Plex, the popular media server and streaming platform, has started requiring a paid subscription for users who want to stream their personal media remotely to their TV devices, and it is beginning with the Roku app. It marks the end of a feature that many people, perhaps without thinking much about it, had relied on for years. Until now, anyone could access their Plex Media Server away from home on most television platforms without paying anything extra. Plex confirmed this update is rolling out to Roku first, with plans to bring the same requirement to other TV operating systems such as Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV sometime in 2026. It follows earlier changes in 2025, when Plex Pass pricing was increased and new restrictions were placed on free remote streaming for mobile users.
Key Takeaways
- Remote Streaming on Roku now requires a paid pass: either Plex Pass or the new Remote Watch Pass.
- This requirement applies when streaming personal media from a Plex Media Server outside the user’s current network.
- Local Streaming, which is simply watching within the home network, remains free.
- Plex Pass subscribers, or users streaming from a server owned by someone with an active Plex Pass, will not see any difference.
- The same requirement is expected to reach other TV apps and third-party clients in 2026.
The New Remote Access Requirement
Plex, which offers software to organise and stream a user’s library of movies, TV shows, and music, has long allowed remote access for free on most devices. Mobile apps had that small one-time unlock fee or the option of using Plex Pass, but TV platforms largely remained open. The current shift focuses on those TV platforms, which, for many people, are the main place they watch longer content anyway.
What is different now is that if someone wants to stream from their home server to a Roku TV somewhere else, maybe at a friend’s home or while staying in a hotel, they will need an active subscription. Plex says this is necessary because supporting remote connections often relies on Plex Relay. That service has to move data through Plex’s own servers, and the company says the bandwidth costs have grown considerably.
Plex Pass: This subscription includes the full collection of premium features such as hardware transcoding, which helps keep video playback smooth on weaker connections, the Skip Intro function, and access to the mobile apps. It currently costs around 7 dollars per month, 70 dollars per year, or 250 dollars for a lifetime license. Prices may shift depending on promotions or adjustments. If the server owner already has a Plex Pass, anyone they share their library with can stream remotely without needing to buy anything else.
Remote Watch Pass: This newer and more affordable option is meant for people who mainly want remote access and nothing more. It costs about 2 dollars per month or 20 dollars per year. It can be useful for someone who watches from a friend’s or family member’s server and does not need the added features bundled in the full Plex Pass.
Context and User Impact
This paywall represents a meaningful shift in how Plex approaches its freemium model. Local streaming still works for free, which helps maintain the basic utility for people who primarily use Plex in their living room. The users most affected are those who depended on free remote access, especially if they watched content from servers owned by someone who never purchased a Plex Pass.
In some ways, the new policy on TV platforms brings them in line with the mobile apps, which have required payment for remote streaming for quite some time. Plex has explained that the demand on resources is the main reason it can no longer offer remote playback at no cost.
While there has been some frustration among users, with a portion considering alternatives like the open-source Jellyfin media server, many long-time Plex Pass subscribers will not notice a change at all. The company appears to be trying to monetise the heavier remote streamers, who are also the ones Plex says create the highest costs. Starting the rollout with Roku gives Plex room to monitor how many free users are willing to convert before expanding the requirement across the rest of its TV ecosystem in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Plex Media Server?
A: The Plex Media Server is a software application that organises a user’s personal collection of video, music, and photos and streams it to client applications on various devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs.
Q: Does this change affect streaming when I am at home?
A: No, streaming from your Plex Media Server to any device on the same local home network (known as local streaming) remains completely free and is not affected by this new subscription requirement.
Q: Can I still watch content remotely if the server owner has a Plex Pass?
A: Yes, if the owner of the Plex Media Server you are accessing has an active Plex Pass subscription, you can continue to stream remotely to your Roku TV (and eventually other TV apps) for free.
Q: How is Remote Watch Pass different from Plex Pass?
A: The Remote Watch Pass is a cheaper subscription intended only for unlocking remote streaming of personal media from any server you have access to. The full Plex Pass includes additional premium features such as hardware transcoding, the ability to skip intros, and full access to Plex’s Live TV and DVR functions.
