Jellyfin server is pretty decent. The client apps need tons of work, especially on iOS. Using Swiftfin/Jellyfin iOS app convinced me to buy Plex Pass lifetime.
Probably less of an issue on android with the Kodi app integration.
Someone else in the comments here suggested the „Infuse“ app on iOS. It can use multiple backends including jellyfin, plex, but also sftp etc. Cannot speak for its daily use as I just installed it myself, but looks good on the first glance.
This was my dilemma. Infuse is definitely better. However, if I’m paying to use a proprietary front end, I may as well just buy the software that natively works together.
Infuse also does not support multi profiles on Apple TV. Which makes it essentially useless for multi-user devices.
Yeah. Just found out that it doesn’t even play anything from my jellyfin without buying the premium version. It lists all the things, but as soon as I want to play anything it asks for the InApp Purchase. Not sure what’s going on there, but I don’t like it.
The premium version is needed for codec support (basically anything above basic Dolby, so all the lossless codecs and possibly Dolby digital+). It’s well worth the annual cost, been using it for a few years now and it’s a bulletproof setup for me. I use it with a local SMB share as I’ve no need for multi user support or remote access.
> Not sure what’s going on there, but I don’t like it.
Infuse is a very decent _paid_ app. That’s what’s going on. It lets you play with the interface and test its integration with your services/media. But to use it you pay either a subscription or a one time fee. Very reasonable in my opinion.
Oh, I have nothing agains paying for the app. I just find it funny that they let me install and configure everything then wont play anything. At first I thought its just needing that for 4k/HDR/HVEC stuff, but it also did not play SD h264 content. And at that point I just do not understand why it comes as a "free app" in the first place.
Either let me install & test it for free and demand the pro update later (thats fine for me, if I know it works, I'll pay) or demand pay from the get go.
Now, I am aware that it might just be the selection of codec and resolutions I happened to try are all paid-only. But the way it went, I indeed felt "cheated".
Yes, Infuse may be a very good _paid_ app, but I do not like it the way it tells you that is a _paid_ app.
Probably less of an issue on android with the Kodi app integration.