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Software · head to head

Jellyfin vs Emby

Jellyfin logo

Jellyfin

Software

The free software media system

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Emby logo

Emby

Software

Your personal entertainment server

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Jellyfin jellyfin is free open source software under the GNU GPL with no paid tier or vendor support contract available; Emby hardware accelerated transcoding requires Emby Premiere, so a server GPU sits unused without a subscription
  • They diverge on capability: Jellyfin covers Media server, Emby covers Personal media server.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Jellyfin and Emby actually diverge.

Attributes where Jellyfin and Emby differ
AttributeJellyfinEmby
Pricing modelfreefreemium
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Desktop, DockerWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Desktop
Founded20182014

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 Jellyfin

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

Only in Emby

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

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.

Jellyfin

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

Emby

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

Where each one falls short

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

Jellyfin

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

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Jellyfin

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

Emby

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

Which should you pick?

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

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

Questions people ask

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