Plex Review
Plex is a free streaming service that includes on-demand access to 50,000+ movies and TV shows. The service also offers 1,100+ free-to-stream live TV channels in 193 countries. Users can also connect Plex to their computers to stream and share any media they have on their hard drives.
The service also offers a universal watchlist - simply add the streaming services you subscribe to and Plex becomes an automatic launch portal for any show or movie. This saves you the trouble of looking up what is streaming where.
Plex offers a subscription tier that offers even more features for people who want more functionality, but it packs a powerful punch even in its free version.
The service offers 11 live local news channels, including outlets in Detroit, Atlanta, Memphis, Jacksonville, Tulsa, Boston, and Seattle.
Plex even offers a Plex Arcade option where you can play dozens of Atari classics plus your own collection of game ROMs and emulators on your favorite devices.
This is an incredibly flexible platform that’s perfect for fans of any media.
Review
We tested Plex and other subscription streaming services for more than 100 hours. Plex is compatible with Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TV, iPhone/iPad, Android Phone/Tablet, Mac, Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, LG Smart TV, Samsung Smart TV, Sony Smart TV, and VIZIO Smart TV.
Content
TV Shows
Plex has many on demand TV shows like “Hannibal,” “Extras,” “The Kids in the Hall,” “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” “Kitchen Nightmares,” “ALF,” “Highlander: The Series,” and “The Lone Ranger.”
You’ll also find live channels like Hallmark Movies & More, Kidoodle TV, Dove Channel, AMC Thrillers, BBC Food, IFC Films Picks, Midnight Pulp, Revry, and AccuWeather Now. There’s even a karaoke channel.
The service also includes local news from network affiliates in markets like Atlanta, Boston, Memphis, Tulsa, and Seattle.
Movies
Plex offers a rotating library of free films like “Spawn,” “Timecop,” “Let the Right One In,” “The Road,” “Hostel,” “The Passion of the Christ,” and “Hoop Dreams”
Kids
Kids may enjoy “The Smurfs,” “Popeye the Sailor,” “Sonic X,” “Danger Mouse,” or “Lil’ Monsters.”
If you’ve made any digital purchases of any children’s shows or films on your computer, you can also watch and share those through Plex.
Features
Profiles
Plex profiles are free to create. If you share your library with others, you can decide which content is available to which users. Plex Pass users can create subprofiles under their own account so you could further control what the members of your household can access.
Parental Controls
Within your own library, Plex allows you to control what media is shared with which users. This feature is incredibly powerful, and you could choose to limit children to a very narrow range of content, slowly increasing their viewing options as they age.
Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Disney+, Max, Hulu, Netflix, Paramount Plus, Peacock, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, and STARZ also have parental control features.
Ads
For free on demand content, you will encounter periodic ad breaks. Ads will not appear if you’re streaming content from your hard drive or from an account that has been shared with you.
Offline Downloads
Media can be downloaded to your device if you upgrade to the Plex Pass level.
Compatible Devices
Plex is compatible with these devices:
- Amazon Fire TV
- Apple TV
- Google Chromecast (Google Cast)
- Roku
- Android TV
- iPhone/iPad
- Android Phone/Tablet
- Mac
- Windows
- PlayStation
- Xbox
- LG Smart TV
- Samsung Smart TV
- Sony Smart TV
- VIZIO Smart TV (AirPlay/Google Cast)
Plex is not compatible with Nintendo devices.
Tech Specs
4K UHD
Free movie & TV content is available in 1080p. If you have 4K video on your local hard drive, Plex supports streaming that resolution.
Surround Sound
Most content is available in surround sound.