Plex vs Jellyfin: real differences and which one is better for you

If you've been jumping between for a while NetflixDisney+, Prime Video and other platformsI'm sure you're familiar with this scenario: spending more time searching for something to watch than actually watching anything. And to top it off, the movie you want is on the service you don't pay for. That's why more and more people are deciding to create their own "home Netflix" with a dedicated media server.

Within that world, the two big names that always come up in conversation are Plex and JellyfinBoth allow you to set up a media center to play your movies, series, music, or photos on almost any device, both within your local network and from outside. But although they do the same thing "in broad terms," the philosophy, the business model, and many technical details They are very different, and that's the key to choosing well.

Plex vs Jellyfin: two very different concepts for the same problem

Both Plex and Jellyfin are multimedia servers based on client-server architecture: You install the server in a PC, NAS or mini-PCYou add your folders with movies, series, music or photos, and then access them from clients (apps or browser) on your TV, mobile, tablet, console, etc. From there, the differences begin.

Plex is a commercial, closed-source product with a company behind it.It has a fairly comprehensive free version, but many advanced features (especially the really cool ones) are unlocked with Plex Pass, a premium plan available with monthly, annual, or lifetime subscriptions. It works a bit like Apple: a polished interface, a very refined experience, everything integrated… but the most powerful features aren't free.

Jellyfin, on the other hand, is a 100% open source projectIt's a shell company with no shareholders behind it. It was born in 2018 as a fork of Emby when Emby closed its code and began to focus on a premium model. The entire community can view the code, contribute improvements, create plugins and clients, and no features are locked behind a subscription. All features are free, including things that Plex reserves for Plex Pass.

This difference in philosophy is noticeable in everything: Plex is committed to comfort, visual appeal and services “like Netflix” (streaming free, online TV channels, advanced music, etc.), while Jellyfin focuses on Total control, privacy, and no telemetry or cloud dependencies, even if that means less polishing and having to "tinker" a little more.

For the user who only wants to watch their movies and series on a local network, both are more than adequate: You can use both completely free to set up your own home Netflix.The big decision comes when things like the business model, privacy, cross-platform support, or how much you want to pay for certain features matter to you.

Main features and platform support

Plex has a clear advantage in one area: It has been on the market for many years and has excellent device support.You can install the server on Windows, macOS, Linux...on a NAS, a Raspberry Pi, and even via Docker. And as for clients, there are native apps to Android, iOS, web browsers, Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast, PlayStation, XboxTVs with Tizen or webOS, and more. If a screen exists, it's quite likely that Plex has an app for it.

At Jellyfin, the situation is somewhat different. The server too. It is available for virtually all systems (Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch, Gentoo, macOS, Windows, generic and portable versions of Linux, Raspberry Pi, etc.), and the installation process is similar: you install it, point it to your folders, and that's it. Its community-driven nature is most evident in the apps: many are from third partiesunofficial, and the experience varies considerably.

For example, Jellyfin's web client is very robust, and the official mobile clients on Android and iOS work well, including the ability to delete content if you have permission. But on some Smart TVs and consoles, the situation is more inconsistent: there are clients that are basically "packaged" web apps, as in certain Xbox models or some TVs, and that implies failures such as not playing 4K correctly or less smooth navigation.

The positive side is that Jellyfin, being free, It allows for the emergence of very powerful alternative clientsExamples include Swiftfin on iOS for playback, or desktop players like Jellyfin Media Player. However, some are still in their early stages or have unusual design choices (such as desktop clients that only work in full screen, or that limit login attempts), reflecting the constantly evolving nature of the ecosystem.

User experience: interface, usability and “family factor”

If you're particularly concerned about the interface being attractive and that Anyone at home knows how to use it without asking.Plex has the upper hand. Its design is very polished: smooth transitions, well-placed thumbnails, highly intuitive navigation, and a content presentation that is practically seamless. It rivals Netflix or Disney+On devices like Apple TV, Roku, or mobile phones, the app truly feels like a "big platform" app.

