The self-hosted movie and TV show streaming platform Plex has jacked up the cost of its lifetime pass 200% to $749.99. It's an insane move that will make users think twice about using the app.

For years, people with extensive digital home libraries of content have relied on Plex to create their own private in-house Netflix. However, after a change to how it is priced, some users may decide to look elsewhere.

The Lifetime Plex Pass is for users who want to use Plex to stream to their iPhone and Apple TV, but without paying a monthly or annual fee. However, while it was previously a hefty $249.99 charge in the United States, it is being increased considerably.

From July 1, Plex is increasing the Lifetime Plex Pass price to $749.99. That's three times as much as it had cost previously.

Plex is giving users until 12:01 a.m. UTC on July 1, 2026, to buy the lifetime version of the Plex Pass under the current $249.99 pricing, before migrating to the new, and borderline insane, price.

Existing Lifetime Plex Pass holders will be able to use their pass without any extra charges. Monthly and annual subscription pricing and Remote Watch Pass will also remain unchanged for the moment, as it only affects new Lifetime Plex Pass purchases.

In justifying the increase, Plex admits that it had considered removing the Lifetime Plex Pass as recurring subscriptions sustain long-term development. The new price "reflects the real, ongoing value of the software we're committed to building and maintaining for years to come.

Sure. Let's go with that.

Too expensive, by far

Service hike prices over time, and it's expected by consumers. However, here, the math is hugely disproportionate to what you get.

At present, the Plex Pass is $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year. That means the Lifetime Plex Pass is the equivalent of over ten years of the Plex Pass under the annual plan.

Ten years is a long time for software. For those who elect to pay a decade's usage in advance, there's no guarantee that Plex will still be around in a useful state by then.

There's also no real benefit to paying $750 versus $250 here. Though Plex has a roadmap of changes on the horizon, they will apply to all paid users, regardless of level.

While a consumer may think twice about paying $250 for the lifetime pass as-is, there won't be such a debate for the new price. That $500 price difference would be better spent on other things, like an iPad mini or almost all of the sticker price of a MacBook Neo.

Consumers wanting a media library streaming tool without the outlay may have been tempted by Jellyfin in the past. With such a severe price increase on the way, there's more of an incentive to look at alternatives to Plex.

Price increases are a normal part of software development and sales. But when it's a platform that deals with the content you already paid for once, it's an increase that is simply too high to be taken seriously by anyone but diehard users.

Those people will almost certainly have bought the $250 version already.

We're working on a comprehensive guide for Jellyfin. Maybe wait for that, if you're looking at it now.