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Entertainment · head to head

fuboTV vs Jellyfin

fuboTV logo

fuboTV

Entertainment

Sports-first live TV streaming bundle with regional sports networks and a cloud DVR

From
$73.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Jellyfin logo

Jellyfin

Entertainment

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: fuboTV regional sports networks are priced as an add-on beyond the base plan, so the real monthly cost for a fan following a local team is meaningfully higher than the advertised entry price.; Jellyfin no commercial support or SLA available; project is volunteer-maintained
  • They diverge on capability: fuboTV covers Regional sports networks, Jellyfin covers Media server.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which fuboTV and Jellyfin actually diverge.

Attributes where fuboTV and Jellyfin differ
AttributefuboTVJellyfin
Starting price$73.99/monthFree
Pricing modelPer household per month, tiered plansfree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Smart TVsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Desktop, Docker
FoundedUnknown2018

Identical on both: 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 fuboTV

  • Regional sports networks
  • Cloud DVR
  • Local broadcast affiliates
  • Multiple simultaneous streams
  • Sports-only skinny package
  • 4K and multiview

Only in Jellyfin

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

What people use each for

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

fuboTV

  • A household that wants cable-equivalent sports coverage, including regional sports networks, without a cable contractnot Jellyfin
  • A soccer fan wanting the broad international match coverage fuboTV built its identity onnot Jellyfin
  • A family replacing cable that specifically needs local ABC, Fox, CBS and NBC affiliates plus general entertainment channelsnot Jellyfin
  • A cord-cutter who wants a sports-only skinny package rather than the full entertainment bundlenot Jellyfin

Jellyfin

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

Where each one falls short

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

fuboTV

  • Regional sports networks are priced as an add-on beyond the base plan, so the real monthly cost for a fan following a local team is meaningfully higher than the advertised entry price.
  • It is the most expensive of the mainstream live TV bundles at the entry tier, and Philo costs a fraction of the price for anyone who does not need sports.
  • Cloud DVR storage has limits on the base plan, and keeping recordings longer or expanding storage costs extra.
  • Channel lineups and RSN availability vary significantly by zip code, so the exact price and channel list a household gets is not fully knowable until they check their specific address.
  • Price increases have been frequent historically, so the entry price at signup is not a reliable guide to what a subscriber pays a year or two later.

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

fuboTV

$73.99/month
  • Pro$73.99/month
    • 150+ channels
    • Local ABC, Fox, CBS, NBC in most markets
    • Cloud DVR included
  • Elite$83.99/month
    • More channels than Pro
    • Additional sports and entertainment networks
  • Deluxe$103.99/month
    • Widest channel count
    • Premium networks included

Jellyfin

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

Which should you pick?

Choose fuboTV if

  • You need regional sports networks.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Smart TVs.
  • You also want cloud dvr.
fuboTV 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 fuboTV or Jellyfin better?
Neither clearly leads. fuboTV starts at $73.99/month and Jellyfin at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, fuboTV or Jellyfin?
Jellyfin has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $73.99/month for fuboTV and Free for Jellyfin.
Does fuboTV or Jellyfin run on more platforms?
fuboTV runs on Web, iOS, Android, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Smart TVs. 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. fuboTV starts at $73.99/month.
What is fuboTV best used for?
fuboTV is most often used for a household that wants cable-equivalent sports coverage, including regional sports networks, without a cable contract, a soccer fan wanting the broad international match coverage fubotv built its identity on, a family replacing cable that specifically needs local abc, fox, cbs and nbc affiliates plus general entertainment channels, a cord-cutter who wants a sports-only skinny package rather than the full entertainment bundle. Of those, a household that wants cable-equivalent sports coverage, including regional sports networks, without a cable contract and a soccer fan wanting the broad international match coverage fubotv built its identity on are not what Jellyfin is typically brought in for.
What can fuboTV do that Jellyfin cannot?
fuboTV covers Regional sports networks, Cloud DVR, Local broadcast affiliates, Multiple simultaneous streams. Jellyfin covers Media server, Streaming, Library management, Open source.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

fuboTV: Does fuboTV include local channels?

Yes, ABC, Fox, CBS and NBC affiliates are included in most supported markets, though coverage varies by zip code.

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
fuboTV: Are regional sports networks included in the base price?

No, RSNs are a separate add-on priced by market, typically a few dollars to around $17 more per month.

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
fuboTV: Is there a cheaper sports-only option?

Yes, fuboTV sells a lower-cost sports-focused skinny package alongside its full entertainment bundle.

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