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Amazon Prime Video vs Jellyfin

Amazon Prime Video logo

Amazon Prime Video

Software

Watch anywhere. Cancel anytime.

From
$8.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Jellyfin logo

Jellyfin

Software

The free software media system

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Jellyfin has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Amazon Prime Video the Internet Archive's capture of Prime Video's signup page on 1 January 2024 (EU locale) priced a standalone Prime Video membership at 5.99 euro per month, capped at 3 devices watching at once; figure is region-specific and may differ in other markets.; Jellyfin jellyfin is free open source software under the GNU GPL with no paid tier or vendor support contract available
  • They diverge on capability: Amazon Prime Video covers Video streaming, Jellyfin covers Media server.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Amazon Prime Video and Jellyfin actually diverge.

Attributes where Amazon Prime Video and Jellyfin differ
AttributeAmazon Prime VideoJellyfin
Starting price$8.99/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, Fire-tvWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Desktop, Docker
Founded20062018

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Amazon Prime Video

  • Video streaming
  • Original content
  • Offline downloads
  • Multiple profiles
  • X-Ray features
  • 4K Ultra HD
  • HDR content
  • Dolby Atmos

Only in Jellyfin

  • Media server
  • Streaming
  • Library management
  • Open source
  • Self-hosted
  • Streaming devices
  • Mobile devices
  • Open source audit

Both cover

  • Smart TVs
  • Web support
  • Ios support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Amazon Prime Video

  • Entertainment streamingnot Jellyfin
  • Original series viewingnot Jellyfin
  • Movie streamingnot Jellyfin
  • Family entertainmentnot Jellyfin
  • Offline viewingnot Jellyfin

Jellyfin

  • Open-source media streamingnot Amazon Prime Video
  • Self-hosted librarynot Amazon Prime Video

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Amazon Prime Video

  • The Internet Archive's capture of Prime Video's signup page on 1 January 2024 (EU locale) priced a standalone Prime Video membership at 5.99 euro per month, capped at 3 devices watching at once; figure is region-specific and may differ in other markets.

Jellyfin

  • Jellyfin is free open source software under the GNU GPL with no paid tier or vendor support contract available

Pricing, plan by plan

Amazon Prime Video

$8.99/month
  • Prime Video$8.99/month
    • Thousands of movies and TV shows
    • Amazon Original series
    • Ad-free viewing
  • Amazon Prime$14.98/month
    • All Prime Video content
    • Free shipping on Amazon
    • Amazon Music Prime

Jellyfin

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited streaming
    • Open source
    • No ads

Which should you pick?

Choose Amazon Prime Video if

  • You need video streaming.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, Fire-tv.
  • You also want original content.
Amazon Prime Video review

Choose Jellyfin if

  • You need media server.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Desktop, Docker.
  • You also want streaming.
Jellyfin review

Questions people ask

Is Amazon Prime Video or Jellyfin better?
Neither clearly leads. Amazon Prime Video starts at $8.99/month and Jellyfin at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Amazon Prime Video or Jellyfin?
Jellyfin has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $8.99/month for Amazon Prime Video and Free for Jellyfin.
Does Amazon Prime Video or Jellyfin run on more platforms?
Amazon Prime Video runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, Fire-tv. Jellyfin runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Desktop, Docker.
Can I use Jellyfin for free?
Yes. Jellyfin has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Amazon Prime Video starts at $8.99/month.
What is Amazon Prime Video best used for?
Amazon Prime Video is most often used for entertainment streaming, original series viewing, movie streaming, family entertainment. Of those, entertainment streaming and original series viewing are not what Jellyfin is typically brought in for.
What can Amazon Prime Video do that Jellyfin cannot?
Amazon Prime Video covers Video streaming, Original content, Offline downloads, Multiple profiles. Jellyfin covers Media server, Streaming, Library management, Open source. Both handle Smart TVs, Web support, Ios support.
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