Plex, the free anti-Netflix: how it works

At the moment, content is only available in English, but soon Italian subtitles will be introduced. Access is free with advertising

A new free streaming service lands in Italy today. Plex, the name of the new online platform, does not require any subscription and offers a large catalog of movies and shows accessible without the need to subscribe, provided that you agree to view advertisements.

Plex is compatible with different operating systems, desktop computers, laptops and mobile devices. Plex is available for iOS and Android, Windows and macOS, smart TVs, Xbox and PlayStation, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV. Finally, Plex also provides mirroring on Chromecast. Plex can be called an online streaming service in embryonic form. The platform is at the beginning of its new life, as it was born as a totally open source media center system. But Plex enjoys important partnerships that, in the medium and long term, could make a difference and try to put a spoke in the wheels of streaming giants, primarily Netflix, followed by Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV.

Plex: how it works

Plex has a catalog that includes, among others, the films and shows of giants such as MGM, Warner Bros, Lionsgate and Legendary. All video content on the new online streaming platform is available in English only. Italian subtitles are not available at the moment, but Plex was quick to state that they will be soon. Plex is completely free to use, but you can also sign up for a monthly subscription, Plex Pass, which, for just €4.99, allows you to take advantage of a number of interesting features such as parental control, unlock the Mobile Sync feature, and record shows and live broadcasts to watch later.

Plex: the origins

The Plex project is the result of the experience gained back in 2003 by Kodi Entertainment Center, once known as XBMC, an open source program created for the Xbox console and designed at the time to manage a complete media center or home theater PC. The project began to take shape in 2007 and since then has made significant leaps forward, transforming from media center into a true online streaming platform with important partnerships with major studios and with the last agreement signed with Tidal, the Norwegian music streaming service then acquired by Jay-Z.