Running a home media server has never been more accessible, but choosing the right software and hardware combination can be overwhelming. In this comprehensive review, we’ll compare two of the most popular media server platforms – Plex and Jellyfin – and explore why the Turing Pi 2.5 cluster board offers unique advantages for both.

Whether you’re streaming 4K movies to multiple devices, transcoding on the fly, or building a resilient home entertainment system, understanding the strengths of each platform and how they leverage cluster computing will help you make the best choice for your needs.

What is Plex?

Plex is a proprietary media server platform that transforms your personal media collection into a beautifully organized, Netflix-like streaming experience. Since its launch in 2008, Plex has become the go-to solution for millions of users who want professional-grade media management with minimal technical expertise.

Key Features of Plex

Media Organization & Metadata
Plex automatically fetches metadata, artwork, and descriptions for your movies, TV shows, and music. It recognizes file names, organizes your library, and creates an elegant interface that rivals commercial streaming services.

Transcoding Engine
One of Plex’s standout features is its powerful transcoding capability. When a device doesn’t support the native format of your media file, Plex converts it in real-time, ensuring smooth playback across phones, tablets, smart TVs, and web browsers.

Remote Access
Plex makes it easy to access your media from anywhere in the world. With Plex Pass (the premium subscription), you can stream your entire library remotely without complex network configuration.

Multi-User Support
Create separate accounts for family members with managed user profiles, parental controls, and personalized recommendations.

Live TV & DVR
With compatible hardware, Plex can integrate over-the-air TV channels and provide DVR functionality, making it a complete home entertainment hub.

Plex Pass Premium Features
The subscription service ($6.99/month, $69.99/year, or $249.99 lifetime as of April 2025) unlocks hardware transcoding, offline sync, advanced music features, and early access to new features.

Plex Pricing Model

  • Free Tier: Core media server functionality with software transcoding
  • Plex Pass: $6.99/month, $69.99/year, or $249.99 lifetime
  • Additional Costs: None for basic use; optional add-ons for live TV integration

Plex Ideal Use Cases

  • Users who want a polished, plug-and-play experience
  • Families sharing media across multiple devices and locations
  • Users who need reliable remote streaming
  • Those who value official client apps on every platform
  • Users willing to pay for premium features and convenience

What is Jellyfin?

Jellyfin is a free, open-source media server platform born from a fork of Emby in 2018. Unlike Plex, Jellyfin is completely free with no premium tiers, no telemetry, and no artificial feature restrictions. It’s built and maintained by a passionate community committed to user privacy and open-source principles.

Key Features of Jellyfin

Completely Free & Open Source
Every feature is available to every user. There are no paywalls, no required accounts, and no limitations on hardware transcoding or the number of users.

Privacy-Focused Architecture
Jellyfin doesn’t phone home. All your data stays on your server, and the software doesn’t collect analytics or require external authentication.

Hardware Transcoding (Built-In)
Unlike Plex’s paywall, Jellyfin includes hardware-accelerated transcoding out of the box, supporting Intel Quick Sync, NVIDIA NVENC, AMD AMF, and VA-API.

Extensive Plugin Ecosystem
The community has developed plugins for everything from anime metadata providers to intro skipping, live TV guides, and webhook notifications.

Multi-Platform Clients
While not as polished as Plex’s clients, Jellyfin offers official apps for web, Android, iOS, Android TV, Roku, and more. Third-party clients like Swiftfin and Findroid provide enhanced experiences.

Self-Hosted Authentication
You control user accounts entirely on your server. No Plex account required, no external dependencies.

Active Development
Regular updates bring new features, performance improvements, and bug fixes driven by community contributions.

Jellyfin Pricing Model

  • Free: Everything, forever
  • No Premium Tier: All features are available to all users
  • Optional Donations: Support development through OpenCollective or GitHub Sponsors

Jellyfin Ideal Use Cases

  • Privacy-conscious users who want complete data control
  • Users who prefer open-source software
  • Budget-conscious users avoiding subscription fees
  • Tinkerers who enjoy customization and self-hosting
  • Users in regions with limited internet or who prioritize local-only access
  • Advanced users who want to modify source code or contribute to development

