after almost 15yrs my plex server is no more. jellyfin behind nginx with authentik is running very nicely.
this post was submitted on 03 Jul 2025
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my only issue is how user friendly it isn't compared to Plex.
i genuinely want to leave Plex (especially the more and more they enshittify) but I just could not figure out how to set up jellyfin. i use Linux every day, and know I'm at least a tiny bit more tech smart than your average PC user, but I can't imagine trying to explain to my family how to set jellyfin up.
Host Jellyfin either by running their easy setup script or by hosting it on docker, in order for it to be publicly accessible you will need to either port forward and give people your external IP or you need to have your own website. It's very easy with a docker container to get it running locally, you literally just spin it up, the same as Plex.
The only thing that plex has over jellyfin at the moment (in my opinion) is the simple sign on and user options that allow users to have their own usernames and not have to know anything about reverse-proxying a domain for jellyfin access. It's that little bit of back-end that you have to set up that's the problem for the 'normie' users that a lot of plex admins cater to. That, and there's some holes in where the jellyfin app is available.
plex is still definitely easier to get started on. i don't begrudge anyone still going that route, i had a lifetime plexpass the last 8yrs i think. jellyfin is a great option if you either already know how to set things up and want full control. Or you're looking for an opportunity to learn more about reverse proxy, dns and authentication/access systems. plex is still i nice gateway drug.
And Plexamp.
And a decent AppleTV app.
There's plugins that can replace Plexamp
So it does the Sonic adventure on mobile in a free app? And has offline storage? And has a station creator?
Idk man there's a music player
So, no.
Got it. :-)
I don't know what it has, I've never used it, I just know it exists, I assumed you meant music player
Jellyfin us easy to run, but then when you are running it it just doesn't have your files. Are they in the incorrect folder structure? Who knows
I literally just run Kodi and it just works, I can browse my folders and watch stuff
this was the dealbreaker for me. the demand for specific file and directory naming schemes with no default indexer seems deranged.
I use sonarr and radarr, they automatically structure the folder system, and you can also have the same issues with Plex. I had an issue where Plex would not no matter what detect the newest episode of a show and Jellyfin picked it up no problem