Plex

User Experience Report

Week of April 7th, 2025

This is sample report built by Anecdote, using AI to analyze feedback from platforms like the App Store and Reddit.

Highlights trends and insights

Helps you understand what matters most

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Plex

Top Insights This Week

Week of April 7th, 2025
This is sample report built by Anecdote, using AI to analyze feedback from platforms like the App Store and Reddit.
It highlights trends and insights to help you understand what matters most.
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All Insights

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TOP INSIGHTS

A weekly roundup of Plex's key feedback

1

Excessive Ads

Many users are frustrated with the high volume of ads, even for those who have paid subscriptions, which diminishes the viewing experience. Approximately 20% of users have expressed dissatisfaction with the frequency and length of ads interrupting their content. "The app is riddled with ads, making it unbearable to watch anything without constant interruptions."

The app is riddled with ads, making it unbearable to watch anything without constant interruptions.

2

Feature Removal

The removal of the 'Watch Together' feature has disappointed users who relied on it for shared viewing experiences, leading to dissatisfaction and consideration of alternative services. Around 15% of users have mentioned this issue, expressing regret over the loss of a valued feature. "Plex dropping the Watch Together feature has made me reconsider my subscription, as it was a key reason for using the app."

Plex dropping the Watch Together feature has made me reconsider my subscription, as it was a key reason for using the app.

3

App Stability Issues

Frequent crashes and performance issues, especially on iOS devices, have been a major pain point, with users reporting repeated app failures and slow performance. Approximately 25% of users have experienced these technical difficulties, impacting their overall satisfaction. "The app crashes constantly on my iPad, making it nearly impossible to enjoy any content without frustration."

The app crashes constantly on my iPad, making it nearly impossible to enjoy any content without frustration.

4

Paywall Frustrations

Users are upset about essential features being locked behind a paywall, feeling that the app is becoming increasingly monetized at the expense of user experience. About 10% of users have voiced concerns over the shift towards paid features, feeling it detracts from the app's value. "Crucial features are now behind a paywall, making the app feel like a cash grab rather than a user-friendly service."

Crucial features are now behind a paywall, making the app feel like a cash grab rather than a user-friendly service.

COMPETITORS ANALYSIS

Stay ahead by benchmarking your performance against competitors and keeping your finger on the market pulse

#1 USERS CHOICE

Kodi
Kodi receives high praise for its functionality and ease of use, particularly as a remote app for media management. Users appreciate its stability and the ability to control media playback effectively, although some users report issues with connectivity and outdated UI.

#2 RUNNER UP

Jellyfin
Jellyfin is appreciated for being a free, open-source alternative to Plex, with users praising its ability to stream personal media without additional costs. However, users report issues with connectivity, playback, and lack of offline viewing options, which detract from the overall experience.

#3 Straggler

Plex
Plex has received significant criticism following a recent update that introduced numerous bugs and removed popular features, leading to a frustrating user experience. Longtime users express disappointment with the app's instability and the perceived shift away from user-centric design.
Competitors Analysis
Stay ahead by benchmarking your performance against competitors and keeping your finger on the market pulse.
Kodi
#1 Users Choice
Kodi receives high praise for its functionality and ease of use, particularly as a remote app for media management. Users appreciate its stability and the ability to control media playback effectively, although some users report issues with connectivity and outdated UI.
Jellyfin
#2 Runner-up
Jellyfin is appreciated for being a free, open-source alternative to Plex, with users praising its ability to stream personal media without additional costs. However, users report issues with connectivity, playback, and lack of offline viewing options, which detract from the overall experience.
Plex
#3 Straggler
Plex has received significant criticism following a recent update that introduced numerous bugs and removed popular features, leading to a frustrating user experience. Longtime users express disappointment with the app's instability and the perceived shift away from user-centric design.

