Plex vs Jellyfin
Plex vs Jellyfin compared: features, hardware transcoding, privacy, cost and which media server is right for you.
Plex and Jellyfin are the two most popular home media servers. Plex is the more polished, commercial option with apps everywhere; Jellyfin is the free, open-source, privacy-first alternative. Here's how they compare.
Our pick
Jellyfin for privacy and cost; Plex for polish and sharing
Key differences
| Feature | Plex | Jellyfin |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free tier + Plex Pass | 100% free |
| Hardware transcoding | Plex Pass only | Included, free |
| Open source | No | Yes |
| Client apps | Extremely polished, everywhere | Good, improving quickly |
| Telemetry | Account required, some telemetry | None |
| Sharing with others | Best-in-class | Manual, per-user |
Verdict
Choose Jellyfin if you value privacy, want everything free, and don't mind slightly rougher client apps. Choose Plex if you want the smoothest experience across smart TVs and easy sharing with family, and don't mind an account and Plex Pass for the best features.