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Jellyfin vs Paramount+

Jellyfin logo

Jellyfin

Software

The free software media system

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Paramount+ logo

Paramount+

Software

A mountain of entertainment

From
$5.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Jellyfin has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • 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; Paramount+ the App Store listing states Paramount+ gates all of SHOWTIME behind the Premium plan only, and separately caps household profiles at six, without stating either plan price in the visible description.
  • They diverge on capability: Jellyfin covers Media server, Paramount+ covers Live sports.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Jellyfin and Paramount+ actually diverge.

Attributes where Jellyfin and Paramount+ differ
AttributeJellyfinParamount+
Starting priceFree$5.99/month
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Desktop, DockerWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv
Founded20182021

Identical on both: 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
  • Library management
  • Open source
  • Self-hosted
  • Streaming devices
  • Mobile devices
  • Open source audit
  • Self-hosted security

Only in Paramount+

  • Live sports
  • CBS shows
  • Nickelodeon
  • Gaming consoles
  • Parental controls
  • Profile management

Both cover

  • Streaming
  • Smart TVs
  • Web support
  • 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 Paramount+
  • Self-hosted librarynot Paramount+

Paramount+

  • TV streamingnot Jellyfin
  • Sportsnot Jellyfin
  • Kids contentnot 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

Paramount+

  • The App Store listing states Paramount+ gates all of SHOWTIME behind the Premium plan only, and separately caps household profiles at six, without stating either plan price in the visible description.
  • The App Store listing states the base Paramount+ plan carries ads and does not include ad-free viewing, offline downloads, or a local CBS station live stream, which are reserved for the Premium plan.

Pricing, plan by plan

Jellyfin

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

Paramount+

$5.99/month
  • Essential$5.99/month
    • Limited ads
    • Full library
  • With Showtime$11.99/month
    • Ad-free
    • Showtime
    • Downloads

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 library management.
Jellyfin review

Choose Paramount+ if

  • You need live sports.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv.
  • You also want cbs shows.
Paramount+ review

Questions people ask

Is Jellyfin or Paramount+ better?
Neither clearly leads. Jellyfin starts at Free and Paramount+ at $5.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Jellyfin or Paramount+?
Jellyfin has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Jellyfin and $5.99/month for Paramount+.
Does Jellyfin or Paramount+ run on more platforms?
Jellyfin runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Desktop, Docker. Paramount+ runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv.
Can I use Jellyfin for free?
Yes. Jellyfin has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Paramount+ starts at $5.99/month.
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 Paramount+ is typically brought in for.
What can Jellyfin do that Paramount+ cannot?
Jellyfin covers Media server, Library management, Open source, Self-hosted. Paramount+ covers Live sports, CBS shows, Nickelodeon, Gaming consoles. Both handle Streaming, Smart TVs, Web support, Ios support.
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