IMDb list sync tools for watchlist managers in 2026

Compare IMDb list sync tools for watchlist managers and see how each option handles lists, updates, and media app connections.

By VLClean · 2026-10-19

VLClean is published by the makers of Askarr and Watcharr, which are compared here alongside other tools.

Watcharr turns a public IMDb list into links for Radarr and Sonarr. Other options cover different list, tracking, and library tasks.

Option	List approach	Cost details
MDBList	Creates dynamic, auto-updating movie and show lists tailored to user preferences. ^[1]	not published
Trakt	Free on web, iOS and Android. ^[2]	not published
Traktarr	Uses Trakt.tv to find shows and movies to add in to Sonarr and Radarr, respectively. ^[3]	not published
Simkl	Tracks TV shows and movies. ^[4]	not published
Ryot	Tracks books, movies, TV shows, workouts, and daily habits from a single dashboard. ^[5]	not published
Kometa	Creates collections and overlays using TMDb and IMDb. ^[6]	not published
Listrr	Lets donors create lists by IMDB or TMDB IDs. ^[7]	not published
Watcharr	Creates one Radarr link for movies and one Sonarr link for shows from one public IMDb list. ^[8]	No account needed for the hosted version. ^[8]

What watchlist managers need from IMDb list sync tools

Watchlist managers often need a way to move saved movie and show choices into tools that use those lists. A useful option should make it clear what type of list it accepts, how updates happen, and what apps can use the result. Some tools focus on creating lists, while others focus on tracking or sending titles into media apps. The right choice depends on whether the goal is list creation, list tracking, or connecting a list to Radarr or Sonarr. Watchlist managers should also check whether a tool accepts the list sources they already use and whether the result can be used by the apps they want to connect. It can also help to compare how each option handles updates, matching, and account requirements before choosing a tool.

MDBList for watchlist managers

MDBList is a tool for creating dynamic, auto-updating movie and show lists tailored to user preferences. ^[1] MDBList lets users import external lists from Trakt, IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, and other sources. ^[1] MDBList requires login or sign-up to use the service. ^[9]

Trakt for watchlist managers

Trakt is free on web, iOS and Android. ^[2]

Traktarr for watchlist managers

Traktarr uses Trakt.tv to find shows and movies to add in to Sonarr and Radarr, respectively. ^[3] Traktarr supports private lists. ^[3] Traktarr can work in operating systems other than Debian OS. ^[3]

Simkl for watchlist managers

Simkl tracks TV shows, anime, and movies. ^[4] Simkl provides notifications when new episodes or movies are released. ^[4]

Watcharr for watchlist managers

Watcharr is made by the team that publishes this site. Watcharr lets you paste one public IMDb list and get one link for Radarr with the movies and one for Sonarr with the shows. ^[8] Each link acts like a small Radarr or Sonarr server, so Radarr checks it every 15 minutes and Sonarr every 5. ^[8] A bookmark you click inside Radarr or Sonarr adds the list for you, using that app's API key without sending it anywhere else. ^[8] The hosted version needs nothing to install and no account. ^[8]

Matching the tool to the job

For creating changing movie and show lists, MDBList provides dynamic, auto-updating movie and show lists. ^[1] For a tool that connects Trakt.tv lists with Radarr and Sonarr, Traktarr uses Trakt.tv to find shows and movies to add in to Sonarr and Radarr, respectively. ^[3] For tracking movies and TV shows, Simkl tracks TV shows and movies. ^[4] For sending a public IMDb list into Radarr and Sonarr, Watcharr creates one link for Radarr with the movies and one for Sonarr with the shows. ^[8] For users who want a list connection that keeps the same links for the same IMDb list, Watcharr builds links from the IMDb list's id. ^[8]

Questions to ask before you choose

Check whether the tool accepts the type of list you use and whether its output matches the apps in your setup. Check how often updates happen, what happens when a title cannot be matched, and whether the tool needs an account. Also check whether the tool's licence and usage rules match how the setup will be used.

Frequently asked questions

Is Watcharr free to use for IMDb list sync?

Watcharr's hosted version needs nothing to install and no account. ^[8] The page does not list a fee for the hosted version. Watchlist managers should check the current usage terms before choosing a tool for a specific setup.

Can Watcharr turn an IMDb list into Radarr and Sonarr lists?

Watcharr lets users paste one public IMDb list and get one link for Radarr with the movies and one for Sonarr with the shows. ^[8] Each link acts like a small Radarr or Sonarr server, with Radarr checking every 15 minutes and Sonarr checking every 5. ^[8]

How does Watcharr handle IMDb lists from different places?

Watcharr accepts any public IMDb watchlist or list from the desktop site, the phone site or IMDb's other-language pages. ^[8] Watchlist managers can use this when their list comes from one of those public IMDb list types.

Does Watcharr keep the same links when an IMDb list is reused?

Watcharr builds links from the IMDb list's id, so the same list always gives the same two links. ^[8] This can help when a watchlist manager uses the same public IMDb list over time.

What should watchlist managers check before choosing an IMDb list sync tool?

Watchlist managers should check the accepted list types, update timing, matching behavior, account needs, and usage rules. Watcharr looks up TheTVDB ids through TVMaze and TMDB, leaves out shows it cannot match, and tells users which ones it skipped. ^[8]

Its code is available to read under the PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0 licence; older versions remain under MIT. ^[8]

Try Watcharr