Emby Licensing vs Plex

[brunovon 1]

Great discussion. I have seen comments that if internet is down Plex won't work. For me that is the least of my worries. I rely on the internet quite a bit so have a business level fiber connection. My phones and and a whole lot of other things run on it. So if internet goes down, not being able to watch a movie is least of my problems. So in my case, that is not a plus for Emby. If watching movies is the most important thing then yes, losing the internet and not being able to use Plex is an issue.

 

My issue so far is still their business model of nickel diming their customer. Also, Emby does not work with Alexa TV box, the new one. You need a premiere account to be able to use it. So guess what, another device  means the 15 device limit is a total BS. Plex on the other hand works fine with all Alexa devices especially the new Alex TV box that I just got and I do not have a Plex subscription.

 

At this point the 2 major issues with Emby is the 15 device limit and their nickel dime business model (still baffles me that management does not get the fact that they are behind Plex in market share and brand awareness and yet choose this model) and the fact that the movies just take forever to show up once uploaded.

 

Here is what you get for free with Plex - "All of our non-mobile, public apps are free. These include Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Plex Media Player, Roku, Smart TVs, TiVo, and game consoles (PlayStation and Xbox)". This is not the case with Emby, back to the 'Nickel Dime' business model.

 

Again, I like Emby from a UI and usability standpoint if I am the only one watching it. But the 2 issues mentioned above are stopping me from getting their life time subscription. So far no one has convinced me of a good case to get their life time subcription versus Plex. Will wait for another week to see the responses.

[ebr 16169]

I'll attempt to address your two issues:

 

1) You say you want the Lifetime subscription.  That includes everything we offer so I don't understand the "nickel and dime" model you say we have here.

 

2) Have you actually had a problem with going over the device limit?  Very, very, few of our home users require any more than the standard licence.  That is how we've designed it.  Those that require larger licenses are using the system outside the normal usage of a single household.

[WilhelmStroker 102]

I also don't get your comment around `movies taking forever to show up once uploaded'. My movies are on a NAS (and Emby is on a windows 10 box) and they show up instantly. In library settings, enable advanced and then real time monitoring. 

[Luke 42077]

Emby server 3.4 did not have the real-time monitor enabled by default for new libraries, so for new users who installed that version, some may have not realized we had the feature at all.

[Luke 42077]

With weird I meant not as intuitive. Maybe it's just because of the problems I've had as I pointed out here. I find it a little confusing. I'm now used to the way things are handled but everytime I introduce I new user they always have trouble loging in.

 

On the first page for example:

When people try to connect manually they try to click on "connect to server manually" instead of "skip". "skip" is not distinct enough for me personally. I would just replace the "skip" with "connect manually" (or something like that)

Screenshot (114).png

 

---------------------------------------------

 

Now lets say you logged-in via "emby connect" and get to the next page. My not so tech savy mother/family/user doesn't no what my server is called. They don't know that they want to connect to this and that they have to click on that to get the "connect" or "delete" button. I think the "connect" button needs to be always visible and needs to be the biggest one on the screen especially bigger than "add server". Most of my users think that the login with "emby connect" failed so they click on "sign in with emby connect" which is actually a "back" or "return" button and should be named that way in my opinion. The delete server button should be a little more hidden since I don't think people especially non admins will need that function very often if at all. The admins will find it even if it's hidden somewhere, maybe on the top right or something.

Screenshot (115).pngScreenshot (116).png

 

A lot of them also get confused why they have to type in their passwords twice. I know this has technical reasons it's just that is something they aren't / weren't used to from other softare solutions. It's just something I could see improvement by renaming of "buttons" and the size and visability of them. I know that there a people that have multible servers where this layout makes more sense for power users. I would still consider myself one of them with just only one server.

I'm not sure if I am the only one that percieves this as unintuitive or if my users are especially dumb in regards to the login. If I'm the only one than I can live with that or at least have to^^

 

Well I don't want to conquer this thread and lead this off topic (which already happend). I can write that up in a feature request if you want and even create very shitty picture mock ups if you are interested. But if you guys don't see any problems or other peopel don't want it changed anyways then I won't bother again and just accept it since it's functional.

 

 

Two months ago I had one week without internet and I could use the FireTV just fine. Of course when you start up the FTV nags "Home is unavailable please check your connection" but if you go into Settings>Applications>manage installed applications>Emby>launch application

Then emby starts and works exactly how it's supposed to. Of course trailers, tunein and other features won't work that require a connection.

I did buy that app though before I had premiere, so there is the possibility that this won't work if you haven't paid for the app.

