Navidrome vs Jellyfin for Music: Which Should You Self-Host?
Quick Verdict
Navidrome is the better dedicated music server. It’s lighter (50 MB vs 250+ MB RAM), has better Subsonic API client support, and is purpose-built for music streaming. Choose Jellyfin if you already run it for video and want to add music without managing a second service — Jellyfin’s music experience is good enough for casual listeners.
Overview
Navidrome is a music-only server written in Go. It implements the Subsonic API, giving you access to 20+ polished music clients across iOS, Android, Linux, and web. It uses ~50 MB of RAM, runs as a single container with embedded SQLite, and focuses exclusively on one thing: streaming your personal music collection.
Jellyfin is a full media server handling video, music, books, and photos. Its music capabilities are solid — the web player works well, and the Finamp mobile app provides a dedicated music experience. But music is one feature among many, not the primary focus.
This comparison focuses specifically on the music streaming experience of each.
Feature Comparison (Music Only)
| Feature | Navidrome | Jellyfin |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Music only | All media (video, music, books) |
| Subsonic API | Full implementation | Partial (via plugin, limited) |
| Client app ecosystem | 20+ Subsonic clients | Finamp + Jellyfin clients |
| Web player | Built-in (clean, functional) | Built-in (good) |
| Transcoding | Yes (FFmpeg) | Yes (FFmpeg) |
| Multi-user | Yes (per-user data) | Yes (per-user data) |
| Gapless playback | Client-dependent (Symfonium: yes) | Client-dependent (Finamp: yes) |
| Star ratings | Yes | Yes |
| Playlists | Yes (smart + manual) | Yes (manual) |
| Auto-import playlists | Yes (M3U files) | Limited |
| Last.fm scrobbling | Yes (built-in) | Yes (via plugin) |
| Lyrics | Client-dependent | Limited |
| Internet radio | No | No |
| Album art | Automatic (from tags + web) | Automatic (from tags + web) |
| Genre/mood browsing | Yes | Yes |
| ReplayGain | Client-dependent | Limited |
| RAM (idle) | ~50 MB | ~250 MB |
| Docker services | 1 | 1 |
| Database | SQLite (embedded) | SQLite (embedded) |
| Scanner schedule | Configurable (default: 1 min) | Configurable |
Mobile App Experience
This is where the choice matters most. Music apps are used daily — the client experience defines the self-hosted music experience.
Navidrome (via Subsonic clients)
| App | Platform | Price | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Symfonium | Android | $5 | Excellent — best Android music app |
| Ultrasonic | Android | Free | Good — open-source, F-Droid |
| play:Sub | iOS | $5 | Good — solid Subsonic client |
| Amperfy | iOS | Free | Good — open-source |
| DSub | Android | $4 | Good — mature client |
| Sublime Music | Linux | Free | Good — desktop client |
The Subsonic ecosystem has had 15+ years to mature. These clients are polished, purpose-built music apps with features like offline caching, gapless playback, queue management, and artist radio.
Jellyfin (via Finamp + Jellyfin clients)
| App | Platform | Price | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finamp | iOS/Android | Free | Good — purpose-built for Jellyfin music |
| Jellyfin (official) | iOS/Android | Free | Functional but video-focused |
| Feishin | Desktop | Free | Excellent — modern desktop music player |
Finamp is a dedicated music client for Jellyfin that has improved significantly. It supports offline downloads, gapless playback, and queue management. But it’s one client vs Navidrome’s ecosystem of 20+ options.
Winner: Navidrome (deeper client ecosystem, more mature apps).
Performance
| Resource | Navidrome | Jellyfin |
|---|---|---|
| RAM (idle, music only) | ~50 MB | ~250 MB |
| CPU (idle) | Negligible | Low |
| CPU (transcoding, 1 stream) | ~0.5 core | ~0.5 core |
| Disk (application) | ~50 MB | ~500 MB |
| Scan time (10K tracks) | 1-2 minutes | 2-5 minutes |
| Database (10K tracks) | ~10 MB | ~50 MB |
Navidrome is 5x lighter on RAM and 10x smaller on disk. This matters on low-power hardware (Raspberry Pi, lightweight VPS) or when running alongside other services.
Winner: Navidrome (dramatically lighter).
Use Cases
Choose Navidrome If…
- Music streaming is the primary use case
- You want access to 20+ mature Subsonic client apps
- You’re on low-power hardware (Raspberry Pi, cheap VPS)
- You want the lightest possible music server
- Last.fm scrobbling is important
- You run a separate video server (Jellyfin/Plex) and want a dedicated music server
- You want Symfonium (the best Android music streaming app)
Choose Jellyfin If…
- You already run Jellyfin for video and want music without a second service
- You want one unified media server for everything
- Finamp meets your mobile needs (it’s improved significantly)
- Simplicity matters — fewer services to maintain
- You don’t need the full Subsonic client ecosystem
- You’re a casual music listener (play an album occasionally, not daily use)
Final Verdict
Navidrome is the better music server. It’s purpose-built for music, lighter, and opens the door to the mature Subsonic client ecosystem. Symfonium (Android) alone is worth choosing Navidrome — it’s the best self-hosted music app available.
Jellyfin makes sense if you already run it and don’t want another service. Finamp + Jellyfin is a perfectly acceptable music setup for casual listeners. The convenience of a single server for all media outweighs the advantages of a dedicated music server for many people.
The best setup for serious music listeners who also watch video: Navidrome for music + Jellyfin for video. They don’t conflict (different ports, different databases) and you get the best of both worlds.
FAQ
Can I run both on the same music library?
Yes. Point both at the same music directory (read-only). Each builds its own database. Your music files are never modified by either.
Does Jellyfin support the Subsonic API?
There’s a community plugin (Jellyfin Plugin Subsonic) that adds partial Subsonic API support, but it’s not complete and some clients have compatibility issues. Navidrome’s implementation is fully compatible.
Is Symfonium really worth $5?
Yes. It’s the best Android music streaming app for self-hosted servers — polished UI, gapless playback, offline caching, queue management, Last.fm scrobbling, and support for multiple servers. It’s a one-time purchase, not a subscription.
What about Plexamp?
Plexamp is arguably the best self-hosted music app overall, but it requires Plex + Plex Pass ($120 lifetime). If you’re in the Plex ecosystem, Plexamp beats both Navidrome clients and Finamp. For everyone else, Navidrome + Symfonium is the better value.
Can I migrate from one to the other?
Music files are the same — just point the new server at your music directory. Play counts, ratings, and playlists don’t transfer between Navidrome and Jellyfin. You’d start fresh in the new system.
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