Existing articles online are full of outdated information about which plugins are functional, so I’ve tested all the plugins on this list to ensure they still work. Many of them will also hugely benefit your overall Plex experience! Plugins are third-party code-based files that may come from unofficial sources, so you must use a VPN to download them. A VPN makes your internet traffic anonymous and, thus, secures all your downloads. I recommend using ExpressVPN because it provides airtight security and top-notch privacy. Try ExpressVPN risk-free!
Quick Guide: 10 Best Plugins for Plex (Updated 2023
Finding the right plugins for your Plex app can be difficult, especially considering that Plex no longer supports many plugins it used to. I picked out the 10 most popular plugins that still work. However, I recommend using a reliable VPN like ExpressVPN while downloading these plugins to stay secure. Try ExpressVPN with Plex Plugins
10 Most Popular Plex Plugins That Still Work — Tested 2023
1. WebTools
With WebTools, you can add several utilities to Plex to give you more administrative control over its core functions. Its primary features include:
Log viewer: Check logs of Plex server activity and plugins from the dedicated web interface. Manage subtitles: Download additional subtitles and check their contents. Unsupported AppStore (UAS): Allows for the installation, removal, or updating of plugins. FindMedia: Discovers media files on your hard drive that haven’t synced to your Plex server.
2. Kitana
Kitana was created when Plex decided to remove its Plugin Directory, since it was supposedly used by less than 2% of users. You can easily install and manage Plex plugins with Kitana. You can even install it on a separate device such as a smartphone and manage your plugins remotely — or use Kitana install to manage multiple Plex servers.
Due to its remote capabilities, it’s worth using a VPN with Kitana to protect yourself and your data when you’re on the move. Check out Kitana
3. Bazarr
Bazarr finds accurate subtitles for your Plex media files. However, you’ll need to install Bazarr alongside its companion apps Sonarr and Radarr, since those are where Bazarr gets its information on media files from.
Bazarr also supports over 25 subtitle providers and will update existing subtitles if better ones become available for any of your media files. Check out Bazarr
4. Ombi
Ombi lets users with access to a shared Plex server request new content from the server owner. You can visit the dedicated web app, search for content, and see whether it’s already available on the server or not.
You can also submit a request that the server host will receive and can add to their requests list. This makes the whole process of requesting new content easy and streamlined without the host getting numerous requests through other services. Of course, this plugin isn’t necessary if you don’t share your server with many people. Check out Ombi
5. Tautulli (PlexPy)
If you’re a Plex server administrator, Tautulli offers several features to monitor activity on your server, including:
Who watched what, in real-time. When and where something was watched. How a file was watched. Notifications triggered by specific server events. Check recently added content. Send newsletters to inform users of new content. Remote access to check all data on the go (currently just on Android).
Much of this data is viewable in polished graphs, so you get the most accessible overview of everything that’s happening on your server. I was impressed by how neatly it presents data, making it comprehensible even to beginner users. Check out Tautulli
6. Trakt.tv (Trakt Scrobbler)
If you enjoy tracking exactly what you’ve watched, as well as your own ratings and playback progress, Trakt is the plugin for you. It synchronizes all of this data and uploads it to your Trakt.tv profile for a complete overview of your movie and TV watching history. Every user of your Plex server can also set up their own profile to track their own watch history.
You can also connect other services to track, including Netflix, Kodi, VLC, and Emby. It then uses your watch history to recommend what to watch next and even tells you where to find this content. Check out Trakt
7. OpenPHT
OpenPHT is a client app for your Plex server which can be visually customized with interface tweaks and new skins.
Unfortunately, OpenPHT hasn’t been updated in a few years, but it functions properly, and some Plex users still swear by it as their core player. You simply need to install it and log in with your normal Plex credentials, and you can start watching! Check out OpenPHT
8. Plex-Sync
If you operate multiple Plex servers, Plex-Sync ensures they’re always matched up. You can sync the watch status of all your media files to continue exactly where you left off on different servers. You can only use Plex-Sync via a command-line utility, so the setup is for users with slightly more technical expertise. Check out Plex-Sync
9. FileBot
Plex sometimes has difficulty loading the right metadata or cover art for badly-named media files. FileBot is a separate app from Plex, but you can load it up with your Plex-linked media files and it will rename them to have a better naming scheme. It also has an integrated subtitle downloader if you prefer that option with the same app.