 

My Plex app wouldn't work as long as have plex home activated and want to connect via one of these users. So there is a difference how this can be handled.

 

cheers

 

So you prefer the button say "Connect manually", even though the help text says exactly that right underneath?

 

Also, why do you feel you have to type in your password twice? I've never seen this before. Thanks.

[heciruam 30]

So you prefer the button say "Connect manually", even though the help text says exactly that right underneath?

 

Yes, I know where to click. A new User might not. (At least mine always ask where they have to click)

 

 

Also, why do you feel you have to type in your password twice? I've never seen this before. Thanks.

 

Well I currently can't connect over 'emby connect' so I'm not sure if I remember it right. But I believe if one logs in with emby connect, that just connects you to the server(domain?). After that you have to click on the server, hit connect and then you get the login screen for that particular server witht he onscreen Users one can choose.

[ebr 16169]

Well I currently can't connect over 'emby connect' so I'm not sure if I remember it right. But I believe if one logs in with emby connect, that just connects you to the server(domain?). After that you have to click on the server, hit connect and then you get the login screen for that particular server witht he onscreen Users one can choose.

 

If that is happening to you you either are not using Connect (hitting 'skip' as you mentioned above) or something is wrong.

 

With Connect, you will not see a user selection screen.

[brunovon 1]

That's not functioning properly then, I quite regularly add stuff to my media folders and its usually scanned into emby within a couple min. If I'm in a particular hurry, I'll jump into the dashboard and manually re-scan the library in question.

 

 

 

Also, while plex may give you 100 users for a plex pass; The plex pass itself is limited to one plex.tv account. You can add 'plex home' users to that account but you still have to give out your login deets.

Share one account and plex pass with 100 users? (giving them full access as you are immediately logged into the admin account when you log into the plex.tv account) I dont think so. To get 15 users on plex with their own accounts will cost you 750$/year (15 yearly passes) or 2400$ for 15 lifetime passes.

Or you can buy an emby premier license and have 15 users for 54$/year (120$ lifetime) all with their own login details.

 

Moving to 45 users:

Emby - 220$ once

Plex - 6750$ once.

 

 

 

/edit

With a little reading the plex pass allows you to add 15 plex home users. Ie max 16 people can use the apps and other premium features on a single pass (all still using the same login deets)

You can add as many as 99 'friends' to your plex server but that will still require each and every one to get their own pass for premium features.

Actually, one account works fine. You set up managed users and they do not have access to admin functions or to other users. Each user has a pin. This is similar to Netflix and actually works fine. Then users do not need to get their own accounts. If anyone wants their own server, then they can go get their own account and set it up on their own. In my case, I manage the server and everyone gets a pin. Quite simple and they can access the apps as well. So not sure how you came up with $ 6750 for Plex. I had the monthly service and had 11 managed users, with about 45 devices. All worked fine. I myself have 11 devices for my home including the mobile apps.

 

Also, I currently do not have the Plex subscription, and it works fine on my Fire TV. Emby does not. It needs a premiere license. Also, I have Amazon Alexa all around the house and the emby Alexa skill is bad. Still have not made a final decision yet, but now more than ever leaning towards going back to Plex. The media scan still does not work and no one here has offered any solution to it. Glad it works for you, but it does not for me. So if Emby cannot offer a solution, then why pay for their premier service when the basic things are problematic.

Edited August 31, 2018 by brunovon

[darkassassin07 652]

Yes, you can setup managed users, but for someone to connect to the server and login to a managed user account they must sign in to a plex.tv account first. This means you either have to sign into every device they want to use for the first time or you have to give them your plex.tv account details. The last time I used plex, when you sign in to the plex.tv account to connect to the server for the first time, you are automatically logged into the default(admin) account.

From there you can back out the the users login screen and allow other users to use that device. If you give out your plex.tv details, you are also giving out access to the admin account itself. Even if it has a pin code set.

 

So the web app for example, your managed users cant access the server on their own via a browser unless they have your plex.tv deets, or you are there to sign them in. Then your non-managed users can only use the web app (and other non-paid apps) unless they buy their own monthly subscription.

While this can be desirable to some, it's a problem for sharing your media with friends and family you aren't physically near.

 

The other thing to note is the plex.tv login times out after a few weeks making you sign back in.

 

 

Then there is the fact that you're dependent on being able to access plex.tv. If you lose your internet connection or that site goes down, you lose access to your server.

 

 

 

It's been a good 6mo since I used plex, things may have changed, but I doubt it. Trying to convince the plex team to change something is like trying to pull teeth with a pair of tweezers. Most of the time they aren't even paying attention to the forums.

