Introduction

Jellyfin is a free, open-source media server software that lets you collect, manage, and stream your personal media—such as movies, TV shows, music, and photos—across devices. It is a community-driven alternative to proprietary platforms like Plex and Emby.

Key Features

🆓 Completely Free: No paid licenses, subscriptions, or locked features.
🛡️ Privacy-Focused: No telemetry, no third-party tracking.
📺 Streaming: Access your media from web browsers, smart TVs, mobile apps, or Kodi.
🧠 Metadata Management: Automatic retrieval of posters, fanart, episode guides, and more.
🎚️ Transcoding: On-the-fly conversion for devices with limited format support.
🎛️ Plugin System: Extend functionality with community-made plugins.

Supported Platforms

Server: Windows, Linux, macOS, Docker, and more
Clients:
- Web browser
- Android / iOS apps
- Smart TVs (via apps or DLNA)
- Kodi (via Jellyfin add-on)
- Chromecast

Ideal Use Cases

Home media streaming over LAN or internet
Centralized media hub for a household
Replacement for paid services (e.g., Plex, Netflix for local content)

Comparison to Plex & Emby

Feature	Jellyfin	Plex	Emby
Open Source	✅ Yes	❌ No	⚠️ Partial
Free Features	✅ All	❌ Some Locked	⚠️ Limited
No Account Needed	✅ Yes	❌ No	⚠️ Mostly
Community-Driven	✅ 100%	❌	⚠️ Limited

Quick Start

If you haven’t installed Jellyfin yet, check the Docker Compose installation guide or visit the official documentation.

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