Ranked 2 of 6 in best media players
Streams a personal library to phones and browsers with free movies and live channels available too. Plex Pass is paid for premium features, and the code is closed.
Best for Streaming a home library to phones and browsers
About Plex
Plex organizes a personal library of movies, shows and music on a server, then streams it to apps on phones, computers and browsers. Its site says Plex Pass unlocks premium features, and its plans page lists a lifetime option as well as a subscription. Plex also runs a free catalog of movies, shows and live channels that needs no sign-up to browse.
The server runs on your own computer or network storage, so the library stays under your control, while Plex's servers handle sign-in. Plex is closed source. Compared with Jellyfin, which is open source and free to self-host, Plex has a paid tier for extras. It suits people who want a streaming-style interface for their own files, while VLC suits playing single files on one machine.
Key features
- Personal media server
- Free movies and live TV
- Apps for phones and browsers
- Plex Pass for premium features
Strengths
- Streams your own library to many devices
- Free movies, shows and live channels
- Apps for phones and browsers
Limits
- Premium features require Plex Pass
- Closed source, so the code cannot be checked
Where Plex ranks
| List | Rank | Score | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Media players | 2 of 6 | 89.0 | Streaming a home library to phones and browsers |
Questions about Plex
- Is Plex free?
- Plex can be used without paying: Free apps and free catalog; Plex Pass subscription or lifetime option. Check the vendor’s pricing page for current limits.
- Is Plex open source?
- No. Plex is proprietary software; its source code is not public.
- Which platforms does Plex support?
- Plex is available on: Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Self-hosted.
- What is Plex best for?
- Streaming a home library to phones and browsers. In our ranking of media players it is number 2 of 6 with a score of 89.0.
- What are the best alternatives to Plex?
- The highest-ranked alternatives on listme.name are VLC media player, Jellyfin, Kodi, mpv.