tofaTofa or Jellyfin? Start with how you want to run it.
Both let you host your own media. Jellyfin is free software with a community ecosystem. Tofa combines its server, official apps, and account service in one product, with free streaming and an optional Supporter tier. This comparison is written by Tofa.
Where Jellyfin fits
Jellyfin is GPL-licensed, community-developed software. Its server and official clients are free, and it does not require a central vendor account. It supports movies, television, music, photos, and live TV/DVR.
Choose it when software freedom, independence from a hosted account service, or those broader library types are your main requirements. Tofa currently focuses on movies and shows and requires a Tofa account.
Compare apps on the devices you own
Jellyfin offers official and third-party clients, including Swiftfin for Apple devices and an official Android TV app. Check each client's current capabilities; the server feature list doesn't describe every player.
Tofa offers its own Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, Android TV, and Android phone apps, plus a web app and desktop beta. The Apple TV app requires a Tofa server, even if your media is already indexed by Jellyfin.
Transcoding and access from outside home
Jellyfin supports hardware acceleration on compatible hardware. Its documentation explains how to configure remote access for your network.
Tofa also includes hardware acceleration in its free tier. Tofa Connect helps devices find your server, with direct connections where possible and a capped relay fallback. Relay limits are listed on the pricing page.
Try Tofa without moving your media
Point Tofa at your existing folders and let its library scan finish. Then preview an import from Jellyfin: supported watch history, resume positions, and favorites can be matched into Tofa. In Server 0.10.0, Jellyfin uses a one-time import.
The import pulls activity from Jellyfin into Tofa. It does not write your Tofa activity back to Jellyfin.
Common questions
Can the Tofa app connect to Jellyfin?
No. Tofa apps connect to Tofa Server. The Jellyfin integration imports supported library history into Tofa; it isn't a Jellyfin playback client.
Try it with your own library.
Create your beta account, verify your email, and connect your server.
Sign up for the beta →