Enthusiasts in the self-hosted media community have sworn by Plex for years. I was so excited when it first debuted and immediately set up a server. Ever since the Plex Pass price went up and the premium features were behind a paywall, I’ve had an ongoing relationship with the media server.
However, this is not the only thing to complain about. When the company released the “New Plex Experience” with a redesign of the app, it was another reason to question my Plex loyalty. I decided to go back to the classic version (10.26.0.x or lower), but this is not easy on all devices.
New and sophisticated Plex
New does not mean improved
The most significant change in the new app is the redesigned UI. It displays tabbed buttons instead of a hamburger menu that makes it easier to access advanced settings. The new row of buttons is good for accessing Home, Libraries, On Demand, Shows and Live TV, but other navigation is more difficult.
The design code is the same across platforms — what works on the big screen doesn’t necessarily work on my Pixel. With the classic hamburger menu gone, many of the settings I was used to finding seem to be buried now. Share playlists, schedule DVRs on your mobile, pin your sidebar library, watch parties and more. some features like
A rebuilt app runs slower
Responsiveness is the problem
In addition to new on-screen tab-style buttons and other UI changes like an expanded artwork background, the redesigned app is harder to navigate and less responsive. Actions take longer when buttons are selected, menus are opened, and media is played. This is one of the reasons I switched to Jellyfin for media.
In fact, I experienced a real lag in playback compared to the classic version, especially when clearing or resuming media. After clicking the play button, it takes a few seconds before my video appears on the screen, and there are delays when I skip them. At first I thought it was my server, but after checking, app update was the culprit. Reverting to the previous version of the classic app fixed (most) playback issues; the classic version isn’t perfect either.
When I update a new app, I immediately notice that the app freezes or crashes in the middle of watching something. These issues make me question how quickly this rewrite was released to the public before adequate beta testing was completed. I often find myself manually restarting the app to continue watching.
Going classic is not always easy
Returns depend on the device
It may seem like a matter of uninstalling the new version and downloading the classic app. This is true to some extent, but how easy it is depends on the device. For example, I can download Classic APK on Android (including Fire TV OS) and disable automatic updates from the Play Store or install the app on Windows and Mac from the archive site.
On iOS and Roku devices, it’s a different story. For iOS, you’ll need developer permission or get the old Plex .ipa file from an iTunes backup, delete the metadata, and reinstall. On a locked Roku operating system, apps cannot be sideloaded without being a developer. Also, Roku apps can only be updated through its store, and Plex doesn’t offer old and new versions anyway.
So, if you really want the classic version, you can always spend a few bucks on the Onn Android TV stick from Walmart and load it that way, or get a Fire TV Stick, not the new Fire TV Select stick with Vega OS, since you can’t preload apps.
- OS
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Windows, macOS, Linux
- Individual pricing
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Free, $6.99/month, $250/lifetime
Paying more for Plex Pass features
Too expensive for premium options
While the app redesign is part of all the software, the biggest annoyance is the Plex Pass price change. Remote streaming will be free until 2025. That year, the company changed its policy and required a Plex Pass or Remote Watch Pass to stream content from anywhere.
This, among other features, is gradually being bundled behind the Plex Pass paywall, and the subscription price continues to rise. While you can’t completely avoid Plex fees, the Remote Watch Pass rule only applies to the new app. I can use the old mobile app rules (at least for now) which saves me some money.
I was happy with the classic Plex app
Overall, I’m happy to switch back to the classic version of Plex. Also, since I consume most of my Plex media on Windows, Google TV, and Android, switching back to Classic was no problem. On my other devices like Roku I just use the new app or Jellyfin (getting closer to it anyway). However, to be fair, Plex may release a patch to help fix the design and quality issues with the new app, and I’ll be back to using it soon.
