Recommended Free Tools
If you are looking for Plex plugins that still work in 2026, start with this distinction: Plex’s traditional plugin system is being retired, so the best current options are companion applications and integrations—not guaranteed working channel plugins. As of August 16, 2026, Plex says it has removed plugin-based media playback and plugin installation through Plex Web App; any remaining legacy bundles must be installed manually. Plex’s plugin overview explains the transition.
For most server owners, Tautulli is the best first addition for monitoring, while Kometa is the strongest choice for automated collections and library presentation. WebTools-NG, ErsatzTV and Bazarr solve narrower needs. The comparison below labels what each tool actually is, what it requires, and where its installation guidance lives.
Five Plex companion tools at a glance
| Tool | What it is | Best for | Difficulty | Key dependencies | Plex Pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tautulli | Standalone web application | Activity, history, notifications and statistics | High accessibility | Plex connection | Not stated in the cited installation documentation |
| Kometa | API-based automation tool | Collections, metadata, posters and overlays | Medium to low accessibility | YAML configuration; optional external services | Not stated in the cited installation documentation |
| WebTools-NG | Standalone desktop application | Selected administration and maintenance tasks | Medium | Working Plex Media Server; desktop computer | Not stated in the cited documentation |
| ErsatzTV | Scheduled-channel application | Linear channels built from a media library | Medium | Media sources, schedules, M3U/XMLTV and a compatible client workflow | Not stated in the cited documentation |
| Bazarr | Subtitle-management application with Plex integration | Finding and managing subtitles | Medium | Bazarr 1.5.3 or later, Sonarr and Radarr | Required for the documented Plex webhook feature |
“Difficulty” is a practical comparison, not a measured installation benchmark. Compatibility can vary with Plex Server build, operating system, client, container networking and authentication method. Consult each project’s current instructions before installing.
What “Plex plugins” means in 2026
Traditional Plex plugins—often distributed as folders ending in .bundle—are not the same thing as the tools recommended here. Plex says plugin support is being removed over time; playback through plugins and installation through the Plex Web App have already been removed. The five picks below instead connect to Plex as separate applications, API integrations or live-TV feed tools.
#1 Best Overall
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- Legacy bundle: A traditional plugin package installed in Plex’s Plug-Ins folder. Manual installation may remain possible, but that does not mean Plex supports or can run it.
- Companion application: A separate program, such as Tautulli or WebTools-NG, that connects to the server.
- API automation: A tool such as Kometa that changes or organizes library information through network APIs.
- Webhook or feed integration: A service such as Bazarr can react to playback events; ErsatzTV can provide channel and guide feeds through M3U/XMLTV.
This distinction matters because old “best Plex plugins” lists often recommend streaming channel bundles that depend on playback support Plex has removed. Do not treat a download labeled “Plex plugin” as current merely because it installs into a folder.
1. Tautulli: best overall for monitoring Plex
What it does
Tautulli is a Python-based web application that runs separately from Plex Media Server. It tracks current activity and viewing history, reports on users and libraries, provides media-file information and analytics, and can send customizable notifications. Its documentation describes the feature set.
Install and connect
- Choose the operating-system-specific method in Tautulli’s installation guide. The project documents a Windows installer, a macOS
.pkginstaller (macOS 10.14 or newer, according to its documentation), Linux Snap, Docker, FreeBSD/TrueNAS and Synology paths. - For the documented Linux Snap route, run
sudo snap install tautulli. - Open
http://localhost:8181on the machine running Tautulli, unless you configured another port. - Connect it to Plex Media Server, then configure the notifications and user permissions you need.
Tautulli is a strong first choice for household and shared-server administrators who want to spot active streams, review viewing history or investigate unexpected transcoding. It does not automate media acquisition or organize the library for you. Because it has its own web interface and update cycle, keep administration access on your local network or put remote access behind a properly secured setup; do not expose the dashboard directly to the public internet.
Rank #2
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- 30-second skip, variable speed playback, rich discovery, and full Plex-style support for cross-device playback status (including On Deck, so you can pick back up where you left off on any device).
