Plex is rolling out restrictions on free remote access to personal media servers, beginning with Roku users this week. The changes require a subscription for remote streaming, ending a long-standing free feature. This move aims to boost revenue amid the company's shift toward streaming services.
Plex, which began as a Mac port of the Xbox Media Center project in 2009, has evolved from a media server into a full streaming service provider. Until recently, users outside a server owner's network could access media libraries remotely for free. However, new rules announced in March now mandate that server owners hold a Plex Pass subscription, starting at $7 per month, to enable such access. Users can alternatively purchase their own Plex Pass or a Remote Watch Pass for $2 per month, introduced in April with limited features.
These rules officially took effect on April 29, but enforcement begins this week, starting with the Roku OS app. A Plex employee posted on the company's forums, as spotted by How-To Geek: "This requirement change for remote streaming will come to all other Plex TV apps (Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, etc.) and any third-party clients using the API to offer remote streaming in 2026."
The changes come amid several shifts for Plex over the past year, including a Plex Pass price increase, options to rent officially licensed movies, new social features, and a mobile app redesign. Plex has cited rising costs for device and codec support, as well as funding for innovations like Common Sense Media integration, a dedicated server management app, and an open API for custom metadata agents, per a March blog post.
In January 2024, reports indicated Plex was approaching profitability after raising $40 million in funding, following a $50 million round in 2021. Yet, in 2023, Plex's then-VP of marketing Scott Hancock noted that online streaming users had surpassed media server users since 2022. While these rules could enhance subscription revenue, they risk alienating longtime users who prefer free media hosting. Alternatives like Jellyfin are gaining appeal for those focused on server functionality.