Comparison

Swiftfin vs Pellu

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Swiftfin

Stream your video collection from a Jellyfin media server to your iOS device. Enjoy an easy-to-use interface for your media library and watch live TV if you have the necessary hardware.

Highlights
  • Native iOS/iPadOS video player
  • Connects to Jellyfin media servers
  • Stream video collection
  • Easy-to-use interface
  • Watch Live TV (with hardware)
Features
Read full description

Swiftfin is a fast, native video player that works with Jellyfin, the open source free software media server. To use the app, you must have a Jellyfin server set up and running. Find out more at https://jellyfin.org With a Jellyfin server, you can: - Watch Live TV and recorded shows from your Jellyfin server (additional hardware/services required) - Stream your video to your iOS/iPadOS device - View your collection in an easy to use interface This is an official Jellyfin companion app. Thank you for using Jellyfin!

About

Pellu

Features
Read full description

Pellu is a clean, fast media player for two worlds: IPTV channels from the playlists and servers you add, and the movies and series on your computer at home. In English and Hebrew, on iPhone and iPad. Pellu does not provide any content. Everything comes from M3U playlists, Xtream Codes servers or the computers you link to the app. Media player for your home network • Install Pellu Home Server on your computer, and its movies and series appear in the app • Playback goes straight from your computer to your device over your home network – no cloud upload • Your computers are found on the network automatically; linking a new one takes a short code Live TV • A full TV guide for every channel: what's on now and next • Rewind live TV, and play past programmes when your server supports catch-up • Favorites and the channel groups you choose Movies and series • Rich movie and series pages, with seasons and episodes • Continue watching where you stopped, even on another device • Hebrew titles and search in Hebrew Subtitles • Find subtitles by release name, matched to your file automatically • Style subtitles your way – size, color and background – including built-in ones On all your devices • Playlists, favorites and watch positions stay in sync • On pellu.co you can import and edit playlists: choose which groups and channels show, rename and reorder them Privacy and security • A new device signs in only after you approve it by email • Server logins are stored encrypted • No ads, and your data is never sold Use Pellu only with content you have the right to watch.

Screenshots

Swiftfin4 screens
Pellu4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Pellu at daily against Swiftfin's every 3 months. Pellu also leads on iOS requirement (16.4 vs 18.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Swiftfin ships an update every 3 months, Pellu daily. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Swiftfin versus Pellu: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSwiftfinPellu
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (276 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews53.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings276 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple TV — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.616.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size186 MB98 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAnthony LavadoYoni Krispil

Bugs and requests

Swiftfin

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Unable to connect to Jellyfin server after recent updates
  • Sorting and filtering not working as expected
  • Playback issues with certain video codecs and formats
  • Home bar not disappearing during video playback
  • Sync issues between iOS and tvOS versions

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add offline media download capability
  • Implement Picture-in-Picture mode
  • Introduce a shuffle option for episodes
  • Integrate e-book and audiobook support
  • Allow customization of media library views

Pellu

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Swiftfin

No in-app purchases

None

Pellu

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Swiftfin free?
Swiftfin is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Pellu free?
Pellu is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Swiftfin or Pellu have ads?
Neither Swiftfin nor Pellu shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Swiftfin or Pellu?
Swiftfin ships an update every 3 months, and Pellu daily. Most recently, Swiftfin was updated on October 23, 2026 and Pellu on October 24, 2026.

Other comparisons