As a long time user, and supporter of Plex, when the company announced their PlexPass subscription, I eagerly jumped on board. Having been a Pass holder for a few months now, I felt I had experienced enough of the membership benefits to write a review.
Currently, users have a choice of three different payment options, Monthly, Annual and a Lifetime option for $3.99, $29.99 and $74.99 (available for a limited time only) respectively. So what exactly does PlexPass get you?
- Early access to new features and bleeding edge releases.
- Help shape the future of Plex through private PlexPass forums.
- Access to premium features for free before they’re launched.
- Discounted access to premium features.
It’s important to note that being a PlexPass subscriber does not eliminate future costs, in fact, it explicitly states this is not the case. This is important to note as Plex recently released PlexSync of which we wrote. This feature, while free to PlexPass subscribers today, is to be a ‘premium feature’, and thus PlexPass users who will have gotten used to using it, for no additional cost, as part of their PlexPass subscription, will on one day see that functionality disappear unless they pay up for it, albeit it for a ‘discounted’ fee.
This raises some concerns with the Plex ecosystem in general. First, Plex has indicated that they are moving down the path of ‘nickel and diming’ (my quotes, not Plex’s) users for additional features, perhaps by means of an additional, in-app purchase (within an App that already had to be purchased). Second, I could argue that the act of taking away features from the very PlexPass members who are paying to help beta test is a bit disingenuous. Some may argue that one should be willing to pay for good software, and to that I agree…PlexPass members are paying, and paying upfront, and are helping to test what Plex itself states is not ready for general release.
As such, I’d argue that one should think of PlexPass today in lieu of any donation one would have made before PlexPass. Points like the ones made here have been made in the PlexPass forums by numerous PlexPass subscribers (myself included), and Plex has indicated it is still considering final PlexPass benefits. But for now given the combination paying for early access to features which are then taken away unless you pay more and access to closed forums, its just not enough to recommend subscribing. Should Plex management decide that PlexPass subscribers get an all in fee – included access to ‘premium’ features, users should then seriously consider subscribing.
Happy cutting…
Like you, I jumped on Plex Pass immediately. I have been so in love with Plex that I really wanted to give a little back. I agree that the benefits of the pass may not be worth it, however, I do not regret my decision. I’m happy to give a little back to the group that helped revolutionize the way I use my media.
Jay
Thanks for the read. I too do not regret my decision. I view my sub as a replacement for the annual donation I typically made. For hard core and early adopters such as ourselves this is how I’d look at it. But to adopt more “mainstream” or casual users I think Plex is going to have to rethink the proposed model. Paying for early, temporary access to not-yet-ready-for-release features doesn’t justify the cost.
Thanks for explaining what the PlexPass is all about. I am a recent cord cutter and may still be too upset at all of this “nickle and dimming” that came from the cable companies. I also cut Verizon cell and went to Virgin Mobile for the same reason.
I don’t know…this is all new to me. I will pay for quality service that works. I will not pay to be a beta tester.
Tiff,
Thanks for the read…its too bad the Plex devs don’t read more posts like this. Unfortunately the vast majority of people on the Plex forums only kiss the Plex dev’s asses. Don’t get me wrong, I think Elan and Co have done a great job, and I’m a big supporter, but the direction they are going in my opinion is a bad business decision. They should be coming up with ways to get MORE people – especially the casual user – to adopt the subscription model. Today, it only appeals to hard core, devoted supporters. It doesn’t appear they are moving away from the ‘pay to be a beta tester’ model…very unfortunate.
http://elan.plexapp.com/2012/12/19/plexpass-updates/
thank god that they decided to keep the plexsync with the membership.
Agreed. I applaud their decision. I think it will help broaden the appeal of plexpass. I upgraded to lifetime as soon as i read.
@Charles: I was wondering if your opinion has changed over the past 6 months. Is the PlexPass verdict still hold off for now?
It has because of the ability to take your content on the go via download. The newly release PMS with “now playing” and multi user support also more justify the cost. That said I got the one time payment lifetime pass
has anyone installed this on unbuntu ? and got it working ?
Plex itself installed without complaint on KUbuntu 12.10 and 13.04, 32 and 64 bit in my tests.
hey charles any new news on it ? do you think it is worth it with more features if they included ? thinking about getting a lifetime pass
This review was wet turn over a year ago. Plex has evolved tremendously since then. It’s absolutely worth it. Plex is light years ahead of anything on the market. It’s incredible how far it’s come.
This review was well over a year ago. Plex has evolved tremendously since then. It’s absolutely worth it. Plex is light years ahead of anything on the market. It’s incredible how far it’s come.
okay im thinking about getting it what all do you get and the discount thing is that still there?
Not sure what your asking. There are three different plans. As far as what you get:
https://plex.tv/subscription/about
as part of their PlexPass subscription, will on one day see that functionality disappear unless they pay up for it, albeit it for a ‘discounted’ fee. did it disappear is what i was trying to ask sorry
You’re asking the wrong person 🙂
i thought you bought lifetime membership though lol
I did. But I thought you asked about the future. I don’t work at Plex.