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Entertainment · head to head

Jellyfin vs Rock RMS

Jellyfin logo

Jellyfin

Entertainment

The free software media system

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Rock RMS logo

Rock RMS

Religion

Comprehensive relationship and resource management system for churches

From
On request
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 no commercial support or SLA available; project is volunteer-maintained; Rock RMS non-traditional pricing model based on donations rather than standard software licenses
  • They diverge on capability: Jellyfin covers Media server, Rock RMS covers Member Management.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Jellyfin and Rock RMS actually diverge.

Attributes where Jellyfin and Rock RMS differ
AttributeJellyfinRock RMS
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreequote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Desktop, DockerWeb, Mobile apps, TV apps
CategoryEntertainmentReligion
Founded20182008

Identical on both: 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 Rock RMS

  • Member Management
  • Giving & Finances
  • Group Management
  • Event Planning
  • Payment Processing
  • Email Marketing
  • Accounting Software
  • Custom APIs

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Jellyfin

  • Open-source media streamingnot Rock RMS
  • Self-hosted librarynot Rock RMS

Rock RMS

  • Churches managing 10M+ people records with integrated giving and event systemsnot Jellyfin
  • Organisations needing offline-first workflows with eventual replicationnot Jellyfin
  • Tech-enabled churches seeking customisable digital engagement and mobile appsnot 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

Rock RMS

  • Non-traditional pricing model based on donations rather than standard software licenses
  • Pricing based on self-reported average weekend attendance with honor system
  • Grant applications required for churches unable to afford donations
  • Cloud hosting fees may apply separately to donation amount

Pricing, plan by plan

Jellyfin

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

Rock RMS

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Rock RMS review.

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 Rock RMS if

  • You need member management.
  • You work on Web, Mobile apps, TV apps.
  • You also want giving & finances.
Rock RMS review

Questions people ask

Is Jellyfin or Rock RMS better?
Neither clearly leads. Jellyfin starts at Free and Rock RMS at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Jellyfin or Rock RMS?
Jellyfin has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Jellyfin and On request for Rock RMS.
Does Jellyfin or Rock RMS run on more platforms?
Jellyfin runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Desktop, Docker. Rock RMS runs on Web, Mobile apps, TV apps.
Can I use Jellyfin for free?
Yes. Jellyfin has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Rock RMS starts at On request.
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 Rock RMS is typically brought in for.
What can Jellyfin do that Rock RMS cannot?
Jellyfin covers Media server, Streaming, Library management, Open source. Rock RMS covers Member Management, Giving & Finances, Group Management, Event Planning. Both handle Web 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
Rock RMS: How much does Rock RMS cost?

Rock operates on a donation model of $4.45 per average weekend attendee per year. Example: 100-person congregation = $445 annual commitment. No contracts, license fees, or hidden costs.

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
Rock RMS: What if a church cannot afford the donation?

Grant applications are available for churches unable to donate. Rock also offers alternative donation models for non-church nonprofits.

Source
Rock RMS: Does Rock charge for cloud hosting?

Cloud-hosted churches combine the donation with hosting fees into a single monthly payment. Rock Cloud and Cloud 9 partner-hosted options are available with integrated billing.

Source
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