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BubbleUPnP and KMPlayer Alternatives for Playing NAS Videos on Android
If you use a Synology, QNAP, Windows share, or cloud storage, choose a player around how you reach your files. Stream offers direct SMB, WebDAV, Plex, Emby, OneDrive, and Aliyun Drive (阿里云盘) connections on Android phones, with no ads and no DLNA setup.
This guide is published by Stream. Stream does not support DLNA or UPnP browsing or casting. It is an alternative workflow for watching on your phone, rather than a replacement for a DLNA controller or renderer.
Compare the Workflows
| Requirement | BubbleUPnP | KMPlayer | Stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary network sources | UPnP/DLNA media servers and supported cloud sources; casting is a central use case | General local and network playback, including network storage and supported cloud services | SMB, WebDAV, Plex, Emby, OneDrive, and Aliyun Drive; also local folders |
| Library presentation | Server-provided directory trees and media listings | File browsing and general player controls | Automatic movie and TV poster library, metadata matching, seasons and episodes |
| Ads | Free version has ads; paid license removes them | Ad-supported editions have existed; check the current Android edition and store listing | No ads, including free playback |
| Free & paid rules on Android | Free version has feature limits; license removes ads and restrictions | Free download with in-app purchases; check current premium features | MP4/M4V up to 1080p unlimited free; other supported containers have a 5-minute preview per playback; Pro lifts playback limits |
| Best fit | Keeping a UPnP/DLNA server and casting workflow | General playback and file controls | A poster library from direct storage or Plex/Emby on an Android phone |
BubbleUPnP is useful when your devices already depend on UPnP/DLNA. Directory trees come from the server and can be exactly what you need. If you mainly watch on your phone and would prefer matched movie and TV posters, you can instead enable SMB or WebDAV on your NAS and add that source to Stream. You do not need to run both protocols for Stream.
For competitor details, review the official BubbleUPnP listing, BubbleUPnP license rules, and KMPlayer listing. Editions and purchase rules can change; this comparison does not promise identical codec support or playback performance.
What Stream Adds to Direct NAS Playback
Stream scans selected folders, matches metadata, and presents movies and TV shows with posters, seasons, and episodes. It saves playback progress across sessions so you can return to a title, and lets you select available subtitle and audio tracks. The app includes no ads.
For a Synology, QNAP, or Windows share, start with SMB setup. For an HTTPS file endpoint, use WebDAV setup. Plex and Emby connections still need your existing media server online; SMB and WebDAV do not require a separate Stream server. Dedicated OneDrive and Aliyun Drive connections let you use supported cloud storage without publishing a DLNA directory tree.
Add your server and share path, enter the credentials your server requires, and select a small folder to scan. Test one movie before adding your full library. Stream does not import BubbleUPnP or KMPlayer history or purchases.
Free Playback and Stream Pro
On an Android phone, MP4 and M4V videos up to 1080p play free without a time limit. MKV, MOV, AVI, FLV, and WebM have a 5-minute preview per playback before Stream Pro is required to continue. Pro also unlocks MP4/M4V above 1080p and background audio. The free resolution rule includes the documented allowance for padded 1080p frames.
Stream Pro does not add a software decoder or server transcoding. Codec and HDR support depend on your device; buying Pro cannot fix an unsupported codec. Read Free vs Stream Pro before choosing your test file. If playback stalls, follow the buffering checks.
Stream's Android TV app is coming soon and is not yet on Google Play. These playback and purchase rules describe the phone app. For another platform comparison, see Infuse alternatives on Android, or compare NAS players for SMB and WebDAV.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Stream browse or cast to a DLNA or UPnP device?
No. Stream does not support DLNA or UPnP browsing or casting. Use SMB, WebDAV, Plex, Emby, OneDrive, or Aliyun Drive to access your videos in Stream. Keep a DLNA-capable app if that protocol is essential to your setup.
Do I need a DLNA server to play my NAS videos in Stream?
No. Enable SMB or WebDAV on your NAS, add the reachable share or endpoint, then choose folders to scan. Plex and Emby are separate source options that require their respective media servers.
Is Stream free and without ads on Android?
Stream has no ads. On Android phones, MP4 and M4V up to 1080p play free without a time limit. MKV, MOV, AVI, FLV, and WebM have a 5-minute preview per playback; continuing requires Stream Pro. Pro also unlocks higher-resolution MP4/M4V and background audio.
Will Stream Pro make every NAS video playable?
No. Stream Pro lifts the phone app's paid playback limits but does not add a software decoder or server transcoding. Test your actual files, audio tracks, and subtitles on your own phone before buying.