Best Jellyfin Alternatives: For Media streaming in 2025
If you love streaming your media from the comfort of home, you’ve probably heard of Jellyfin. It’s a fantastic open-source media server for organizing, streaming, and enjoying your TV shows, movies, photos, and music. But every user’s needs are different, and sometimes you might be curious about what other options are out there — maybe you need different features, or just want to see what else the world of media streaming has to offer.
That’s where this guide comes in! We’ve rounded up the best Jellyfin Alternatives and best for Media streaming in 2025. Whether you want super-smooth TV experiences, advanced transcoding, or just a great mobile app, there’s something here for everyone.
Top 10+ Jellyfin Alternatives and Best for Media Streaming in 2025
Plex
Plex is one of the most popular media servers out there, famous for its user-friendly interface and cross-platform support. It hooks up easily to your devices and allows you to stream your content anywhere. Plex also offers some free on-demand content and live TV channels.
- Beautiful and intuitive UI
- Excellent library and metadata management
- Mobile sync and offline viewing (with Plex Pass)
- Support for movies, TV, music, photos, and DVR functionality
Emby
Emby brings your personal media together into one place so you can access it from any device. Its server-client model is perfect if you want to manage your own cloud and offers great transcoding options.
- User-friendly interface and rich metadata
- Live TV & DVR capabilities
- Mobile app support
- Role-based user permissions
Kodi
Kodi is a powerful open-source media player that can double as a media server. It’s highly customizable, with tons of add-ons for different streaming services and device support.
- Endlessly customizable with add-ons
- Supports almost every audio and video format
- Works on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and more
- 100% free and open source
Serviio
Serviio is another solid Jellyfin alternative, praised for its performance and wide device compatibility. It’s great for streaming to smart TVs, Blu-ray players, and game consoles.
- DLNA support for compatibility with many devices
- Supports profiles for different devices
- Transcodes media on the fly
- Remote access available with Pro version
Universal Media Server
If you want something simple and robust, Universal Media Server (UMS) is a veteran option. It streams media to all kinds of devices, with no fancy setup required.
- Free, open-source, and frequently updated
- DLNA-compliant, works with many devices
- Automatic transcoding of media
- Web interface for easy control
Stremio
Stremio focuses on aggregating videos, TV shows, and movies in one place with an emphasis on organization. It uses add-ons for sources and supports casting to other devices.
- Simple, modern interface
- Add-on system to expand sources
- Automatic subtitles
- Supports Windows, Linux, Mac, Android, and iOS
MediaPortal
MediaPortal turns your PC into a complete media solution. It is a Windows-based software that excels with TV tuners and DVR features.
- Strong live TV and DVR features
- Loads of plug-ins and skins
- Customizable interface
- Radio streaming support
OSMC (Open Source Media Center)
OSMC is a free and open source media center built around Kodi. It’s designed for simplicity, and pairs especially well with Raspberry Pi for a streaming box experience.
- Sleek, minimal interface
- Optimized for Raspberry Pi and Vero devices
- Supports all Kodi features and add-ons
- Easy software updates
Subsonic
While Subsonic is primarily aimed at music streaming, it supports video and is perfect for music fans who want remote access to their huge libraries.
- Great for personal music collections
- Supports podcasts and internet radio
- Web and mobile app access
- Some video streaming support
Airsonic
Airsonic is an open-source fork of Subsonic, focusing on advanced music streaming for home servers but can also serve videos. It’s great for audiophiles who want full control over their libraries.
- Web-based UI
- Good playlist and user management
- Supports video streaming and transcoding
- Active community support
Mezzmo
Mezzmo is a Windows-based media server designed for home streaming. It has a polished interface, powerful media organization tools and supports a wide array of devices via DLNA.
- Automatic library organization
- Responsive web-based interface
- Transcodes video, audio, and subtitles on the fly
- Works with smart TVs, consoles, and more
Conclusion
There you have it — a comprehensive list of Jellyfin Alternatives and best for Media streaming in 2025. Whether you’re looking for open-source, free, Windows-only, or cloud-ready solutions, these apps offer a wide range of experiences. Take your time to explore, test a few, and find the one that makes your TV nights or music sessions more enjoyable than ever!
FAQs on Jellyfin Alternatives and Best for Media Streaming
1. Is Jellyfin still a good choice in 2025?
Yes! Jellyfin is still a solid, open-source option with a growing community. But other software may better fit specific needs like live TV, apps, or particular platforms.
2. Which alternative is best for live TV streaming?
Plex, Emby, and MediaPortal stand out for their live TV and DVR capabilities. Try them to see which matches your needs.
3. Are these Jellyfin alternatives free to use?
Most alternatives offer free versions, especially Kodi, UMS, OSMC, and Stremio. Others, like Plex and Emby, offer premium features for a subscription or one-time fee.
4. Can I use these alternatives on my smart TV?
Yes. Many, like Plex, Kodi, Stremio, and Mezzmo support smart TVs natively, while others use DLNA for wide compatibility.
5. Which alternative is best for audiophiles?
Subsonic and Airsonic are top picks for those passionate about music libraries, playlists, and remote streaming outside the home.