Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Jellyfin VS Emby

Compare Jellyfin VS Emby and see what are their differences

This page does not exist

Jellyfin logo Jellyfin

Jellyfin is a personal media server.

Emby logo Emby

media server for personal streaming movies tv music photos in mobile app or browser for all devices android iOS windows phone appletv androidtv smarttv and dlna.
  • Jellyfin Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-21
  • Emby Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-22

Jellyfin features and specs

  • Open Source
    Jellyfin is completely open-source, meaning its source code is freely available for anyone to inspect, modify, or improve. This leads to greater transparency and potentially quicker fixes and feature additions.
  • Cost
    Jellyfin is free to use, unlike other media server software that may require a subscription or one-time purchase.
  • Privacy
    Since Jellyfin is self-hosted, all media files and user data remain on your server, giving you full control over your privacy.
  • Customization
    Users can customize Jellyfin extensively, from the user interface to backend functionalities, fitting it to their specific needs.
  • Platform Support
    Jellyfin supports a wide range of platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Docker, and various NAS devices, allowing flexibility in deployment.
  • No DRM Restrictions
    Jellyfin doesn't impose Digital Rights Management (DRM) restrictions, providing an unconstrained media experience.

Possible disadvantages of Jellyfin

  • Complex Setup
    Setting up Jellyfin can be more complicated than proprietary alternatives, requiring a good understanding of server management and networking.
  • Community Support
    Being a community-driven project, the support relies mainly on forums and community contributions, which may not be as immediate or comprehensive as professional support services.
  • Updates and Stability
    Since it is managed by volunteers, updates and new features may not be as frequent or stable as those offered by commercial software.
  • Lack of Certain Features
    Some advanced features found in premium media server solutions may be missing or less polished in Jellyfin.
  • Resource Intensive
    Running Jellyfin can be resource-intensive, particularly for transcoding processes, requiring relatively powerful hardware for optimal performance.
  • Compatibility Issues
    There could be compatibility issues with certain devices or media formats, leading to a less seamless experience compared to more mature, commercial solutions.

Emby features and specs

  • Cross-Platform Support
    Emby is available on a wide variety of platforms including Windows, Linux, macOS, and several NAS devices, allowing users to access their media library from nearly any device.
  • Live TV and DVR
    Emby supports live TV and DVR functionality, enabling users to watch and record live television directly through the platform.
  • Customizability
    Emby offers a highly customizable interface and a range of plugins, enabling users to tailor the experience to their specific needs.
  • User Management
    The platform provides robust user management features, allowing the account holder to create multiple user profiles with distinct access permissions.
  • Mobile Sync
    Emby includes a Mobile Sync feature that allows users to download media to their mobile devices for offline viewing.
  • Rich Metadata
    Emby automatically fetches metadata for your media, including cover art, descriptions, and more, providing a polished media library experience.
  • Active Development
    The Emby platform is actively developed and frequently updated, ensuring that users benefit from ongoing improvements and new features.

Possible disadvantages of Emby

  • Cost
    While Emby offers a free tier, some advanced features require a premium subscription known as Emby Premiere, which may be a downside for budget-conscious users.
  • Complex Setup
    The initial setup and configuration of Emby can be somewhat complex and time-consuming, especially for users who are not technically inclined.
  • Resource Intensive
    Running an Emby server can be resource-intensive, requiring sufficient CPU and memory. This may be a limitation for users with lower-end hardware.
  • Limited Native App Support
    While Emby supports many platforms, some devices have limited native app support, potentially necessitating the use of third-party apps or solutions.
  • Occasional Stability Issues
    Users have occasionally reported stability issues and bugs, which can affect the overall user experience.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Some users have raised privacy concerns related to the data collected by Emby, especially when compared to some of its open-source competitors.

Analysis of Jellyfin

Overall verdict

  • Jellyfin is a good option for those seeking a free, open-source media server with an emphasis on privacy and customization. While it may require some technical expertise to set up and manage, it offers robust features and flexibility.

