As a long-time Plex user, I want Plex to succeed. That’s exactly why the new $750 lifetime Plex Pass price is raising eyebrows. If you’re going to charge a premium price, the product needs to feel premium.
Right now, there are too many long-standing issues that make Plex feel unfinished.
The Plex Dash app isn’t even compatible with many newer Android devices anymore. Server admins depend on it, yet new users can’t even install it.
The Plex Photos experience is underwhelming. I understand it’s still in beta, but it’s slow, limited, and nowhere near the quality people expect in 2026.
There are also bugs that have existed for years. Skip Intro and Credit Detection frequently fail to scan or require manual workarounds. Library scans can be inconsistent, and metadata detection still glitches from time to time. These are core features, not edge cases.
One thing that really stands out is the difference between Plex’s marketing and the actual server experience. The interface shown on the Plex website looks modern, polished, and responsive. But when I log into my own server, the experience feels different—less refined, less responsive, and not nearly as exciting as what’s advertised.
I’d also love to see more customization for server owners. Let us apply official themes, custom CSS, better dashboards, widgets, or even create our own admin layouts. Homelab users love customization, and Plex barely scratches the surface.
And what happened to Plex Arcade? It wasn’t perfect, but it was one of the few features that made Plex feel innovative. I’d rather see Plex invest in unique experiences like that than release half-finished features that don’t add much value.
I’m not against Plex making money. If a $750 lifetime pass helps fund development, that’s fine. But users need to see where that investment is going. Fix the long-standing bugs, modernize the admin experience, improve performance, make mobile apps a priority, and deliver features that genuinely make people say, “Wow, Plex is worth it.”
Plex is still the best media server in many ways. That’s exactly why so many of us are passionate—we know how incredible it could be if these long-standing issues were finally given the attention they deserve.
