Plezy, an open-source Plex client, adds Watch Together support for cross-platform watch parties

Plex's Watch Together feature has long been a convenient way to sync playback with friends, creating a virtual living room where everyone's media plays in perfect harmony. The catch? It requires everyone to be using the official Plex app. That limitation just got broken down by an open-source alternative called Plezy, which has now integrated native support for Watch Together in its latest update.

What is Plezy?

Plezy is a third-party, open-source Plex client that first launched about three months ago. Unlike the official Plex app, Plezy is built with transparency in mind—its code is available for inspection, and it offers features that sometimes lag behind in the official client. The project gained attention for focusing on user control and cross-platform consistency, something Plex's proprietary app doesn't always prioritize.

The developer recently shared the update on the Plex subreddit, detailing a comprehensive feature set that goes beyond just Watch Together support. The most significant addition is the integration of Plex's synchronized playback feature, but with a crucial difference: Plezy's implementation appears to work with users on the stock Plex app.

Watch Together Without the Lock-In

This is the headline feature, and it matters for a specific reason. Plex's Watch Together typically requires all participants to use the official Plex app. If you're on a platform where the official client is unavailable or you prefer an open-source alternative, you're out of luck. Plezy's implementation potentially breaks this ecosystem lock-in.

From the demonstration shared by the developer, it looks like a Plezy user can create a Watch Together session and invite friends who are using the standard Plex app. This means you can host watch parties without forcing everyone to switch clients. For users who value open-source software but have friends entrenched in the Plex ecosystem, this is a practical compromise.

The technical implementation likely leverages Plex's existing Watch Together API endpoints while presenting them through Plezy's interface. The synchronization mechanism works by having the host's client send periodic timestamp updates to all participants, who then adjust their local playback to match. With Plezy now speaking the same protocol, cross-client compatibility becomes possible.

Beyond Sync: Offline Viewing and Format Support

The update brings several other features that address common Plex pain points:

Offline Viewing: This is particularly valuable for mobile users or those with unreliable internet connections. While Plex's official app has had offline capabilities for years, Plezy's implementation appears to be more flexible, potentially offering better control over cache management and download quality settings.

HDR and Dolby Vision Support: The update adds full support for High Dynamic Range (HDR) and Dolby Vision content, but with a platform limitation. This enhancement is currently available only on iOS, macOS, and Windows clients. For users with HDR-capable displays, this means better color accuracy and contrast when watching supported content. Dolby Vision, which uses dynamic metadata for scene-by-scene optimization, will provide an even more refined viewing experience on compatible hardware.

The platform restriction is likely due to the different ways these operating systems handle HDR metadata and tone mapping. Android and Linux support may come in future updates as the developer addresses the technical complexities of HDR implementation across different display pipelines.

Auto-Skip Intros and Credits: This configurable feature automatically skips opening sequences and end credits, saving time during binge-watching sessions. Unlike some implementations that use pattern recognition or audio fingerprinting, Plezy likely relies on Plex's existing chapter markers, which are often manually created or generated by the server. The feature is configurable, allowing users to set their own thresholds or disable it entirely for content where they want to see the credits.

Platform-Specific Fixes and Improvements

The update also includes a bug fix for Windows users in version 1.14.1. While the specific issue isn't detailed in the announcement, Windows-specific bugs often relate to display driver compatibility, audio routing, or file system permissions—common pain points for media applications on the platform.

The Open-Source Advantage

For users concerned about privacy or wanting to understand exactly what their software is doing, Plezy offers transparency that the official Plex app cannot. The source code is available for review, meaning users can verify that no telemetry or unwanted data collection is happening. This is particularly relevant given Plex's recent policy changes around data collection and advertising.

The open-source nature also means the community can contribute improvements, audit the code for security issues, and fork the project if development stalls. For technically inclined users, this provides a level of control and trust that proprietary software cannot match.

Practical Considerations

Plezy is available through its official page and various app stores. Installation is straightforward, but users should be aware that third-party Plex clients may not have the same level of polish or feature parity as the official app. The Watch Together integration appears to be a significant step toward feature parity, but there may be edge cases where compatibility breaks.

For users considering the switch, it's worth noting that Plezy is still a relatively new project. While the developer has shown consistent updates, the long-term maintenance and feature development will depend on community support and the developer's ongoing commitment.

The Broader Context: Open-Source Media Clients

Plezy's development reflects a growing interest in open-source alternatives to proprietary media streaming solutions. Projects like Jellyfin (a fork of the abandoned Emby server) have gained traction among users who want complete control over their media infrastructure. While Plezy is a client rather than a server, it represents the same philosophy: giving users choice and transparency.

For those interested in exploring beyond Plex entirely, Jellyfin offers a completely self-hosted, open-source media server that doesn't require a Plex Pass subscription for features like hardware transcoding or offline downloads. The learning curve is steeper, but the control and lack of ongoing costs are compelling for many users.

Getting Started

Plezy can be downloaded from its official GitHub repository or through app stores for supported platforms. The developer recommends checking the release notes for specific installation instructions, as there may be platform-specific requirements or dependencies.

For users new to third-party Plex clients, the setup process typically involves logging in with your existing Plex account and configuring your server connections. Plezy should automatically detect your Plex server on the local network, but you may need to manually add remote servers if you access your media library from outside your home network.

The Watch Together feature should appear as an option in the playback interface once you're in a compatible media item. Creating a session generates a shareable link that friends can use to join, regardless of whether they're using Plezy or the official Plex app.

Looking Ahead

This update positions Plezy as a serious alternative for Plex users who value open-source software and cross-platform compatibility. The integration of Watch Together is particularly significant because it addresses one of the main reasons users stick with the official app: social viewing features.

As the project matures, we can expect further refinements to HDR support, potentially expanding to Android and Linux platforms. The offline viewing feature may also see improvements in cache management and background download capabilities.

For now, Plezy offers a compelling package: open-source transparency, cross-platform Watch Together support, and modern media format compatibility. It's a testament to what independent developers can achieve when building on top of existing ecosystems while offering users more choice and control over their media experience.