Disappointed Long-Time User: Features Gone, Price Up, Still No Fix

General Discussions
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Hello Plex Team and Community,

I want to express my deep disappointment regarding the direction of the Plex app:

  1. Removal of Features: Many core functionalities — such as playlists, Watch Together, downloads, casting, and more — have been stripped from the mobile and TV apps without any suitable alternatives or replacements in place.

  2. Pricing Increase Without Added Value: The subscription cost has gone up, yet instead of introducing enhancements, key features have been removed. This feels like a step backward.

  3. Promises Unfulfilled: Plex initially said the missing features would return in early 2025, but here we are in mid‑August 2025, and they remain absent.

  4. Considering Departure: This situation is forcing me to explore alternatives like Jellyfin — I’ve already seen others making that switch due to similar frustrations,

What I’d like to see:

  • A clear and updated timeline for restoring removed features.

  • Prioritize re‑enabling essentials like playlists, Watch Together, casting, and efficient downloading.

  • More transparency and communication on development progress to regain user trust.

Thank you for listening. I’ve been a dedicated user, but your recent decisions have seriously shaken my confidence in Plex.

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Plex has jumped the shark. Like Sonos they took something that just worked and trashed it. I can’t stand this new experience. I can’t do anything with it any longer. I feel like I’m back in the 1990’s

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You aren’t alone, it’s bad enough the mobile app is in such a poor state, the total lack of engagement to customers experiencing issues via the ONLY support channel is somewhat problematic. My only advice at this point is to logout of the forums and don’t expect any form of help or guidance with product bugs.

I moved to Infuse about 2-3 years ago for most of my consumption, because of the lack of stability of the Plex client (it would crash all the time on iPad) and the fact downloads were a total mess. I’m really wanting to not have to pay for another product, nor are my extended family, I really do want to be able to use the Plex client.

I do however still need to leverage Plex for Live TV, sadly in the new experience this is a total mess that hasn’t had a great deal of love. I see they are attempting to now start fixing things, however the major issue of EPG showing as blank when choosing future days and scrolling not been at all reliable.

I’ve tried to help.
I’ve tried to be respectful.
I’ve said thanks when progress has happened.

I’ve finally given up..

The Plex team, who through their actions and lack of engagement leave this specific customer with no other explanation than they just don’t care about their users. This whole New Experience should be put into text and offered as a module in any product management syllabus as a cautionary tail.

I’m not happy to say this negative thinking. I’ve been a Plex supporter for many many years. I’m still hopeful for change, and an entirely prepared to eat my words publicly should things change.

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I’m testing Infuse and Emby on Apple TV, and both feel like viable alternatives to Plex. Infuse is edging it for me for day‑to‑day viewing: the interface is clean.

Emby is also compelling as a full replacement when I’m ready to walk away from Plex entirely.

At this point I’m done with Plex—the app has taken clear steps backward on features and reliability. On Apple TV the experience is barely functional: basic play/pause is about all that feels dependable, and previously routine actions—like managing playlists—have been stripped back or removed entirely. It’s maddening to open an app you’ve used for years and find that you can’t do the things you used to do.

Pair that with higher prices and fewer features, and it’s hard not to feel let down. Unless there’s a real course correction and better communication, I’m moving on: Infuse for immediate, day‑to‑day viewing on Apple TV, and Emby when I decide to leave the Plex ecosystem entirely. I’m choosing tools that respect me as a user.

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Same here—the real deal‑breaker is the steady removal of basics. On Apple TV we’re down to play/pause while essentials like playlist editing, Watch Together, reliable downloads, simple casting are either missing or watered down. Paying more for less isn’t progress; it’s churn. I’m looking at alternatives because I want a platform that adds value without yanking the core tools we use every day. If you’ve landed on something that keeps those fundamentals intact—especially on Apple TV—what did you switch to and how’s it holding up?

