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If you’re asking what you can add to Plex that Plex Pass doesn’t include, the clearest documented options here are Tautulli and Kometa. They serve different purposes: Tautulli adds monitoring and usage insight, while Kometa supports configuration-driven library customization and automation. Neither unlocks Plex Pass features or bypasses Plex subscription requirements.
The proposed three-tool list cannot be substantiated from the available official documentation: it supports these two tools, but not a third one. “Add-ons” is also broad terminology—these are standalone or configuration-based tools, not a return to Plex’s old in-app plugin directory.
What Plex Pass includes—and what third-party tools add
Plex Pass provides access to Plex’s own eligible features, which include remote streaming, downloads, hardware-accelerated streaming, live TV and DVR, premium music features, access restrictions, and bandwidth or transcoding controls. Eligibility can vary, so consult Plex’s feature overview and current plan comparison for the feature that matters to you. Plex’s overview was last modified December 1, 2025.
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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteTautulli and Kometa fill different needs around a Plex server: one helps you understand server activity, and the other lets you configure library workflows. They do not replace Plex Pass, and they do not grant Plex-only subscription features.
#1 Best Overall
- 【Advanced Home Data & Media Hub】For advanced home users who need phone backup, file storage, and centralized data management. Centralize family photos, 4K videos, movies, computer backups, and personal files in one place while running multiple apps for home entertainment and everyday data management. Suitable for households with growing digital libraries and multiple NAS use cases.
- 【Built for Creators, Media Servers & Advanced Apps】Powered by the Intel N100 Quad-Core CPU, 8GB DDR5 RAM, 2.5GbE networking, and dual M.2 NVMe slots, DXP2800 handles large files and heavier workloads with ease. Run Docker, virtual machines, and media server applications compatible with Plex—ideal for content creators, tech enthusiasts, and advanced home users managing 4K videos, RAW photos, personal media libraries, and multiple NAS apps.
- 【Up to 80TB for Growing Digital Libraries】 Supports up to 80TB of storage using two HDD bays and two M.2 NVMe SSD slots for family photos, movies, RAW photos, 4K videos, work files, and device backups. AI photo management supports recognition of people, objects, scenes, and locations, album organization, and duplicate photo detection. HDDs and SSDs are not included.
- 【AI-powered Home Surveillance】Turn DXP2800 into a centralized home surveillance hub by connecting compatible network cameras and storing recordings locally on your NAS. AI-powered features include Face Recognition, People Detection, and Pet Detection, helping advanced home users review important events more efficiently while managing home surveillance and personal data in one place.
- 【One data Center Across Your Devices】Keep files from desktops, laptops, phones, tablets, and other devices together instead of scattered across cloud accounts and external drives. Access, back up, organize, and share data across Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, web browsers, and compatible smart TVs—ideal for creators and advanced home users working across multiple devices.
Which documented tools are worth considering?
| Tool | Primary job | How it works | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tautulli | Monitoring, viewing history, statistics, analytics, and notifications | Python-based web application | Server owners who want insight into activity, users, and libraries |
| Kometa | Library customization and automation workflows | YAML configuration with Plex and third-party service connectors | Server owners who want to define custom library workflows |
Tautulli: see how your server is being used
Tautulli monitors Plex activity and offers current activity views, global viewing history, user information, library statistics, media-file details, analytics, and configurable notifications. Its documentation describes a tool for understanding how a server is used—not a way to unlock Plex Pass playback or server features.
Notifications have an important limitation: Tautulli’s notification guide says Plex Pass is required to send notifications through Plex mobile apps. Tautulli also supports running custom scripts in response to selected events, including playback start and stop; see its custom scripts guide. That event-driven option is most relevant to readers comfortable configuring scripts and integrations.
Rank #2
- Stream thousands of FREE movies and TV shows from filmmakers around the world with big hits from Crackle, Warner Brothers, MGM, Lionsgate and more! Enjoy everything from Oscar award-winning movies to anime, documentaries, family-friendly shows, and much, much more.
- Watch 600+ channels of free live programming—instantly. From food to news to sports to kids to international content, there's something for the whole family.
- Magically organize all your personal media—photos, music, movies, shows, even DVR-ed TV—and stream it to any device in a beautiful, simple interface; Plex adds rich descriptions, artwork, and other related information.
- 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).
Kometa: configure library workflows
Kometa uses YAML configuration and connects to Plex and third-party services through connectors. Its configuration overview lists integrations including TMDb, Tautulli, Radarr, Sonarr, and list providers. This makes it an option for readers seeking customized library workflows rather than activity reporting.
Kometa is configuration-driven, and individual connectors can have their own requirements. Review the current requirements for the services you plan to connect before setting it up; the documentation does not establish that setup is beginner-friendly.
Rank #3
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Why the list stops at two
The available official documentation is sufficient to describe Tautulli and Kometa, but it does not establish a third tool for this article. An official Overseerr page discusses third-party integrations and says those integrations are not officially supported; that alone does not establish its core Plex features as a fit for this list. See Overseerr’s integration documentation.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.These are not legacy Plex plugins
Plex distinguishes third-party tools from its legacy plugin system. Plex says plugins must now be installed manually; installation through Plex Web App is no longer available. Its plugin overview is useful if you were expecting an in-app directory or one-click browser installation. Tautulli and Kometa should be understood by their own operating models: a web application and a configuration-based tool, respectively.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Your Personal Streaming Server - Build your own Netflix-style media library and stream 4K movies, shows and photos to any device without monthly fees
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- Smart Home Surveillance - Support up to 30 IP cameras with AI detection, instant alerts and secure remote monitoring
Rank #4
- Value NAS with RAID for centralized storage and backup for all your devices. Check out the LS 700 for enhanced features, cloud capabilities, macOS 26, and up to 7x faster performance than the LS 200.
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- Subscription-Free Personal Cloud – Store, back up, and manage all your videos, music, and photos and access them anytime without paying any monthly fees.
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- Back Up Multiple Computers & Devices – NAS Navigator management utility and PC backup software included. NAS Navigator 2 for macOS 15 and earlier. You can set up automated backups of data on your computers.
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