Plex

Plex

In 2025 Plex put streaming your own media remotely behind a paywall.

  • Paywalled basicsCore features held hostage behind a paid tier.
  • BetrayalChanged the deal after you committed: relicensed, shut down or bricked.

The exit

  1. A truly free media server, with no premium tier and no tracking.

    Status
    Stable Mature and ready for daily work.
    License
    GPL-2.0
    Get Jellyfin ↗View source ↗

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Amazon
  • Lock-in
  • Subscription

Audible

DRM-locked audiobooks tied to a monthly credit treadmill.

  1. AudiobookshelfStableGPL-3.0

    A self-hosted audiobook and podcast server with mobile apps.

    Site ↗Source ↗
Google / Apple
  • Subscription
  • Lock-in
  • Betrayal

Google Photos & iCloud Photos

Google ended unlimited free storage in 2021. Your memories are now a storage plan.

  1. ImmichStableAGPL-3.0

    Self-hosted photo and video backup with face recognition, maps and mobile auto-upload.

    Site ↗Source ↗
Amazon
  • Lock-in
  • Betrayal

Kindle

In 2025 Amazon removed the option to download your purchased books over USB. You never owned them.

  1. calibreStableGPL-3.0

    The definitive e-book library manager, converter and reader.

    Site ↗Source ↗