this post was submitted on 01 May 2025
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cross-posted from: https://poptalk.scrubbles.tech/post/2333639

I was just forwarded this someone in my household who watches our server. That's it folks. I've been a hold out for a long time, but this is honestly it.

They want me to pay to stream content that I bought from my hardware transcoded also on my hardware.

I'll say it. As of today, I say Plex is dead. Luckily I've been setting up Jellyfin, I guess it's time to make it production ready.

Edit: I have a Plex Pass. More comments saying “Just buy a plex pass” are seriously not getting it. I have a Plex Pass and my users are still getting this.

And for the thousandth person who wants to say the same things to me:

  • YES I know I'm unaffected as a Plex Pass owner.
  • My users were immediately angry at it, which made me angry. Our users don't understand what plex pass is, and they shouldn't have to, that's why I had it. The fact that they were pinged even though it should have kept working is horribly sloppy
  • Plex is still removing functionality. I don't care that "People should pay their fair share". If Plex wants to put every new feature behind a paywall, that's completely okay. They are removing functionality.
    • "But they have cloud costs". Remote streaming is negligible to them. It's a dynamic DNS service. Plex client logs in, asks where server is, plex cloud responds with the IP and port of where server is located. That's it.
    • "Good luck finding another remote streaming" - Again, Plex just opens up an IP and port. Jellyfin also just opens up an IP and port (Hold on jellyfin folks I know, security, that's a separate conversation). All "remote streaming" is is their dynamic dns. Literal pennies to them. Know what actually is costing them money? Hosting all of that ad-supported "free" content that they're probably losing money on.

In short, I don't care how you justify it. Plex is doing something shitty. They're removing functionality that has been free for years. I'm not responding to any more of your comments repeating the same arguments over and over.

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[–] [email protected] 169 points 4 days ago (56 children)

Lol "Your Friends at Plex"

get fucked, assholes, Jellyfin is better anyway

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[–] [email protected] 59 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (1 children)

Exhibit #46,853 for why freeware will inevitably fall out from under your feet and why you should exclusively use FOSS wherever possible.

EDIT: Here's Jellyfin's 'How to Contribute' page.

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[–] [email protected] 20 points 4 days ago

It was only a matter of time. Plex is a Series C startup, employs 100+ people, and has taken substantial VC investment. Those investors are expecting exponential returns, and a "one-time lifetime payment" will never sustain that sort of growth

[–] [email protected] 13 points 4 days ago

the virgin Plex vs the chad Jellyfin

[–] [email protected] 20 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (1 children)

This email is talking to you as a user of other libraries not yours, not as a server owner.

"Alternatively, server owners can purchase a Plex Pass, which will grant you continued remote streaming of libraries that you have been given access to."

As communicated previously, Plex pass users also get the benefit of the "Remote watch pass."

[–] [email protected] 117 points 4 days ago (6 children)

Trying to monetize the piracy of your users. That's a bold business strategy.

Look, I know a lot of people could be using the sharing feature to share material that is in the public domain or that they own the copyright to, but let's be honest: most of that sharing would be considered an "unlicensed public performance" by the MAFIAA.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 4 days ago

to monetize the piracy of your users

that's generally what gets sites and services in 'trouble'

[–] [email protected] 69 points 4 days ago (1 children)

They sold to private equity a couple years back. The enshittification started that day.

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[–] [email protected] 13 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (4 children)

This will affect any server that does not already have a Plex Pass/ Lifetime Plex Pass. If your server does not have one, your remote users will have to pay. The service Plex provides is still worth it though, it largely just works on dozens of platforms and that shit isn't free to make.

Sharing a Jellyfin server with others remotely is still a lot more complicated than it needs to be to compete (no, it's not as simple as opening a port, and if you think so then you're either lucky or you aren't sharing with lots of folks). I run both and I would never try to share Jellyfin with non-technical people. Honestly, I wish Jellyfin would start offering an optional paid relay service to fund their development. They could use the revenue to improve their app ecosystem and still produce mostly open-source software. Homeassistant does this with Nabu Casa and it's great!

That being said, the new Plex Android app kinda sucks ass. If there was anything that would make me switch it wouldn't be having to pay for software, or services it'd be a garbage experience on my most common platform.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (3 children)

Jellyfin takes more work, but can be a "simple" end user experience if you set it up for them.

Use a reverse proxy to get a letsenceypt cert for your jellyfin server. SWAG, Caddy, lots of options. Then setup a free tailscale account and add your jellyfin server to your tailnet. Install the jellyfin and tailscale apps on the user android tv/apple tv/computer, then enroll the devices in your tailnet.

They will have always on, ssl secured, vpn protected media sharing for free.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 4 days ago (2 children)

I'm not a diehard fan of plex or anything, but I would never be able to get my mother in law to properly set up any type of VPN. None of my users are technically inclined. Until Jellyfin has a different solution, I will unfortunately be sticking with Plex.

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[–] [email protected] 12 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Yeah, I'm not interested in setting all that up and maintaining it for every user I share with. For myself, this is exactly how I access Jellyfin remotely, but I am not explaining to my remote family members how to set up a VPN on their TV.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 4 days ago

1000%, and those who’ve drank the Jellyfin Flavor Aid just don’t understand.

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[–] [email protected] 13 points 4 days ago

Enshittification engaged. /j

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