The recent announcement that Plex's lifetime subscription, known as Plex Pass, will increase to $750 has led many users, including the author, to reassess their media server options. For over a decade, Plex has been a popular choice for self-hosting media, offering features like automatic organization and cross-device compatibility. However, the author notes that Plex has shifted towards a broader ecosystem that includes streaming recommendations and social features, which detracts from its original purpose. This has prompted a search for alternatives, with Jellyfin emerging as a strong contender. Jellyfin provides essential media management capabilities without the added fluff, allowing users to easily point it to their media folders and get started. Additionally, Jellyfin's compatibility with external recommendation services enhances the user experience without the high subscription costs. Ultimately, the author emphasizes the importance of control and simplicity in media management, which Jellyfin aligns with more closely than Plex.