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While all these complains are vaild, my experience with Jellyfin and Infuse are that they have far less features than plex, even after Plex has de-featured. I may be an outlier, but i love the “enthusiast collector” features of plex, that make it feel special, and not just a poster wall to scroll through and press play.
Extras: jellyfin they are not very customizable, on infuse they are non existant.
theme music: not existant
linking together collections: non existant
remote playback: messy/non existant

So while plex has defeatured (temporarily suspended?) some things on some apps, it still seems miles better than jellyfin and infuse.

Emby is likely better, but i havent looked into it lately.

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I appreciate your perspective. You’ve highlighted several “enthusiast collector” features where Plex is strong. My decision to switch, however, was based on a logical comparison of core functionalities and day-to-day usability, where I found Plex is now fundamentally lacking.

My case is based on a few specific pain points:

  1. Client-Side Library Management:

    • The primary issue is the removal of essential library management from the Apple TV client. To perform a routine task like creating or editing a playlist, I am forced to stop what I’m doing, switch to a different device, open the Plex web client, and perform the action there. This is an inefficient and frustrating workflow for what should be a simple task.

    • Emby resolves this entirely. The Emby app on Apple TV provides full library management capabilities. I can create, add to, and reorganise playlists directly from my television with the remote. The functionality is integrated where it’s needed most—on the consumption device.

  2. Feature Regression vs. Stability:

    • My experience aligns with others here; the Plex app on Apple TV has taken clear steps backward. Beyond playlist management, the user interface feels stripped down, and reliability has become a persistent issue. Basic functions that were once dependable are no longer guaranteed to work. We are paying more for a product that has become less capable over time.

    • Emby provides a stable and feature-complete experience on the client. It feels like a mature product where core media management is considered an essential part of the user experience, not an afterthought that is exclusively handled by a web app. The tools I need are present and reliable.

While Plex may excel in niche areas, it is currently failing at the fundamental user experience of managing a media library on the primary viewing device. If Plex were to restore these working features that were previously in the app, I might consider returning. But it’s been this way for many months now, and nothing has improved.

Frankly, I don’t understand how a company can’t look at their product and see where things are going backwards. The decisions are so counterintuitive that it makes you wonder if Plex was bought by someone with the intent to sink it, because from a long-time user’s perspective, that’s what appears to be happening.

My switch isn’t an emotional reaction; it’s a practical decision based on which platform provides the most logical and efficient workflow for my needs. For me, that platform is now Emby.

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There is a significant issue with Emby though - primarily in regards to 4K HDR content on Apple TV devices. It rarely will switch the TV to HDR mode and needs to be manually done.

To me this has been a significant show-stopper. I honestly don’t see their support of Apple TV devices to be much better than Plex. Also just look at most of the responses on the forum when people bring up stuff like that…can almost guarantee the standard response is “Hi, we are looking into this. Thanks.”

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That’s a perfectly fair point, and I’m glad you brought it up. You’re right to call out that no platform is without its flaws, and the HDR switching issue on Emby sounds like a significant one for users with that hardware.

For my personal setup, that specific bug is a moot point as my library isn’t 4K or HDR, but it’s a crucial detail for others to be aware of. The situation, however, does highlight what I see as the critical difference between a technical bug and a deliberate product regression.

The Emby issue, as you describe it, is a technical flaw—something isn’t working as intended. It’s frustrating, and waiting for a fix can be a long process. The hope, however, is that the developers will eventually patch it because the intended functionality is clear. It’s a problem of execution.

The problem with Plex on the Apple TV is different, and in my view, more serious. Features like client-side playlist management weren’t broken; they were working perfectly fine and then were consciously removed. This wasn’t a bug; it was a strategic design decision. It fundamentally alters the user workflow and signals a change in the company’s philosophy—moving core library management away from the primary viewing client and exclusively to a web app.

So, while one situation is a frustrating wait for a fix, the other is a disheartening realization that the product’s direction no longer aligns with my needs.

That’s why the regression on Plex’s part was the more significant “show-stopper” for me. I can tolerate a bug that doesn’t affect my setup, but it’s much harder to accept when the developers themselves are the ones taking away the tools I use every day.

