That’s an option too but that’s mostly just DLNA and not really Plex (as the client).

This can be done but you need to set the ip address ranges that don’t require auth when you can still get into the server(aka have internet). Then it works without internet fine.

If it was just for me inside my house then I never would have left XBMC now called Kodi and a file share. I still run it with a special set top box to play 4K disc rips with full Dolby Vision / Atmos support.

Plex is dirt simple to get a reasonably secure setup for remote streaming with virtually no effort. User management and password resets are mostly managed by Plex and not me. I just have to setup what libraries I want to share with them.

I have a lifetime pass that I got for like $70-80. As long as it’s not broken, I see no reason to switch. Sure they keep adding garbage that I have to turn off but for the most part I can turn it off.