If you use Plex to stream your own movies and TV shows, your costs are about to change. Plex has just launched a new Plex five-year pass for $249.99.
This new pass comes just after Plex surprised users by raising the price of its popular Lifetime plan from $249.99 to $749.99.Now, watching your favorite videos has become much more expensive.
What the new Plex five-year pass means for users
This change means your money does not go as far as before. Before July 2026, paying $249.99 gave you lifetime access to Plex’s premium features.
Now, the same $249.99 only covers five years of access. If you already bought the Lifetime plan, you are covered and will not need to pay more, according to Plex.
For a new user, you now have to choose between paying $750 upfront for the Lifetime plan or picking the new five-year option.
If you plan to use Plex for a long time, the five-year pass saves you money compared to paying monthly or yearly. It is much cheaper than buying the annual plan each year and saves you over $150 compared to monthly payments.
Is the new Plex five-year pass worth it?
Buying the pass unlocks the best features of the app. You can download movies to your phone for flights or stream your home video library while you are traveling.
Still, many users are unhappy about the new time limit. Since the five-year pass expires, you will need to pay again in 2031, and it is unclear how much Plex will charge then.
Plex has raised its prices several times. The Lifetime plan once cost only $75. Now, some fans are wondering if they should keep using Plex or find a cheaper option.
Why Plex says the new five-year pass is needed
Plex explained the price increase by saying that one-time payments are not enough to cover ongoing costs. The company says it needs steady income to pay employees, update the app, and keep servers running.
Plex almost got rid of the Lifetime plan, but decided to keep it for $749.99 for those who really want a permanent subscription.
With these higher prices, some users who are careful with their budgets are leaving. Many are switching to free, open-source apps like Jellyfin.
These free apps let you stream your movies for free. But they are often harder to set up and fix if something goes wrong. For most people who just want to watch their media easily on a smart TV, the new five-year pass is still a difficult choice.