Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Jellyfin

Jellyfin is a personal media server.

Jellyfin

Jellyfin Reviews and Details

This page is designed to help you find out whether Jellyfin is good and if it is the right choice for you.

Screenshots and images

  • Jellyfin Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-21

Features & Specs

  1. 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.

  2. Cost

    Jellyfin is free to use, unlike other media server software that may require a subscription or one-time purchase.

  3. Privacy

    Since Jellyfin is self-hosted, all media files and user data remain on your server, giving you full control over your privacy.

  4. Customization

    Users can customize Jellyfin extensively, from the user interface to backend functionalities, fitting it to their specific needs.

  5. Platform Support

    Jellyfin supports a wide range of platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Docker, and various NAS devices, allowing flexibility in deployment.

  6. No DRM Restrictions

    Jellyfin doesn't impose Digital Rights Management (DRM) restrictions, providing an unconstrained media experience.

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Videos

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

Jellyfin a fully open source alternative to Plex, Emby, and other media centers. Self-hosted & Free

Jellyfin Media Server Setup for Openmediavault

Social recommendations and mentions

We have tracked the following product recommendations or mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you see what people think about Jellyfin and what they use it for.
  • Music Streaming
    Jellyfin is primarily a video media server, but its music support is solid enough to be a strong contender โ€” 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 / 5 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 / 5 months ago
  • Show HN: Jellyfin SDK for Python โ€“ high-level wrapper around the Jellyfin API
    Hey HN, Iโ€™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). Itโ€™s basically a high-level wrapper on top... - Source: Hacker News / 11 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 / 11 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 / 12 months ago
  • Self-Hosted Streaming with Jellyfin and ngrok โ€“ A Personal Weekend Project
    That's when I turned to Jellyfin, a free, open-source media streaming solution. Paired with ngrok, I could securely share access with family and now had my very own private Netflix running directly from my Linux desktop. This was one of those side projects that started as a practical fix but turned into an unexpectedly enjoyable weekend build. - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
  • Plex no Longer Offers Free Remote Playback for Personal Media
    Switched from Plex to https://jellyfin.org/ without much trouble. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year 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 / over 1 year 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 / over 1 year 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 / about 2 years 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 2 years ago
  • Nolan Says Buy Oppenheimer on Blu-ray So No Evil Streaming Service Can Steal It
    It's a pain to get set up initially, but the Automatic Ripping Machine[1] plus Jellyfin/Plex/etc[2] makes for a great combination. [1] https://github.com/automatic-ripping-machine/automatic-ripping-machine. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • .NET 8 Standalone 50% Smaller On Linux
    I serve videos from my home Linux server using Jellyfin[0][1] and previously ran Emby[2] (from which Jellyfin was forked). Jellyfin is written in C# and runs on .Net 7.0. [0] https://jellyfin.org/. - Source: Hacker News / almost 3 years ago
  • The Tailscale Universal Docker Mod
    Wireguard + GUI: https://github.com/wg-easy/wg-easy Backups of mail accounts: https://www.offlineimap.org Cloud storage for phones: http://nextcloud.com Mirroring podcasts locally: https://github.com/akhilrex/podgrab My own matrix instance: https://matrix-org.github.io/dendrite/ Backups: https://restic.net Media Management: https://jellyfin.org Relay only tor help: https://www.torproject.org S3 compatible storage:... - Source: Hacker News / almost 3 years ago
  • โŸณ 8 apps added, 74 updated at f-droid.org
    Jellyfin - your media in your hands! (version 2.5.3): Mobile client for Jellyfin, the free software media system. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Ask HN: What is your streaming setup like?
    Https://jellyfin.org/ I also play Blu-Rays and DVD on an XBOX One. I also picked up a VHS player for $12 at https://ithacareuse.org/ which sells tapes for 50 cents. - Source: Hacker News / about 3 years ago
  • Can You Stream 3D Plex Movies To XReal Air Glasses?
    For 3D SBS video, I use Jellyfin - which is free to use and pretty easy to setup. There's also an android client app for your phone, that allows you to browse you're libraries etc. I then use VLC is the default video player app, which works perfectly for 3D SBS. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Suggestions for file server
    A mini with an N100 processor and 16GB RAM will do what you want better than that Wyse 3040 while still using low power. I use a Beelink Mini S12 as a media server. I put a 2TB NVMe and a 4TB SSD into it for storage. It runs a collection of services including Jellyfin for streaming video to my TV. I run all of my services in Docker. I have it sitting by my TV and it is silent, cool, and power efficient. I use it... Source: about 3 years ago
  • How does openrc run commands under another user, even if the user has no shell access? My attempts to do this with sshfs using `su` and `rununser` fail.
    I have already installed a media server application called Jellyfin, which already has its init script for openRC. Source: about 3 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: about 3 years ago
  • Why is it such a headache to have a lossless, Direct Play 4K media home theater setup?
    I love Jellyfin as a media server, FOSS. Works great for my audio/movies/shows. Has WebOS client. Server runs on Linux/Windows/MacOS. See for yourself. Source: about 3 years ago