2. Kometa: best for collections and library presentation
What it does
Kometa automates collections, metadata presentation, posters and overlays. It communicates with Plex and supported external services through network APIs, so it can run on a different machine from the Plex server. The project describes itself as a technical tool without a graphical user interface; its installation overview lists local, Docker, unRAID, Kubernetes, QNAP and Synology paths.
Install and configure carefully
- Choose an installation method from the current Kometa documentation. Docker is a natural fit if you already manage containers; a local Python installation suits users comfortable maintaining that environment. Follow the current walkthrough rather than copying commands from an older guide.
- Create a YAML configuration. Kometa’s configuration overview identifies
/config/config.ymlas the default path in the relevant installation context and documents a Quickstart web interface for generating configuration files. - Enter the Plex URL and authentication details, then add only the optional services you intend to use.
- Begin with a small test—one collection or library—and check the results before enabling scheduled processing or large-scale artwork changes.
- Back up the Plex database and relevant artwork before applying broad metadata or overlay operations.
Kometa is most useful when you want a more curated catalog, not when you want a one-click add-on. YAML indentation and authentication errors are common stumbling blocks, and large jobs can consume CPU, memory, API calls and Plex processing time. The installation documentation specifies Plex’s New Plex Movie Agent or New Plex TV Agent and discusses Tautulli authentication in its setup requirements; check the requirements for the exact Kometa branch and Plex configuration you use.
3. WebTools-NG: best for selected desktop administration tasks
Use WebTools-NG, not the abandoned bundle
WebTools-NG is a standalone desktop program for Windows, Linux and macOS. It connects to Plex through Plex.tv and does not require a browser or Docker container, according to its project manual. It offers selected administration utilities, including media-finding and server-information functions. The old WebTools.bundle is marked no longer in development and points users toward WebTools-NG: see the legacy project’s installation page.
Rank #3
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Before installing
WebTools-NG requires a working Plex Media Server and runs on a separate PC or laptop. Its documentation describes sign-in with Plex credentials, including two-factor authentication, and Plex-token login. Some modules may need local execution or access to the server’s media-storage environment. Check the latest release and supported operating systems before installing; the documentation available for this recommendation does not establish compatibility with every current Plex Server build. The project is independent of Plex Inc. and says users operate it at their own risk.
Choose it for a particular maintenance task or a desktop interface you prefer. Do not install the obsolete WebTools.bundle as a substitute.
4. ErsatzTV: best for scheduled channels from your library
How it works
ErsatzTV creates scheduled, linear channels using media sources you provide. It is not a Plex plugin: its client documentation lists Plex among the supported clients and explains that M3U and/or XMLTV URLs are copied from the ErsatzTV interface for client setup. The documentation also lists Jellyfin, TiviMate, Channels DVR Server and Kodi.
Rank #4
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Set up a channel
- Install ErsatzTV using its current documentation.
- Create or import media sources, then build a schedule or channel.
- Copy the generated M3U and XMLTV URLs from the interface.
- Configure the source in the supported Plex live-TV workflow, following the current Plex requirements for your setup.
- Test guide data, local playback, transcoding and remote playback separately.
This is a specialist choice for people who want a broadcast-style way to watch their own library. It is not a general Plex enhancement: schedules must contain playable media, and guide data, transcoding and client compatibility all affect the result. Do not assume every Plex client displays the resulting channels the same way.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.5. Bazarr: best for subtitle automation
Prerequisites and Plex connection
Bazarr finds and manages subtitles for movies and television episodes. Its Plex integration documentation says Plex integration requires Bazarr 1.5.3 or later and still requires Sonarr and Radarr. OAuth is the default authentication method in the web interface; the documentation also describes legacy API-key configuration. Bazarr can trigger Plex library updates after subtitle changes.
