Why do you need a Plex account to run a local Plex server?

[JonRB]

I'm running FreeNAS on an HP Microserver and there is a Plex server plugin available for it, and also a Plex client available for my Amazon Fire TV box. So it seemed like a good idea to set it all up.

One thing though, the Plex server install is insisting that I create a Plex account on their website and log in with it before I can continue.

Anyone know why this is?

[TEKNOPUG]

I guess that they just want you to peruse all the other products that they have. Tried quite a few Media Servers, including Plex, current favourite is Serviio though, as it seems to work across more HW than anything else. Free and with no account login....

[a7x88]

Pretty sure its so you can authorise devices. i.e - I had to log into my plex account in order to authorise my Roku player (it gives you a little code to enter). From what I remember the client side TV boxes etc you cant just point at an IP address.

I've been using it for a couple of years now and I love it - the wife like it even more as it's so simple and just works.
With an account you can also enable access from browsers outside your LAN, as well as giving friends/family access.

[ZesPak]

There's no reason for it, but you still have to enter it.

It opens up a lot of functionality but in the end it shouldn't be necessary.

I love plex and the fact that with the account, I can run it from everywhere though.

[JonRB]

I see.

Hmmm. I had wanted to keep this within my own LAN only which was why I was wary of a mandated login, as it implied exactly what you're saying - access from outside of my LAN.

[C0ffin D0dger]

It does give you the ability to access your Plex server from outside of your LAN but this feature can be turned off easily enough if you don't want to.

[ZesPak]

It's basically a license verification.

It also allows you to do easy updates.

[8bit]

This didn't used to be required though; I used to run Plex server on my PC and never had an account. I set it up recently on my Synology NAS and pretty sure I didn't have to set an account up for that, but I did when I tried to set the client up on my PS3. Which then told me I had to be a paying subscriber for the PS3 client to work, so I binned it.

Am I missing something good?

[ZesPak]

8bit said:

Which then told me I had to be a paying subscriber for the PS3 client to work, so I binned it.

Am I missing something good?

I've been premium before the price rise, love the xbox client.
I've tried several tools but plex serves me best. I use the Web, Android, Xbox, ios and chromecast clients, all without any issue.

[a7x88]

JonRB said:

I see.

Hmmm. I had wanted to keep this within my own LAN only which was why I was wary of a mandated login, as it implied exactly what you're saying - access from outside of my LAN.

As others have said- its very easy to disable so don't let it put you off

[Chimune]

I setup plex on my microserver 4 months back and havnt been required to sign up for an account.
I realise that should I wish to stream to a device external to my LAN, I may need to sign up....

[Wax1234]

I love Plex, have it running on PCs, PS3/4 and Iphone.

I used to use XBMC running on various things (including a Pi) but find Plex much better