Why this product is good

  • Jellyfin is a free, open-source media server that allows you to manage and stream your personal media library to various devices. It is praised for its privacy-focused approach, as it does not send any data to the cloud. Being open source, it provides transparency and the ability to customize features to fit individual needs. Additionally, Jellyfin supports a wide range of platforms and devices, facilitating easy access to your media content anywhere.

Recommended for

  • Users who value privacy and want to avoid data being sent to the cloud.
  • Open-source enthusiasts who prefer software that can be customized and modified.
  • Individuals looking for a cost-effective solution to stream personal media libraries.
  • Tech-savvy users comfortable with configuring and maintaining server software.

Analysis of Emby

Overall verdict

  • Emby is a versatile and feature-rich media server software that can be a great choice for many users.

Why this product is good

  • Emby offers a comprehensive set of features that make it an appealing choice for managing and streaming personal media libraries. It provides a user-friendly interface, supports a wide range of devices, and offers strong customization options. Users can benefit from its live TV support, DVR capabilities, and the ability to stream content remotely. Emby also emphasizes privacy and control over your media, with the ability to manage your own server. Additionally, it offers cross-platform compatibility and client apps for numerous popular devices.

Recommended for

    Emby is recommended for users who want full control over their media server and prefer a solution that allows for easy streaming across different devices. It's ideal for tech-savvy individuals who are comfortable setting up and maintaining a home media server. Additionally, it's great for families or groups who want to share media content and have comprehensive access control features. Those who are looking for a media server with a strong emphasis on privacy might also find Emby to be a suitable choice.

Jellyfin videos

This FOSS app has TAKEN OVER my server! - Jellyfin Review

More videos:

  • Review - Jellyfin a fully open source alternative to Plex, Emby, and other media centers. Self-hosted & Free
  • Review - Jellyfin Media Server Setup for Openmediavault
  • Tutorial - Bob

Emby videos

Emby Media Server Complete 2019 Setup!! Is this better than Plex?

More videos:

  • Review - Emby Media Server Overview
  • Review - Plex vs Emby Media Server | Which one is the best for 2020?

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Jellyfin and Emby)
Media And Entertainment
100 100%
0% 0
Video
42 42%
58% 58
Media Players And Streaming Platforms
Media Player
51 51%
49% 49

User comments

Share your experience with using Jellyfin and Emby. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Jellyfin and Emby

Jellyfin Reviews

The Best 5 Kodi Alternatives You Can Try
Jellyfin is another alternative to Kodi. According to Wikipedia, it’s a suite of multimedia applications used for the organization, management, and sharing digital media files to network devices. With this freeware, you can collect, organize, and enjoy your movies, TV shows, and music, and it also enables you to watch Live TV and set automatic recordings.
15 Best Plex Alternatives [2022] – FREE and BETTER Options
Jellyfin or one of the others listed on this page. Plex offers a premium subscription and live channels, but Jellyfin allows you to add more features using plugins. Jellyfin is better than Plex and Emby if you are a tinkerer. In either case, we believe Jellyfin is the best free media server.
Top 10 Best Linux Media Server Software
An open-source media server software with several features. Jellyfin is actually a fork of the Emby media server. It may be one of the best out there, available for ‘free’.
Source: itsfoss.com
16 Best Jellyfin Alternatives - Features, pros & cons, pricing | Remote Tools
Watch the latest episodes from major networks like ABC, NBC, CBS, History, A&E, and many more Pricing When to use SelectTV Relevance to remote workers SelectTV allows remote workers to watch latest episode of their favorite show or a fun movie for the whole family and it's all just a click away See Alternatives to SelectTV See SelectTV's Competitors Jellyfin Alternative...
Best Kodi Alternatives for Free Streaming
Jellyfin is open source software that requires two devices. One acts as a server (it can be a PC, laptop, or NAS) and houses your media collection. Jellyfin’s additional feature stack includes support for DLNA, Live TV and DVR, and QuickConnect. The latter allows users to easily log in to new devices through previously authenticated devices.

