Software · head to head
Emby vs Jellyfin
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 jellyfin is free open source software under the GNU GPL with no paid tier or vendor support contract available
- They diverge on capability: Emby covers Personal media server, Jellyfin covers Media server.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Emby and Jellyfin actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 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
- Jellyfin is free open source software under the GNU GPL with no paid tier or vendor support contract available
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.
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.
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.