Furthermore, Plex is designed so that Your family and non-technical friends will understand without any hassleYou invite someone to your library, they create a Plex account, open the app, and that's it. They don't have to memorize IPs, ports, or anything complicated. For many, that "no hassle" factor is reason enough to choose it.

Jellyfin, for its part, offers an interface correct, clean and functionalIt features a pleasant dark theme and well-organized sections. Its dashboard is reminiscent of a streaming service, with visible cover art, categories, and metadata. However, the aesthetic details are less refined: simpler animations, some less polished menus, and the occasional minor presentation glitch.

In Jellyfin you can also organize your library by type (movies, series, music, photos) and customize almost everythingBut to get it "fine-tuned" you usually need to use plugins and tweak settings, especially if you want to correct metadata, improve the search engine or fine-tune certain behaviors.

In terms of accessibility for less technical users, Jellyfin makes it easy to receive some calls like “where is this?”simply because some apps are not so uniform with each other, or because the initial remote access setup is not automated.

Metadata, plugins, and library quality

One of the things that is most valued in a media server is how to organize and "beautify" your collectionThis is where Plex really shines: its metadata agents automatically identify a large portion of your movies and TV shows, retrieving synopses, cover art, cast lists, ratings, trailers, and other information quite accurately. In tests with large libraries (over 500 movies and around 50 TV shows), Plex correctly identified about 98% of titles without any manual intervention.

Jellyfin is also capable of Download metadata and present the library in a user-friendly wayHowever, the percentage of automatic successes is usually somewhat lower, and sometimes requires more manual intervention. Practical estimates place it at around 95% success, with the remainder needing corrections, agent changes, or adjustments via plugins.

Another important difference is the state of the plugin ecosystemJellyfin started with many extensions to replicate advanced Plex features (such as skipping intros, improving metadata scraping, etc.), but with There Some have become outdated or have been completely abandoned. The server's plugin engine is somewhat obsolete, and Key projects such as certain Skip Intro plugins are unmaintained, which makes some functions less reliable.

Plex, on the other hand, has been integrating more features as standard instead of relying so heavily on external plugins. Features such as Automatic search and download of subtitles, trailers, skip intros, skip ads in certain content, or improvements to music and photos They are better integrated within the product itself, although many of the most interesting ones are reserved for Plex Pass.

Transcoding, performance, and required hardware

In terms of pure performance, both Plex and Jellyfin can serve “direct play” content (without conversion) to multiple devices with minimal CPU load. When the file is in a client-compatible format, both servers consume very few resources. In fact, with a typical processor Intel With an i5 processor and 16 GB of RAM, either one remains quiet at idle and during live playback.

The problem comes with the video transcodingThat is, when your file format isn't compatible with the device and the server has to convert it on the fly (for example, downscaling from 4K to 1080p for a remote client, or adapting unusual codecs). This is where the differences are crucial.

Plex supports very efficient hardware transcoding and "plug and play", but Hardware acceleration is blocked behind Plex PassWithout that subscription, the server can only transcode by CPU, and if you ask it to convert 4K to 1080p in real time for multiple users, the processor will overwhelm the system and you'll start experiencing stuttering, especially if you're using a modest NAS or mini-PC.

Jellyfin also supports hardware transcoding with modern GPUs and codecs, but it usually requires a little more manual configuration (adjust permissions, driversetc.) and, depending on the format, may have some occasional hiccups. However, the key difference is that There is no paywallIf your hardware supports it, you can take advantage of GPU acceleration from day one. For many users who have spent years investing in their equipment, paying an additional subscription just to unlock that GPU with Plex is quite irritating.

In practice, if you have a low-powered machine and rely heavily on transcoding, Jellyfin offers clear economic advantageIf you already pay for Plex Pass, Plex is usually a bit more efficient and reliabilityHowever, both suffer if you try to do everything on the CPU with heavy 4K.