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For those following this thread, I wanted to provide a final update on my journey away from Plex. Over the last couple of days, I have moved beyond initial testing and have spent significant time configuring Emby as my primary media center.

My findings have been definitive. Emby is an exceptionally feature-rich and highly customizable platform. I’ll be direct: the initial setup is more involved than Plex’s. There’s a definite learning curve, and its approach can feel a bit convoluted until you get your head around the system’s logic. However, once you overcome that initial hurdle, the level of control you gain is in a different league entirely. I am not losing any functionality; I am gaining it. The ability to manage and customize the media center is significantly superior.

The most telling experience came while running both systems in parallel. I was watching anime on Emby and my regular TV shows on Plex. Whenever I switched back from Emby to Plex, the experience felt hollow. It wasn’t one specific missing button I could point to, but an overall sense that the Plex interface, which I once saw as simple and clean, now feels simplistic and restrictive. After experiencing the depth of information and control available in Emby, Plex felt less like a complete media solution and more like a basic file browser.

My last major concern was the migration of my user data—specifically, years of watch history and dozens of curated playlists. This was resolved in a couple of hours. I was able to write a simple C# application to pull the played states and playlist data from the Plex API and replicate it all within Emby. With my data successfully transferred, the final barrier to switching was removed.

For anyone else considering this move, be aware that it is not a single-click migration. However, for those with some technical comfort, it is entirely achievable.

My decision is now final. With a viable and, in my opinion, superior alternative fully operational, I am officially discontinuing my use of Plex and will not be renewing my Plex Pass.

This journey started with frustration over Plex’s decision to remove core features while increasing the price. It ends with the discovery that other platforms not only offer those missing features but provide a more powerful and user-focused experience overall. The fact that I was forced to look elsewhere is a failure on Plex’s part, but I am grateful for the outcome. I have moved to a platform that trusts and empowers its users with control over their media, and I will not be looking back.

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As a loyal Plex Pass subscriber, I’m reaching out with genuine concern rather than frustration. Thirteen days ago, I posted a detailed thread about feature removals and pricing concerns (https://forums.plex.tv/t/disappointed-long-time-user-features-gone-price-up-still-no-fix/929233) that has received zero official response. This exemplifies a troubling pattern where straightforward questions receive prompt attention, yet discussions about fundamental issues—such as features being removed from clients or shifts in product strategy—are met with complete silence. Whether deliberate or unintentional, this comes across as evasion and gradually undermines user trust.

The problem intensifies when this lack of communication happens alongside the removal of established features from the native client experience. Core functionality that users relied on disappears or gets relocated to the web interface without explanation, advance warning, or transition support. This leaves us guessing whether these changes are temporary fixes, permanent decisions, or pieces of an unannounced strategic shift. When uncertainty fills the communication gap, users naturally start exploring other options.

As paying customers, we deserve the same attention for complex issues as for simple queries. My thread—like many others raising substantive concerns—sits unanswered while brief, straightforward questions receive quick responses. This sends a clear signal that serious feedback isn’t valued, and by extension, neither are the customers providing it. This perception accelerates the decline in trust.

The solution is simple: respond to substantial discussions, even if just to confirm that a detailed answer is forthcoming and provide a timeframe. When features change or disappear, explain the reasoning, what alternatives exist, and the expected timeline. If these forums aren’t appropriate for such discussions, please direct us to the right place. Even a definitive “we won’t be reversing this decision” beats radio silence.

Your forum engagement reflects your priorities. When easy questions get answers while thoughtful feedback gets ignored, it tells paying customers that efficiency trumps transparency—which damages trust more than any technical issue could. To retain your most committed users, engage meaningfully with serious questions: explain the logic behind changes, acknowledge the compromises involved, and give clear answers even when they’re negative. Silence is itself a response, and it’s one that drives dedicated users to consider alternatives.

Please prove me wrong by responding to this thread and the one I posted 13 days ago. Show us that Plex still values the feedback of its long-term supporters.

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Whilst it is disappointing that there has been no Plex response to your other thread, you did say in that thread that you have moved on to an alternative so not sure why you are starting a new thread.

