Self-host Jellyfin on a VPS
A free, fully open-source media server with no strings attached.
Stream your films, shows, music and photos to any device with no subscription, no telemetry and no feature paywalls. You bring the media and the hardware; Jellyfin does the rest.
Why self-host Jellyfin?
Unlike hosted media services, Jellyfin never asks for an account, never phones home and never removes features behind a paywall. It is yours to run for as long as you like.
How to install Jellyfin
- 1
Provision a storage-friendly VPS
Pick a plan with enough disk or attach object storage for the library.
- 2
Install Docker
The official Jellyfin image is the simplest path.
- 3
Run the container
Map a config volume and your media directory, then expose the web port.
- 4
Add a reverse proxy and TLS
Serve Jellyfin over HTTPS on your own domain.
- 5
Scan your library
Add media folders and let Jellyfin fetch metadata.
Practical tips
- Direct play avoids transcoding and keeps CPU load low — prefer compatible codecs.
- Hardware transcoding helps a lot if your host exposes a GPU.
- Back up the Jellyfin config directory; it holds users, libraries and watch state.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Jellyfin cost anything?
- The software is free and open source. You only pay for the VPS it runs on.
- Can several people watch at once?
- Yes, concurrent streams scale with CPU and RAM; direct play keeps the load light.
- How do I get my media onto the server?
- Upload over SFTP, mount S3-compatible object storage, or sync from another machine.
Looking for something else? Popular alternatives include Plex, Emby, Kodi — browse all app guides.