Edited August 31, 2018 by darkassassin07

[ebr 16169]

The media scan still does not work and no one here has offered any solution to it. 

 

Hi.  Can you please point us to your problem report of this so we can address it?

 

Thanks.

 

How to Report a Problem

[brunovon 1]

Yes, you can setup managed users, but for someone to connect to the server and login to a managed user account they must sign in to a plex.tv account first. This means you either have to sign into every device they want to use for the first time or you have to give them your plex.tv account details. The last time I used plex, when you sign in to the plex.tv account to connect to the server for the first time, you are automatically logged into the default(admin) account.

From there you can back out the the users login screen and allow other users to use that device. If you give out your plex.tv details, you are also giving out access to the admin account itself. Even if it has a pin code set.

 

So the web app for example, your managed users cant access the server on their own via a browser unless they have your plex.tv deets, or you are there to sign them in. Then your non-managed users can only use the web app (and other non-paid apps) unless they buy their own monthly subscription.

While this can be desirable to some, it's a problem for sharing your media with friends and family you aren't physically near.

 

The other thing to note is the plex.tv login times out after a few weeks making you sign back in.

 

 

Then there is the fact that you're dependent on being able to access plex.tv. If you lose your internet connection or that site goes down, you lose access to your server.

 

 

 

It's been a good 6mo since I used plex, things may have changed, but I doubt it. Trying to convince the plex team to change something is like trying to pull teeth with a pair of tweezers. Most of the time they aren't even paying attention to the forums.

As I mentioned before. I had a Plex subscription and it works just like netxflix. I created users (does not matter where they live) and added them in. I decided what level of permissions they had (just watch movies) and also could decide what libraries they could access. They got a 4 digit pin. So the login was just the same login, but once in they saw all of the users, clicked on their user, entered the pin and they were in. It also tracked all the movies that user watched separately. Just like Netflix. Also, since most of the users were my family in different addresses, they used Roku ora Alexa device connected to their TV. The phone app also worked great. No issues. So does not matter if it is the same login.

[brunovon 1]

Hi.  Can you please point us to your problem report of this so we can address it?

 

Thanks.

 

How to Report a Problem

This seems to be resolved with the latest update. Scanning is much faster now. So don't consider this an issue - Thanks.

[Luke 42077]

Thanks for the feedback.

[brunovon 1]

The only thing left is clarification on the emby licensing....

 

1. I get that each device is counted towards the 15 limit. What about the user ID? Does that matter? Also does it matter if the devices are in separate addresses (family members in different locations)?

2. Is the computer counted as a device? So does emby register the device after initial login? So does it matter if the device is in use or not? Once registered does it count towards the limit.

3. If so, then how do you unregister a device to free up the license count?

 

Just need clarification on this.

[ebr 16169]

A device is a specific app on a specific device.  User doesn't matter.

 

I don't understand your question "is the computer counted as a device"?  As stated above - a device is a specific app on a specific device.

 

You cannot clear devices yourself.  They are tracked automatically.

 

Thanks.

[Rohanaj 15]

The only thing left is clarification on the emby licensing....

 

1. I get that each device is counted towards the 15 limit. What about the user ID? Does that matter? Also does it matter if the devices are in separate addresses (family members in different locations)?

2. Is the computer counted as a device? So does emby register the device after initial login? So does it matter if the device is in use or not? Once registered does it count towards the limit.

3. If so, then how do you unregister a device to free up the license count?

 

Just need clarification on this.

 

I agree with quite a bit of what @@heciruam said about the benefits of Emby over Plex.  One thing I would definitely stress as a benefit is the complete control I have over my server and my user accounts on that server, with no middleman telling me I have to go through them.

 

As far as the 15-device limit, it is a little tough to wrap your head around right away, especially coming from Plex (I used it for years before I found Emby as an alternative and I'm sticking firm with Emby) but as @@ebr mentioned in a previous post, it really doesn't turn into an issue with the device limit until you start expanding beyond the scope of the devices in your immediate home.  It helped me to check out the feature matrix in terms of seeing what devices I'd have accessing that would use a premiere key.  If you look at the matrix, you'll see that watching through a browser web app, Roku devices, Apple TV, and Smart TV apps all have Full Playback available without premiere, so those devices would only use a license if you use any premiere feature beyond normal playback, but someone can correct me on that if I'm wrong.

 

There's also the factor of devices falling off the premiere key list when not being used for a certain amount of time, like a week or so I think.  For example, I have the Emby app on my Android phone, but I so rarely end up streaming to it because I don't care for watching things on such a tiny screen, so it would take up a premiere license the day I watch something and fall off a handful of days (or however long) later.

