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Software · head to head

Showtime vs Jellyfin

S

Showtime

Software

Signature entertainment and sports

From
$10.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Jellyfin logo

Jellyfin

Software

The free software media system

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Jellyfin has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Showtime showtime is now offered only as part of Paramount+'s Premium plan, per the App Store listing (Paramount+ by CBS Mobile); Jellyfin jellyfin is free open source software under the GNU GPL with no paid tier or vendor support contract available
  • They diverge on capability: Showtime covers Original series, Jellyfin covers Media server.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Showtime and Jellyfin actually diverge.

Attributes where Showtime and Jellyfin differ
AttributeShowtimeJellyfin
Starting price$10.99/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tvWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Desktop, Docker
Founded19832018

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 Showtime

  • Original series
  • Movies
  • Sports
  • Live events
  • Account security
  • Content filtering

Only in Jellyfin

  • Media server
  • Library management
  • Open source
  • Self-hosted
  • Mobile devices
  • Open source audit
  • Self-hosted security
  • User management

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.

Showtime

  • Premium streamingnot Jellyfin
  • Sports watchingnot Jellyfin

Jellyfin

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

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Showtime

  • Showtime is now offered only as part of Paramount+'s Premium plan, per the App Store listing (Paramount+ by CBS Mobile)
  • Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current subscription period rather than immediately, with continued access through the paid period, per the App Store listing

Jellyfin

  • Jellyfin is free open source software under the GNU GPL with no paid tier or vendor support contract available

Pricing, plan by plan

Showtime

$10.99/month
  • Showtime Standalone$10.99/month
    • Original content
    • Ad-free

Jellyfin

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Showtime if

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

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

Questions people ask

Is Showtime or Jellyfin better?
Neither clearly leads. Showtime starts at $10.99/month and Jellyfin at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Showtime or Jellyfin?
Jellyfin has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $10.99/month for Showtime and Free for Jellyfin.
Does Showtime or Jellyfin run on more platforms?
Showtime runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv. Jellyfin runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Desktop, Docker.
Can I use Jellyfin for free?
Yes. Jellyfin has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Showtime starts at $10.99/month.
What is Showtime best used for?
Showtime is most often used for premium streaming, sports watching. Of those, premium streaming and sports watching are not what Jellyfin is typically brought in for.
What can Showtime do that Jellyfin cannot?
Showtime covers Original series, Movies, Sports, Live events. Jellyfin covers Media server, Library management, Open source, Self-hosted. Both handle Streaming, Smart TVs, Streaming devices, Web support.
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