shouldiuse.io

VERDICT

Should I use Plex.tv?

Plex has free movies and TV shows available with no sign up required. - plex.tv

Depends. The free tier — free movies, TV, and server basics with no signup — is low-risk and fine to try. Don't pay for Plex Pass at the new prices, and self-hosters should pick Jellyfin instead.

Confidence

High. Based on 30+ public sources: Trustpilot, Google Play, Reddit, NVD, SentinelOne, PCMag, and Plex's own pricing and support pages.

Ratings

  • Value for money
  • Ease of use
  • Feature depth
  • Support quality
  • Security posture

Pricing

$0

Free

ModelNot disclosed
Monthly feesNot disclosed
HardwareNot disclosed
Free tierYes
Plex Pass Monthly$1.99/mo (list $2.99)
Plex Pass Lifetime$749.99

Best for

  • Cord-cutters wanting free movies and TV
  • Households with big personal media libraries
  • Multi-device streaming setups

Not for

  • Privacy-minded users — telemetry plus a 2025 breach
  • Anyone considering the $749.99 lifetime Pass
  • Buyers expecting decent support
  • Small teams wanting workplace software — this is consumer media only

Gotchas - check before you buy

high

Lifetime Pass jumped to $749.99 — roughly tripled; more hikes signaled

high

Breach history: mandatory password resets in 2025 — and reportedly again

medium

Monthly Pass lists at $2.99 but currently $1.99 — promo pricing that can rise

low

Guess: migrating to Jellyfin means rebuilding your server and losing ecosystem perks

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Basic functionality is completely free
  • Free movies and TV with no signup required
  • Combines personal media, live TV, and on-demand in one place
  • Runs on nearly every device and TV

Cons

  • 1.4/5 TrustScore from 518 reviews
  • New app called 'a big step backwards' by reviewers
  • 2025 data breach forced password resets
  • Lifetime Pass price tripled to $749.99
  • Users say Plex keeps making the service worse

Sources & method

Analyzed 9/20/2026 - 12 sources - Active concerns: 2025 data breach plus multiple Plex Media Server CVEs; password resets were mandatory.

official x3review x5security x3news x1
  • 2025 data breach, Plex confirmed a breach involving account information and required all users to reset passwords.
  • CVE-2025-69417, Information disclosure flaw in the backend; fixed in server updates.
  • CVE-2025-34158, Access-control flaw (CWE-669) in Plex Media Server; patched.
  • Remote code execution risk, Deserialization of untrusted data enabled RCE; patch guidance issued by WA SOC.

Key stats

  • Value for money: 2/5

    Rating

  • $0

    Starting price

  • 12

    Sources

  • Analyzed

  • Value for money: 2/5. Free tier good; Pass price hikes sting
  • Ease of use: 2/5. New app widely called a step backwards
  • Feature depth: 4/5. Server, live TV, metadata, many device apps
  • Support quality: 1/5. 1.4/5 across 518 Trustpilot reviews
  • Security posture: 1/5. 2025 breach plus multiple server CVEs
  • 1.4/5 Trustpilot rating 518 reviews, rated Bad
  • Free Starting price Plex Pass from $1.99/mo
  • $749.99 Lifetime Pass Reportedly tripled
  • 2009 Founded $40M raised, Series C

Pricing

Free

$0

  • Free movies and TV, no signup
  • Basic server functionality free

Plex Pass Monthly

$1.99/mo (list $2.99)

  • Remote streaming
  • Premium server and library management features

Plex Pass Lifetime

$749.99

  • All Pass features, one-time
  • Price reportedly tripled

Security

Active concerns: 2025 data breach plus multiple Plex Media Server CVEs; password resets were mandatory.

  • 2025 data breachPlex confirmed a breach involving account information and required all users to reset passwords.⁴
  • CVE-2025-69417Information disclosure flaw in the backend; fixed in server updates.⁶
  • CVE-2025-34158Access-control flaw (CWE-669) in Plex Media Server; patched.⁵
  • Remote code execution riskDeserialization of untrusted data enabled RCE; patch guidance issued by WA SOC.

What users say

Once loved by media enthusiasts, Plex now draws anger over its redesigned app, price hikes, and a 2025 breach, with Trustpilot at 1.4/5.

“Definitely a big step backwards in my opinion.”
Google Play review
“Just checking: Plex is still the best option right?”
Reddit, r/PleX
“It was pretty functional and usable, not many issues or…”
Reddit, r/PleX
Full analysis

Based on 30+ public sources: Trustpilot, Google Play, Reddit, NVD, SentinelOne, PCMag, and Plex's own pricing and support pages.

Free streaming: fine. Paying $749.99 lifetime after a breach and 1.4/5 reviews: hard pass.

Methodology

Based on 30+ public sources: Trustpilot, Google Play, Reddit, NVD, SentinelOne, PCMag, and Plex's own pricing and support pages.

Sources

  1. Trustpilot reviews of plex.tvtrustpilot.com
    review
  2. Plex: Find Movies & TV Shows — Google Playplay.google.com
    review
  3. Why is Plex actively making the service worse for everyone? — Redditreddit.com
    review
  4. Plex Confirms Data Breach, Asks Users to Reset Passwords — PCMagpcmag.com
    security
  5. CVE-2025-34158 Detail — NVDnvd.nist.gov
    security
  6. CVE-2025-69417: Plex Media Server Info Disclosure — SentinelOnesentinelone.com
    security
  7. Plex Announces Massive Price Hike on Lifetime Plans — IGNign.com
    news
  8. Plex Pass plans — Plexplex.tv
    official
  9. Plex: Free vs Paid — Plex Supportsupport.plex.tv
    official
  10. Plex TV Review — Reviews.orgreviews.org
    review
  11. What is Plex? — Tom's Guidetomsguide.com
    review
  12. Plex Alternatives? — Plex Forumsforums.plex.tv
    official

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