For me, constant streaming hiccups, when the two were on the same physical network (Cat6 end-to-end). It may be the Apple TV Jellyfin app, but all the advice online is "re-encode your content so Jellyfin works correctly" (with everyone suggesting a different "correct" format).
Ultimately Plex "just works" for the most part, including channel information for live TV. Jellyfin is very impressive, for free.
It is just hard to sustain multiple apps across platforms, when you have little to no income to hire developers.
I have content in mkv and mp4, SDR and HDR, 264 and 265. I stream from a Jellyfin container with an onboard Intel GPU passed through for transcoding as needed. The client is a 8 series NUC on gigabit using the Flatpak Jellyfin app on a Fedora 44 install. I've yet to encounter any issues with any of my library.
Historically, Plex was the only show in town - and the only non-DLNA server you could access from most streaming devices. That's changing now, but it's not changing that fast. I believe our older google streamers still don't have a jellyfin app (though I could be wrong). We simply run both services in any case.
I believe of Plex/Jellyfin/Emby, only Plex has a app for PS5. From what I gather Sony are rather strict about who they allow to develop PS5 apps, and Plex is a "strategic partner" ($$$).
Because Plex provides a way for me to share my server with my friends. They're mostly not very technical, but they can handle "sign up for this free account and install an app and you can stream from my basement like it's Netflix".
Jellyfin has no such solution that I can tell. Stuff like give them access over Tailscale is not the same user friendly option that Plex has. When there's an actual alternative for easily sharing with friends, I'll consider it. Til then I've had a lifetime Plex Pass for around a decade.
> They're mostly not very technical, but they can handle "sign up for this free account and install an app and you can stream from my basement like it's Netflix".
Ironically, every person I've tried to get to sign up so they can view my content failed, because they all would put in a different email address than the one they were invited to use (presumably one they use for signing up stuff). I then have to either re-invite them or tell them to sign up with the original email address.
All but one just gave up. These are somewhat technical users, so perhaps they're too smart for it?
I have a remote Jellyfin setup as a server that streams. It's entirely in the cloud. It's far easier to share with friends as none of them are required to buy a Plex account.
None of mine are required to buy a plex account either. They just need to make a free account. Me running it with Plex Pass means they don't have to pay to stream it.
There's little reason at this price. I run both, Plex for people who are already used to it, and Jellyfin for myself and anyone new. At around ~$100 I think the Plex experience was better enough to justify it, personally.
Every few years I try Jellyfin, and each time it really fails bad.
I need it to work on Roku.
I need it to work on my phone.
Working on XBox is nice.
The last time I tried it, it couldn't handle a folder with hundreds of videos. I don't remember the problem, but I think clicking on one video would play a completely different video.
And their DVR support was really, really bad (I heavily use Plex for OTA DVR - it is awesome).
I definitely would like to use Jellyfin as an alternative, but it's never "just worked" for me.
Some of us already have a lifetime subscription, why move to Jellyfin?
I'd have to set it up and tell all the consumers of my server to move apps, and not all of them are tech literate. It would take a lot of enshittification to force me to move.
For me, and despite the constant enshitification of Plex, the apps are still better.
But I'm really close to the tipping point, I've been tinkering with making Kodi not suck but custom themes really seem like piles of unsuported plugins.
Ultimately Plex "just works" for the most part, including channel information for live TV. Jellyfin is very impressive, for free.
It is just hard to sustain multiple apps across platforms, when you have little to no income to hire developers.