Plex vs Jellyfin: Head-to-Head Comparison

FeaturePlexJellyfinWinner
Cost Free tier available; Plex Pass $6.99/mo or $249.99 lifetimeCompletely freeJellyfin
User InterfacePolished, professional, consistent across all platformsFunctional but less refined; improving rapidlyPlex
Hardware TranscodingRequires Plex Pass subscriptionFree for all usersJellyfin
Remote AccessEasy setup with Plex relay serversRequires manual configuration (VPN, reverse proxy, or Tailscale)Plex
PrivacyRequires Plex account; collects anonymous usage dataFully self-contained; no external dependenciesJellyfin
Client AppsOfficial apps on every major platform; highly polishedGrowing ecosystem; less polished but functionalPlex
Music LibraryExcellent with Plex Pass (Sonic Analysis, Radio, etc.)Good, but lacks advanced features like music analysisPlex
Live TV/DVRExcellent with Plex PassGood with community pluginsTie
Community PluginsLimited; restricted by Plex Inc.Extensive and actively developedJellyfin
Setup ComplexityMinimal; guided setup wizardModerate; requires some technical knowledgePlex
PerformanceOptimized but resource-intensiveLightweight; efficient on lower-end hardwareJellyfin
Metadata ProvidersExcellent out of the boxGood; customizable with pluginsPlex
Open SourceNo; proprietary softwareYes; AGPLv3 licenseJellyfin
Offline SyncYes, with Plex PassYes, free with mobile appsTie

Performance & Resource Usage

Plex is more resource-intensive, particularly during library scans and when using the web interface. It’s optimized for power but expects modern hardware.

Jellyfin is lighter weight and runs smoothly on lower-spec hardware, making it ideal for ARM-based systems and energy-efficient builds.

Transcoding Performance

Both platforms support software and hardware transcoding, but:

  • Plex locks hardware transcoding behind Plex Pass
  • Jellyfin provides hardware transcoding for free
  • Performance is comparable when both use GPU acceleration

Ecosystem & Compatibility

Plex has mature, polished apps on virtually every platform, including:

  • Smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Vizio, Sony)
  • Streaming devices (Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, Chromecast)
  • Gaming consoles (PlayStation, Xbox)
  • Mobile (iOS, Android)

Jellyfin’s client ecosystem is growing but less mature:

  • Web client is excellent
  • Android/iOS apps are functional but less polished
  • Android TV app works well
  • Third-party clients like Swiftfin (iOS) and Findroid (Android) improve the experience
  • Some smart TV platforms lack native apps

Remote Access & Security

Plex makes remote access trivially easy:

  • Uses Plex’s relay servers for NAT traversal
  • Secure out of the box
  • Works behind most routers without configuration

Jellyfin requires more technical setup:

  • Port forwarding (security risk if misconfigured)
  • VPN (recommended approach: WireGuard, Tailscale)
  • Reverse proxy with HTTPS (nginx, Caddy)
  • More control but steeper learning curve

Why Run Media Servers on Turing Pi 2.5?

The Turing Pi 2.5 is a mini ITX cluster board designed for edge computing, and it offers several compelling advantages for media server workloads compared to traditional single-board computers or full-size servers.

Understanding the Turing Pi 2.5 Architecture

The Turing Pi 2.5 supports up to four compute modules in a single compact board:

  • Raspberry Pi CM4 modules for cost-effective ARM computing
  • Turing RK1 modules for more powerful ARM performance (RK3588 SoC)
  • NVIDIA Jetson modules for GPU-accelerated AI and transcoding workloads

Each module operates as an independent node with its own CPU, RAM, and storage, but they’re interconnected via a high-speed network fabric.

Built-in Baseboard Management Controller (BMC)

The onboard BMC provides enterprise-grade management features:

  • Remote power control for each node
  • Serial console access over the network
  • OS image flashing without physical access
  • Firmware updates and diagnostics
  • API and CLI control for automation

Cluster Computing Benefits for Media Servers

1. High Availability & Redundancy

Running Plex or Jellyfin in a clustered configuration means:

  • Failover Protection: If one node fails, others continue serving media
  • Zero-Downtime Updates: Update nodes one at a time without interrupting playback
  • Distributed Library Scanning: Multiple nodes can scan and index large media libraries simultaneously

Example: Deploy Jellyfin with a load balancer (HAProxy or nginx) across three nodes. If Node 1 goes down, Nodes 2 and 3 seamlessly handle all requests.

2. Workload Distribution

Cluster architecture enables intelligent workload separation:

  • Node 1: Primary Plex/Jellyfin server handling metadata and web interface
  • Node 2: Dedicated transcoding node with hardware acceleration
  • Node 3: Database and storage management
  • Node 4: Download client (Sonarr, Radarr, qBittorrent) and backup tasks

This prevents resource contention and improves overall responsiveness.