Remote access, cloud, and privacy

Another point where Plex and Jellyfin clash is their relationship with the cloud and privacy. Plex operates with a system of centralized authentication through its serversEven to access your own server at home, you log in with your Plex account, and the service manages the server detection, port mapping and remote connection.

The advantage is that access from outside your local network is usually It's a matter of flipping a switch.Plex tries to configure your router with UPnP, making it easier for friends to access your router, and generally saving you from dealing with ports, DNS, or other issues. VPNFor many non-technical users, this is pure gold.

The downside is that Plex collects usage data and statisticsAnd some of your playback information passes through their servers. You can disable certain levels of telemetry, but you can't completely eliminate the dependency on that infrastructure without breaking key features. If Plex's servers go down, or if your internet connection fails, in some cases even local access becomes difficult.

Jellyfin, on the contrary, does not require no external authentication or contact with the cloudIt doesn't send telemetry, it doesn't have centralized analytics, and it doesn't depend on any third-party services to function. If your internet connection goes down, everything remains accessible within your local network without you even noticing. Ideal for those setting up a home server specifically for... do not share data with large companiesThis is an essential requirement.

On the practical side, Jellyfin does require you to take care of the network and security componentYou'll need to manually configure port forwarding, set up a reverse proxy, use a tunnel like Tailscale or WireGuard, etc. In other words, there's no magic or automation; it's more initial work, but it gives you complete control over how your services are exposed.

Pricing model and actual cost of each option

In terms of hard cash, the comparison is very clear. Jellyfin is completely freeThere are no premium editions, no features hidden behind a paywall, and no paid clients. All server functions—including Live TV, DVR, hardware transcoding, synchronization, restricted user management, etc.—are available from day one without removing your card.

At Jellyfin, contributing is optional and community-based: You can donate Join the project to help with servers and costs, contribute code, write documentation, test beta versions, or help other users on Discord, Matrix, or Telegram. There's no sales pressure or "locked-down" features to force you to pay.

Plex, on the other hand, follows a very classic freemium modelBasic use is free: server, apps, local and remote streaming with CPU transcoding, access to some of its free online content, etc. But many of the advanced features that make all the difference are unlocked with Plex Pass: hardware transcoding, offline downloads on mobile devices, Live TV and DVR, advanced parental controls, a server dashboard with statistics, webhooks, enhanced music features (Plexamp, sonic analysis, smart mixes), automatic camera upload, Plex VR, and some "Skip Intro" or ad-skipping options.

Plex Pass prices are usually $4,99 per month, $39,99 per year, or $119,99 for lifeThese prices are generally considered quite reasonable if you use all the features, or even if you just want to avoid recurring payments with a lifetime subscription. The problem arises when you're only interested in one critical feature (like hardware transcoding) and are forced to pay for the entire package.

In practice, if your goal is set up a home media center without extrasJellyfin comes out on top in terms of cost. If you want your server to be as close as possible to a full-fledged streaming service with added online content, free TV channels, and advanced music and photo features, Plex with Plex Pass might be worth it.

Installation, initial configuration and library creation

When we talk about "setting up" the server, Plex has invested heavily in making the process... as simple and guided as possible. Downloads Run the installer for your system, log in with your Plex account, and a wizard will guide you step by step: naming the server, adding libraries, choosing content types, etc. On platforms like some self-hosting distributions, it's even available as a one-click installation.

Generally, you can have it in about 15 minutes Your Plex is ready and playing content.Provided there are no issues with permissions or paths. However, in recent versions, some users have encountered errors when creating new libraries (“Your changes could not be saved”), which they have had to resolve. reinstalling previous versions from file repositories. It's not the norm, but it shows that not everything is without its problems.

Jellyfin can also boast of being quite accessible in the installationTheir downloads page is well-organized with separate sections for server and clients, and each operating system has clear instructions or direct links. On Windows, for example, server installation is similar to that of any standard program, and then the web wizard guides you through creating the administrator user, defining the server, and adding libraries.

Creating a library in Jellyfin is usually a simple process: You name the library, choose the content type, and specify the folder path.From there you can configure metadata providers and plugins, although it's recommended to start with the default settings. The overall experience is quite pleasant and, in many cases, less problematic than in some recent versions of Plex regarding library creation.

