Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority
Plex is undeniably a giant in the personal media streaming world, especially for those who prefer to own their content rather than rely on traditional channels. It easily transforms almost any device into a comprehensive media hub that’s self-organized and enjoyable to use.
From its humble beginnings, Plex has undergone significant expansion. It has evolved into a full-fledged streaming solution, but more restrictions and paywalls are gradually becoming part of the experience.
My colleague, Karandeep Singh, wrote about his deteriorating relationship with Plex, recalling that it was once the first thing he installed on his home server. Recently, he’s been searching for an alternative.
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Is Plex losing users to its rivals? It’s a great time to do just that, too. There are numerous Plex alternatives available, including the excellent enthusiast tool Jellyfin and the attractive Emby. But if you’re a long-time Plex user, have you felt the need to switch to one of these products? We recently conducted a reader survey to gather your views. Of the 7,500+ votes received in the poll, more than 30% of users have already left Plex for one of its rivals. Around 46% are considering their options, while 22.9% are sticking with Plex through thick and thin. These results highlight some of the service’s recent challenges, a complete turnaround from years prior.
We ran a similar poll in June 2022, asking users if they had considered switching away from Plex. Approximately 46.6% of the ~5,500 respondents were “happy with Plex,” while 22.5% were using either Emby or Jellyfin as their media server of choice. While I cannot directly compare the results of the two polls, it’s interesting to note the smaller share of voters committed to Plex in the latest survey.
Plex’s hold on the home streaming market may be regressing. However, reader comments highlighted both sides: those who stand by Plex and those who’ve left the service.
Several users lament the commercialization of Plex.
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