Hi,
Where’s the sense in Plexamp being a subscription app when the cost to delivering the application to me is a one-off? As I provide my own server and my own player device, where’s the sense in paying continually for an app?
I can’t even try the app to see if it’s worthwhile, well, without subscribing and cancelling.
Thanks
I’m fairly certain you understand the apps provided by Plex are not delivered by Santa?
Plex is a company with employees who make this happen.
Apparently they feel it helps their business to have a foundation service that is free (e.g. you using a Plex Media Server and Plex’ client apps on your infra). Unless you’re watching the ad-supported video on demand day in and out that’s not paying any of their bills.
Keep in mind Plex is not just a piece of software running on your server. Plex is running services on their own servers that feed into your user experience (authentication, relayed remote access, backbone for your matching…).
Also… those apps don’t keep updating themselves.
We tend to forget that when we can get “free stuff” everywhere. Just keep in mind there’s always a business model and somebody who’s paying for it:
- you get free software / updates from Apple… you’re paying for that when you buy their devices, because this helps them selling you more music/videos or because it benefits selling more apps on their App Store (of which a share goes back to them)
- you get free software / updates / platforms from Google, Amazon, Facebook etc… you’re paying for that through your data that allows them to better target their ads or by selling more services through those platforms.
- you get free software from a various open source platforms… because somebody else either spends/contributes their time (or the development being sponsored by others who benefit in some way).
- …
TL;DR:
There’s a support article highlighting the benefits of being a Plex Pass member. If you’re not sure about it but want to give it a try… try it for a month
https://support.plex.tv/articles/201751006-plex-pass-feature-overview/
https://www.plex.tv/plex-pass/
Some users also consider it “supporting the developers” to keep the platform alive and keep getting new features (e.g. Plexamp or new/better functions for the server).
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@tom80H has given a good, long and comprehensive answer.
I will give a much shorter one: Plexamp is a PlexPass feature because Plex wants it that way. They own it and they can do as they please with it.
BTW: it is not a subscription only app as you can buy a lifetime PlexPass if you want and then you never have to pay again.
Of course. I didn’t say the software should be free.
I didn’t say the software should be free.
I didn’t say the software should be free.
I didn’t say the software should be free.
I didn’t say the software should be free.
I didn’t say Plex Pass doesn’t have benefits.
Yes, exactly as I said. However it doesn’t answer the question.
If anyone else would like to take a swing and remain on-topic I’d appreciate it.
Maybe you want to rephrase your question to make it more clear.
I mostly read it as „why should I pay (monthly) for it?“ with a touch of „why can’t I test it without having a Plex Pass in the first Place?“
I considered the previous posts addressed that. I might have missed some aspect of your question…
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@tom80H nailed it, and responded to you (according to the phrasing) asking it to not be paid: “where’s the sense in paying continually”. As another said, a lifetime Plex Pass is one time.
Just to chime in, if you want a free (as in Beer) music app experience, you can…
- Set up an Airsonic server (which is open source)
- Get a free dynamic DNS name
- Get a free SSL cert from Let’s Encrypt
- Set up a reverse proxy for SSL
- And then use the official Subsonic app (which is also Free on the Play Store), or get DSub or another app (one-time purchase) and access your music away from home that way.
This requires a bit more work though, and some people would rather pay to let Plex handle things.
You can buy a lifetime Plexpass, that’s a one-off purchase.
I feel like he is more asking why he can’t buy it with a one time fee like our Android or iOS apps for $5 (obviously prices vary by country) which one can purchase without getting a subscription.
The simple answer is exclusive stuff makes getting a Plex Pass more of an attractive purchase. One of the things we always wanted Plex Pass to be is something the subscribers can get stuff early and/or exclusive things when we can offer it. That is why they can get beta versions of the server if they choose to use them for example.
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The main problem with Plexamp as plexpass only, is that plexpass is a bit of a swallow for anyone who is only using it for Plexamp.
Ie friends/family who do not, and would not, utilize plexpass on a server.
Why are all the Plex employee’s wasting their time on this thread, when you have paying customers asking you to fix a real firetv issue?
Of course plex should charge for certain features.
Don’t waste your time on non issues, fix whats broken please.
They should add an option to just purchase the app, so its either free (if your plexpass) or you pay a one off for the app. They use to do this with the other apps (not sure if this is still the case).
However, plexpass also provides early access to features, so it could be argued, for the first year, plexamp is plexpass only than they add the above option afterwards.
This is question to the plex staff.
Not all Plex employees are devs. I am not a dev. I don’t know which particular issue you are speaking of but me answering a question is not going to slow down or speed up any particular fix.
Fair enough.
Just frustrated, I bought 6 firesticks 4k, and a Plex Pass, and the app is a dog turd.
The reason I started this discussion is that Plexamp is one of the few software products, perhaps only, that Plex makes which is available solely as a paid service. I think this is worthy of discussion within the community.
This is a good point, but has Plex stated this is their plan for Plexamp?
And even if it were the case, while @tom80H points out an article enumerating the benefits of a PlexPass:
the article makes no mention of Plexamp. Nor do any of the linked pages.
@Elijah_Baley, that’s true, sort of. A lifetime PlexPass is a subscription - you’re not buying the app or any of the other benefits. Like any choice of plan you’re making a judgement on the one-off cost vs. the useful lifetime to you vs. the risk that Plex pulls the service. You are explicitly prohibited from using any benefits of the pass should Plex decide to pull the plug: “Upon termination and in accordance with law, your right to access and use the Plex Solution shall cease (regardless of the subscription period) and you must immediately destroy all copies of any aspect of the Plex Solution in your possession”.
“Lifetime” is part of the product name and implies nothing about the actual lifetime of the agreement nor the time for which you are permitted to use the software
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