Summary of the public mentions of Jellyfin

Jellyfin, an open-source media server, has steadily garnered attention in the media and entertainment industry, particularly among users seeking alternatives to proprietary solutions such as Plex. Positioned alongside competitors like Kodi, Emby, and Stremio, Jellyfin distinguishes itself with its privacy-centric approach, transparency, and expansive customization capabilities achieved through plugins, appealing primarily to tech-savvy users and media enthusiasts.

Open Source and Cost Efficiency
A recurring theme among users and industry commentators is Jellyfin's open-source nature, which makes it an attractive option for those opposed to subscription models or seeking greater control over their media. Jellyfin is licensed under the GNU GPL, making it completely free from hidden costs or feature limitations typically associated with other media servers. This factor, combined with its robust feature set, positions it as a viable alternative for individuals and small groups who prioritize cost efficiency without sacrificing functionality.

Compatibility and Flexibility
Jellyfin's cross-platform support is frequently highlighted as a significant advantage. Built on the .NET Core platform with its origins as a fork of the Emby media server, Jellyfin supports a wide range of operating systems, including Linux, Windows, and macOS. Its compatibility extends to popular streaming devices such as iOS and Android platforms, Roku, FireTV, Chromecast, and web browsers, providing a seamless viewing experience across diverse hardware.

Furthermore, the platform's ability to serve as a backend for third-party media interfaces enhances its versatility. Integration with systems like DVR and QuickConnect simplifies device login processes and further broadens its appeal by enabling easy setup for streaming and recording live TV.

Privacy and Community Support
A distinctive feature of Jellyfin is its strong privacy orientation. Unlike commercial competitors, Jellyfin does not track viewing habits or require mandatory data sharing. This transparency is often praised in discussions as a major advantage over competitors like Plex, especially from users cautious about data privacy. Additionally, Jellyfin's active community contributes to its ongoing development and support, offering resources such as plugins and community-driven documentation, which aid in resolving setup and operational queries.

Usability and Challenges
Although Jellyfin is lauded for its feature-rich environment and high degree of configurability, some users express challenges with its initial setup and configuration. This complexity can deter less technical users, although many find the learning curve manageable with the extensive community resources available. The software's flexibility allows for extensive personalization, satisfying users who are willing to invest time in optimization and customization.

Overall, Jellyfin emerges as a compelling media server solution for users who value open-source ethics, privacy, and financial prudence. While it may pose an initial challenge for novices, its broad device support, lack of restrictions, and community backing make it an influential choice for DIY enthusiasts and media server veterans.

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Is Jellyfin good? This is an informative page that will help you find out. Moreover, you can review and discuss Jellyfin here. The primary details have not been verified within the last quarter, and they might be outdated. If you think we are missing something, please use the means on this page to comment or suggest changes. All reviews and comments are highly encouranged and appreciated as they help everyone in the community to make an informed choice. Please always be kind and objective when evaluating a product and sharing your opinion.