media Player Software#67 of 76