Plex just gave users another reason to switch to Jellyfin

I’ve been using Plex for over a decade, and what pulled me in from the start was how easy it made it to host and stream my personal media library and my friends’ libraries from anywhere. I’ve always enjoyed the streamlined experience, but lately Plex has made a few questionable moves that have left me, and I think it’s fair to say many others, wondering whether it might be time to jump ship and try another app.

This all started last year when Plex made it mandatory to have either a paid Plex Pass or a Remote Watch Pass to stream media from a server when you’re outside its home network. On top of that, it raised the price of its Plex Pass, bumping the annual plan from $40 to $70 and the lifetime subscription from $120 to $250.

Now, adding even more fuel to the fire, Plex is increasing the price of its Remote Watch Pass, the new subscription it introduced last year that allows you to watch servers remotely, without the added benefits of a Plex Pass.

Plex has begun notifying users of the impending price hike via email, as first spotted by users on Reddit, stating that its new pricing will take effect on June 1, 2026. The price of its Remote Watch Pass will increase from $2/month to $3/month or from $20/year to $30/year.

The full email reads: “We hope you’re enjoying your Remote Watch Pass and the ability to stream personal media wherever you go. We wanted to let you know that your Remote Watch Pass introductory pricing is ending on June 1st, 2026. Beginning on June 1st, 2026, renewals for your subscription will be at the normal subscription price.”

Is it time to try alternatives to Plex?

Plex first introduced the Remote Watch Pass in 2025

Credit: Plex / Pocket-lint

In all fairness to Plex, it was upfront from the start that the Remote Watch Pass was offered at “introductory pricing,” so a price hike just over a year after its launch isn’t exactly a shock.

Still, it doesn’t make the changes Plex made last year any less frustrating. Remote streaming, which used to be free, now requires a subscription, whether that’s a Plex Pass or the Remote Watch Pass.

When Plex first announced the change back in March 2025, it justified it by stating it needed “more resources to continue putting forth the best personal media experience,” and that both the higher Plex Pass pricing and the new Remote Watch Pass would “help provide those resources.”

A Plex Pass includes enhanced playback features and server management tools that the Remote Watch Pass doesn’t, such as hardware-accelerated transcoding, downloads for offline use, the ability to monitor your server with Plex Dash, and parental controls.

Ever since Plex raised the price of its Plex Pass and introduced the Remote Watch Pass, there’s been a growing conversation about users jumping ship to Jellyfin, a free, open-source alternative. With the Remote Watch Pass now getting a price bump on June 1, those discussions are picking up again.

Jellyfin isn’t quite as polished as Plex, and its interface can feel a bit rough around the edges, but it is completely free. So if you’re looking to host your own media server without paying for a Plex Pass or a Remote Watch Pass to access advanced features, Jellyfin is a solid alternative.