 

I had far more than 15 devices using Emby when I first bought the premiere lifetime license, without it ever hitting my limit, although it told me I was getting close at times.  When they rolled out the extended options, I bought the 45-device lifetime add-on as well, even though I probably didn't need to, but it gave me the piece of mind to know that I can expand my connected devices without worry.

 

In terms of money, both Plex and Emby have a $120 price tag on their lifetime licenses/pass, so it's even there.  Let's say you absolutely find yourself going over 15 devices and need to get the 45-device limit lifetime upgrade, it's another $99.  Given the cost that you, I, and probably everyone else who comes to the forums here has spent on our home media server solution hardware alone, spending another $99 to expand the license count for what I consider a great piece of server software is hardly bank-breaking.  I'm not discounting your concern about money, I'm just laying out my perspective on it.

 

A final piece I need to mention is that @@ebr and @@Luke are absolutely great with their user interaction, troubleshooting response, and other things that pop up on these forums.  It's a pipe dream to think you'd consistently get a real response from a Plex team member on their forums, let alone multiple responses within individual threads like what @@ebr and @@Luke Do on a daily basis.  Really, you'd be lucky to get any response in Plex forums, let alone a consistent one.  Given the fact that any software is going to have pains and issues that pop up, I'd much, much rather invest my time and money into a product like Emby where the developers and owners are more grounded in reality and are good to deal with when those things do arise.

 

I type too much...all the time.  Sorry.

[brunovon 1]

I agree with quite a bit of what @@heciruam said about the benefits of Emby over Plex.  One thing I would definitely stress as a benefit is the complete control I have over my server and my user accounts on that server, with no middleman telling me I have to go through them.

 

As far as the 15-device limit, it is a little tough to wrap your head around right away, especially coming from Plex (I used it for years before I found Emby as an alternative and I'm sticking firm with Emby) but as @@ebr mentioned in a previous post, it really doesn't turn into an issue with the device limit until you start expanding beyond the scope of the devices in your immediate home.  It helped me to check out the feature matrix in terms of seeing what devices I'd have accessing that would use a premiere key.  If you look at the matrix, you'll see that watching through a browser web app, Roku devices, Apple TV, and Smart TV apps all have Full Playback available without premiere, so those devices would only use a license if you use any premiere feature beyond normal playback, but someone can correct me on that if I'm wrong.

 

There's also the factor of devices falling off the premiere key list when not being used for a certain amount of time, like a week or so I think.  For example, I have the Emby app on my Android phone, but I so rarely end up streaming to it because I don't care for watching things on such a tiny screen, so it would take up a premiere license the day I watch something and fall off a handful of days (or however long) later.

 

I had far more than 15 devices using Emby when I first bought the premiere lifetime license, without it ever hitting my limit, although it told me I was getting close at times.  When they rolled out the extended options, I bought the 45-device lifetime add-on as well, even though I probably didn't need to, but it gave me the piece of mind to know that I can expand my connected devices without worry.

 

In terms of money, both Plex and Emby have a $120 price tag on their lifetime licenses/pass, so it's even there.  Let's say you absolutely find yourself going over 15 devices and need to get the 45-device limit lifetime upgrade, it's another $99.  Given the cost that you, I, and probably everyone else who comes to the forums here has spent on our home media server solution hardware alone, spending another $99 to expand the license count for what I consider a great piece of server software is hardly bank-breaking.  I'm not discounting your concern about money, I'm just laying out my perspective on it.

 

A final piece I need to mention is that @@ebr and @@Luke are absolutely great with their user interaction, troubleshooting response, and other things that pop up on these forums.  It's a pipe dream to think you'd consistently get a real response from a Plex team member on their forums, let alone multiple responses within individual threads like what @@ebr and @@Luke Do on a daily basis.  Really, you'd be lucky to get any response in Plex forums, let alone a consistent one.  Given the fact that any software is going to have pains and issues that pop up, I'd much, much rather invest my time and money into a product like Emby where the developers and owners are more grounded in reality and are good to deal with when those things do arise.

 

I type too much...all the time.  Sorry.