Note that FileBot’s most current versions are paid. However, you can find a free older version on their website too. Check out FileBot
10. Lambda
When you sync your media files with Plex, you generate plenty of metadata — but it’s only connected with Plex. You can use Lambda to save your Plex metadata locally and keep it stored in the folder right alongside the original video file. I find this especially useful for downloading high-quality posters and subtitles that were fetched through Plex for use in other video players. You can also use it in reverse to curate metadata yourself and then upload it back to your Plex library! Check out Lambda
How to Use the UAS to Install and Remove Plex Plugins
Since the official Plex plugin directory is not available anymore, the quickest way to install plugins is via UAS (Unsupported App Store).
How to Manually Install Plex Plugins
Stay protected with ExpressVPN
The Importance of Using a VPN With Plex
I recommend having a VPN when using plugins and remote streaming. This is because a VPN protects your personal data and devices from potential security flaws in third-party plugins and hides your activity from your ISP and copyright holders. Much of your Plex media collection may come from “unofficial sources,” so it’s important to stay secure when downloading. My #1 VPN for use with Plex and torrenting is ExpressVPN. You’ll get secure servers to hide your online activity from your ISP, copyright holders, and malicious parties with high speeds, so you don’t notice any slowdown in your online activities. You can try it out risk-free for 30 days with its money-back guarantee and see for yourself. Try ExpressVPN risk-free
How to Use a VPN with Plex in 3 Easy Steps
Use ExpressVPN with Plex
The Best VPNs to Use With Plex for Complete Security (Updated 2023)
1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall Performance and Security for Streaming Content on Plex
Key Features: ExpressVPN provides over 3,000 servers across more than 94 countries, making it one of the best and my go-to VPN for streaming and torrenting. ExpressVPN performed exceptionally well on my speed tests, providing no speed drops on nearby and mid-range servers and a negligible speed drop of 4% on distant servers. I could stream my favorite movies and shows without any buffering. Another reason why I prefer ExpressVPN over any other VPN is its exceptional security features and customer-focused privacy policy. It encrypts your internet traffic with military-grade AES 256-bit encryption. It also includes a kill switch so that whenever your connection to the VPN server drops for any reason, you’ll automatically get disconnected from the internet. This gave me peace of mind that my data won’t leak even in the worst-case scenario. Overall, ExpressVPN has all the nuts and bolts that make it a VPN only a few can compete with. It provides the perfect balance of performance, security, and usability. I highly recommend you try it out for yourself with its 30 money-back guarantee. Secure yourself with ExpressVPN! ExpressVPN works on: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and more.
2. CyberGhost — Streaming-Optimized Servers for Bufferless Playback on Plex
Key Features: CyberGhost is a great choice for using with Plex because it packs a ton of streaming and downloading-focused features. It has streaming-optimized servers, which provide low latency and minimal speed drops so you can enjoy buffer-free streaming. Although there are no optimized servers for Plex, you can use any optimized server located nearby to increase your speeds. CyberGhost also has P2P-optimized servers to make your downloads faster and more secure. After extensive testing, CyberGhost delivered excellent speeds on nearby and mid-range servers. On distant servers, I got speed drops of around 15%, which is still pretty good. Either way, I could stream content without any buffering. If your internet is slow, I suggest connecting to streaming-optimized servers for optimal performance. CyberGhost encrypts your internet traffic with AES 256-bit encryption, so you needn’t worry about your ISP snooping on you. I ran several DNS leak tests, and CyberGhost didn’t leak my data even when the connection to the server dropped. It also includes an ad-blocker that blocks malicious pop-up ads which will give you peace of mind when downloading 3rd party plugins for your Plex server. You can use CyberGhost on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, smart TVs, routers, and gaming consoles. All its apps have a user-friendly interface and are suitable for beginner users. You can try out CyberGhost with its 45 money-back guarantee and request a refund if you’re unsatisfied. Protect your device with CyberGhost! CyberGhost works on: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, smart TVs, routers, and gaming consoles.
