Plex Takes the Plug on Free Remote Streaming Access, Leaving Users to Shell Out for Subscriptions.
The popular media streaming service Plex is clamping down on its free remote access feature, requiring users to pay for a subscription in order to access their personal media servers. The new policy, which was first announced last March, will soon be rolled out across all of Plex's TV apps and third-party clients.
As of April 29, Plex Pass subscribers can continue to access their media libraries remotely without issue. However, users who are not paying for a subscription will face restrictions on the types of content they can access and when.
Instead, Plex is now requiring users to purchase either a Plex Pass or a Remote Watch Pass in order to gain remote access to other people's media servers. The Plex Pass starts at $7 per month, while the Remote Watch Pass costs just $2 per month.
While Plex claims that these new rules are necessary to help cover "rising costs" and implement new features, some users are taking issue with the move. Long-time Plex users have been accustomed to accessing their media libraries remotely for free, and are now facing a significant increase in subscription fees.
In an effort to shore up its financials, Plex has also reported that it is nearing profitability, thanks to increased revenue from its streaming service and recent funding rounds. However, this new policy could alienate some of its most loyal customers who have been relying on the service for years without having to pay a dime.
For those in the market for an alternative media server solution, options like Jellyfin are becoming increasingly appealing. As Plex continues to shift its focus towards its streaming business, it remains to be seen whether users will stick with the company or look elsewhere for their media hosting needs.
The popular media streaming service Plex is clamping down on its free remote access feature, requiring users to pay for a subscription in order to access their personal media servers. The new policy, which was first announced last March, will soon be rolled out across all of Plex's TV apps and third-party clients.
As of April 29, Plex Pass subscribers can continue to access their media libraries remotely without issue. However, users who are not paying for a subscription will face restrictions on the types of content they can access and when.
Instead, Plex is now requiring users to purchase either a Plex Pass or a Remote Watch Pass in order to gain remote access to other people's media servers. The Plex Pass starts at $7 per month, while the Remote Watch Pass costs just $2 per month.
While Plex claims that these new rules are necessary to help cover "rising costs" and implement new features, some users are taking issue with the move. Long-time Plex users have been accustomed to accessing their media libraries remotely for free, and are now facing a significant increase in subscription fees.
In an effort to shore up its financials, Plex has also reported that it is nearing profitability, thanks to increased revenue from its streaming service and recent funding rounds. However, this new policy could alienate some of its most loyal customers who have been relying on the service for years without having to pay a dime.
For those in the market for an alternative media server solution, options like Jellyfin are becoming increasingly appealing. As Plex continues to shift its focus towards its streaming business, it remains to be seen whether users will stick with the company or look elsewhere for their media hosting needs.
just found out that plex is charging us for remote access to our own media servers? like what even is the point of having a plex pass if i'm already paying for it? $9/month sounds like way too much money for me...anybody else considering switching to jellyfin or something?
omg i dont think this is cool... i mean i get that they need to make money but $7 a month for remote access is kinda steep 
especially if youre already paying for plex pass and it was free before. its like they took away a perk we loved just to increase revenue 
It's like, I get that they need to make money but come on, you don't have to take away something that was already there for free. And what about all the users who are gonna be stuck with a bunch of old media files they can't access anymore just because they can't afford the subscription? 
It's like they're trying to nickel and dime us to death. Meanwhile, Jellyfin is over here offering similar features for free... I'm not sure how long Plex will be able to keep its most loyal customers on board 
. I'm seriously considering switching to Jellyfin or something else now. At least those services don't try to bleed us dry like Plex is doing 
. Hope everyone finds a good solution to this problem! 
. I mean, who doesn't love being able to access their media libraries on the go without having to pay extra? It feels like they're nickel-and-diming us now... I've been using Plex for years and was always happy with the free remote access feature. Now it's just another thing that makes me want to look elsewhere 
Jellyfin seems like a solid alternative tho 
. And Remote Watch Pass is like, what, a buck or something? 
It's just not fair to all the long-time users who have been using Plex for free and now they're getting hit with these ridiculous fees.
... it'll be interesting to see if anyone sticks around or jumps ship like I mentioned in my last post 
just found out plex is taking away free remote access 
anyone else having this problem? 