3. Horizontal Scaling

As your media library grows, you can:

  • Add more powerful compute modules without replacing the entire system
  • Scale transcoding capacity by adding GPU-capable modules
  • Distribute storage across multiple nodes with GlusterFS or Ceph

4. Power Efficiency

The Turing Pi 2.5 with ARM-based modules consumes dramatically less power than x86 servers:

  • 4x Raspberry Pi CM4: ~15-20W total system power
  • 4x Turing RK1: ~40-60W total system power
  • Equivalent x86 server: 100-300W+

Running 24/7, the Turing Pi can save $100-200 annually in electricity costs compared to a traditional server.

5. Development & Testing Environment

The cluster setup is ideal for:

  • Learning Kubernetes with k3s (lightweight Kubernetes)
  • Testing Docker Compose configurations
  • Experimenting with high-availability setups
  • Running CI/CD pipelines for media server configurations

6. Noise & Physical Footprint

Unlike rackmount servers with loud fans:

  • ARM modules run cool with passive or minimal cooling
  • Silent operation suitable for living spaces
  • Mini ITX form factor fits in small entertainment centers

Practical Setup: Plex on Turing Pi 2.5

Configuration:

  • Node 1 (Turing RK1): Plex Media Server with hardware transcoding via RK3588 GPU
  • Node 2 (Raspberry Pi CM4): Network storage via NFS or Samba
  • Node 3 (Raspberry Pi CM4): Backup and monitoring (Prometheus, Grafana)
  • Node 4 (Raspberry Pi CM4): Media acquisition tools (Sonarr, Radarr)

Benefits:

  • Main Plex server runs on the most powerful node for optimal performance
  • Transcoding offloaded to RK3588’s dedicated video encoder
  • Storage node handles I/O without impacting Plex performance
  • Easy monitoring of all services from a central dashboard

Practical Setup: Jellyfin on Turing Pi 2.5

Configuration:

  • Node 1 (Turing RK1): Primary Jellyfin server with VA-API hardware transcoding
  • Node 2 (Turing RK1): Secondary Jellyfin instance for load balancing
  • Node 3 (Raspberry Pi CM4): Reverse proxy (Caddy) with automatic HTTPS
  • Node 4 (Raspberry Pi CM4): Database (PostgreSQL) and metadata cache

Benefits:

  • Distributed Jellyfin instances handle multiple simultaneous streams
  • Reverse proxy provides secure remote access with load balancing
  • Dedicated database node improves library scan performance
  • Complete separation of concerns for easier troubleshooting

Transcoding Performance on Turing Pi

Raspberry Pi CM4 Modules:

  • Limited to software transcoding (very slow)
  • H.264 hardware decoding only
  • Best for direct play or serving pre-transcoded media

Turing RK1 Modules (RK3588 SoC):

  • Hardware H.264/H.265 encoding and decoding
  • Can handle 2-3 simultaneous 1080p transcodes
  • 4K to 1080p transcoding supported
  • VA-API support in Linux for Jellyfin

NVIDIA Jetson Modules:

  • Most powerful transcoding option
  • NVENC/NVDEC support for Plex Pass users
  • Can handle 4-6 simultaneous 1080p transcodes
  • Best for large households with heavy streaming demands

Cluster-Specific Software Options

Kubernetes with k3s:
Deploy Plex or Jellyfin as containerized services with:

  • Automatic failover and self-healing
  • Rolling updates without downtime
  • Centralized configuration management
  • Built-in load balancing

Docker Swarm:
Simpler alternative to Kubernetes:

  • Easy service replication
  • Built-in overlay networking
  • Lower resource overhead
  • Integrated secrets management

High-Availability Proxy:
Use HAProxy or nginx to:

  • Distribute traffic across multiple Jellyfin instances
  • Provide SSL termination
  • Implement health checks and automatic failover
  • Enable sticky sessions for consistent user experience

Real-World Use Cases

Use Case 1: Family Media Library (4-6 simultaneous users)

Hardware:

  • 2x Turing RK1 modules
  • 2x Raspberry Pi CM4 modules

Software Setup:

  • Plex on Node 1 (RK1) with hardware transcoding
  • Storage Server on Node 2 (RK1) with 2TB NVMe SSD
  • Download Tools on Node 3 (CM4) running Sonarr/Radarr
  • Backup & Monitoring on Node 4 (CM4)

