
To use Plex, you need a server to manage your files and a client to play them. The setup process for Plex is wonderfully easy. The two best things about Plex are how it organizes files for you, and how it then helps you play them on different devices. Also, I spend a lot less time organizing files into folders than I used to, because once Plex scans your library, it doesn't matter how messy your file system is. After years of troubleshooting the best way to play movie files on my TV and fiddling with USB sticks and external HDDs and long-ass HDMI cables, I decided to build a Plex server to host all my media, making it accessible on any device in my home or when I'm traveling. Using Plex to build your own media library

Plex also occasionally offers a discount on the lifetime Plex Pass, if you're signed up for a free account (opens in new tab) and receive emails.

One important note: while paying the $5 to unlock the mobile versions of Plex doesn't grant you access to any of the advanced Plex Pass features, paying for Plex Pass does unlock the mobile apps for as long as you're subscribed.

Plex Pass includes premium versions of Plex's music and photo library features, but the more significant perks are live TV DVR support, mobile syncing (wirelessly downloading files to your phone), and hardware acceleration – the ability for your PC or other device hosting your Plex server to tap into its graphics processor's power for more efficient streaming.

Several premium features are available only to those willing to pay $4.99 per month for a “Plex Pass,” however, including the Xbox One and Xbox 360 support. Plex presents a Netflix-like interface, displaying lovely movie posters to represent a particular film, and providing contextual information about the movie or TV show, including related titles. Plex can run on a Windows, Mac or Linux computer (even some NAS boxes) and stream the content to your iOS, Android, Windows Phone 8 or Windows 8.1 device-or Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Google TV, and many smart televisions. Plex has positioned itself as the interface for connecting your stored content to something to watch it on. Plex allows you to pick up where you left off, a standard feature for most video apps and services.