Emby Reviews

10 Best Kodi Alternatives You Should Use (2023)
Emby is another Kodi alternative that comes with parental control. If you are searching for a Kodi alternative for your children or younger ones, Emby is a good option. It also follows the server-client model as in Plex. With an elegant and easy interface, Emby a be a good choice.
Source: techdator.net
7 Best Home Media Server Software Choices (2022)
While this basic feature set may be enough for beginners, advanced users will certainly want to invest in Emby Premiere, which adds a laundry list of extra features. Emby Premier costs either $5 a month or $119 for a lifetime pass. The most important feature of Emby Premiere is the ability to remotely access your media library, and from a larger selection of devices as well....
Source: heavy.com
15 Best Plex Alternatives [2022] – FREE and BETTER Options
Emby competes with Plex but does not rival Plex in terms of popularity. Plex is definitely the chosen winner among end users above Emby or Jellyfin. While Emby does support plugins, it only supports the plugins provided by Emby developers. If you do not mind paying for premium service then Plex Pass offers more than Emby Premier does.
Top 10 Best Linux Media Server Software
You can get started for free, but to unlock all the features, including full support for Android, PS4, Xbox One, you need to purchase licenses for all your devices. There are also numerous functionalities like backup/restore and folder sync that you get with an Emby Premiere subscription.
Source: itsfoss.com
Top 10 Alternatives to Plex Media Server
Emby is a platform that takes the fuss out of organizing your media making you spend more time enjoying and less time struggling. Emby manages your media into rich elegant displays, by downloading metadata and artwork from reliable sources such as TheMovieDb.org, TheTvdb.com, and others. Emby automatically notifies you of server activity based on events and movements that...
Source: www.easefab.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Jellyfin should be more popular than Emby. It has been mentiond 255 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Jellyfin mentions (255)

  • Plex no Longer Offers Free Remote Playback for Personal Media
    Switched from Plex to https://jellyfin.org/ without much trouble. - Source: Hacker News / 2 months ago
  • Plex price increases for 2025, remote streaming of personal media no longer free
    After trying Plex, I found Jellyfin [1] to be a complete replacement when paired with a VPN for remote devices. I haven't had a single issue with a library over 2TB and thousands of files. [1]: https://jellyfin.org/. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • Ode to one diagnostic rule and to couple more, or Jellyfin check
    Jellyfin is based on the Emby 3.5.2 release and ported to the .NET Core platform to provide full cross-platform support. - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
  • How I built my own SeedBox with K8S
    Indeed, it would be really cool to set up a Jellyfin server now and connect it to the network volume to enjoy the content from the couch ;). - Source: dev.to / 10 months ago
  • Netflix: Piracy Is Difficult to Compete Against and Growing Rapidly
    At least for the last point I can recommend jellyfin. It has a web interface, a android tv app and an iphone app. I use it on my phone, tv and in the browser. https://jellyfin.org/. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
View more

Emby mentions (58)

  • Program for sorting DOWNLOADED movies/games?
    I used to use Plex until I found Emby. I find Emby easier to use and it does the same thing. Just putting this here as a fourth option for OP. :). Source: over 1 year ago
  • Ask HN: What is your streaming setup like?
    I use https://emby.media along with private trackers and Usenet. - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • Just checking: Plex is still the best option right?
    You can find it here! I have both installed, but I generally keep EMBY turned off until I want to play around with it. You can have both running at once and both accessing the same folders. You can check it out for free. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Yo Ho, Yo Ho, a pirates life for me!! Recent streaming services, prices and shows getting butchered, finally decided its time. Here's how a basic self-hosted 'Netflix' would look like. Fully automated once its setup. Using only a makeshift homelab server from second hand parts.
    Emby: Offers premium features with some behind a membership. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • media server, bring old days and share with friends
    I went with Emby, personally. Plex, Jellyfin, etc are all good choices too! :). Source: almost 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Jellyfin and Emby, you can also consider the following products

NZBGet.com - Fast, reliable, and feature-packed NZB downloader.

Kodi - Kodi is an award winning free and open source media player that got its start on the Xbox console.

SABnzbd - SABnzbd is a free/open-source cross-platform binary newsreader written in Python.

Universal Media Server - Universal Media Server allows you to host your entire library of video, music, and pictures, and broadcast them conveniently to a wide variety of different devices.

NZBGet - The most efficient usenet downloader.

Stremio - Watch videos, movies, TV series and TV channels instantly.