The number of free video on demand (VOD) providers has grown exponentially in recent years. Names like Pluto TV and Tubi TV continue to thrive, but there has also been a glut of newcomers to the space.
ContentsWhere is the Plex VOD library available?How much does Plex VOD cost?What content is available on Plex Video-on-Demand?How to access Plex VOD contentDo you have any other great features?WatchlistsIntegration with the Plex ecosystemMetadataSub -titlesWhat else?Plex is a major player in the streaming warsTry Plex Video-on-Demand todayOne such newcomer is home media giant, Plex. However, the company's VOD service only went live in December 2019 and quickly became one of the best free streaming services.
But what exactly is Plex VOD? How can you use it and what shows are available? Keep reading to find out everything you need to know.
The Plex VOD library is available worldwide; there are no country restrictions (list of available content may vary by region.
Plex's VOD library is totally free; you don't need to buy a Plex Pass to use the service. This is because unless you plan to watch live channels through Plex using a tuner, most people won't need a Plex Pass at all.
A word of warning though — the Plex VOD service is ad-supported. This means that you will have to watch some commercials at the start of your show and there will be occasional interruptions for commercial breaks in the middle of the content. Even having a Plex Pass will not remove ads from the VOD service.
Considering the amount of content available, however, we think it's a small price to pay. Plex tries to reassure its users by saying, “You can expect a significantly lower ad-to-content ratio than you would with typical broadcast TV. »
The availability of Plex VOD does not affect your ability to add and manage locally saved content.
Movies and TV series are available through Plex's free streaming service, though the list of titles is much more geared towards moviegoers.
The ad-supported model means that Plex has been able to partner with some of the major studios in the industry, including Metro Goldwyn Mayer, Warner Bros., Lionsgate, and more.
Some of the most popular content on the platform at the time of writing includes Secretary, The Return of the Living Dead, and The Jungle Book. Other well-known content includes The Good Doctor, Anthony Bourdain:Parts Unknown, Hell Kitchen, and The Cable Guy.
Be sure to dig deep into the categories to learn more about all the content available. Some of the main categories to check out include Plex Picks , The Dojo (a collection of martial arts films), Cult Favorites , and Indie Gems .
Plex VOD also has a documentary section. The selection of titles covers everything from an in-depth look into the life of Justin Bieber to a serious investigation into the War on Drugs.
Like any streaming service, the list of titles available on Plex will evolve over time. Be sure to keep an eye out for Recently Added category to keep up to date with the latest content on the platform.
You don't have to do anything to sign up for Plex's free VOD streaming service. It's automatically available in your Plex app.
In the Plex UI, the VOD service is called Movies &TV . You'll find it in the Plex section of your library list, rather than your personal library. It lives with Plex's other free streaming services such as Live , Web Shows , and News .
On the desktop version, you'll find Plex content in the panel on the left side of your screen. Mobile and smart TV applications will vary.
If you use the service a lot, you can pin it to your Plex homepage by tapping the three vertical dots next to the menu item and selecting Pin in the list of options.
Plex's VOD library doesn't live in a bubble, there are a few features that make the streaming library easier to use.
The watchlist feature works pretty much as you'd expect:you can add any content you want to view later, and browse all your saved shows in a single list.
You can add items from the Plex VOD library to your queue or force next play, mixing VOD content with shows and movies from your personal collection.
One of the main strengths of Plex is the comprehensive application support for metadata.
On your own content, you can see plots, directors, key actors and actresses, availability of subtitles, similar titles, etc.
All metadata features are replicated in the VOD library. This means you can quickly see other library content that includes your favorite stars or producers.
Subtitles and alternate audio tracks are available for some content. Check the metadata to see what's available for the show you want to watch.
And remember, Plex makes it easy to add captions to your locally saved media.
We spoke to a Plex representative who confirmed that more features will continue to land on the streaming service over the coming months, with major announcements expected in 2021.
Plex might not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of streaming services – historically the app has focused on providing an interface for your recorded movies and TV shows locally.
However, since 2017, the company has steadily increased its list of streaming features; the VOD library is only part of it.
In addition to the VOD library, Plex can also stream live TV to the web and can also integrate with an antenna for live TV channels in your area. The over-the-air feature even has a built-in DVR service.
Note: If you want OTA channels, you will need to buy TV tuner and TV antenna separately. Check out our article to learn more about what you can watch for free with OTA channels.
Plex's free service isn't comprehensive enough to replace big paid streaming providers like Netflix and Prime Video.
But that's not what the service is trying to do. More free content is always a bonus, and Plex's main selling point is putting that free content right in your Plex library, alongside all of your other content. You don't have to switch between apps to find what you're looking for.
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