Key Takeaways
- Plex is a top choice for streaming and organizing media due to its reliability and friendly interface.
- Plex offers a free basic version and a paid Plex Pass for advanced features like remote streaming and DVR recording.
- Compared to competitors like Kodi, Emby, and Jellyfin, Plex remains the best choice thanks to its seamless functionality.
What Is Plex?
First, you may be asking, what is Plex? In short, it is an all-encompassing platform that allows you to stream subscription-based content and manage your already purchased local content.
As a media server, Plex provides remote access to your already purchased content. You also add streaming platform subscriptions, turning Plex into a one-stop shop for all entertainment needs.
Plex truly shines in its organization and overall user experience. From appealing formatting to ways to use navigation throughout- Plex is seamless. Plex can categorize your content to create a more cohesive experience which includes titles you not only have purchased but also those you have access to free through Plex (or through a paid subscription service).
In addition to storing purchased titles and incorporating paid subscription content, Plex offers an ad-supported free streaming service with over 20,000 free titles.
With an emphasis on user experience, Plex pulls in information on media content and provides a more immersive experience akin to traditional streaming platforms. For example, Plex is able to categorize media and provide information such as title run time and cast information all in one easy-to-access place. It can also inform viewers of music titles played within a film or TV Show.
The basic version of Plex is free and serves as a media server, allowing streaming to non-mobile devices such as smart TVs, computers, and gaming consoles.
If you are looking for more features, the Plex Pass can sync offline, record live TV DVR style, implement parental controls, and stream remotely. Plex can be downloaded as an app or media server, and a Plex pass can be purchased for $4.99 per month, $39.99 per year, or $119.99 for a lifetime pass.
Kodi vs. Plex
Kodi mirrors Plex in its base structure, however it does fall short of Plex’s total offerings. Kodi is a non-profit open-sourced platform that functions through the generosity of volunteers. For this reason, it does not have the same capability as the paid platform Plex.
It is primarily focused on local playback usage and, as such, is only able to stream content remotely with add-on services from outside sources. Comparatively, the basic version of Plex serves as a media server that allows for streaming to non-mobile devices such as smart TVs, computers, and gaming consoles.
While Kodi provides an excellent opportunity to store media in the one place in which you will view it, Plex allows you to store media in one place and play it across multiple devices. This limitation of Kodi is its largest drawback. Overall, Kodi is great for local storage of media such as films, TV, and music, but Plex is the better choice for anyone who wishes to easily access their media remotely.
Emby vs. Plex
While it does not contain as many additional features as Plex, Emby is one of the leading competitors on the market. It provides the same ability to enjoy media both locally and remotely.
It has similar functionality as Plex but at a higher price point. Similar to Plex’s structure, Emby offers enhanced features at a cost. Emby Premiere is priced at $4.99 per month or $54 per year. This fee gives you access to features such as DVR, cover art plugins, and offline media access. It is important to note that Emby has a 25-device limit and that the fee can be higher than the paid version of Plex, depending on purchase type, which costs $5.99 per month, $39.99 per year, or $119.99 for a lifetime pass.
The primary drawback to Emby, other than a higher yearly price point, is its lack of UI features. Overall, it is an excellent option, but it has not caught up to the reliability and feature-heavy construction of Plex. For example, Plex has better library organizational tools that can provide categorization of media and information, such as title run time and cast information, all in one easy-to-access place. It can also inform viewers of music titles played within a film or TV Show. To best utilize these tools and customize Plex to your preferences, be sure to implement the best Plex tips and tricks.
Jellyfin vs. Plex
Similar to Kodi, Jellyfin is an open-source platform. Its main aim is to become the best open-source free media streaming platform, eliminating centralization and paywalled features. It is comprised of volunteers who provide their skills to the project without compensation and can provide a similar experience as Kodi but with support for remote access to media.
While this volunteer-based structure is admirable, it can lead to some of Jellyfin’s largest drawbacks. Because support is lacking and I found the app’s performance unreliable, I’d rather pay the fee for one of the much better services above. Jellyfin’s experience isn’t as smooth, and its inconsistency makes the more reliable Plex the better option.
For example, although you can configure Jellyfin for remote viewing (similar to Plex), the steps required are somewhat complex. Numerous tutorials on the topic exist, and figuring out what a specific configuration requires and troubleshooting can be difficult. When Plex’s remote viewing works well and is often seamless, it’s difficult to suggest such a difficult process.
Ultimately, the best choice will come down to user preference. However, stick with Plex for ease of use and consistent functionality. By combining the capabilities of a media server with the variety streaming services can offer, Plex has paved the way for unifying entertainment in one place. With a superior overall user experience, an easy-to-use interface, and remote access, Plex is the best option for those who like to curate their media and stay connected.
