There's a lot to be said for owning your own content. Netflix, Prime Video, and the like, are convenient, but you have no control over what's on there. You rent whatever they offer you.
That's where a home media server comes in. Take control of your own media streaming, and fill it with the content you want. Plex can do just that, and its traditional post-Thanksgiving sale is back, taking 40% off a lifetime membership to Plex Pass, now just $149.99.
Update November 30, 10:30 am ET: As we move from Black Friday and into Cyber Monday, the Plex deal is still live on all premium Plex Pass tiers. — Richard Devine, Managing Editor
Why you should try Plex for your media streaming needs
Plex is actually free to use with a basic feature set, so you can go ahead and download it right now and have a test drive before pulling the trigger on a lifetime membership.
Essentially it gives you the power to create your own streaming service using a Windows or Linux PC, a Raspberry Pi, even a number of NAS devices out there can be used to run it.
Then just supply your digital media files and something to store them on. The core is the Plex Media Server, which looks at your content and helps you organize, then deliver to other devices.
Plex Pass is the premium offering with more advanced features, including HDR support, multi device streaming, hardware transcoding, ad skipping on DVR content, and more.
Speaking of DVR, this has always been one of my favorite features of Plex. If you also have a device that can stream OTA TV over your home network, you can use Plex as a DVR and store content alongside your movie and TV collection.
Plex has client apps for essentially every platform you could think of, too. Smart TVs, consoles, mobile and tablet, basically anything you would want to watch content on, Plex supports.
Since last Black Friday, Plex has had to increase its pricing to ensure sustainable development of the service, so the annual discount is even more desirable. For the Black Friday and Cyber Monday weekend, you can save 40% on all paid plans, including the lifetime membership.
That translates to $100 off and access to all the best and latest Plex features forever. Sounds like a winning deal to me.
Enjoy our content? Make sure to set Windows Central as a preferred source in Google Search, and find out why you should so that you can stay up-to-date on the latest news, reviews, features, and more.
FAQ
What is Plex?
Plex is software that can build a home media server on a Windows, Mac, or Linux PC, or a range of NAS devices. The Media Server software sorts and organizes, while the Plex client apps on other platforms then stream the content from this server.
You supply the content, Plex delivers it. Additionally, Plex offers its own curated content for members to enjoy, as well as the ability to integrate with live OTA TV, and even act as a DVR for it.
Plex Pass unlocks the advanced features of the platform, including hardware transcoding, HDR, ad skipping, and much more.
Which platforms can I watch content from my Plex server on?
Plex has apps for basically every platform you could want, as well as a web app. Smart TV platforms from Samsung, LG, Roku, Google and Amazon are all covered, as are the Xbox and PlayStation games consoles, Windows 11, Mac, and Linux. Android and iOS also have their own apps.
The full list can be found on the Plex website if you need to check your specific hardware is compatible.
What day is Cyber Monday 2025?
Cyber Monday starts on Monday, December 1, 2025, but, as with Black Friday, it has already begun appearing as the theme for deals at certain retailers. While its discounts are generally restricted to the day itself, some deals may extend into Tuesday and beyond.
More Cyber Monday 2025 — quick links
- All our TOP recommended Cyber Monday deals: Just the best
- Mini PC deals: up to 47% off tiny PCs
- GPU deals: early price drops on NVIDIA RTX before they go up
- Microsoft Surface deals: save up to $500 on premium PCs
- Xbox accessories: best deals on gadgets for your Xbox Series X|S and PC
- Gaming laptop deals: the best laptops for the best price
- Xbox controllers: our top picks for best controller deals
- ANC headphones: great Cyber Monday deals on the best ANC headphones
Even more Cyber Monday deals: - Dell deals: 13 deals from Dell.com that you shouldn't miss
- Best Buy: 34 hottest discounts on laptops, monitors, gaming, and more
- Walmart: 7 top laptop deals you shouldn't miss
- Samsung monitors: the best Samsung display deals we've found
- Retro gaming: handhelds, arcade machines, old school consoles, and more
- Gamer merch: Blizzard’s Warcraft, Overwatch, and Diablo IV collectibles
- Game keys: 10 PC game codes are even cheaper at Loaded (formerly CDKeys)
- Accessories: Even more PC accessories starting at $17
Follow Windows Central on Google News to keep our latest news, insights, and features at the top of your feeds!
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