Thanks for the detailed answer and explanation...So far no one has answered my specific questions on the clarification and instead discussed the bigger picture. I already know that if it is within one house, emby will be fine and 15 device limit will be fine. But that is not my question...I had Plex for a year and had family members using it in different addresses. That is my scenario. Also don't care about the mobile apps or the computer. I do not watch movies sitting on my desk for 1-2 hours...The phone usage is sporadic at best when I travel. Most people watch movies on their TV either thru their cable company, DirecTV, or Roku or an Amazon device. That is the bulk of my usage. I installed KODI for Plex and have gotton it work, but not worth the headache of watching it on a phone/Tablet/computer and streaming it on Chromecast etc. Too many steps. The strength of Emby and Plex is that they are embedded in devices like Roku, Amazon. Which makes the TV watching experience much easier. So until KODI has a app on Roku or Amazon, I consider it worthless, but it does look pretty. I asked my family to try out Kodi Mobile and stream it on Chromecast. They all hated it...It is so much easier to turn on TV, Turn on ROKU or AMAZON and browse thru the movies and watch it...Just Like Netflix. The other big thing for me is integration into Amazon Alexa or Google Home. Emby does not have any Amazon Alexa skills. I tried it and it did not work. Plex has some, not that great, but they are a bit ahead here. Also, I am still struggling with the 15  + 45 device = 250 compared to Plex -  100 for $120. I can easily pay the 250, but then what happens if I go over, then buy more licenses = more $$$. I understand this is their business model and as a customer, I have to decide what works for me. However, still need clarification on how the device count is done and how can I unregister devices to ensure I manage the license count. So far Emby's greatest strength is their UI and the actor details one can see by just clicking on the actor and then it shows the movies for that actor. That flow is nice. So any help in making my decision will be great. Once I get the clarification, I will decide and put this to bed. Appreciate all of the wonderful feed back. 

[ebr 16169]

So far no one has answered my specific questions on the clarification and instead discussed the bigger picture.

 

 

Hi.  I responded to your questions yesterday.  Do you still require more clarification?

[brunovon 1]

A device is a specific app on a specific device.  User doesn't matter.

 

I don't understand your question "is the computer counted as a device"?  As stated above - a device is a specific app on a specific device.

 

You cannot clear devices yourself.  They are tracked automatically.

 

Thanks.

Hi, I did not see this. Based on your comment, it would mean that a computer would not count as a device as there are no apps installed. So I tested emby logging in from a different location using the laptop/browser and it did not connect to my server. So that is contrary to what you mention. I would still need the premiere to connect to my server from outside my home network. correct? Also, if devices are tracked automatically, which makes sense, then how do you unregister. Does the system check if a device is not in use and then release the license?

Edited September 21, 2018 by brunovon

[ebr 16169]

Hi, I did not see this. Based on your comment, it would mean that a computer would not count as a device as there are no apps installed. So I tested emby logging in from a different location using the laptop/browser and it did not connect to my server. So that is contrary to what you mention. I would still need the premiere to connect to my server from outside my home network. correct? Also, if devices are tracked automatically, which makes sense, then how do you unregister. Does the system check if a device is not in use and then release the license?

 

We don't require Premiere for any connections - remote or local so whatever problem you are having I think is unrelated to Premiere.

 

Please describe exactly the problem you are having (in a new thread).  Thanks.

 

How to Report a Problem

[brunovon 1]

We don't require Premiere for any connections - remote or local so whatever problem you are having I think is unrelated to Premiere.

 

Please describe exactly the problem you are having (in a new thread).  Thanks.

 

How to Report a Problem

Thanks for the reply...Just to be clear...I am going to be using Emby via, Roku, Amazon or another device plugged into the TV. Not a computer or a phone or a tablet. I believe you have to have premiere to use it remotely. On my home network, it works on Roku but not on Alexa (needs premiere). But remotely none of these devices work.Even to use it on any mobile device or Tablet, premiere is required.

[ebr 16169]

Thanks for the reply...Just to be clear...I am going to be using Emby via, Roku, Amazon or another device plugged into the TV. Not a computer or a phone or a tablet. I believe you have to have premiere to use it remotely. On my home network, it works on Roku but not on Alexa (needs premiere). But remotely none of these devices work.Even to use it on any mobile device or Tablet, premiere is required.

 

Alexa is a Premiere feature but remote access is not.  And no connections are refused based on Premiere - functionality like playback or access to Live TV will be restricted but we don't refuse connections.

 

So, your remote connection problem is likely something else.

 

Connectivity

[brunovon 1]

Alexa is a Premiere feature but remote access is not.  And no connections are refused based on Premiere - functionality like playback or access to Live TV will be restricted but we don't refuse connections.

 

So, your remote connection problem is likely something else.

 

Connectivity

Thanks for this. I guess I must be having a connectivity issue. So I have a user that I invited using emby connect. The cloud icon does show for him. He can log in and see the server but cannot connect to it. It just spins for ever. I gave him access to everything except delete media. The only other thing I have checked is hide this user from login screens. He tried from his computer and roku but it simply does not connect.