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Entertainment · head to head

Emby vs Jellyfin

Emby logo

Emby

Entertainment

Your personal entertainment server

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Jellyfin logo

Jellyfin

Entertainment

The free software media system

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Emby hardware accelerated transcoding requires Emby Premiere, so a server GPU sits unused without a subscription; Jellyfin no commercial support or SLA available; project is volunteer-maintained
  • They diverge on capability: Emby covers Personal media server, Jellyfin covers Media server.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Emby and Jellyfin actually diverge.

Attributes where Emby and Jellyfin differ
AttributeEmbyJellyfin
Pricing modelfreemiumfree
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, DesktopWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Desktop, Docker
Founded20142018

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Entertainment).

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 Emby

  • Personal media server
  • Sync
  • Remote access
  • Parental controls
  • Remote access controls

Only in Jellyfin

  • Media server
  • Open source
  • Self-hosted
  • Open source audit
  • Self-hosted security
  • Docker support

Both cover

  • Streaming
  • Library management
  • Smart TVs
  • Streaming devices
  • Mobile devices
  • User management
  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support
  • Smart-tv support
  • Desktop support

What people use each for

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

Emby

  • Running a personal media server for films, television and musicnot Jellyfin
  • Streaming a home library to phones, tablets and televisionsnot Jellyfin

Jellyfin

  • Open-source media streamingnot Emby
  • Self-hosted librarynot Emby

Where each one falls short

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

Emby

  • Hardware accelerated transcoding requires Emby Premiere, so a server GPU sits unused without a subscription
  • The mobile, Fire TV, Xbox and PlayStation apps need Premiere for full access, with only basic playback unlockable per app
  • Offline downloads to phones and tablets are Premiere only
  • Premiere is $4.99 a month or $54 a year, with a lifetime option at $119

Jellyfin

  • No commercial support or SLA available; project is volunteer-maintained
  • Self-hosted deployment required; no cloud hosting provided by project

Pricing, plan by plan

Emby

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Media server
    • Local streaming
  • Premiere$4.99/month
    • Cloud sync
    • Remote access
    • Sync to devices

Jellyfin

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Emby if

  • You need personal media server.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Desktop.
  • You also want sync.
Emby 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 open source.
Jellyfin review

Questions people ask

Is Emby or Jellyfin better?
Neither clearly leads. Emby starts at Free and Jellyfin at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Emby or Jellyfin?
Emby starts at Free and Jellyfin at Free.
Does Emby or Jellyfin run on more platforms?
Emby runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Desktop. Jellyfin runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Desktop, Docker.
Can I use Emby for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Emby best used for?
Emby is most often used for running a personal media server for films, television and music, streaming a home library to phones, tablets and televisions. Of those, running a personal media server for films, television and music and streaming a home library to phones, tablets and televisions are not what Jellyfin is typically brought in for.
What can Emby do that Jellyfin cannot?
Emby covers Personal media server, Sync, Remote access, Parental controls. Jellyfin covers Media server, Open source, Self-hosted, Open source audit. Both handle Streaming, Library management, Smart TVs, Streaming devices.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Emby: How much does Emby cost?

Emby does not publish pricing information on its website. The service mentions Emby Premiere as an optional premium tier with bonus features including mobile downloads and hardware accelerated transcoding, but no cost is specified.

Source
Jellyfin: How much does Jellyfin cost?

Jellyfin is completely free with no costs, hidden fees, or subscriptions. The Jellyfin server and official clients are free to download and use for personal, commercial, or any other purpose. There are no paid tiers or premium features.

Source
Jellyfin: Is Jellyfin open source?

Yes, Jellyfin is free and open-source software distributed under the GNU General Public License (GPL). Users can download, use, study, modify, and distribute it at no cost. The project is maintained by volunteers and supported through user donations.

Source
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