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Shudder vs Jellyfin

Shudder logo

Shudder

Software

Horror and thriller streaming

From
$5.99/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: Shudder subscription auto-renews unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current 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
  • They diverge on capability: Shudder covers Horror content, Jellyfin covers Media server.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Shudder and Jellyfin actually diverge.

Attributes where Shudder and Jellyfin differ
AttributeShudderJellyfin
Starting price$5.99/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tvWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Desktop, Docker
Founded20152018

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 Shudder

  • Horror content
  • Thrillers
  • Original series
  • Exclusive films
  • Watchlist
  • Account security
  • Parental controls
  • Roku support

Only in Jellyfin

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

Both cover

  • 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.

Shudder

  • Horror streamingnot Jellyfin
  • Thriller watchingnot Jellyfin

Jellyfin

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

Where each one falls short

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

Shudder

  • Subscription auto-renews unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period, per the App Store listing
  • Default subscription length is 1 month, billed and renewed on a rolling monthly basis, 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

Shudder

$5.99/month
  • Basic$5.99/month
    • HD
    • 1 device
  • Premium$8.99/month
    • 4K
    • 4 devices

Jellyfin

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Shudder if

  • You need horror content.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv.
  • You also want thrillers.
Shudder 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 streaming.
Jellyfin review

Questions people ask

Is Shudder or Jellyfin better?
Neither clearly leads. Shudder starts at $5.99/month and Jellyfin at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Shudder or Jellyfin?
Jellyfin has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $5.99/month for Shudder and Free for Jellyfin.
Does Shudder or Jellyfin run on more platforms?
Shudder runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-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. Shudder starts at $5.99/month.
What is Shudder best used for?
Shudder is most often used for horror streaming, thriller watching. Of those, horror streaming and thriller watching are not what Jellyfin is typically brought in for.
What can Shudder do that Jellyfin cannot?
Shudder covers Horror content, Thrillers, Original series, Exclusive films. Jellyfin covers Media server, Streaming, Library management, Open source. Both handle Smart TVs, Streaming devices, Web support, Ios support.
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