Plex does provide free, ad-supported streaming of thousands of movies and TV shows. This is available to everyone, for free, around the world. (Specific content can vary by location.)
However, Plex does not provide paid, on-demand streaming in the same way that Netflix, Hulu, CBS All Access, or similar do. Nor does Plex provide live TV streams to you in the same way YouTube TV, Sling TV, or the like do.
What you can do with Plex:
- add your own media to your Plex Media Server
- access that media using multiple Plex player apps (mobile apps, connected streaming devices, Smart TVs, game consoles, web browsers, and more)
- stream that media by connecting to that Plex Media Server even if you’re not home
Many people think of Plex as being like Netflix for their own content. In addition to your own content, Plex does also provide some content:
- watch our free, ad-supported Movies & Shows streaming service
- free streaming of over 100 channels of live TV
- enjoy Web Shows from popular creators around the world
- listen to your favorite Podcasts wherever you are
Plex Pass Subscription
Plex also has a subscription service called Plex Pass, which provides additional features and benefits to subscribers. To be clear again, the subscription does not mean that Plex is providing paid movie or TV content to you. Among other things, an active Plex Pass subscription lets the user:
- access most Plex apps for free, including our Android and iOS mobile apps as well as early preview apps that are only available to subscribers
- sync content to mobile devices for offline access (using Mobile Sync)
- connect a supported tuner device and antenna to your server, allowing you to watch and record over-the-air live TV broadcasts available at your location
- set up a Plex Home with customized, managed users, restrict content they can see, and easily switch between users
- automatically add trailers and extras to movies in your library that you can stream whenever you want
- automatically add lyrics from LyricFind to your music library, available to view whenever you want
- and even more
Related Page: Plex Pass
Related Page: Live TV & DVR