That’s a significant price hike.
By Alex Perry on May 20, 2026
Plex has long been a preferred choice for setting up a server for downloaded media. However, it’s set to become considerably more expensive to secure lifetime access to its premium features. In a blog post, Plex announced that its Lifetime Pass subscription, offering perpetual access to its top service tier, will rise from $249.99 to $749.99 starting July 1. This follows a previous increase from $119.99 to $249.99 about a year ago, meaning the price has surged by 525 percent in just over a year.
While this increase is hefty, you have a few weeks to decide whether to purchase a lifetime of Plex’s premium offerings at the current $250 price or explore alternatives. Plex’s paid tier provides more download flexibility and remote streaming, which might justify the $250 price tag, even if not the $750.
If the cost is prohibitive, consider alternatives like Jellyfin, which is favored by media server enthusiasts and is far less expensive.
Topics: Apps & Software, Streaming