Last updated Oct 15, 2026
Jellyfin#
Jellyfin is a fully open-source media server. It organizes your local media library and streams it to your devices: same role as Plex, but with no paid tier, no cloud authentication, and no account required. Every feature, including hardware transcoding and remote access, is free.
In this stack, Jellyfin runs in a dedicated LXC container on Proxmox, exactly like Plex. This gives it direct access to the ZFS storage via bind mount and makes GPU passthrough straightforward.
Why Jellyfin#
The main reason to choose Jellyfin over Plex is cost. Hardware transcoding, HDR tone mapping, and remote streaming are all free. Plex gates these features behind a Plex Pass, which costs $6.99 a month, $69.99 a year or $749.99 lifetime (the lifetime price was $249.99 until July 1, 2026).
The other reason is independence. Jellyfin has no external dependencies. No account, no cloud authentication, no telemetry. The server works fully offline and is not tied to any third-party service.
Where Plex still has an edge: client app quality on smart TVs and consoles. Plex has native apps on PlayStation and Xbox. Jellyfin's apps on some TV platforms are less refined, though the gap has narrowed with recent releases. The web interface, Android, and iOS apps are solid.
Try Jellyfin next to Plex#
You do not have to switch to test Jellyfin. It installs in its own container beside Plex and can read the same media folders, so both servers run on one library while you compare them.
- Give the Jellyfin container its own LXC, as described in Install & Configure Jellyfin.
- Mount the media folders into it read-only (
ro=1on the mount point in Proxmox), so the two servers never write to the same files. - Move one device at a time. On Apple devices, Swiftfin is the official Jellyfin client, and Infuse and Plezy also work with Jellyfin servers.
Reports from Plex users who tried this are mixed. Some prefer Jellyfin's interface, while others stayed on Plex because their family finds it easier to sign in and share libraries. The Plex client situation is covered in Plex's New App Is a Mess.
Comparison#
| Plex | Jellyfin | Emby | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free (hardware transcoding and remote need Pass) | Free — all features included | Free (some features paid) |
| Plex Pass / equivalent | $749.99 lifetime (was $249.99 before July 1, 2026) | Not needed | Emby Premiere required |
| Client apps | Excellent, incl. PlayStation and Xbox | Good, all major platforms | Good |
| Hardware transcoding | Plex Pass required | Free | Emby Premiere required |
| Remote access | Plex Pass required (built-in relay) | Free (manual reverse proxy) | Manual setup |
| Account required | Yes (plex.tv) | No | No |
| No cloud dependency | No (needs plex.tv) | Yes | No |
See the Cost Breakdown for full pricing details.
Where to go next#
Setup steps are in the Installation section:
- Create Media Server LXC: creating the container in Proxmox (same process as Plex)
- Install & Configure Jellyfin: installing Jellyfin and connecting it to your libraries