Jellyfin
Jellyfin Team (Open Source Community)
Jellyfin is a Free Software Media System that puts you in control of managing and streaming your media. It allows you to collect, manage, and stream your audio, video, photos, and more to various devices.
User Sentiments
Top Likes
- Free and Open Source
- Cross-platform compatibility
- No subscription fees or hidden costs
- User-friendly interface
- Good media organization and streaming capabilities
Top Dislikes
- Can be complex to set up initially for non-technical users
- Some users report occasional bugs or stability issues
- Mobile app user interface could be improved (some reviews)
Popular Comments
Medium - Divitia
2023-05-21
Jellyfin is a free and open-source software (FOSS) that allows you to organize, manage, and share your media. It is a comprehensive media solution that puts you in control of your media. Jellyfin is a great alternative to proprietary media solutions, and you can run it on a wide range of platforms.
MacUpdate User - uncle keith
2024-08-25
update is out: [link to github release]
Reddit User - dragonpuncher (referencing Infuse)
2023-04-08
I mostly watch 4K, but infuse is the best looking and feature rich media player on iOS, tvOS and macOS, with native support for Jellyfin. I do pay for it, also tried the native apps, but infuse is the best I've encountered.
YouTube - WawaSensei
2024-02-16
Discover Jellyfin, the free and open-source platform to transform your media collections (music albums, photos, movies, books) into a Netflix/Spotify experience, accessible anytime from all your devices.
Reddit User - mslinn
2024-07-30
The Android client was able to delete media. iOS Clients. The official iOS client (for iPad and iPhone) is Jellyfin Mobile. It has 4.2 stars on the Apple App Store, 260 ratings, and is a free download... Desktop clients are available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Reddit User - anthonylavado
5 years ago
Hey there! This is the basic outline, but there are some extra steps if you don't have FFmpeg. Let me know if that's the case. Your best bet is to head to the download page , scroll down to macOS, and click on “Stable”.
Detailed Review
Jellyfin is a free and open-source media server designed to organize, manage, and stream your digital media files. It's a cross-platform application available for macOS, Windows, Linux, and more, emphasizing user freedom and control over their media. Jellyfin is a fork of Emby, created to maintain its open-source nature after Emby moved to a more proprietary model. It operates on a client-server model, where the server software is installed on a machine (like a Mac) to host your media library, and client applications are used to access and stream that media on various devices, including Macs, smartphones, smart TVs, and web browsers.
Standout Features
- Free and Open Source: Jellyfin is completely free to use with no licensing fees or premium versions, licensed under GPL. The source code is open and available for anyone to inspect, modify, and contribute to.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: Jellyfin server runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux. Client applications are available for a wide range of devices, ensuring broad accessibility.
- Media Organization: Automatically organizes movies, TV shows, music, and photos with metadata fetching, cover art, and easy browsing.
- Live TV and DVR: Supports live TV streaming and recording (with compatible hardware), expanding its functionality beyond on-demand media.
- User Management: Allows for multiple user accounts with granular control over library access and permissions.
- Transcoding: Offers on-the-fly transcoding to ensure media compatibility with different devices and network conditions.
- No Tracking or Hidden Agendas: Jellyfin prioritizes user privacy and does not track user activity or usage data.
Conclusion
Jellyfin is an excellent choice for Mac users seeking a free, open-source, and feature-rich media server solution. It provides a robust alternative to commercial options like Plex, offering similar functionalities without subscription costs or proprietary restrictions. While initial setup might require some technical knowledge, especially for server configuration, the benefits of owning and controlling your media experience are substantial. Jellyfin is particularly appealing to users who value transparency, community-driven development, and the freedom to customize their media server to their exact needs. It's a mature and actively developed project, constantly improving with contributions from a dedicated open-source community.