3. Private Internet Access — Extensive Server Network for Reliable Connections on Plex
Key Features: Private Internet Access (PIA) boasts one of the most extensive server networks I’ve seen. It boasts over 35,000 servers across 84 countries, most of them located in North America and Europe. Having this many servers means you can always find one that will give you fast speeds. After rigorous testing, I found that it delivers great speeds on nearby servers. However, when I connected to a distant server in Australia, I got frequent speed drops of up 25%, which is concerning if you have slow internet. Fortunately, it comes with streaming-optimized servers located around the world which will help you boost your speeds while streaming on Plex. I liked that PIA provides flexibility to choose between 128-bit and 256-bit encryption. Although I prefer using the latter because it’s more secure, I wanted to see if bringing it down to 128-bit encryption would reduce the speed drops, and it did — by about 20%. However, there shouldn’t have been a trade-off between speeds and security in the first place, so I wasn’t quite happy with PIA. For unmatched speed and security, try ExpressVPN. Overall, it’s a good VPN but might struggle in performance on distant servers. It’s compatible with Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and routers. It also supports browser extensions for Chrome and Opera. It provides a 30 money-back guarantee, so you can take it for a test run without risk. Stream with Private Internet Access! PIA works on: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and routers.
4. NordVPN — Premium VPN With Cheap Prices on Long-Term Plans
Key Features: NordVPN is one of the best VPNs on the market — and you can get super cheap prices when you sign up for a long-term subscription. One thing to note, however, is that when it’s time to renew your subscription, prices do increase quite significantly. I did, however, have issues with using NordVPN’s native Fire TV app. Although it worked and unblocked some streaming services, it sometimes had issues unblocking Netflix US and kept crashing. I also found that NordVPN’s user interface for desktop devices was less user-friendly than ExpressVPN and CyberGhost. NordVPN has the following security and privacy features:
AES 256-bit encryptionkill switch that cuts your internet access if your connection to a VPN server drops suddenlybuilt-in ad and malware blocker, so you don’t need a third-party ad blockerfully audited no-logs policy (audited by PwC) – NordVPN doesn’t store any personal or identifying data while you’re connected to the VPN
In addition, NordVPN includes Threat Protection that protects you from viruses, infected websites, and trackers – and it works whenever you have the NordVPN app open, even if you’re not connected to a VPN server. With plans that cost as little as $3.49 per month, it’s easy to find a NordVPN subscription plan that suits your needs. You can also stream, torrent, and browse for free for up to 30 days with its money-back guarantee. I tested this to ensure that you’ll really get your money back. At first, the support team tried to give me an extended trial period — but they initiated my refund right away after I told them I wasn’t interested in the extension. I got my money back in 6 business days. Get NordVPN today NordVPN works on: Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Chromebook, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Fire Stick, and Android TV
5. Surfshark — Best Value for Money with Unlimited Device Connections and Fast Speeds
Key Features: Surfshark offers the best value for money out of every premium VPN on the market. You can connect an unlimited number of devices with a single subscription, which means you can use Surfshark on all your devices without getting logged out. I tested Surfshark’s simultaneous connections on 2 PCs, 2 phones, a Fire Stick 4K, and an iPad. My connection remained reliable on all 6 devices. Even while I was actively streaming on all my devices, my average speed was 112 Mbps — fast enough for UHD quality. When I saw the price of this service, I thought it couldn’t possibly have top-grade security features for such a low price, but I was pleasantly surprised. Surfshark has the following security and privacy features:
AES 256-bit encryption on all devices, with ChaCha encryption available for Android usersWireguard VPN protocol enabled by defaultdiskless, RAM-only servers to protect your privacy (no data can be physically extracted from any servers)kill switch (although this isn’t enabled by default)IP and DNS leak protection
Surfshark offers two-factor authentication (2FA) on your account. This feature requires you to enter an extra code before you can log in to ensure that only you can access your account. While Surfshark does have slightly fewer global servers than rivals such as CyberGhost and PIA, I didn’t experience any issues during my tests. I easily connected fast working servers every time, and I had excellent speeds for streaming Netflix in UHD, downloading torrents, and browsing the internet. You can try Surfshark for yourself with the 30-day money-back guarantee. It has plans that cost as little as $2.39. Requesting a refund is easy with Surfshark’s live chat feature. Although the support team asked why I wanted to cancel my subscription, I had no problem getting my money back (and it only took 4 days!). Get Surfshark today Surfshark works on: Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, Linux, Fire Stick, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, Android TV, Kodi, and selected routers
