Do you need to pay for a media streaming server?

Slick navigation and powerful features mean that Plex remains our winner—but only just.

© P;EX

ONE MEDIA SERVER to rule over them all. That’s the dream of anyone hosting a huge collection of media they would like easy access to. For years, that media server has been provided by Plex, a beautifully designed, slick, and powerful tool. While its core functionality is free, there is also a paid-for subscription in which you can unlock extra goodness and features.

However, over the past few years, a young pretender has emerged. Forked from Plex-rival Emby’s last opensource implementation, Jellyfin’s key commitment is to remain free and opensource for ‘now and always’. As we reach its fourth anniversary, now is the perfect time to see how Jellyfin measures up to Plex and which one offers the better overall experience.

When it comes to core functionality, there’s little to choose between the two. Both Plex and Jellyfin employ the same server-client model, which delivers your media from a centralized PC, NAS, or server to your various devices on demand. Both apps run beautifully on low-powered hardware, making 24/7 access practical and affordable. Both support a wide range of clients—Plex has the edge, but Jellyfin is closing the gap fast, and also offers both Android and iOS apps for free; Plex users either require a Plex Pass subscription or must pay a standalone fee ($5) for each app.