Jellyfin isn’t meant to be used for remote streaming, isn’t compatible with most devices people use to stream media too, and is a nightmare to share your library with friends and family.
Plex solved all of these problems like a decade ago, whereas the JellyFin devs don’t even acknowledge them as problems, more just “out of scope”.
This isn’t the move you pull if you’re losing market share. This is the move you pull when you’ve got a big enough market share.
It’s the death rattle for new lifetime licenses, not for Plex.
They want everyone on subscriptions.
First step is to not use a laptop with a charged/charging battery in it as an always-on server. Terrible idea.
Sure, but that doesn’t mean Plex will do it.
Supporting software that you use by paying for it?
Ew.
/kidding
I’m a very happy lifetime membership owner and have zero problem with them removing features from the free version. Free doesn’t pay the bills unless you want to become the product.
It’s not better in any way other than cost. That cost comes with massive drawbacks.
They don’t want lifetime licenses to sell, they want monthly subscriptions from everyone.
I “defend” plex against silly complaints, but jesus christ that is one giant leap for no gain. That’s stupid, no one will pay that - though I tend to think that’s the whole point.
Ease of use, and actual secure and usable external access.
Friends/family make an account and tell you their account name or email address, you invite them to your library and that’s it, they can watch/listen to your media on pretty much any device they have. No vpn needed.
Jellyfin is not meant to be exposed to the internet for remote viewing. It also doesn’t have a client on most devices people use to watch tv/movies.
They won’t kill existing lifetime licenses, that would cause immeasurable damage. They’ll just stop selling new ones.