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Emby alternatives: 4 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Emby: hardware transcoding and downloads need Premiere, and no longer open source. We ranked 4 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Emby, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Jellyfin currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Jellyfin logoJellyfinOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +44 of 466.5
2Kodi logoKodiOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +24 of 459.6
  1. Jellyfin logo

    1. JellyfinTop pick

    Best for: People who want a full Plex-style server that is free, private and fully under their control

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, Self-hosted, Web, iOS, Android

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Emby

    The open-source fork of Emby, with every feature free.

    Pros

    • Completely free, with hardware transcoding included
    • No accounts or cloud dependency
    • Live TV, DVR and SyncPlay built in

    Cons

    • Apps are less polished than Plex's
    • Remote access needs your own proxy or VPN setup
    • Some platforms rely on community clients
    Visit Jellyfin Compare with EmbyDetails and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Jellyfin a good Emby alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    GPL-2.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Subscription
    None required
    Checked Oct 25, 2026jellyfin.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Hosted service
    No, self-hosted only
    Checked Oct 25, 2026jellyfin.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Live TV and DVR
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026jellyfin.org(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Kodi logo

    2. Kodi

    Best for: Tinkerers who want a fully customisable media centre on a TV, Pi or Android box

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Emby

    A free local media centre, also usable as an Emby client.

    Pros

    • Plays almost any format with no transcoding
    • Deep customisation with skins and add-ons
    • Free, open source and account-free

    Cons

    • Built for a single screen rather than streaming to many devices
    • Setup and add-ons take time to learn
    • Reputation is hurt by unofficial piracy add-ons
    Visit Kodi Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Kodi a good Emby alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Open source
    Yes, GPL
    Checked Oct 25, 2026kodi.tv(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Linux, macOS, Windows, iOS, tvOS, Android
    Checked Oct 25, 2026kodi.tv(opens source in a new tab)
    Interface
    10-foot UI for TVs and remotes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026kodi.tv(opens source in a new tab)
    Content included
    None
    Checked Oct 25, 2026kodi.tv(opens source in a new tab)

The best Emby alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Jellyfin logo

Best Emby alternative for most people

Jellyfin

The open-source fork of Emby, with every feature free.

Kodi logo

Best Emby alternative for a free option

Kodi

A free local media centre, also usable as an Emby client.

Plex logo

Best Emby alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Plex

More device apps and a larger community, with a similar paid-pass model.

Jellyfin logo

Best Emby alternative for open source

Jellyfin

The open-source fork of Emby, with every feature free.

Channels DVR logo

Best Emby alternative for self-hosting

Channels DVR

A dedicated live TV and DVR server with excellent Apple TV apps.

Jellyfin logo

Best Emby alternative for Mac

Jellyfin

The open-source fork of Emby, with every feature free.

Jellyfin logo

Best Emby alternative for Windows

Jellyfin

The open-source fork of Emby, with every feature free.

Jellyfin logo

Best Emby alternative for Linux

Jellyfin

The open-source fork of Emby, with every feature free.

Jellyfin logo

Best Emby alternative for iPhone and Android

Jellyfin

The open-source fork of Emby, with every feature free.

Jellyfin logo

Best Emby alternative for working in the browser

Jellyfin

The open-source fork of Emby, with every feature free.

Emby alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Emby?

Jellyfin ranks first right now. The open-source fork of Emby, with every feature free. Plex and Kodi follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Emby?

Yes. Jellyfin (open source), Plex (free plan + paid) and Kodi (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Emby?

Yes: Jellyfin and Kodi. Jellyfin can also be self-hosted.

Which Emby alternatives work on Linux?

Jellyfin, Plex, Kodi and Channels DVR run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Emby?

The complaints we hear most: hardware transcoding and downloads need Premiere; no longer open source; smaller community than Plex or Jellyfin.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Emby, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.