How to Self-Host Jellyfin on Hetzner (2026 Guide)

Introduction

Jellyfin is a powerful open-source media server application that allows users to manage and stream their media collections. In this guide, we will walk you through the process of installing Jellyfin on a Hetzner VPS. Hetzner offers competitive pricing with their cloud server solutions, making it a great choice for hosting your own media server.

One thing to settle before you follow this guide: a cloud VPS is a good home for Jellyfin’s software and a poor home for a large media library, because storage at cloud prices adds up fast. We use this setup for a modest library and for remote access. If you have terabytes of media, the honest answer is that a box at home with Tailscale in front of it will cost you far less.

Why Choose Hetzner?

Hetzner provides excellent value for developers and homelab enthusiasts looking for reliable hosting. Here’s a quick comparison of popular VPS providers:

For deploying Jellyfin, Hetzner’s entry-level VPS offers enough resources for basic media streaming without breaking the bank.

Be realistic about what that entry plan does. It streams comfortably when the client can play the file as it is. Ask it to transcode 4K on the fly and 2 shared vCPUs will not keep up, whichever provider’s name is on the invoice. Our own rule is to keep the library in formats our clients play natively and treat transcoding as the exception rather than the default.

Setting Up Your Hetzner VPS

1. Create an Account with Hetzner:

   • Sign up on Hetzner’s official site.
   • Select a server location that works best for you.

2. Launch a New Instance:

   • Choose a Cloud VPS plan. The $5.49 (5.49 EUR) monthly plan is sufficient for Jellyfin.
   • Select an operating system (Ubuntu 20.04 LTS is recommended).

3. Access Your VPS:

   • After launching the server, use SSH to connect:

     ssh root@your_vps_ip

Installing Jellyfin

Now that you have your VPS set up, it’s time to install Jellyfin.

Step 1: Update Your System

Before any installations, ensure your system is up-to-date:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2: Install Required Dependencies

Install dependencies required for Jellyfin:

sudo apt install apt-transport-https ca-certificates gnupg2 -y

Step 3: Add the Jellyfin Repository

1. Add Jellyfin’s official package repository:

   echo "deb [arch=$(dpkg --print-architecture) signed-by=/etc/apt/keyrings/jellyfin.gpg] https://repo.jellyfin.org/ubuntu $(lsb_release -cs) main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/jellyfin.list > /dev/null

2. Import the repository’s GPG key:

   sudo mkdir -p /etc/apt/keyrings
   curl -fsSL https://repo.jellyfin.org/jellyfin_team.gpg.key | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /etc/apt/keyrings/jellyfin.gpg

Step 4: Install Jellyfin

Now, install Jellyfin using:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install jellyfin -y

Step 5: Start and Enable the Jellyfin Service

To start Jellyfin and enable it to run on boot:

sudo systemctl start jellyfin
sudo systemctl enable jellyfin

Step 6: Configure Your Firewall

If using UFW to manage your firewall, open the necessary port (default is 8096):

sudo ufw allow 8096/tcp
sudo ufw reload

Step 7: Access Jellyfin

Open your web browser and go to:

http://your_vps_ip:8096

Follow the setup wizard to configure your media library.

Before you point anyone else at it, put a reverse proxy and TLS in front of Jellyfin rather than leaving 8096 open, and check where you stand on the licensing of any media you make reachable from outside your own household. The first is a technical detail. The second is the one that actually gets people into trouble.

FAQs

How much does it cost to run Jellyfin on Hetzner?

The cost of running Jellyfin on a Hetzner VPS starts from 5.49 EUR/month for the lowest tier plan, which offers adequate resources for a small server instance. This pricing is highly competitive compared to alternatives like DigitalOcean or Vultr. Additionally, you will incur costs for your storage needs and possibly for other software or plugins you might choose to use with Jellyfin.

Can I stream to multiple devices with Jellyfin on Hetzner?

Yes, you can stream to multiple devices using Jellyfin on a Hetzner VPS. The server’s capacity will depend on the plan you choose; the 2 GB RAM option allows for basic usage but may struggle with multiple simultaneous streams. For more demanding needs, consider upgrading your VPS plan. Keep in mind that network bandwidth can also impact performance, so ensure your internet connection is stable.

Is Jellyfin better than Plex for self-hosting?

Jellyfin is preferred by many due to its fully open-source nature, allowing for more control without any associated costs or limitations. Unlike Plex, which has premium model features locked behind a paywall, Jellyfin provides all functionalities freely. Both have strong community support – refer to r/selfhosted and awesome-selfhosted for resources and user experiences.

Conclusion

Setting up Jellyfin on a Hetzner VPS is a straightforward process that empowers you to take full control of your media library. With a budget-friendly entry point, Hetzner is a solid choice for those eager to dive into self-hosting. For a more detailed list of VPS options, visit our full VPS comparison. Happy streaming!