Audiobookshelf vs Jellyfin: Which for Audiobooks?
Quick Verdict
Audiobookshelf is the clear winner for audiobooks. It’s purpose-built for spoken-word content with chapter navigation, bookmarks, sleep timers, and Audible metadata scraping. Jellyfin can play audiobook files through its audiobook plugin, but the experience is basic compared to a dedicated tool.
Overview
Audiobookshelf is a self-hosted audiobook and podcast server designed specifically for listening to spoken-word content. It features chapter-accurate progress sync, bookmarks, sleep timers, playback speed control, series tracking, and metadata scraping from Audible. Dedicated mobile apps for iOS and Android.
Jellyfin is a free, open-source general-purpose media server. While primarily built for movies, TV shows, and music, it has an audiobook plugin (Bookshelf) that adds basic audiobook library support. Jellyfin’s strength is as an all-in-one media platform.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Audiobookshelf | Jellyfin (with Bookshelf plugin) |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter navigation | Yes (visual chapter list) | Basic (depends on file metadata) |
| Bookmarks | Yes (multiple per book) | No |
| Sleep timer | Yes (configurable) | No |
| Playback speed | Yes (0.5x-3x, granular) | Yes (basic) |
| Progress sync | Yes (chapter-accurate) | Basic (file position) |
| Multi-user progress | Yes (per-user tracking) | Yes |
| Audible metadata | Yes (covers, narrators, descriptions) | No (uses general metadata) |
| Series tracking | Yes (series name, book order) | Basic |
| Podcast support | Yes (RSS, auto-download) | No |
| EPUB reader | Yes (web reader) | No |
| Mobile app | Dedicated audiobook apps | Jellyfin app (general-purpose) |
| Offline listening | Yes (mobile app download) | Yes (mobile app sync) |
| Video support | No | Yes (primary use case) |
| Music support | No | Yes |
| Docker containers | 1 | 1 |
| RAM usage | 200-400 MB | 500 MB-2 GB |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-2.0 |
Installation Complexity
Audiobookshelf is one of the simplest Docker deployments possible. Single container, map your config and audiobook directories, expose one port. No database container — it uses embedded SQLite. One caveat: the config directory must be on a local filesystem (not NFS/SMB) since v2.3.x due to SQLite locking issues.
Jellyfin is also a single container but requires more setup: audiobook library type configuration, Bookshelf plugin installation, metadata settings, and potential transcoding configuration. You need to install the plugin through Jellyfin’s admin UI after deployment.
Performance and Resource Usage
| Resource | Audiobookshelf | Jellyfin |
|---|---|---|
| Idle RAM | ~150 MB | ~300 MB |
| Active RAM | 200-400 MB | 500 MB-2 GB |
| Disk (app) | ~50 MB | ~200 MB |
| Minimum server | 1 GB RAM, 1 core | 2 GB RAM, 2 cores |
Audiobookshelf is lighter because it only handles audio. Jellyfin’s resource usage scales with video transcoding needs — even if you only use it for audiobooks, the server is built for more.
Community and Support
Audiobookshelf: ~7,500 GitHub stars, dedicated community of audiobook enthusiasts, active development with monthly releases. The developer is responsive and focused.
Jellyfin: ~40,000+ GitHub stars, massive community. However, audiobook support is through a community plugin (Bookshelf), not core functionality. Audiobook-specific features get less attention than video features.
Use Cases
Choose Audiobookshelf If…
- Audiobooks are your primary use case
- Chapter navigation and bookmarks are essential
- You want Audible-quality metadata (covers, narrators, descriptions)
- Per-user listening progress tracking matters
- Podcast management is also needed
- You want a lightweight, focused solution
Choose Jellyfin If…
- You already run Jellyfin and want audiobooks in the same interface
- You prefer a single server for all media types
- Basic audiobook playback is sufficient
- You don’t need chapter navigation or bookmarks
- Your audiobook library is small and casual
Final Verdict
Audiobookshelf is the right tool for audiobooks. The dedicated features — chapter navigation, bookmarks, sleep timers, Audible metadata, series tracking, podcast support — make it a superior listening experience. Jellyfin’s audiobook plugin is a workaround, not a solution.
Run both if you need both. Jellyfin for movies, TV shows, and music. Audiobookshelf for audiobooks and podcasts. They serve different purposes well and the combined resource usage is still modest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Jellyfin’s Bookshelf plugin match Audiobookshelf?
No. The Bookshelf plugin adds basic audiobook library organization to Jellyfin, but it doesn’t provide chapter navigation, bookmarks, sleep timers, or Audible metadata scraping. The gap is significant.
Does Audiobookshelf support streaming to Chromecast/Alexa?
Audiobookshelf supports Chromecast via its web player. It doesn’t natively support Alexa or other smart speakers. Jellyfin has broader casting support through DLNA and its native apps.
Can I point both Audiobookshelf and Jellyfin at the same files?
Yes. Both can read from the same audiobook directory simultaneously. They maintain separate metadata databases, so changes in one don’t affect the other.
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