I still run Emby and JF with Plex but prefer what Plex offers and not really having major issues across my apps/devices or family that access my server with Plex.

I am on a Plex Pass lifetime so essentially getting this all for nothing now but as I’ve said many times, I’d still pay for what it offers me.

The forum has been more about other users helping than Plex. I’ve been using Plex for over 10 years and it has been that way for most of that time.

Good luck.

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John, appreciate the perspective. To be clear: this thread isn’t about my personal setup; it’s a request for an official Plex position on changes that affect everyone who stays, along with plain‑language guidance on what changed, why, available alternatives and timelines—and, if these forums aren’t the venue, a pointer to the right channel.

Context

  • I’ve used Plex for ~13 years; for most of that time it’s been excellent.

  • Core client features that were present for years are now absent from a market‑leading product; capabilities users relied on have been removed.

  • My decision to move wasn’t about cost; it was about native client capabilities being removed or shifted to the web. Even at zero dollars, the loss of day-to-day features is a deal-breaker.

  • If Plex improves the client experience and clarifies direction, I’m open to re-evaluating. Capability and clarity matter more than price.

What needs attention (to Plex)

  • Threads raising feature regressions and product direction—including mine from 13 days ago ( Disappointed Long-Time User: Features Gone, Price Up, Still No Fix )—have no staff reply. When posts sit without any acknowledgement, users are left guessing about intent and timeline.

  • When features are removed, changed, or made web-only, say so plainly.

  • If the forum isn’t the right place for definitive answers, point us to the right channel.

Client impact

  • Previously available on-device controls (e.g., queue/playlist management and other routine actions) no longer match prior behavior or now require the web app.

  • Feature parity across clients is unclear, which is painful in multi-device households.

Request to Plex

Please reply to this thread with your position on the removed client features and the intended path forward. Even a concise “not planned,” “web‑only,” or “timeline pending” helps users plan their setups. I’ve moved to an alternative for now, but clear, timely communication and a stable client feature set would give me—and others—a reason to reconsider.

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Again, in that same thread, your last comment of your last post said you wouldn’t look back now that you have moved to something else.

I hate beating a dead horse but are you back on Plex or have you moved on ?

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John, I have moved on —that part’s accurate. This thread isn’t about revisiting my choice; it’s asking Plex for an on-the-record position on client feature removals/relocations so people who remain on Plex can plan accordingly. Let’s keep the focus on that, not on me.

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Honestly, I didn’t feel that what you had posted was asking for an official reply from Plex. At the time when I read it, it felt more like a vent post, and/or a goodbye post.

Currently, it DOES seem like Plex is keeping their head down, and not even trying to defend themselves here in the forums. After reports of new layoffs at the company, it’s quite possible that any forum lurkers in the company are even gone.

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You know, we often get posts and entire threads from people and groups here complaining about a lack of interaction and response. A lot of these are presented as challenges. As someone who has assumed a responsibility for representing Plex as some entity (whether amazing & awesome or faceless & evil, YMMV) these challenges are very difficult, if not impossible, to respond to. Whether a response is provided or not, what I can say is that every single post in these forums is read by someone within Plex. Whether you choose to believe these words or not, I know these people that read these posts and I very much admire their absolute passion and dedication at representing your voices in the decisions we make and the work we do here. Also, as a representative, I would like to say thank you for your feedback. It has been seen, and we do appreciate that you took the time to not only have been a part of this thing we call Plex for a long period of time, but to also come here and comment about it, and whether those comments are praise or frustration, they all carry equal weight in consideration of you as a part of this platform.

Speaking from a more personal level, I am here because I believe in Personal Media. That is the name we use for the team that works on PMS and that tends to represent a rather large percentage of the viewpoints and comments in these forums. However, I have a personal belief that we stopped being the magically perfect solution for every user as soon as we expanded from one user to two. Yes - we could make an absolutely perfect solution for you, the person sitting there reading this. But that solution would inevitably not work for someone else (and most like a LOT of other people). When you expand this group from two people to to millions of people it becomes incredibly challenging to do anything on a platform like this.

