Head-to-head · Video Streaming Services
Plex vs Crave
Plex leads on 0 checks, Crave on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scorePlex · 9.2/10
- Free planboth
Plex scores higher on our rubric for video streaming services: 9.2 against 9.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #4.
On max video quality, Plex gives you 4k hdr where Crave offers 4k.
Plex is the better fit for free streaming plus a personal media library. Crave is the better fit for canadian viewers seeking HBO and local content.
- Plex fits best
Free streaming plus a personal media library
- Crave fits best
Canadian viewers seeking HBO and local content
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Side by side
| Feature | Plex 9.2/10 Visit ↗ | Crave 9.0/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.2 | 9.0 |
| Ranking | #2 in Video Streaming Services | #4 in Video Streaming Services |
| Best for | Free streaming plus a personal media library | Canadian viewers seeking HBO and local content |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid |
| Starting price | $2.99/mo | Not published |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile | Cloud, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Support | Community, Docs | Live chat |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo, Small business |
| Features Plex 2/2 · Crave 2/2 | ||
| Ad-supported tier | ✓ | ✓ |
| Offline downloads | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Simultaneous streams | Not published | Not published |
| Max video quality | 4k hdr | 4k |
| Supported devices | smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, streaming devices, game consoles, computers, browsers | TV, computers, mobile phones and tablets, game consoles |
| Included bundles | Not published | Premium content bundles are available with Disney+, TSN and ICI TOU.TV EXTRA; bundle details vary. |
| Our review | ||
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Plex brings two kinds of viewing into one service: an ad-supported catalog of on-demand movies and TV shows plus free live TV channels, alongside software for organizing and streaming a personal media library. It suits people who want free… Read the review → |
Crave is a Canadian streaming service from Bell Media, offering on-demand series and movies, HBO programming, Crave Originals, CTV content, and selected live events, sports and news. Its English- and French-language catalogue makes it a… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Plex — where it wins
- Combines free on-demand movies and TV with live TV channels.
- Organizes and streams personal media libraries across supported platforms.
- Supports personal-media downloads, hardware transcoding and DVR recording.
Where it doesn't
- Free on-demand titles are ad-supported and online-only.
- Remote streaming from personal servers requires a Remote Watch Pass or Plex Pass.
- Offline downloads apply to personal media, not free on-demand titles.
Crave — where it wins
- Combines HBO programming, Crave Originals and CTV content
- Offers English- and French-language programming, sports and news
- Premium adds downloads, up to 4K video and four simultaneous streams
Where it doesn't
- Most subscription content requires a paid Crave plan
- Offline downloads and four simultaneous streams require Premium
- Sports and live events are selected rather than the service’s sole focus
- Plex9.2/10 · Free plan · paid from $2.99/mo · 14-day trial
Plex pairs free ad-supported streaming with tools for organizing and watching personal media.
Visit PlexFull verdict → - Crave9.0/10 · Free plan
A Canadian streaming service with HBO, local programming and a free CTV selection.
Visit CraveFull verdict →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update