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Entertainment · head to head

Jellyfin vs Rectangle

Jellyfin logo

Jellyfin

Entertainment

The free software media system

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Rectangle logo

Rectangle

Utilities

Free open source window snapping for macOS, with a separate paid Rectangle Pro for extra features

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Jellyfin no commercial support or SLA available; project is volunteer-maintained; Rectangle rectangle Pro is a separate app rather than an in-app purchase, so upgrading means installing and managing a second piece of software.
  • They diverge on capability: Jellyfin covers Media server, Rectangle covers Keyboard shortcuts.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Jellyfin and Rectangle actually diverge.

Attributes where Jellyfin and Rectangle differ
AttributeJellyfinRectangle
Pricing modelfreeOpen source, no licence fee
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Desktop, DockerMac
CategoryEntertainmentUtilities
Founded2018Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

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

Only in Rectangle

  • Keyboard shortcuts
  • Drag to snap
  • Multi-display support
  • Almost full screen
  • Rectangle Pro extras
  • Open source core

What people use each for

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

Jellyfin

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

Rectangle

  • A developer who wants source-available window management with no cost and no accountnot Jellyfin
  • Anyone replacing Magnet who does not want to pay even a small one-time feenot Jellyfin
  • A user who installs software via Homebrew rather than the Mac App Storenot Jellyfin
  • A power user who later wants Rectangle Pro extras but does not need them from day onenot 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

Rectangle

  • Rectangle Pro is a separate app rather than an in-app purchase, so upgrading means installing and managing a second piece of software.
  • It is Mac only, so it offers nothing for a user who also runs Windows and wants one window manager everywhere.
  • It has no official paid support channel, being a community open source project, so issues are handled through GitHub rather than a vendor support desk.
  • Some very old or unusually built third party apps still resist Rectangle window snapping, a limitation shared with most third party window managers on macOS.
  • Because it is not distributed through the Mac App Store, some users have to manually approve accessibility permissions and updates rather than getting silent App Store updates.

Pricing, plan by plan

Jellyfin

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

Rectangle

Free
  • RectangleFree
    • Free and open source, no account needed
    • Keyboard and drag window snapping
    • Multi-display support
  • Rectangle Pro$9.99/one-time
    • Separate paid app, not an in-app unlock
    • Cursor-following snap areas
    • Per-app window size memory

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 Rectangle if

  • You need keyboard shortcuts.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Mac.
  • You also want drag to snap.
Rectangle review

Questions people ask

Is Jellyfin or Rectangle better?
Neither clearly leads. Jellyfin starts at Free and Rectangle at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Jellyfin or Rectangle?
Jellyfin starts at Free and Rectangle at Free.
Does Jellyfin or Rectangle run on more platforms?
Jellyfin runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Desktop, Docker. Rectangle runs on Mac.
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 Rectangle is typically brought in for.
What can Jellyfin do that Rectangle cannot?
Jellyfin covers Media server, Streaming, Library management, Open source. Rectangle covers Keyboard shortcuts, Drag to snap, Multi-display support, Almost full screen.

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
Rectangle: Is Rectangle really free?

Yes. The core app is free and open source with no feature gating or trial period.

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
Rectangle: What does Rectangle Pro add?

Cursor-following snap areas, per-app window size memory and some additional layouts, sold as a separate one-time purchase app.

Rectangle: How is it different from Magnet?

Rectangle is free and open source; Magnet is a paid Mac App Store app from the start with no free tier.

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