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Entertainment · head to head

Jellyfin vs Starz

Jellyfin logo

Jellyfin

Entertainment

The free software media system

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Starz logo

Starz

Entertainment

Premium originals and hit series

From
$6.99/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 no commercial support or SLA available; project is volunteer-maintained; Starz standard monthly rate after 3-month promotion not disclosed on landing page; requires signup to see renewal pricing
  • They diverge on capability: Jellyfin covers Media server, Starz covers Original series.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Jellyfin and Starz actually diverge.

Attributes where Jellyfin and Starz differ
AttributeJellyfinStarz
Starting priceFree$6.99/month
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Desktop, DockerWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv
Founded20181994

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

Only in Starz

  • Original series
  • Movies
  • Exclusive content
  • Downloads
  • Account security
  • Parental controls
  • Roku support
  • Fire-tv support

Both cover

  • Streaming
  • Smart TVs
  • Streaming devices
  • 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 Starz
  • Self-hosted librarynot Starz

Starz

  • Drama streamingnot Jellyfin
  • Original series watchingnot 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

Starz

  • Standard monthly rate after 3-month promotion not disclosed on landing page; requires signup to see renewal pricing

Pricing, plan by plan

Jellyfin

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

Starz

$6.99/month
  • Standard$6.99/month
    • HD
    • Ad-supported
  • Premium$12.99/month
    • 4K
    • Ad-free
    • 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 Starz if

  • You need original series.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv.
  • You also want movies.
Starz review

Questions people ask

Is Jellyfin or Starz better?
Neither clearly leads. Jellyfin starts at Free and Starz at $6.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Jellyfin or Starz?
Jellyfin has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Jellyfin and $6.99/month for Starz.
Does Jellyfin or Starz run on more platforms?
Jellyfin runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Desktop, Docker. Starz runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv.
Can I use Jellyfin for free?
Yes. Jellyfin has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Starz starts at $6.99/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 Starz is typically brought in for.
What can Jellyfin do that Starz cannot?
Jellyfin covers Media server, Library management, Open source, Self-hosted. Starz covers Original series, Movies, Exclusive content, Downloads. Both handle Streaming, Smart TVs, Streaming devices, 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
Starz: What is the current STARZ subscription cost?

STARZ offers a limited-time promotional rate of $4 per month for the first three months. The standard monthly rate after this period is not displayed on the website and appears during signup.

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
Starz: How many devices can stream simultaneously on STARZ?

STARZ subscriptions allow streaming on up to 4 devices at the same time, with unlimited HD streaming and downloads included.

Source
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