Pick the one that's right for you and download it to your device and run through the installation wizard to install it. You'll see a drop-down menu with a list of platforms you can choose from, including Windows, Mac, Linux, and a host of NAS platforms. If you haven't created an account yet, now's a good time to do so. Once you've picked which hardware you're going to use, download the Plex Media Server application (Opens in a new window). Personally, I use a desktop and haven't had any major issues, but it all comes down to your needs, bank account, and how much work you want to put into building your own server. It may not seem like a big deal, but the first time your game starts lagging because a friend started watching your 4K copy of Avengers: Endgame, that NAS option might become a little more appealing. Unfortunately, this also means that streaming content could affect how other computing tasks perform. If you already have a PC with a decent processor, plenty of storage space, and a solid internet connection, then having your own Plex server is just a download away. A desktop PC is a good option if you're comfortable upgrading it if needed.

The downside is that if you already own a powerful desktop, a NAS device becomes one more thing to buy and manage. Some also come with features that make streaming better, like 4K video acceleration. Storing media is a quick way to fill up storage space, so this is handy if you want to add more to your library without deleting things. NAS devices offer flexibility they come with slots for hard drives, allowing you to add more memory or swap out for larger drives. In this guide, we'll run through the desktop version as an example, but will briefly discuss the benefits of each.

Some people choose to use a dedicated Network Attached Storage (NAS) device to host their Plex server, but you can also use a regular desktop computer, as long as it stays on and connected to the internet at all times.

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Hosting plex in the cloud