Optional playback-triggered searches
Bazarr supports Plex webhooks for real-time subtitle searches. The feature requires Plex Pass, according to the webhook documentation. The documented example endpoints are:
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Best Value
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- Smart Home Surveillance - Support up to 30 IP cameras with AI detection, instant alerts and secure remote monitoring
- Windows:
http://localhost:6767/api/webhooks/plex?apikey=YOUR_BAZARR_API_KEY - Docker:
http://bazarr:6767/api/webhooks/plex?apikey=YOUR_BAZARR_API_KEY
In Plex, use Settings > Webhooks > Add Webhook, enter the Bazarr webhook URL and save. Treat the API key embedded in that URL as a password; do not publish it in screenshots or public configuration files. For Docker, the hostname and network must be reachable from the Plex server—localhost inside one container refers to that container, not automatically to another service.
Bazarr is worth adding for multilingual households or libraries with frequent subtitle gaps, but provider accounts, rate limits, language profiles and title matching affect results. A webhook can trigger a search; it cannot create a subtitle no provider has.
Install a legacy .bundle plugin only when you have a specific reason
Plex’s manual installation instructions remain relevant for a genuine legacy bundle, not as a recommendation to seek out old streaming plugins.
- Download the plugin bundle. If the download is a GitHub ZIP, unzip it.
- Remove suffixes such as
-masterso the folder name ends exactly in.bundle. - Copy the bundle into the Plex server’s
Plug-Insdirectory. - Restart Plex Media Server.
The folder locations below are from Plex’s Plug-Ins folder guide:
- Windows:
%LOCALAPPDATA%Plex Media ServerPlug-Ins - macOS:
~/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/Plug-Ins - Linux:
$PLEX_HOME/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/Plug-Ins
NAS and other Linux-based installations generally place the folder inside the main Plex Server data directory. A bundle appearing in the folder does not prove it will run, and manual installation does not mean Plex officially supports it. Legacy plugins that play or stream content are particularly unsuitable because Plex has removed plugin-based playback.
Choose by the job you need done
- Monitor streams, users or viewing history: Tautulli.
- Build collections or change library presentation at scale: Kometa.
- Use desktop maintenance utilities: WebTools-NG.
- Turn a library into scheduled channels: ErsatzTV.
- Automate subtitle searches: Bazarr, if you already use Sonarr and Radarr.
- Automate media acquisition: That is a separate workflow involving tools such as Sonarr, Radarr and a download client, not a Plex plugin.
Before installing any dashboard or integration, keep access limited to the LAN or use a properly secured remote-access arrangement. Treat Plex tokens and API keys as secrets, use HTTPS for remote access, give containers only the permissions they need, and update each independent application separately from Plex.
Quick Recap
Troubleshoot the common failures
A legacy plugin does not appear
- Confirm you used the actual Plex Server data directory, not a client folder.
- Check that the folder name ends exactly in
.bundleand remove suffixes such as-master. - Restart Plex Media Server and review the plugin logs. Plex documents platform-specific locations, including
%LOCALAPPDATA%Plex Media ServerLogsPMS Plugin Logson Windows, in its channel log files guide. - Check whether the project is a legacy plugin relying on functionality Plex has removed.
A companion tool connects but does not update Plex
- Recheck the server URL and token, or reauthorize through Plex OAuth if the tool supports it.
- In Docker, verify that the hostname is reachable on the container network;
localhostdoes not mean the host or another container. - Check service-account permissions, firewall and reverse-proxy rules, then test against one library or item.
Kometa changes are unexpected
- Validate YAML syntax and start with one collection file or test library.
- Keep a Plex database and artwork backup before broad changes.
- Check the documented agent requirements and avoid scheduling aggressive jobs immediately after a large library scan.
Bazarr finds no subtitles
- Confirm Sonarr and Radarr are configured and the intended language profile is selected.
- Check provider credentials, rate limits and whether the media file is matched correctly.
- Test Bazarr directly before adding a Plex webhook; the webhook only triggers a search.
An ErsatzTV feed or guide fails
- Check that the M3U/XMLTV URLs are reachable from the consuming Plex setup and that the schedule contains playable media.
- Test local playback before remote playback, then check transcoding and guide-data timestamps.
- Confirm the Plex client supports the live-TV workflow you configured.
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