Two ways to reach your server.
Direct mode sends viewers straight to your Jellyfin URL. Relay mode routes through our edge network so you skip port forwarding and hide your home IP.
Direct access
On the Free tier, viewers connect to an address you expose — reverse proxy, port forward, or Cloudflare Tunnel. Finderwave handles auth and invites; the media path never routes through us.
- Zero relay bandwidth cost on our side — and zero bytes of your media touch Finderwave.
- You control uptime of the media path. If your tunnel or DNS breaks, playback stops until you fix it.
- You must configure networking that smart TVs and phones can reach.
Managed relay
Pro, Pro Unlimited, and Founder's Pass include a managed tunnel. Viewers hit a Finderwave stream URL; our edge forwards to your server over an encrypted sidecar connection.
- No port forwarding, works behind CGNAT, and your home IP is not shown to end users.
- Concurrent stream limits apply on Pro (10 streams). Pro Unlimited and Founder's Pass are unlimited subject to fair use.
- Relay bandwidth is metered — see the fair-use guidance for typical monthly figures.
Side-by-side
| Direct | Relay | |
|---|---|---|
| Tiers | Free | Pro, Pro Unlimited, Lifetime, Founder's Pass, Business |
| Your media through Finderwave | Never | Encrypted transit only — not stored |
| Port forwarding | You provide reachability | Not required |
| Home IP visible to viewers | Often yes (your public URL) | No |
Which to pick
If you already run a stable reverse proxy and are comfortable maintaining it, the Free tier is enough. Upgrade to Pro or Lifetime when you want the tunnel or cannot expose your home network.
You can switch modes later in server settings. Read Relay and regions before enabling relay on a production server.