Plex now allows us to rent movies on its platform
Plex, the platform that originally won the hearts of many for being an oasis of personal and shared multimedia content, has decided to open its doors to a new horizon: movie rentals.
Plex It has been characterized as a refuge for those who, let’s say, prefer to avoid the costs associated with the big Hollywood studios. However, its recent foray into the world of movie rentals marks an interesting twist in its strategy. With an initial catalog of more than 1,000 titles, including recent releases such as Barbie, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom and Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Plex promises to provide a convenient solution for those times when searching for entertainment seems like an odyssey between multiple services.
What makes this proposal particularly attractive is the flexibility and convenience it offers. With prices ranging from $3.99 to $5.99, Plex allows you to rent movies on one platform and enjoy them on another, but it also overcomes restrictions on devices that typically don’t allow direct rentals, such as those from Apple. However, it is important to mention that, at the moment, this option is only available in the United States.
This initiative by Plex can be seen as an effort to further legitimize its platform in a market dominated by streaming giants while also offering an alternative to users’ growing frustration with subscription prices and unreliable content availability. on other platforms. Plex’s decision to refrain from selling movies, citing the complications of maintaining a locker for purchased content over the long term, reflects careful consideration of its business model and the needs of its users.
Recall that Plex had already toyed with the idea of offering rentals since 2020, but redirected its priorities towards the integration of streaming services and the addition of free content with advertising, adapting to the changing dynamics of media consumption driven by the pandemic. This evolution underscores Plex’s vision as a content aggregator, making it easier for users to access a wide range of entertainment without the need to navigate multiple apps or services.
For regular Plex users, this new movie rental feature might not be essential, but it’s definitely an added value. The platform has been a sanctuary against ever-changing media availability and rising subscription prices, allowing users to enjoy their own legal backups of content or connect with friends who share their media libraries. The ability to support Plex by renting movies, rather than contributing to the revenue of a specific “streaming silo,” could be an attractive incentive to keep the platform funded and updated.
We cannot forget that Plex continues to be one of the favorite sites for those who have hundreds of movies saved on their hard drive and want to have their “own Netflix” on any platform, including the use of a NAS to avoid having the computer on.