Top Plex Cloud Alternatives for Your Media Streaming Needs
Plex Cloud was a game-changer for many, offering an effortless way to run an always-on Plex Media Server in the cloud without the need for a dedicated PC or NAS. It provided peace of mind with secure Amazon servers, unlimited storage capabilities, and the convenience of accessing your media anywhere for a low annual fee. However, with Plex Cloud no longer available, many users are now searching for a reliable Plex Cloud alternative to maintain their seamless media streaming experience.
Top Plex Cloud Alternatives
While Plex Cloud offered a unique combination of features, there are several excellent alternatives that can help you achieve a similar, if not better, media streaming setup. Let's dive into some of the best options available today.
Spotify
Spotify is primarily a freemium music streaming service, offering a vast library of digital rights management-restricted content. While not a direct cloud media server like Plex Cloud, it serves as an excellent alternative for music lovers looking to stream music on various platforms including Mac, Windows, Linux, Web, Android, and iOS. Its features like unlimited music, curated playlists, and offline mode make it a solid choice for those prioritizing music over personal video libraries, providing a different kind of media access.
Kodi
Kodi, formerly XBMC, is a free and open-source media player and entertainment center. Available on a wide range of platforms including Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, and Raspberry Pi, Kodi is an excellent Plex Cloud alternative for those who prefer to host their media locally or on a personal server. Its robust features include media streaming, video library management, music player, support for subtitles, and extensive plugin capabilities, allowing for deep customization and media organization that rivals Plex's local server capabilities.
Plex
Plex, the software behind Plex Cloud, remains a powerful Plex Cloud alternative for users willing to self-host their media. It's a freemium service available on Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, and various smart TV platforms. Plex excels at organizing your media and providing a beautiful user interface for remote access and streaming. Key features include play local content, media transcoding, media sharing, and remote media access, allowing you to build your own personal cloud media server similar to the Plex Cloud experience, just with your own hardware.
Netflix
Netflix is the world's leading subscription service for watching TV episodes and movies, offering a vast library of on-demand content. While not for personal media libraries, it's a strong Plex Cloud alternative for those seeking commercial streaming services. Available on Windows, Web, Android, iOS, and numerous other devices, Netflix provides ad-free streaming, personalized recommendations, and offline viewing for many titles, eliminating the need to manage your own media files.
Stremio
Stremio is a media center that allows users to watch movies, series, and YouTube channels instantly. It's available on Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, and iPhone. Stremio stands out as a unique Plex Cloud alternative due to its focus on ease of use and its ability to stream video from various sources directly. Features like ad-free viewing, automatic subtitle downloads, built-in player, and Chromecast support make it a convenient option for instant entertainment without the hassle of maintaining a personal media server.
Emby
Emby is a freemium media server similar to Plex, allowing you to manage and stream your personal media collection. It's available on a wide array of platforms including Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, and various smart devices. Emby offers features such as media streaming, transcoding, remote media access, and offline sync, making it a robust Plex Cloud alternative for those who want a powerful, self-hosted solution with a focus on user experience and media organization.
Universal Media Server
Universal Media Server is a free and open-source DLNA-compliant UPnP Media Server available for Mac, Windows, and Linux. It's a great Plex Cloud alternative for users who prefer a straightforward, lightweight solution primarily for local network streaming. Its features include configurable options, DLNA server capabilities, and media transcoding, providing a simple yet effective way to share your media across devices on your home network.
OSMC
OSMC (Open Source Media Center) is a free and open-source media player based on Linux, designed specifically for TVs and single-board computers like Raspberry Pi and Apple TV. It's an excellent Plex Cloud alternative for users looking to build a dedicated, low-cost media center device. OSMC allows you to play back media from your local network and attached storage, offering features like automatic video identification and a user-friendly interface optimized for television viewing.
Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll is a freemium streaming service dedicated to anime and Asian drama. While not for personal media libraries, it serves as a fantastic Plex Cloud alternative for fans of these specific genres, offering a vast catalog of content often available shortly after its TV broadcast. Available on Web, Android, iPhone, and various gaming consoles and smart TVs, Crunchyroll provides dedicated video streaming with features like video playback and a focus on niche content.
Hulu
Hulu is a commercial video-on-demand service offering feature films, TV series, originals, and live TV. Similar to Netflix, it's a strong Plex Cloud alternative for those seeking curated content rather than hosting their own. Available on Windows, Web, Android, iPhone, and many other platforms, Hulu provides extensive video streaming capabilities, including live TV, media streaming, and the ability to track movies and TV shows.
While Plex Cloud offered unparalleled simplicity for cloud-based media serving, the discontinuation of the service opens up opportunities to explore other fantastic options. Whether you prefer self-hosting your media with robust solutions like Plex and Emby, building a dedicated media center with Kodi or OSMC, or subscribing to commercial streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, there's a perfect Plex Cloud alternative out there to keep your entertainment flowing. Explore these options to find the best fit for your specific needs and preferences.