Plex Removes Mobile Restrictions: The Spring for NAS Local Users?
In April 2025, Plex announced its most aggressive price adjustment since its inception: the lifetime pass price doubled to $249.99, and a Remote Watch Pass was introduced. However, in a rather dramatic turn, the streaming service provider simultaneously lifted the much-maligned "one-minute restriction" on its mobile app—users can now stream media content on their local network without any time limits and without paying a cent. This "tightening remote access while loosening local access" strategy is creating an unprecedented convenient experience for NAS users.
According to official Plex data, its global registered user base has exceeded 30 million, with about 42% being active local media server users. The TerraMaster F4-424 performed exceptionally well in Plex transcoding tests, with its Intel N95 quad-core processor delivering superior transcoding performance at the same price point in 1080p transcoding tests.
The "Zero-Cost Revolution" for Local Access
In the past, the "one-minute preview" mechanism on Plex mobile was like the Sword of Damocles: users had to pay a $4.99 unlock fee per device or subscribe to Plex Pass to fully watch content stored on their own server on mobile phones/tablets. This design originated from Plex’s early commercialization needs but also became a technical stumbling block preventing family users from enjoying an immersive experience.
The tangible benefits of the new policy are as follows
Completely Free Local Streaming: Under the same Wi-Fi network, users can now access 4K HDR movies, music libraries, and family photos stored in NAS without any subscription or unlock fees. It is worth mentioning that the TerraMaster F4-424 and other mid-range NAS devices have significantly reduced the delay in transmitting 1080p videos on mobile devices, which can easily handle high-load application scenarios and set a performance benchmark at the same price point.
Hardware Accelerated Transcoding Unlocked for Free:The new policy has also lifted the paid restrictions on hardware accelerated transcoding. The hardware decoding function, previously exclusive to Plex Pass subscribers, is now available to all local streaming users for free. This major update means that even non-subscribers can now fully utilize the hardware decoding capabilities of NAS to significantly improve the transcoding efficiency of high-compression formats such as HEVC/H.265. When the TerraMaster NAS (such as the 424 series) performs multi-channel 4K transcoding, the processor load is significantly reduced, and the playback response is more rapid. Even high-bitrate films can be played with a single click. This upgrade allows home audio-visual enthusiasts to fully utilize the performance of their devices and build a professional-level media center on their local NAS, truly fulfilling the promise of "zero retention of hardware potential."
The Ripple Effect on the NAS Ecosystem
Plex’s removal of local access restrictions will trigger deep changes in the NAS ecosystem. This change may prompt hardware manufacturers to re-examine product positioning, with mid-range models beginning to enhance media processing capabilities and high-end products exploring more professional localized solutions. User behavior patterns may gradually shift from cloud dependency to building their own media libraries, and home network architectures may also be upgraded accordingly. This transformation not only unleashes hardware potential but also propels the storage industry from single-device sales to a comprehensive "storage-computing-service" ecosystem, paving a new path for decentralized media management.
Future Evolution Trends
Plex’s policy adjustment reveals the trend of "scenario-based stratification" in streaming services: continuous monetization in remote commercial scenarios, while local home scenarios cultivate user stickiness through free strategies. Behind this strategy, the combination of NAS and Plex, with its localized service advantages and hardware compatibility, is becoming the core carrier of the home media ecosystem and may reshape users’ perception of the value of private cloud storage.
In this era of growing data sovereignty awareness, Plex’s "local free" strategy may mark the true beginning of decentralized streaming. As users realize that a one-time hardware investment can grant them permanent control over their own media ecosystem, the streaming "Warring States" era dominated by subscription-based services may be drawing to a close.
