Plex blindsides users by hiking prices and removing a free feature

Plex is a popular media streaming service that is gearing up to unveil its “newly reimagined Plex Experience,” a comprehensive revamp of its user interface across various platforms. Ahead of this major update, Plex has announced a price adjustment for its Plex Pass subscription.

In an announcement, Plex disclosed that effective April 29, 2025, the monthly fee for Plex Pass will increase to $7, with the annual subscription going up to $70 and the lifetime pass priced at $250. Both existing and new subscribers will be impacted by this change. Existing Lifetime Plex Pass holders will not be subject to the price hike, making it a good time for interested users to secure a Lifetime Plex Pass before the adjustment takes effect.

Plex clarified that the decision to raise prices was made to address escalating costs and to ensure the sustainability of Plex Pass and its support for personal media. Notably, this is the first price increase Plex has implemented in a decade, setting it apart from other streaming services that frequently adjust their pricing models.

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Plex is making changes to Remote Playback

You’ll need a Plex Pass or Remote Watch Pass to watch your media away from home

Plex / Pocket-lint

Plex has announced changes to its remote playback feature for personal media. Starting April 29, 2025, remote playback will no longer be free. Users who wish to stream content from their media server while away from their home network will now require a Plex Pass. Alternatively, server owners or other users with server access can opt for a Remote Watch Pass at $2 per month or $20 per year.

Plex’s rationale for these changes is to acquire “more resources to continue providing the best personal media experience.” The adjustments in Plex Pass pricing and the introduction of the Remote Watch Pass are aimed at facilitating this goal.

On a positive note, Plex has also announced that streaming content on a local network from its mobile app will soon be free. This means users will no longer need a Plex Pass or have to pay a one-time activation fee to remove the current one-minute playback limit on Android and iOS devices. This change will coincide with the launch of Plex’s new mobile experience later this year.

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