So why am I here responding? I will re-state: I believe in personal media. I run my own server, I have my own personal use cases and like everyone else here I also both agree with and disagree with some of the decisions that have been made on this platform. Therefore, if my use case didn’t fit with what is being offered I would explore converting my own personal setup to something else. This also means that I support others in doing the same exploration and in finding the best personal media solution for you and your use case. However, this belief doesn’t change my goal of making Plex the best solution possible for the largest number of people.

To sum up - while some posts seem to want to turn a personal use case into an argument, we respectfully decline to engage there mainly because we don’t see it as a disagreement that one party can win through logic. When people ask questions we do try and engage and at least provide a response (while some may want to refute this, please know that I am not claiming a perfect track record here, just a bit better record at responding). I am here because I not only believe in Plex, but I also want to help build a better community through engagement and responses.

I will end with this - thank YOU for being a part of Plex. Your thoughts and concerns have been heard. I wish you success in your journey with your personal media wherever that takes you. I hope that you can find a solution that works for you and that makes you and the people you live and share media with happy.

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McWanke,

First and foremost, thank you. A staff reply was what I requested, and I genuinely appreciate that you are the one to engage and that you put so much time and effort into your personal response.

While I truly appreciate the gesture and the perspective, the substance of the reply unfortunately doesn’t meet the expectations of my post. I had specific questions about product direction, and they have not yet been answered. I understand you may have to work within company policy and can’t always be completely transparent, but while your post said a lot, it didn’t contain the substantive clarity the community is looking for.

I can certainly appreciate the challenge you described. The idea that Plex can’t be the “magically perfect solution” for millions of different users is something I completely understand, and I don’t envy the difficult decisions your team has to make.

The distinction I’d like to make, however, is that this thread isn’t about asking for a perfect, personalized feature. It’s about understanding the removal of foundational, long-standing functionality that many of us relied on for years.

To use an analogy, it feels as if a car manufacturer issued an update that removed the volume knob from the steering wheel, telling drivers they can still use the main touchscreen. While technically true that the function still exists, it removes a direct, convenient control that drivers had built muscle memory for, making a simple task more cumbersome.

That is what’s happening here. When core behaviours, like managing a queue or a playlist directly on a client device, are changed or moved to a web-only interface, it feels less like an inability to please everyone and more like a fundamental regression of the user experience.

This is where my disappointment in the reply comes from. While I appreciate the sentiment and the well wishes for my media journey, it feels like a gentle pat on the back while the core questions that affect the entire userbase go unanswered.

To that end, could you provide whatever clarity you’re able to on these points?

  • Is making the web app the primary tool for tasks like queue management the official, intended direction for Plex going forward?

  • Is there a plan to restore these management features to the native clients, or should users adapt to the new web-dependent workflow?

Even a concise “Yes, the web app is the intended tool now” or “No, we have no current plans to restore that client functionality” would be incredibly valuable. It gives the community a clear answer to plan around.

Thank you again for your engagement. I hope you can see this is a request for clarity, not conflict, to help the community you’re working to build.

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Please remember, this is what you are looking for. Not necessarily ‘the community’.

Whilst you have said this is not about you or your setup, it clearly is given the lack of responses from other users.

I truly hope you get the answers you are looking for as you clearly want to use Plex versus other inferior options (despite having said you have a perfectly good working option).

However, please don’t speak for others.

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I for one am curious about a summer update banger of a blog post to say wtf is going on lately behind-the-scenes. :smiley:

Everything feels so dark otherwise. There’s no roadmap, no fun little kaban board. No hyperactive u/ElanFeingold posts, etc.

Plexamp is a beauty of an app, but it would be nice to see where things are going with even that lately. Various artists is still a mess and you need to be a sénior metadata specialist to have the library match the UI beauty. AI also at this point seems half baked in plexamp.

Regards,
Also double-digit years worth of plex usage user who wishes to see some sort of update.

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