Self-host Jellyfin

updated Jul 2026deployed & timed by usprices checked · Aug 2026Install verified on Ubuntu 26.04 · Jul 2026 · how we test

Free, fully open-source media server — a no-paywall alternative to Plex with hardware transcoding included and no account required. Rougher client apps, total control.

Key facts

CategoryMedia server

LicenseGPL-2.0

StackC#, .NET

Min RAM1024 MB

Dockeryes

Difficulty

Our recommendation

Run Jellyfin when you want a fully free, no-login media server for your own library — and you're comfortable being your own support when a client or codec misbehaves. If effortless remote access and polish matter more than owning every layer, Plex is the calmer pick.

What you need

Any VPS with at least 1024 MB of RAM
A domain you control — most self-hosted setups need HTTPS in front of them
About an afternoon — budget time for troubleshooting

Install with Docker Compose

Save this as compose.yml and run docker compose up -d:

# Jellyfin
services:
  jellyfin:
    image: jellyfin/jellyfin
    ports: ["8096:8096"]
    volumes: ["./config:/config", "/srv/media:/media"]
# docker compose up -d  →  http://SERVER_IP:8096

vps picksBest VPS for Jellyfinbenchmarked quarterly · re-priced monthly

What you take on

Jellyfin gives you everything Plex gates behind a subscription, in exchange for doing a bit more yourself:

non-negotiableTranscoding needs hardware. Software transcoding will melt a small CPU — pass through a GPU or Intel QuickSync if more than one person streams, or keep files in directly-playable formats.

non-negotiableRemote access is your job. There's no relay — you'll put a reverse proxy with HTTPS in front (and think about your home IP) to watch away from the LAN.

non-negotiableClients vary. The apps are community-built and uneven across TVs and phones; test your specific devices before you retire your old setup.

Head-to-head

Media serverJun 2026

Jellyfin

Plex

Polished and easy, or fully free and open?

Read the verdict →

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Common questions

How much RAM does Jellyfin need?

Jellyfin runs on as little as 1 GB of RAM for direct-play streaming to a couple of devices; allocate more if you transcode several streams at once or run a large library.

Can I self-host Jellyfin with Docker?

Yes — the official docker-compose setup mounts a config volume and your media folder into the jellyfin/jellyfin image, then docker compose up -d serves the web UI on port 8096.

Is Jellyfin a good free alternative to Plex?

Jellyfin is fully open source (GPL-2.0) with no paywalled features and no required account, including hardware transcoding that Plex reserves for Plex Pass — the trade-off is rougher client apps.

Does Jellyfin require an account or subscription?

No — Jellyfin has no central account system and no premium tier; every feature, including hardware transcoding, is free and runs entirely on your own server.