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Jellyfin vs Spotify

Jellyfin logo

Jellyfin

Software

The free software media system

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Spotify logo

Spotify

Software

Music for everyone

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; Spotify ad-free listening, offline downloads, lossless audio and unlimited skipping all require Premium at $12.99 a month
  • They diverge on capability: Jellyfin covers Media server, Spotify covers Music streaming.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Jellyfin and Spotify actually diverge.

Attributes where Jellyfin and Spotify differ
AttributeJellyfinSpotify
Pricing modelfreefreemium
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Desktop, DockerWeb, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers
Founded20182006

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

Only in Spotify

  • Music streaming
  • Podcast streaming
  • Playlist creation
  • Music discovery
  • Social sharing
  • Offline downloads
  • Cross-device sync
  • Audio quality options

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 Spotify
  • Self-hosted librarynot Spotify

Spotify

  • Music listeningnot Jellyfin
  • Podcast consumptionnot Jellyfin
  • Playlist sharingnot Jellyfin
  • Music discoverynot Jellyfin
  • Background musicnot 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

Spotify

  • Ad-free listening, offline downloads, lossless audio and unlimited skipping all require Premium at $12.99 a month
  • Lossless streaming tops out at 24-bit/44.1 kHz
  • The Duo plan at $18.99 a month covers two people and the Family plan at $21.99 covers a household, with no per-seat option between them

Pricing, plan by plan

Jellyfin

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

Spotify

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Ad-supported music
    • Shuffle play
    • Limited skips
  • Premium$9.99/month
    • Ad-free music
    • Play any song
    • Unlimited skips
  • Family$15.99/month
    • 6 Premium accounts
    • Individual profiles
    • Parental controls

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 Spotify if

  • You need music streaming.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers.
  • You also want podcast streaming.
Spotify review

Questions people ask

Is Jellyfin or Spotify better?
Neither clearly leads. Jellyfin starts at Free and Spotify at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Jellyfin or Spotify?
Jellyfin starts at Free and Spotify at Free.
Does Jellyfin or Spotify run on more platforms?
Jellyfin runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Desktop, Docker. Spotify runs on Web, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers.
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 Spotify is typically brought in for.
What can Jellyfin do that Spotify cannot?
Jellyfin covers Media server, Streaming, Library management, Open source. Spotify covers Music streaming, Podcast streaming, Playlist creation, Music discovery. Both handle Web support.
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