TL;DR
A user moved from paid streaming to a self-hosted media setup after Spotify price and feature changes, deploying Jellyfin on a Hetzner VPS and using WireGuard for remote access. The build uses Hetzner Storage Box for media, Docker Compose to run Jellyfin and WireGuard, and a FRITZ!Box to enable LAN access.
What happened
Frustrated by recent streaming-service changes—starting with a Spotify price hike announced in August 2025 and restrictive behaviors on the free tier—the author stopped a Premium subscription in November 2025 and explored self-hosting. They provisioned a Hetzner CAX21 VPS (4 vCPUs, 8 GB RAM, 80 GB SSD, 20 TB traffic) and paired it with a Hetzner Storage Box to host media accessible via SMB from a laptop. The open-source Jellyfin media server was chosen over Plex, which the author says would not work with Hetzner. For secure remote access, WireGuard is used: the FRITZ!Box at home is configured so LAN devices can reach the media server, while individual client configs allow mobile and laptop connections on the road. The deployment runs in Docker containers: a linuxserver/wireguard container provides the network stack and a jellyfin container shares that network and mounts the storage read-only. The author concludes self-hosting requires effort and doesn’t replicate streaming catalogs, but is worthwhile for their needs.
Why it matters
- Shifts in streaming pricing, ads and feature changes are motivating some users to host their own media.
- Self-hosting gives control over access and storage location, using open-source software like Jellyfin.
- Running services on a VPS plus a storage service lets devices access media via SMB and VPN without homeowner-grade hardware.
- The approach requires technical setup and maintenance, so it’s not an immediate substitute for commercial streaming for non-technical users.
Key facts
- Author stopped Spotify Premium in November 2025 after an August 2025 price change announcement.
- Observed broader streaming trends: price increases, added ads, UI changes and crackdowns on password sharing.
- VPS chosen: Hetzner CAX21 — 4 vCPUs, 8 GB RAM, 80 GB SSD, 20 TB traffic included.
- Storage: Hetzner Storage Box mounted via SMB for local access from a MacBook.
- Media server: Jellyfin (open-source); Plex was avoided because it reportedly blocks Hetzner.
- Remote access implemented with WireGuard; server uses 10.13.13.1/24 and listens on UDP port 51820.
- WireGuard peers include a MacBook, an iPhone and a FRITZ!Box router; allowed IPs are set per peer.
- Docker Compose setup: a linuxserver/wireguard container provides networking; jellyfin uses network_mode: 'service:wireguard' and mounts /mnt/storagebox as /media (read-only).
- Server firewall rules in the WireGuard config open TCP port 8096 for Jellyfin and enable forwarding for VPN traffic.
What to watch next
- Further changes in streaming services (pricing, ad policies, UI and sharing restrictions) that could push more users to self-host (confirmed in the source).
- Whether Plex’s restrictions regarding Hetzner change over time (not confirmed in the source).
- Long-term operating costs and maintenance overhead compared with subscription services (not confirmed in the source).
Quick glossary
- Jellyfin: An open-source media server that organizes and streams personal media collections to client devices.
- WireGuard: A lightweight VPN protocol and implementation used to create secure tunnels between devices and servers.
- VPS (Virtual Private Server): A virtualized server rented from a provider, offering dedicated resources for running services and applications.
- Docker Compose: A tool for defining and running multi-container Docker applications using a YAML file to configure services.
- SMB (Server Message Block): A network file sharing protocol commonly used to mount remote storage on desktops and laptops.
Reader FAQ
Did the author switch because of a Spotify price increase?
Yes; a price change announced in August 2025 led the author to let Premium lapse in November 2025 and try alternatives.
Why choose Jellyfin instead of Plex?
The author selected Jellyfin because Plex reportedly blocks Hetzner and Jellyfin meets their open-source requirements.
Can this setup be accessed from home and on the road?
Yes; a FRITZ!Box is configured so home LAN devices can reach the server, and individual WireGuard client configs are used for mobile and laptop access.
Is self-hosting a complete replacement for streaming services?
The author says their library is smaller than commercial services and that self-hosting requires effort, so it’s not a full replacement for most people.
Are long-term costs and scalability addressed?
not confirmed in the source
Home » Posts How Spotify Made Me Self Host Self hosting my media library with Jellyfin & Wireguard on Hetzner January 6, 2026 · 6 min · 1135 words · Andreas Lay Table of Contents…
Sources
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