The completely free streaming service that's 'like DIY Netflix' with 25,000,000
If you're trying to cut costs, you might have considered one of the lesser-known free streaming services. Tubi, which boasts 97 million users, is one of these, as well as Pluto TV.
But even more under the radar is Plex. It's what's known as a FAST (free ad-supported streaming television) service, meaning it collects shows into a playlist with ad breaks, giving the feel of watching a TV channel.
You can watch on-demand content and stream live TV on Plex too, but it started off as a free media-server software, allowing users to stream content they already own on their computer onto a TV.
According to its website, Plex now boasts 25,000,000 users.
Plex launched in the late 2000s as a place where users could house their own music or video files. It still does this, and is popular for the way it organises the content in the same way services such as Netflix and Disney Plus do.
In 2019, the app introduced an ad-supported on-demand streaming service and free-to-stream live TV channels.
This means, just like with Tubi and Pluto TV, there are automated ad breaks while streaming on Plex.
It's completely free, thanks to the revenue generated by the adverts, but there is a paid version of Plex too. The 'Plex Pass' costs £4.99 per month (or £49.99 per year and £189.99 for a lifetime pass) and allows users to record content, download content for offline streaming and skip intro credits.
Meanwhile, it costs £1.99 per month or £19.99 per year to be able to stream from anywhere or on any device outside your own home.
Last February Plex added a rental service, meaning users can pay to stream new releases in the app, rather than paying a regular subscription to watch them on Netflix, Apple TV Plus, Prime and the like.
Plex can be accessed through a web browser, or you can download the app via your mobile device's app store, Amazon Fire TV, Android, and Apple TV.
When it comes to putting together your own library of downloaded content, you'll need to set up a Plex Media Server. It sounds complicated, but Plex guides you through the process. All you really need to do is provide the files and it automatically organises your library for you.
If that's not for you, or you don't have any of your own downloaded content, you can go ahead and stream the content already provided by Plex straight away.
Metro's Ellie Hutchings tried Plex for herself, to see if it's worth the hype:
'I didn't expect much from Plex's free offerings, and it's true that you won't find anything new or trending on the platform. Nevertheless, I was pleasantly surprised. If you're happy to have a dig through the extensive library or try things you might not have heard of before, there are some hidden gems to be found — especially if you're into older or niche content.
'And watching the ad-supported content is really no different to the experience of watching ordinary TV channels with adverts, with breaks every 15 minutes or so and lasting two to three minutes. Usually, there was also a countdown showing how long of the adbreak was left, too.
'In addition, I found the Plex interface very user-friendly, and I like that it shows the Rotten Tomatoes score and IMDb ratings of each title. It also suggests similar titles you can watch on Plex when selecting a particular movie or TV show.
'Honestly, my only gripe at this point is that there's no option to watch with subtitles.'
As for what you can watch, Plex boasts thousands of free, on-demand movies and TV shows and over 600 channels of free, live TV.
The most notable offerings include every episode of Rowan Atkinson's Mr Bean, US zombie horror series Z Nation, 11 seasons of paranormal reality show Ghost Hunters, five seasons of Charlie Sheen's sitcom Anger Management, and popular sci-fi series Sanctuary.
There's also episodes of Baywatch and Kim's Convenience, while movies that are free to stream include 2004 romcom The Girl Next Door, 90s James Bond parody Austin Powers, and 1992 drama Damage, which inspired hit Netflix show Obsession.
Meanwhile, live channels include GB News, Homes Under the Hammer, Tennis+, and a wide variety of crime offerings.
Plex also has a feature called Discover Credits, which allows you to find out more about the cast of the films and TV shows on the service, including their filmography and where you can watch their other roles.
The service has proved popular with users and even has an entire subreddit dedicated to it, where users share advice on how to use Plex.
One Reddit user described it as 'like Netflix, but for movies/shows you own', while another echoed 'I call it DIY Netflix'.
On Amazon, reviewer Fiorina said: 'From the moment I downloaded Plex onto my Firestick, I was hooked,' adding 'the streaming quality is top-notch'. More Trending
Chas E wrote: 'Fantastic app. This works with no problems at all,' and ItsGherks called it 'jaw-droppingly good'.
However, some were disappointed with the frequency of the adverts, with Outsiderny complaining of 'too many adverts that increase once you're hooked'.
Dillonsauntie pointed out that it's 'worth the very annoying and very frequent ads to see things that are difficult or expensive to access elsewhere.'
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This article was first published on June 5, 2025.
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