Jellyfin: A Free Media Server for Linux Users

Jellyfin is an open-source media server. Unlike many similar applications, Jellyfin is completely free and does not lock any features behind a subscription.

What Jellyfin Offers:
→ Organize your media files into a convenient library.
→ Stream movies, TV shows, and other content across various devices.
→ Create multiple user profiles for family and friends.
→ Watch live TV (if you have a tuner and antenna).

Installing Jellyfin

For Debian, Ubuntu, and Linux Mint, the easiest way to install Jellyfin is by using a bash script. This allows you to install the server with just one command:

curl https://repo.jellyfin.org/install-debuntu.sh | sudo bash

For RHEL and Fedora, there is an official repository that simplifies installation and updates:

sudo dnf install https://mirrors.rpmfusion.org/free/fedora/rpmfusion-free-release-$(rpm -E %fedora).noarch.rpm https://mirrors.rpmfusion.org/nonfree/fedora/rpmfusion-nonfree-release-$(rpm -E %fedora).noarch.rpm
sudo dnf install jellyfin
sudo systemctl enable --now jellyfin

Opening a Port in the Firewall

By default, Jellyfin uses port 8096 for HTTP. If your firewall is active, you need to open this port:

For UFW:

sudo ufw allow 8096/tcp
sudo ufw status

For FirewallD:

sudo firewall-cmd --zone=public --add-port=8096/tcp --permanent
sudo firewall-cmd --reload

How to Access Jellyfin on Linux

Once Jellyfin is installed and running, you can access it through a web browser by entering:

http://localhost:8096

Follow the setup wizard instructions to create an administrator account and configure the server.
→ After logging into the web interface, go to the "Libraries" section in the Admin Panel.
→ Click "Add Library" and choose the type of media files (movies, TV shows, etc.).
→ Jellyfin will automatically scan and organize your files into a library.
→ You can install plugins for subtitles, themes, and additional media metadata.

To start streaming, install Jellyfin apps on your devices, enter your server’s IP address, and connect.

Alternatives to Jellyfin: Other Media Servers

While Jellyfin is an excellent choice for managing and streaming media files, other popular media servers offer unique features. Let’s take a closer look at them.

1. Plex
Plex is one of the most popular media servers. It helps you organize movies, TV shows, music, and photos and stream them across multiple devices, including smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, and gaming consoles. Plex automatically fetches posters, descriptions, and other metadata, creating a visually appealing media library.

✅ Pros:
→ User-friendly and intuitive interface.
→ Supports multiple platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Smart TVs).
→ Automatic metadata fetching (cover images, descriptions, ratings).
→ Allows streaming outside the local network.

❌ Cons:
→ Many features, such as offline downloads and hardware transcoding, require a Plex Pass subscription.
→ Free version includes advertisements.
→ Collects user data and analytics.
Best for: Users who want a polished interface and are okay with some limitations in the free version.

2. Emby
Emby is a cross-platform media server similar to Plex but offers more control to users. It supports content streaming across various devices and allows managing user access, making it a great choice for family use.

✅ Pros:
→ Flexible user management (set permissions for kids, friends, etc.).
→ Live TV support and DVR functionality (if a TV tuner is connected).
→ Easy library synchronization between devices.
→ Good integration with different platforms.

❌ Cons:
→ Many advanced features (remote streaming, synchronization, advanced user management) require an Emby Premiere subscription.
→ Closed-source, making it less transparent than Jellyfin.
Best for: Families who need customizable user controls, but some important features are locked behind a subscription.

3. Universal Media Server (UMS)
Universal Media Server (UMS) is a DLNA-compatible media server that allows streaming content to any device supporting DLNA (e.g., smart TVs, gaming consoles, media players). It’s a simple and lightweight solution for streaming videos, music, and photos within a local network.

✅ Pros:
→ Very easy to set up and use.
→ Automatically detects DLNA devices on the network.
→ Supports a wide range of formats without requiring transcoding.
→ Works across multiple platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux).

❌ Cons:
→ Limited functionality compared to Jellyfin, Plex, and Emby.
→ Outdated interface.
→ No advanced features like user management or remote streaming.

Best for: Users who just need a basic home media server without complex settings.