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Jellyfin

A media server for your own films, shows and music.

Instead of Netflix, Plex

M · SystemOpen sourceSelf-hostable
jellyfin.org
Screenshot of the Jellyfin website

Screenshot from jellyfin.org, taken 2026-10-30, shown to help you recognise the tool. It belongs to its maker. Ask us to remove it.

Jellyfin is a video rental shop where the only customer is you and the shelf is your own collection. It streams the video and music you own to any device in your home, or beyond it, from a server you run, and it is a volunteer project that is free and has no tracking.

Jellyfin scores a 5 on lock-in, self-direction and power, a 4 on longevity and a 3 on footprint and delivery.

You need your own files and a computer to host them, so it is for people who already have a library, and Delivery is a 3.

Having it means a home catalogue of your own films and music that any screen in the house can play from.

    What stands out

  • Streams your own films and music from your own server
  • Volunteer made, free and open source
  • Needs a library and a computer to host it
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For comparison, we also reviewed YouTube (16/30) as a benchmark.

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