Plex Pass simply allows you to gain access to additional features that are not available in the free version of Plex. But do you really need the Plex Pass? This post will walk you through some reasons why you don’t need a Plex Pass.

What is Plex?

Plex is a type of software that comes in handy if you have a large amount of locally saved media on your PC. Another such software is Kodi, which also has almost the same features as Plex. But unlike Kodi, Plex supports every major operating systems and media streaming devices.

Another major difference between Plex and Kodi is their pricing. Kodi is an entirely free software while Plex offers a paid tier, named Plex Pass as well. The Plex Pass gives access to some additional features you won’t find in the free version.

The question is whether you need a Plex Pass to keep using Plex. Is it worth spending on the subscription? Many users seem to find no difficulty in using Plex without a subscription.

What is a Plex Pass?

The Plex Pass offers a number of features that are unavailable on the basic Plex app which is free. The main additions are the Plex live TV and DVR enabling abilities. Adding an antenna and a tuner to the setup will enable you to record while watching the programs through the Plex app.

In addition to these, Plex Pass also offers features like skipping, 4K support, mobile syncing and offline viewing, parental controls, multiple users, and movie trailers.

While the basic Plex app is free, Plex Pass offers a subscription with three price tiers. The three price tiers are $5 per month, $40 per year, or $120 for a lifetime subscription.

Although all these features are great, a Plex Pass is not entirely necessary to use some features. There is a popular misconception that a Plex Pass is essential to access some features but in reality, it’s not so.

What Can You Do Without a Plex Pass

Here are five tasks that you can perform with no Plex Pass.

01. Remote Streaming

Plex’s remote streaming function enables you to view and access all of your media no matter where in the world you are, as long as you have installed the Plex app on the device on which you are about to watch.

Many people believe that a Premium Plex Pass is needed to access this feature although it is not so. Even the users who don’t have one can stream remotely given that your Plex Server is configured correctly.

To set up the feature go to Settings > Remote Access > Enable Remote Access and that’s it.

A Plex Pass would be needed only if you are going to watch from a place where there’s no internet. In this case, a Plex Pass can be useful because it allows you to save content directly to your device which you can access even when you are offline.

02. Using Plex on Mobile

This is important for users who want to remotely stream on a mobile device instead of a laptop. For this, you’ll have to install the suitable Plex application.

Although the application is free, it also has some restrictions. Every music and video file has a limited playback time of one minute. In addition, a watermark will also be present on your photos.

To remove these restrictions, you’d be required to pay a one-time fee of $4.99. It is just a small amount compared to the cost of a full Plex Pass. This does not give access to any of the premium features, but you will be able to watch content on your mobile phone or tablet.

If you don’t want to pay the fee for the app, you can also access your Plex server using the web browser of your mobile phone.

03. Sharing Media Libraries

You may want to share the features of Plex with everyone else in your family and among your friends. But setting up Plex on many devices can consume time. In addition to this, you will have to add new media to all devices continue and to keep them updated.

If you are a Plex user, you never need to worry about this issue. Plex offers the ability to share your media library with anyone even if the other users are not on the same network as you are.

In addition, you do not need a pass to use this feature as well. The only thing both you and the person you are sharing with will require is a free Plex Account. This feature also allows you to exclude media like movies and shows, labels, and tags, based on the person you are sharing with.

To share your media library with friends,

1. Open your Plex Server app.
2. Make sure you are signed in.
3. Go to Settings > [username] > Users and Sharing.
4. Fill the credentials and click Continue.

04. Downloading Content on Mobile

You indeed need a Plex Pass to download content for offline access. However, the fact that you don’t need one if you have shared the server of someone who already has a Plex Pass is overlooked due to this feature.

As long as the particular server is registered under the account, you can download media and content for offline viewing. The main advantage of this is that you would need only one pass within one household or a family.

But every up has its down, isn’t it? The only catch here is that the other user will have to pay the one-time fee of $4.99.

If you want to allow other users to sync your content with your device,

1. Open the Plex server
2. Go to Settings > [username] > Users and Sharing.
3. Click on the user’s name
4. Tick the checkbox which is labeled as Allow Downloads.

05. Non-Mobile Plex Applications

You need no Plex Pass to download any of the non-mobile apps. All the non-mobile Plex apps are available completely free to download and access. Some such apps that are available are native apps for Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Roku, Xbox, Chromecast, PlayStation, and sometimes smart TVs.

In addition to this you should also keep in mind that, if you are using the app on a local network or a streaming dongle while traveling, a Plex Pass is not required at all. Your Plex server can also be accessed from any Plex media player app completely free of charge.

Is a Plex Pass essential?

For all the five features mentioned above, you do not need a Plex Pass. However, if you are a regular user, then buying a Plex Pass will not do any harm. The Lifetime Plex Pass gives great value for the price as well as access to all the available features at Plex.

On the upside, in addition to the offered features, buying a Plex Pass will also support the developers and fund the future of the app as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to watch Free Live TV channels on Plex?

You can easily watch free live TV channels on Plex by just installing a Plex Media Play application. A large number of channels are freely available from which you can choose based on your requirements.

Can you forward content on Plex?

Plex allows you to forward seven days of upcoming programs which enables you to get a glimpse of what lies ahead within the following week. This will enable you to keep track of your favorite content and make sure you don’t miss them as well.

Where is Plex TV available in?

Many streaming platforms are restricted to particular countries and locations. However, Plex TV, unlike most of the streaming platforms, Plex is free of location-based restrictions. Therefore, you can stream on Plex no matter where you are in the world, given that you have an uninterrupted internet connection.

Does Plex offer preview of content?

Plex offers 30-second previews of songs from TIDAL, to anyone who is using the Plex application.

You can read more about this.