If you’re looking to move off Netflix, you have options. Real ones. Here are the 3 open-source, self-hostable alternatives I’ve tested, with honest notes on what each does well and where each falls short.
Why leave Netflix?
- Show catalog rotates constantly — no way to guarantee a specific show is available.
- Ad tier launched, prices continue climbing, password sharing crackdown.
- Your watch history and preferences are the actual product.
The 3 best self-hosted alternatives to Netflix
Jellyfin
Open-source Netflix for your own media. Full free client stack across all platforms.
Visit Jellyfin website →Plex
Not open source but the most polished. Ads on free tier, paid Pass required for some features.
Visit Plex website →Emby
Middle ground between Plex polish and Jellyfin openness. Some features gated by Premiere.
Visit Emby website →Quick comparison
| Alternative | Difficulty | License |
|---|---|---|
| Jellyfin | Easy | GPL-2.0 |
| Plex | Easy | Proprietary |
| Emby | Easy | Proprietary (source-available) |
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free alternative to Netflix?
Yes. Every tool listed above is free and open source. Some, like Jellyfin, also have optional paid hosted tiers if you don’t want to run the server yourself. Everything else is genuinely free to self-host — you pay only for your own hardware and time.
Which one should I pick if I’ve never self-hosted anything before?
Start with Jellyfin. It’s the lowest-friction option here — realistic to have running in an afternoon on a small server or Raspberry Pi. If it doesn’t fit your workflow, Plex is a good second try.
Can I run these on a Raspberry Pi?
Most of them, yes — the tools marked Easy here will comfortably run on a Pi 4 or Pi 5 with 4GB+ of RAM. The Medium tools may work but appreciate a mini PC or a spare desktop. Hard-tagged tools generally want real server hardware.
What about mobile apps?
It varies. Tools like Vaultwarden and Immich have native iOS/Android apps that connect to your server. Others rely on the web UI through your phone browser — fine for occasional use, not a full app experience.