Why this works:

  • Primary Plex server handles 2-3 transcodes simultaneously
  • Dedicated storage node prevents I/O bottlenecks
  • Automated downloads don’t interfere with streaming
  • Low power consumption (~50W) suitable for 24/7 operation

Use Case 2: Privacy-Focused Self-Hoster

Hardware:

  • 4x Raspberry Pi CM4 modules (8GB RAM each)

Software Setup:

  • Jellyfin on Node 1 with load balancer
  • Jellyfin on Node 2 (replica for high availability)
  • Reverse Proxy on Node 3 (Caddy with HTTPS)
  • VPN on Node 4 (WireGuard for secure remote access)

Why this works:

  • Completely open-source stack with no external dependencies
  • High availability ensures service continuity
  • VPN provides secure remote access without port forwarding
  • Total cost: ~$400-600 vs. $1000+ for x86 server

Use Case 3: 4K Enthusiast with Large Library

Hardware:

  • 1x NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano module
  • 3x Turing RK1 modules

Software Setup:

  • Plex on Node 1 (Jetson) with NVENC transcoding
  • Storage Cluster on Nodes 2-4 (RK1) with GlusterFS
  • Metadata Database on Node 2 (PostgreSQL)
  • Media Acquisition on Node 3 (Overseerr, Sonarr, Radarr)

Why this works:

  • Jetson’s GPU handles demanding 4K HDR transcoding
  • Distributed storage provides redundancy and scalability
  • Database offloading improves library scan performance
  • Modular design allows upgrading transcoding node independently

Plex vs Jellyfin: Which Should You Choose?

Choose Plex If:

  • You want the most polished user experience with minimal setup
  • You’re willing to pay for Plex Pass to unlock hardware transcoding and advanced features
  • You need rock-solid remote access without technical configuration
  • You prioritize ecosystem maturity and official app support
  • You want features like Discover (streaming service integration), Watchlists, and music analysis

Choose Jellyfin If:

  • You want a completely free, open-source solution
  • Privacy is a top priority and you want complete data control
  • You’re comfortable with some DIY configuration and troubleshooting
  • You want hardware transcoding without paying for a subscription
  • You prefer customization and community plugins over polished UX
  • You enjoy learning and contributing to open-source projects

Consider Both If:

  • You’re building a Turing Pi cluster with multiple nodes
  • Run Plex on Node 1 for family/guests (easy to use)
  • Run Jellyfin on Node 2 for personal use (full control)
  • Use both to understand which better fits your needs

Performance Expectations

Plex on Turing Pi 2.5

Direct Play (no transcoding):

  • 4-6 simultaneous 4K streams (limited by network and storage I/O)
  • 10+ simultaneous 1080p streams

Transcoding (Turing RK1 with hardware acceleration):

  • 2-3 simultaneous 1080p transcodes
  • 1 simultaneous 4K → 1080p transcode
  • CPU usage: 40-60% per transcode

Library Scanning:

  • 1000 movies: ~5-10 minutes initial scan
  • 200 TV shows (3000 episodes): ~15-20 minutes initial scan
  • Incremental scans: seconds to minutes depending on changes

Jellyfin on Turing Pi 2.5

Direct Play:

  • Similar to Plex: 4-6 simultaneous 4K streams
  • Slightly lower overhead due to lighter web interface

Transcoding (Turing RK1 with VA-API):

  • 2-3 simultaneous 1080p transcodes
  • 1-2 simultaneous 4K → 1080p transcodes
  • More efficient than Plex’s software fallback when hardware is unavailable

Library Scanning:

  • Faster than Plex for large libraries
  • More aggressive caching reduces repeated scans
  • 1000 movies: ~3-8 minutes
  • 200 TV shows: ~10-15 minutes

Storage Best Practices

Local Storage:

  • Use NVMe SSDs for OS and database (fast random I/O)
  • Use HDDs or SATA SSDs for media library (cost-effective bulk storage)

Network Storage:

  • NFS for Linux-to-Linux setups (lowest overhead)
  • SMB/Samba for mixed Windows/Linux environments
  • GlusterFS or Ceph for distributed storage across nodes

Backup Strategy:

  • Regular backups of Plex/Jellyfin configuration and metadata
  • Use rsync or Restic to backup to external drives or cloud storage
  • Test restores periodically

