FM-DX Webserver vs WebSDR
Both tools let remote listeners tune a receiver through a browser, but they operate under very different licensing models. WebSDR's server software is proprietary; new operators must contact the developer directly to obtain it. FM-DX Webserver is GPL-3.0 licensed and freely available on GitHub for anyone to download, run, and modify.
| Feature | FM-DX Webserver | WebSDR |
|---|
| License | GPL-3.0 (open source) | Proprietary |
| Source code | Available on GitHub | Not publicly available |
| Self-hosting | Free to download and run | Requires developer arrangement |
| Operating system | Linux, macOS, Windows | Linux |
| RDS decoding | Yes (PI codes, station ID) | Limited |
| Plugin support | Community plugin system | None |
| Public server map | servers.fmdx.org | websdr.org |
FM-DX Webserver is the better choice for operators who want full control over their server code, a plugin-extensible interface, or the ability to run on Windows or macOS without a dedicated Linux host. Its RDS decoding and community widget support also make it better suited for FM-specific DXing than a general SDR server.
WebSDR may be the better fit for operators already in the established WebSDR network who need wider HF, VHF, or UHF coverage beyond FM, or who want access to the larger existing listener community. WebSDR's network of hundreds of publicly listed servers remains significantly larger than FM-DX Webserver's community map.