6. PrivateVPN — Great Budget-Conscious Option for Streaming on Plex
Key Features: PrivateVPN hosts over 200 servers across 63 countries, which is sufficient for average users who just want to stream TV and movies on Plex or surf the web. However, it’s not an extensive server network, so you won’t have many server choices in many countries. PrivateVPN uses AES 256-bit encryption and includes a strict no-logs policy and a kill switch. I was happy to see it pass my DNS leak tests, ensuring that my data remain anonymous when I’m downloading plugins for Plex. It also offers split tunneling, which allows you to route some of your internet traffic via a VPN server. Being one of the best monthly VPNs, PrivateVPN provided me with good speeds on nearby servers but struggled to keep up on distant servers. I got a 7% drop in speeds on nearby servers and approximately 35% on distant servers. You might experience frequent buffering while using Plex when you’re connected to a long-range server, especially if you have slow internet. PrivateVPN supports up to 10 simultaneous device connections and is compatible with all major operating systems, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and routers. Overall, PrivateVPN is a decent option for budget-conscious users looking for adequate security and good speeds. You can try it out risk-free using its 30 money-back guarantee. Try PrivateVPN without any risk PrivateVPN works on: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and routers.
7. IPVanish — Use Plex on All Your Devices With Unlimited Simultaneous Connections
Key Features: IPVanish’s standout feature is its unlimited simultaneous device connections, so you don’t have to fight with your family over who gets to choose what to watch. I tested it by connecting to Plex on my iPhone, Macbook, Mi Box, and iPad at the same time, and never had any slowdowns or trouble connecting. IPVanish has a sufficiently large server network, comprising more than 2,000 servers across 75 countries. I connected to a nearby server and got good connection speeds with negligible speed drops. However, I did get a handful of speed drops during my 4-hour-long streaming session, resulting in some buffering. The speed drops became much more noticeable when I connected to a distant server in Australia. At this point, I couldn’t even stream YouTube without buffering. I was impressed that IPVanish lets you choose multiple security protocols, such as WireGuard, IKEv2, IPSec, L2TP, and OpenVPN. I suggest using the OpenVPN protocol because it has a kill switch and a feature called “Scramble,” which lets you bypass strict firewalls in high censorship countries. IPVanish is compatible with Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and routers. It provides a 30 money-back guarantee, so you can test IPVanish without risk. Protect your devices with IPVanish! IPVanish works on: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and routers
How I Tested and Ranked the Best VPNs for Plex
I considered the following aspects when picking out the best VPNs on my list.
Performance — I extensively tested each VPN’s performance on nearby, mid-range, and distant servers. Security — I chose VPNs that provide AES 256-bit encryption and have a verified no-logs policy. I also checked for extra security features, such as a kill switch and split tunneling. Unblocking capabilities — The VPNs on my list have an extensive server network, which correlates to how well it can unblock geo-restricted home content when you’re traveling. Compatibility — I selected VPNs compatible with all the major operating systems, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux, to name a few. Money-back guarantee — I chose VPNs that offer a money-back guarantee so you can test them out without risk.
Try ExpressVPN risk-free Try ExpressVPN with Plex Second, make sure you’re using the right port in the URL if your plugin is accessible via a browser. For example, if you’re using WebTools, the port should be set to “localhost:33400.” Lastly, you should check if the plugins have the necessary support features. For example, a plugin may not have PHP support, which is needed for Plex Export. If the plugin is compatible, you can install it in a few simple steps.
Stay Secure While Using Plex and Downloading New Content
Plex is already a phenomenal free service, and the plugins on this list only make it better. Although many have become outdated over the years, there’s still a great selection that you can use to elevate your Plex experience. Using a VPN is essential to protect yourself while using Plex plugins and downloading new content. With an encrypted high-speed connection, you’ll have no potential legal issues to worry about. If you’re streaming from a remote Plex server to a mobile device on a public network, a VPN will also hide your data from any malicious parties sharing the network. I recommend you get ExpressVPN for Plex to keep all your online activities anonymous and safe. Stay secure with ExpressVPN!
