Softwr

Entertainment · head to head

Jellyfin vs Kodi

Jellyfin logo

Jellyfin

Entertainment

The free software media system

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Kodi logo

Kodi

Entertainment

The ultimate entertainment center

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Jellyfin no commercial support or SLA available; project is volunteer-maintained; Kodi licensed under GPLv2, entirely free and open source with no commercial edition
  • They diverge on capability: Jellyfin covers Media server, Kodi covers Media playback.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Jellyfin and Kodi actually diverge.

Attributes where Jellyfin and Kodi differ
AttributeJellyfinKodi
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Desktop, DockerWindows, Mac, Linux, Android, Ios, Smart-tv
Founded20182003

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (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 Jellyfin

  • Media server
  • Streaming
  • Self-hosted
  • Smart TVs
  • Streaming devices
  • Mobile devices
  • Open source audit
  • Self-hosted security

Only in Kodi

  • Media playback
  • Add-ons
  • Customization
  • Remote control
  • Smart home
  • Streaming services
  • Add-ons
  • Community audited

Both cover

  • Library management
  • Open source
  • Ios support
  • Android support
  • Smart-tv support

What people use each for

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

Jellyfin

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

Kodi

  • Media centernot Jellyfin
  • Home entertainmentnot Jellyfin

Where each one falls short

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

Jellyfin

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

Kodi

  • Licensed under GPLv2, entirely free and open source with no commercial edition

Pricing, plan by plan

Jellyfin

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

Kodi

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Open source
    • All features
    • Add-ons

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 streaming.
Jellyfin review

Choose Kodi if

  • You need media playback.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, Ios, Smart-tv.
  • You also want add-ons.
Kodi review

Questions people ask

Is Jellyfin or Kodi better?
Neither clearly leads. Jellyfin starts at Free and Kodi at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Jellyfin or Kodi?
Jellyfin starts at Free and Kodi at Free.
Does Jellyfin or Kodi run on more platforms?
Jellyfin runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Desktop, Docker. Kodi runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, Ios, Smart-tv.
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 Kodi is typically brought in for.
What can Jellyfin do that Kodi cannot?
Jellyfin covers Media server, Streaming, Self-hosted, Smart TVs. Kodi covers Media playback, Add-ons, Customization, Remote control. Both handle Library management, Open source, Ios support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
Share

Related pages

More on Jellyfin

More on Kodi

Keep looking

Other head to heads