Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Jellyfin VS Rectangle

Compare Jellyfin VS Rectangle and see what are their differences

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Jellyfin logo Jellyfin

Jellyfin is a personal media server.

Rectangle logo Rectangle

Window management app based on Spectacle, written in Swift.
  • Jellyfin Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-21
  • Rectangle Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-20

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.

Rectangle features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    Rectangle offers an intuitive user interface that makes window management straightforward and user-friendly.
  • Customizable Shortcuts
    Users can easily configure keyboard shortcuts to better suit their workflow, making window management faster and more efficient.
  • Free
    Rectangle is available for free, making it accessible to anyone without the need for a financial investment.
  • Frequent Updates
    The app receives regular updates, introducing new features and ensuring compatibility with the latest macOS versions.
  • Lightweight
    Rectangle is a lightweight application that doesn't consume many system resources, ensuring smooth performance even on older Macs.

Possible disadvantages of Rectangle

  • Limited Advanced Features
    Rectangle lacks some of the more advanced features found in paid window management applications, such as multiple monitor support and more complex window arrangements.
  • MacOS Only
    Rectangle is only available for macOS, so users of other operating systems are unable to take advantage of its features.
  • Occasional Bugs
    Some users report occasional bugs or unpredictable behavior, which might require troubleshooting or waiting for a future update.
  • Learning Curve for Shortcuts
    While customizable shortcuts are a benefit, there is an initial learning curve for users to memorize and effectively use these shortcuts.
  • Basic Aesthetic
    The app's design and aesthetic are quite basic, lacking the polish and visual appeal found in some other similar tools.

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 Rectangle

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Rectangle is highly regarded for its ease of use, extensive customization options, and the fact that it is free and open-source. It provides essential functionality without unnecessary complexity, making it suitable for both casual users and power users who need efficient window management.

Why this product is good

  • Rectangle is a popular window management tool for macOS, known for its simplicity and ease of use. It allows users to efficiently organize and resize application windows using customizable keyboard shortcuts or by dragging windows into pre-defined areas of the screen. This can enhance productivity by minimizing the time spent arranging windows and improving multitasking capabilities.

Recommended for

    Rectangle is recommended for macOS users looking for a straightforward, lightweight solution to manage application windows. It is particularly beneficial for those who frequently work with multiple applications at once, including developers, designers, and anyone who values a tidy and organized desktop environment.

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

Rectangle videos

SKYWALKER RECTANGLE TRAMPOLINE REVIEW!!!

More videos:

  • Review - Skywalker Rectangle Trampoline Review #1
  • Review - Marvin Malton 160 Rectangle Flying Hour Watch Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Jellyfin and Rectangle)
Media And Entertainment
100 100%
0% 0
Mac Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Media Players And Streaming Platforms
Window Manager
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

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

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.

Rectangle Reviews

Best 6 Mac Window Managers
Rectangle shows that you don’t need to dip into your bank account to get window resizer tools. This free Mac window manager lets you manage multiple windows using keyboard shortcuts, menu options, or by dragging and dropping. Just like Magnet, you can split your screen up into quarters, thirds, or halves.
Source: mackeeper.com
Top 6 Window Manager Apps for Mac
Most window manager apps for Mac support multiple monitors. They can help you move windows between screens and create custom layouts for each monitor. Many window manager apps – such as BetterSnapTool, Magnet, and Rectangle – offer this functionality.
The 6 Best Mac Window Management Tools
However, it might take some time for you to get used to the shortcuts in the Rectangle app since there are many. Furthermore, you can also add some of your apps to exceptions if you want to keep them away from Rectangle's shortcuts.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Rectangle should be more popular than Jellyfin. It has been mentiond 480 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 (261)

  • Music Streaming
    Jellyfin is primarily a video media server, but its music support is solid enough to be a strong contender — especially if you already run it for movies and TV. You get a unified library for video, music, audiobooks, and photos, with a single web UI and mobile apps covering everything. - Source: dev.to / 6 months ago
  • US Court of Appeals: TOS can be updated by email, continued use implies consent [pdf]
    [Jellyfin](https://jellyfin.org/) is a great alternative to Plex if you haven't taken a look! - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
  • Show HN: Jellyfin SDK for Python – high-level wrapper around the Jellyfin API
    Hey HN, I’ve been working on a new Python SDK for [Jellyfin](https://jellyfin.org/). The official Python client (`jellyfin-apiclient-python`) is pretty much unmaintained, and I kept running into rough edges (missing exceptions, mismatched info/config, no playlist support, etc.). So I built a new library: [*jellyfin-sdk*](https://github.com/webysther/jellyfin-sdk-python). It’s basically a high-level wrapper on top... - Source: Hacker News / 12 months ago
  • Plex Security Incident
    Not necessarily related, but I'll take the opportunity to share my dislike of this company. Like others, they built a loyal following around a set of features provided, no questions asked, to stream your content to your own devices. Over the last couple of years, Plex has continued to strip functionality, add paywalls, make deals with publishing companies, and take other actions that firmly put them in the... - Source: Hacker News / 12 months ago
  • The Daily Gist: Never miss the best of Reddit again. Powered by Bright Data.
    In my case, the completed video is saved to a shared storage volume accessible by a Jellyfin media server running in a parallel container. This setup allows me to seamlessly stream and watch my personalized Reddit summary on any of my devices. While this is great for personal viewing, the workflow can be easily extended using n8n's built-in integrations to automatically upload the video to YouTube, send it via... - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
View more

Rectangle mentions (480)

  • Apple introduces M6 and M5 Ultra for a big leap in performance and AI compute
    Rectangle solved my macos window management annoyances. https://rectangleapp.com/ Not involved in dev of this, just a happy user. - Source: Hacker News / 9 days ago
  • Ubuntu 26.04 LTS Released
    As a both old Linux and now decade user of MacOS, after I got used to no middle-click paste and no focus-follows-mouse: 1. Keyboard shortcuts are Emacs, Ctrl-A: start of line, E: end of line, K: kill selected or to end of line, Y to paste, etc. https://support.apple.com/en-au/102650#text 2. Karabiner elements (FOSS) fixes keyboard mappings outside of the Settings: https://karabiner-elements.pqrs.org/ 3. I have the... - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • Native Instant Space Switching on macOS
    Every macOS user uses Rectangle.app — https://rectangleapp.com The ones who don't use it is because they don’t know it exists. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • Native Instant Space Switching on macOS
    I use https://rectangleapp.com/ and enjoy it. I have shortcuts to move windows to the left/right half of the screen, and cycle between monitors. This, combined with native cmd+tab and cmd+` is enough for me. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • Make macOS consistently bad (unironically)
    Rectangle [1] is pretty much essential for me because of this. I use only a few keypresses (maximize window, move to one of the halves of the screen horizontally) but that is enough. My mouse very rately interacts with the borders of any window, or those buttons. I had to click on the green one that you mentioned in order to see what it did (yuck). [1] https://rectangleapp.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

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

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.

Magnet Window Manager - Magnet Developers

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

yabai - A tiling window manager for macOS based on binary space partitioning

Radarr - A fork of Sonarr designed to work with Movies.

BTT Remote - A remote control for you Mac, using your iPhone or iPad