Head to head · Updated 10 October 2026
NaviFin or Swiftfin for Jellyfin on Apple?
Written by the developer of NaviFin, so read it with that in mind. Facts about the other apps come from their own App Store listings and websites, as gathered for the full comparison (checked 4 September 2026, sources listed there). Listings change: check them before you buy.
The difference
Free and official, or paid once and broader.
- Price and licence. Swiftfin is free and MPL-2.0 open source, listed by Jellyfin as its official beta client. NaviFin is $6.99 once and closed source.
- OS. Swiftfin's iPhone and iPad app runs on 18.6 and its Apple TV app on tvOS 26.1. NaviFin needs 26 everywhere.
- The Mac. Swiftfin's Mac entry is its iPad app running on Apple Silicon, by its own compatibility box. NaviFin has a native Mac app with a sidebar and keyboard shortcuts, as a universal binary for Apple Silicon and Intel.
- Playback. Swiftfin plays through VLC. NaviFin picks per file: Apple's AVPlayer for native files and, by default, for an MKV your server repackages without re-encoding; VLC for the rest.
- Beyond films. NaviFin adds a music player, photos and books from the same server, Live TV with a guide, Kids Mode, widgets, the Apple TV Top Shelf, and homelab networking (custom headers, Cloudflare Access, client certificates).
Where Swiftfin wins
Pick Swiftfin if any of these is you.
- You want free, open source software from the Jellyfin project.
- Your iPhone or iPad cannot run 26.
- You have one Apple device and want to see whether you need anything more.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Is Swiftfin the official Jellyfin app for Apple TV?
Jellyfin lists Swiftfin as its official beta client for iOS, iPadOS and tvOS. NaviFin is an independent client and is not affiliated with the Jellyfin project.
Does NaviFin have a real Mac app?
Yes, a native macOS app with a sidebar and keyboard shortcuts, part of the same $6.99 purchase.
Can I use both?
Yes. Both talk to the same Jellyfin server, so watch progress follows you between them.
Can I try NaviFin first?
Yes, the next version is in a free TestFlight beta: navifin.app/beta.