Cost Analysis

Total Cost of Ownership (3 Years)

Plex on Turing Pi 2.5:

  • Turing Pi 2.5 board: $279.00
  • 2x Turing RK1 modules (8GB): $398.00 ($199 each)
  • 2x Raspberry Pi CM4 (4GB): $140.00 (estimated, not sold by Turing Pi)
  • 24 pin PSU + Power supply: $90.00 ($45 each)
  • Turing Mini ITX case: $149.00
  • Storage (e.g., NVMe SSD): $100.00 (estimated)
  • Plex Pass (3 years): $70/year × 3 = $210 or $250 lifetime
  • Total: $1,366-1,406

Jellyfin on Turing Pi 2.5:

  • Turing Pi 2.5 board: $279.00
  • 4x Raspberry Pi CM4 (4GB): $280.00 (estimated, not sold by Turing Pi)
  • 4x CM4 Adapter: $48.00 ($12 each)
  • 24 pin PSU + Power supply: $90.00
  • Turing Mini ITX case: $149.00
  • Storage (e.g., NVMe SSD): $100.00 (estimated)
  • Software costs: $0
  • Total: $946

Traditional x86 Server (for comparison):

  • New 1U rackmount server (entry-level, e.g., Supermicro/ASRock Rack barebone + components): $700-1,200
    • Barebone chassis: ~$400-700
    • CPU (Intel Xeon E-2300 or AMD Ryzen): ~$200-300
    • RAM (32GB ECC): ~$100-150
    • Storage (NVMe/SSD): ~$100-150
  • Power consumption: 150W average × 24/7 × $0.16/kWh = $210/year
    • Idle: ~80-100W, Load: ~200-300W
    • Assumption: 50% average load for media server = ~150W typical
  • 3-year power cost: $630
  • Replacement parts/cooling fans: $50-100
  • Total: $1,380-1,930 (including 3-year power costs)

Comparison Notes:

  • Turing Pi 2.5 power consumption: ~20-50W (87-93% less than x86)
  • Turing Pi 3-year power cost: ~$42-105 (saves $525-588 vs. x86)
  • x86 server requires dedicated space, produces significant heat/noise
  • 1U servers use loud fans not suitable for living spaces
  • Turing Pi can operate silently in home environments

Cost per Stream

Assuming 5 simultaneous users streaming 4 hours/day:

  • Plex on Turing Pi: $1,406 ÷ 3 years ÷ 365 days ÷ 5 streams = $0.26 per stream per day
  • Jellyfin on Turing Pi: $946 ÷ 3 years ÷ 365 days ÷ 5 streams = $0.17 per stream per day

Conclusion

Both Plex and Jellyfin are excellent media server platforms, and the Turing Pi 2.5 provides a unique, power-efficient, and highly flexible platform for running either (or both).

Plex offers the most polished, user-friendly experience with the best ecosystem of client apps, but it comes with subscription costs and proprietary limitations. It’s ideal for users who want a turnkey solution and don’t mind paying for convenience.

Jellyfin is the privacy-focused, fully open-source alternative that gives you complete control without recurring costs. It requires more technical expertise but rewards you with ultimate flexibility and customization.

Turing Pi 2.5 elevates both platforms by enabling:

  • High-availability cluster deployments
  • Distributed workloads for better performance
  • Energy-efficient 24/7 operation
  • Modular upgradability as your needs evolve
  • Enterprise-grade management features via the BMC

Final Recommendations

For Most Users:
Start with Plex on a 2-node Turing Pi setup (1x RK1 for server, 1x CM4 for storage/utilities). If you like the cluster approach but want to save money long-term, transition to Jellyfin after trying both.

For Privacy Advocates:
Go all-in with Jellyfin on a 3-4 node Turing Pi cluster for high availability. Invest time in learning VPN setup (WireGuard/Tailscale) for secure remote access.

For Power Users:
Deploy both: Plex for family/guests and Jellyfin for personal use. Use the cluster to experiment with Kubernetes, high-availability setups, and advanced networking.

For Budget-Conscious Users:
Jellyfin on Raspberry Pi CM4 nodes keeps costs minimal while delivering excellent performance for most households.

The Turing Pi 2.5 isn’t just a platform for running media servers—it’s a learning environment, a high-availability cluster, and a glimpse into the future of edge computing. Whether you choose Plex, Jellyfin, or both, you’re building a system that’s powerful, efficient, and ready to grow with your needs.