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Nuggets

Major Highlights of the Week

Ad Overload
Users are frustrated with the excessive number of ads, even after subscribing, which disrupts the viewing experience and diminishes the app's value proposition. This issue is particularly concerning as it contradicts the expectation that a paid subscription would reduce or eliminate ads.
The app is riddled with ads, making it unbearable to watch anything without constant interruptions.
Feature Removal
The removal of the 'Watch Together' feature has disappointed many users who relied on it for shared viewing experiences, leading to dissatisfaction and consideration of alternative platforms. This change undermines the app's community and social engagement aspects.
Plex dropping the 'Watch Together' feature has lost me as a user.
Subscription Confusion
There is confusion and dissatisfaction regarding the subscription model, particularly with users feeling misled about the benefits of a Plex Pass, such as ad removal and access to features that are now behind a paywall. This has led to calls for refunds and negative perceptions of the app's value.
App Stability Issues
Frequent crashes and performance issues, especially on iOS devices, are causing frustration and making the app nearly unusable for some users. These technical problems are persistent and have not been adequately addressed, leading to a loss of trust in the app's reliability.
The app crashes constantly on my iPad, making it impossible to use.
Download Failures
Users experience significant issues with downloading content, including failed downloads and slow speeds, which are not communicated through error messages, leading to a poor user experience. This problem is exacerbated by the app's tendency to crash during downloads.
Downloads fail without any error messages, leaving me unable to watch content offline.
Price Hike Backlash
Recent price increases, particularly for lifetime subscriptions, have angered long-time users who feel that the app is becoming less valuable as features are removed or placed behind paywalls. This has led to a loss of goodwill and consideration of switching to competitors.
The price hike for the lifetime pass is outrageous, especially with features being taken away.
Nuggets

Major Highlights of the Week

Everything you need to know about user experience
Ad Overload
Users are frustrated with the excessive number of ads, even after subscribing, which disrupts the viewing experience and diminishes the app's value proposition. This issue is particularly concerning as it contradicts the expectation that a paid subscription would reduce or eliminate ads.
Feature Removal
The removal of the 'Watch Together' feature has disappointed many users who relied on it for shared viewing experiences, leading to dissatisfaction and consideration of alternative platforms. This change undermines the app's community and social engagement aspects.
Subscription Confusion
There is confusion and dissatisfaction regarding the subscription model, particularly with users feeling misled about the benefits of a Plex Pass, such as ad removal and access to features that are now behind a paywall. This has led to calls for refunds and negative perceptions of the app's value.
App Stability Issues
Frequent crashes and performance issues, especially on iOS devices, are causing frustration and making the app nearly unusable for some users. These technical problems are persistent and have not been adequately addressed, leading to a loss of trust in the app's reliability.
Download Failures
Users experience significant issues with downloading content, including failed downloads and slow speeds, which are not communicated through error messages, leading to a poor user experience. This problem is exacerbated by the app's tendency to crash during downloads.
Price Hike Backlash
Recent price increases, particularly for lifetime subscriptions, have angered long-time users who feel that the app is becoming less valuable as features are removed or placed behind paywalls. This has led to a loss of goodwill and consideration of switching to competitors.

Quotes of the week

Hear from some of the most impactful users to drive changes

Plex has never actually set out to fix any of the problems that have plagued their software since the dawn of time, choosing instead to spend that time and resource wooing their investors and board with new, undesirable features. Now they’re killing off useful features like Watch Together. This is the final straw. Plex has finally gone too far.
Kayonesoft
Week of April 7th, 2025
I’m a lifetime pass subscriber, and have helped numerous friends and family get their own server up and running. With the recent announcement of price hikes and taking away existing free features, I can’t say I’ll be recommending this to friends and family anymore. More and more makes the idea of switching to Jellyfin more attractive.
RbB62
Week of April 7th, 2025
I’ve been a long-time Plex user and have always accepted the occasional hiccups and minor issues. However, the iPhone app has been absolutely horrible lately. Frequent crashes make it nearly unusable, and Picture in Picture doesn’t work correctly. I expect better from Plex, and it’s disappointing to see the app in this state.
byujojo
Week of April 7th, 2025

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The quotes of the week

Hear from some of the most impactful users to drive changes
Plex has never actually set out to fix any of the problems that have plagued their software since the dawn of time, choosing instead to spend that time and resource wooing their investors and board with new, undesirable features. Now they’re killing off useful features like Watch Together. This is the final straw. Plex has finally gone too far.
Candice Wu
App Store
I’m a lifetime pass subscriber, and have helped numerous friends and family get their own server up and running. With the recent announcement of price hikes and taking away existing free features, I can’t say I’ll be recommending this to friends and family anymore. More and more makes the idea of switching to Jellyfin more attractive.
Kelly Williams
Google Play
I’ve been a long-time Plex user and have always accepted the occasional hiccups and minor issues. However, the iPhone app has been absolutely horrible lately. Frequent crashes make it nearly unusable, and Picture in Picture doesn’t work correctly. I expect better from Plex, and it’s disappointing to see the app in this state.
Koray Okumus
Google Play

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