Plex: Media server gets official Linux client

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The media server Plex, which emerged in 2008 from the media player XBMC – today Kodi – has also received an official client for Linux for the first time and will soon also be available as a flat pack via the App Store Flathub. The Plex client for Linux, the so-called Plex desktop, is initially only offered as a snap package.

Plex runs natively on Linux for the first time

The client-server media playback system, which is essentially based on the open source media player Kodi and is distributed on the basis of the Freemium business model, goes back to the Xbox Media Center (“XBMC”) and was previously available for Windows, macOS and a wide variety of set Top and streaming boxes offered with Android and NAS operating systems. An official Linux client is now following for the first time.

  1. Plex Desktop Client for Linux (Image: Plex)

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Plex Desktop Client for Linux
Plex Desktop Client for Linux
Plex Desktop Client for Linux
Plex Desktop Client for Linux
Plex Desktop Client for Linux

In the basic version, Plex is a free media center for managing your own music, film and photo collection and making it available in your own network, but it already offers more than 200 live stations with a free Plex subscription.

The steadily growing catalog of web and podcasts as well as more than 50,000 films on demand, which are contributed by Warner Bros., Lionsgate and MGM, among others, can also be accessed free of charge.

Stream for free or with Plex Pass

Following the freemium business model, Plex also offers premium services such as 4K streaming, offline playback and other additional functions in the so-called “Plex Pass”.

Plex Pass – costs < ul class="text-ul">

  • $4.99 per month
  • $39.99 per year
  • $119.99 as a lifetime subscription

    • While Linux users have so far only been able to take advantage of this offer via the web app, a native Linux client is now available for download for the first time via Canonical's Snapcraft distribution platform.

    Plex HTPC (Image: Plex)
    Plex HTPC (Image: Plex)

    After downloading, the Plex desktop for Linux using the console and the sudo snap install plex-desktop command.

    Plex HTPC replaces Plex Media Player TV

    Plex HTPC also replaces Plex Media Player TV in the latest version and brings the desktop application including audio passthrough, selectable image display replay rates and other features directly to the TV set.

    The developers have summarized further information in a corresponding post on the Plex Blog.