The open source alternative to my sponsor - Jellyfin vs Plex

Recent questions

• What are the differences between Plex and Jellyfin?

  Plex and Jellyfin are both media management tools, but they have distinct features that set them apart. Plex offers a wide range of first-party apps for various devices, making it easy to stream media across platforms. On the other hand, Jellyfin relies more on web browser wrappers for access, which can limit functionality on certain devices like Xbox. Additionally, Plex excels in metadata application, providing recommendations for unrecognized titles, while Jellyfin requires manual entry or external resources like Movie DB. Overall, Plex is known for its user-friendly interface and robust filtering system, while Jellyfin is praised for being open-source and highly customizable.

• How do you set up Plex and Jellyfin on Windows desktops?

  Setting up both Plex and Jellyfin on Windows desktops is a straightforward process that requires basic file explorer knowledge and following simple instructions. Users can download the respective software from their official websites, install them on their desktops, and then follow the on-screen prompts to set up their media libraries. Plex and Jellyfin both offer user-friendly interfaces that guide users through the setup process, making it easy for even beginners to get started with managing and streaming their media content.

• What are the advantages of using Jellyfin over Plex?

  Jellyfin offers several advantages over Plex, making it a popular alternative for users looking for a more customizable and open-source media management tool. Jellyfin provides effective content filtering on web and Android platforms, offering multiple options for easy navigation. It also has robust parental controls that allow for account restrictions based on ratings. Additionally, Jellyfin's offline viewing feature, while currently limited to original files, is a top priority for improvement based on user requests. Despite its slower development pace, Jellyfin offers impressive features like configurable HDR tone mapping, surpassing paid solutions like Plex in certain aspects.

• How do Plex and Jellyfin handle offline viewing?

  Plex and Jellyfin both offer offline viewing options for users who want to access their media libraries without an internet connection. Plex's mobile downloads feature allows users to download media for offline access, but it has been criticized for being buggy and unreliable, especially when transcoding files. On the other hand, Jellyfin currently only supports downloading original files for offline viewing, which can impact storage space. The Jellyfin team is working on improving this feature based on user requests, with offline viewing being a top priority and native intro skipping also highly requested.

• What are the key differences in video players between Plex and Jellyfin?

  The video players on Plex and Jellyfin vary across platforms, offering different levels of customization and functionality. Plex allows for more customization options, such as changing subtitle styles and accessing play queues, making it a popular choice for users who want more control over their viewing experience. On the other hand, Jellyfin's video player may be more limited in terms of customization options, especially on certain devices like Xbox where it relies more on web browser wrappers. Overall, the choice between Plex and Jellyfin may depend on the user's preferences for video player features and customization options.