In HomeDock OS-type solutions, both Plex and Jellyfin literally become one-click installationsfurther reducing the differences in this aspect. The real difference there is no longer the difficulty of installation, but everything that comes after: cloud model, privacy, premium features, etc.

Customers, user control and "in-salon" use

A very important part of the actual user experience is how customers behave on living room devices: Smart TVs, Roku, consoles, etc. Here, too, very different approaches are seen. Plex has customers very mature on virtually all platforms, with deep integration into Smart TV systems and remotes, intuitive playback controls and, overall, a finished product feel.

Jellyfin's clients have come a long way, but there are still weak points, especially on some TVs and on Roku. For example, the Roku client is considered functional for playing video, but It has annoying shortcomings in interactionTo advance a playback, you may have to press the advance button on the remote twice (once to enter forward/rewind mode and once to move), which somewhat disrupts the naturalness of daily use in the living room.

Furthermore, the Jellyfin ecosystem has management limitations for certain TV clients: Not all of them allow you to delete content. or perform administrative tasks. It is usually necessary to use the web client, the mobile app, or some specific desktop clients for functions such as deleting files or managing users.

Speaking of users, Jellyfin offers the possibility of Create restricted users without paying anythingThese are accounts for children or guests to whom you only grant access to certain libraries or content. Plex also allows this, but restricts some parental control features to Plex Pass, which again places this feature within the premium package.

In any case, both systems allow you to share your library with other people. Plex is usually more convenient thanks to its account and cloud infrastructure; with Jellyfin, it depends on how you expose your server (for example, with Tailscale and a VPN, or with your own domain and reverse proxy), which involves more work, but also more control.

Extra content, music, photos and uses beyond movies and series

If your use is limited exclusively to movies and series that you already have on your hard driveBoth Plex and Jellyfin will serve you more than adequately, and you won't need much else. However, Plex has evolved with a clear intention: to be an "all-in-one" multimedia platform, blending your local content with your own online content.

Plex offers free live TV channels (more than 200 in many regions), a considerable catalog of free on-demand movies and series with ads, integration with other platforms, recommendations, cross-lists, etc. It has also enhanced music features, to the point that for many music-loving users Plex + Plexamp is the ideal combination to listen to a collection of local music with a spectacular presentation, sonic analysis, intelligent mixes and more.

In terms of photos, both products allow you to store and view albums, but None of them are intended to replace Google Photos or specific solutions for advanced photo management. Plex has some extras like automatic uploads from your mobile device (linked to Plex Pass), while Jellyfin offers something more basic but sufficient for many.

Jellyfin, focusing more on the traditional media server, also integrates Free Live TV and DVRSomething Plex reserves for its subscription. On the extensions side, the Jellyfin community has created very useful plugins: IntroSkipper to skip TV series intros, Meilisearch to speed up and improve searches while respecting permissions, Trakt integration to sync viewing history, and Subbuzz to manage subtitles in different languages, among others.

Ultimately, Plex is geared more towards those who want a broad multimedia ecosystem, with online content and highly polished premium featureswhile Jellyfin prioritizes offering All the tools you need to organize and play your own library No advertising, no subscriptions, and your data won't leave your network unless you decide to.

When choosing between Plex and Jellyfin, everything we've seen basically boils down to personal priorities: if you value above all else the Absolute comfort, the most polished interface, and "plug and play" functionality for the whole familyPlex is a fantastic option, especially if you don't mind paying for Plex Pass to unlock the most powerful features. However, if you prioritize the Privacy, full control over your server, no subscriptions, and key features like hardware transcoding and user control being free.Jellyfin is a better fit, although you'll have to dedicate a bit more time to configuration and deal with less homogeneous clients. In many homes, the ideal solution is to try both (even using them simultaneously, pointing to the same media folder) and stick with the one that best suits your viewing habits and the level of tinkering you're willing to do.