# Plex vs Jellyfin 2026 – What Should You Self-Host?

Plex vs Jellyfin: cost, apps, transcoding, GDPR, hardware. When Plex Pass, when Jellyfin on a Frankfurt VPS.

**Quick answer:** **Jellyfin** = open source, no required account, fits GDPR on a DE VPS. **Plex** = nicer clients, plex.tv, often Plex Pass for hardware transcode.

[Jellyfin guide](/en/selbst-hosten/jellyfin) · [Tailscale](/en/root-v-server/tailscale)

*VPS & root servers: [Order VPS in Germany](https://nexorahost.com/Dedicated-server) · [panel.nexorahost.de](https://panel.nexorahost.de) · [nexorahost.com](https://nexorahost.com) (Maincubes FRA01 Frankfurt · Ryzen · NVMe · GDPR)*