What are the best open source alternatives to Jellyfin?

The top open source alternatives to Jellyfin include Kodi. These tools offer similar functionality while being free and open source.

Why choose an open source alternative to Jellyfin?

Open source alternatives provide transparency, community support, no vendor lock-in, and often cost savings. You can customize the software to your needs and have full control over your data.

Are these Jellyfin alternatives really free?

Yes, all listed alternatives are open source and free to use. You may need to pay for hosting if you self-host, but the software itself is free.

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Open Source Jellyfin Alternatives

A curated collection of the 1 best open source alternatives to Jellyfin.

The best open source alternative to Jellyfin is Kodi. If that doesn't suit you, we've compiled a ranked list of other open source Jellyfin alternatives to help you find a suitable replacement.

Jellyfin alternatives are mainly Media Servers but may also be Media & Streaming Tools. Browse these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Jellyfin.

Written by Piotr Kulpinski

Last updated: September 8, 2026

Jellyfin

Free, open source media server that lets you collect, manage, and stream your personal library to any device, with no fees, tracking, or vendor lock-in.

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Kodi is a full media center built to run on your TV, turning any compatible device into an entertainment hub. It handles virtually every media type you own: movies, TV shows, music, photos, and even games. The interface is designed for big screens and remote controls, not mice, making it a natural fit for living room setups.

At its core, Kodi is a local media organizer. Point it at your collection and it pulls in artwork, cast info, genres, and episode details automatically. Your movie shelf becomes a browsable library. TV shows stay organized by season and episode. Music gets proper album art and playlist support, including party shuffle modes.

Beyond stored media, Kodi supports live TV and PVR recording through popular backends like Jellyfin, MythTV, Tvheadend, NextPVR, and MediaPortal. You can watch and record live broadcasts without leaving the interface.

Key capabilities include:

Music playback with broad format support, playlists, and party mix modes
Movie and TV libraries with automatic metadata, artwork, and cast info
Photo slideshows displayed on your main screen
Live TV and PVR recording via multiple backend integrations
Game emulation with support for a wide range of emulators and game controllers
Add-on ecosystem built and maintained by the community

Kodi sits in a different category from media server tools like Emby or Plex. Those are built around streaming to clients; Kodi is the client itself, running directly on the playback device. It can, however, connect to various backends and network sources.

It's entirely community-built and free, with no subscription tiers or feature paywalls. Everything it does is available out of the box.