Popular Streaming Service Triples Subscription Fee to $750, Leaving Users Stunned

If you're a Plex subscriber with deep pockets, you may be one of the few who can afford the new lifetime subscription fee, which is about to triple in price - just a year after the streaming service's controversial decision to double its subscription fee in 2025.

A lifetime Plex Pass saw a price hike from $119.99 to $249.99 last March, which, while a pretty steep fee to hit your bank account for most subscribers, seems reasonable compared to the annual Netflix Premium subscription fee of $323.88.

However, that surge in cost has been overshadowed by a new fee, coming this July - at $749.99. As pointed out by tech reporters at The Verge, you'd have to consistently use the streamer for 11 years to get your money's worth from the deal. As the publication suggested, new subscriptions have much more monetary value than single payments, and the outrageous one-time payment is likely a deterrent in some form.

As shown in marketing emails from Plex, they're pushing users to take the current lifetime fee as a form of psychological pricing. "You have until 12:01 AM UTC on July 1, 2026, to get a Lifetime Plex Pass at the current price of $249.99 USD* here," the notice reads. "If you've been considering it, now's a great time to buy." Subtle.

Over on social media, Plex subscribers are feeling swindled by this push. While existing subscribers will not have to pay the difference for the price hike, it's another unwelcome price surge in an era where streaming is skyrocketing in cost.

"This is either the biggest FOMO play in history or the final nail in the coffin for lifetime subs," @lmkifiwin wrote on X/Twitter.

"Nah cuz this is actually outrageous," @rubyofwired said, with a crying emoji. "I love Plex but ain't nobody paying 750$ for a lifetime. Just another way for a company to shove a subscription down your throat, which is ironic considering most people who use Plex do it to avoid paid monthly services."

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 20, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published May 20, 2026 at 6:05 AM.