What is Plex Pass and is it worth it?

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The central theses

  • Upgrade to Plex Pass for hardware transcoding, offline media, live TV, and more features.
  • Plex is your one-stop solution for organizing and streaming all your purchased media.
  • Think of Plex Pass as support for the platform with added bonuses to your entertainment arsenal.



Plex Media Server is a popular choice for those who want to catalog purchased media and stream it to nearly anywhere in the world. Plex is free to use, but the company offers an optional subscription or one-time fee for an upgrade called Plex Pass. While you don't need Plex Pass to enjoy all of your media, it may be worth paying for if you need additional features and functionality.

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What is Plex?

Have you ever wondered if there is a way to catalog all your purchased media? I mean music, movies, TV shows, and even photos you've taken with your smartphone(s). That's exactly what Plex Media Server is. This powerful software can run on a PC, NAS, or server and catalog all your data. Once everything has been stored in the Plex database, it can stream it all to your devices anywhere in the world.


Think of Plex as a way to take back control of your media from streaming services like Spotify, Prime, Netflix, and more. Buy the media you want to enjoy and let Plex do the rest.

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What is Plex Pass?

Plex Pass UK Prices (2024)

Plex Pass was launched in 2012 to generate revenue for the Plex project without requiring everyone to pay for a commercial license. There are three different pricing tiers available, starting at $5 per month. An annual subscription saves you $20, so $40 per year. Finally, a Lifetime Pass costs $120 and unlocks all the benefits of Plex Pass for the entire life of your account.


The free version of Plex has some limitations, but you probably won't notice them with normal use. Technically, you don't need a Plex Pass to catalog and stream the movies, shows, and music you own, but having an active Plex Pass offers several benefits, especially if you consume a lot of media through your server or NAS.

What upgrades do you get with Plex Pass?

The most important upgrade included in Plex Pass is hardware transcoding. If a file stored on your server, be it a movie or show, is not supported by the receiving device (your TV, tablet, or PC), the server must transcode the file into a format supported by the client. This requires significant system resources on the server side. With the right CPU, hardware transcoding can speed up this process and reduce overall resource requirements.


Media can be stored on a device such as your smartphone or tablet, which is invaluable when you have limited internet access. Plex Pass lets you download entire music playlists offline using the official PlexAmp app, allowing for smooth playback even when cell reception is weak during a long drive. Other handy features include skipping intros and live TV support.

To reiterate, here are all the upgrades a Plex Pass offers:

  • Hardware transcoding.
  • Offline media support.
  • Skip intros, trailers and extras.
  • DVR/Live TV functionality.
  • Dedicated PlexAmp music app.


Is Plex Pass worth the cost?

This is a difficult question to answer. Some see Plex Pass as just a means to lock down features that improve the streaming experience. Others see this optional upgrade as a way to support the relatively small company developing such an important platform. If Plex Media Server is the backbone of your home entertainment, consider upgrading to Plex Pass. The offline media support and PlexAmp alone are great additions to your media arsenal.

If nothing else, consider the unlocked features at least as a “thank you” for your support.

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PlexPass

Upgrade your media streaming service with Plex Pass for offline playback, hardware transcoding, live TV support, and more.

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