Best media request managers for home server maintainers in 2026

Compare media request managers for home server maintainers and see how each handles requests, access, and server management.

By VLClean · 2026-10-20

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

Home server maintainers usually need a simple way for people to request titles, see request progress, and manage access. Askarr lets you request a movie or show on Askarr, and your own Radarr or Sonarr adds it. ^[1]

Option	Request approach	Cost details
Overseerr	Request management and media discovery tool that works with Jellyfin, Plex, or Emby servers. ^[2]	not published
Jellyseerr	Application for managing requests for a media library. ^[3]	not published
Ombi	Native mobile applications for iOS and Android and an optional approval system. ^[4] ^[4]	not published
Doplarr	*arr request bot for Discord. ^[5]	not published
Requestrr	Content requests via Discord using slash commands and buttons. ^[6]	not published
Notifiarr	Monitors services on the network and notifies when they go down, on its current platform. ^[7] ^[7]	not published
nzb360	Android app that supports server management for home lab setups through a Discord server for support. ^[8] ^[8] ^[8]	not published
Seerr	Request management and media discovery tool that works with Jellyfin, Plex, and Emby in one application. ^[9]	not published
Oscarr	Media request interface that gives users a way to request movies and shows without exposing the admin panels. ^[10]	not published
Cantinarr	Request something, follow progress, and manage media services. ^[11] ^[11]	not published
Askarr	You request on a website and your own Radarr or Sonarr adds it. ^[1]	Askarr's own fee: $0 for 10 requests a month ^[1], $3.99 a month for 50 requests a month ^[1], or $6.99 a month for unlimited requests ^[1]. Card fee: not published

What home server maintainers need from media request managers

Home server maintainers run their own media setup and usually want a simple way for household members to ask for movies, shows, and sometimes books or music without sending messages by hand. A useful request manager can collect requests, show what is happening with a title, and cut down on repeated questions. Maintainers also care about how much access people get and what the tool needs from the server, because a request tool that reaches into the media apps calls for care. Some owners want requests through a website, others through chat or a mobile app, and some manage several media and download services at once. The right choice depends on how requests are made, who can request content, how access is controlled, and what the option costs. Owners should check what each tool says it does against their own setup before settling on one.

Overseerr for home server maintainers

Seerr is a free request management and media discovery tool that works with Jellyfin, Plex, or Emby servers. ^[2] Seerr restricts the number of movies or TV seasons a user can request over a configurable time period. ^[2] You can add as many servers as you need, including separate 4K servers. ^[2]

Jellyseerr for home server maintainers

Seerr is a free and open application for managing requests for a media library. ^[3] Seerr supports PostgreSQL and SQLite databases, giving flexibility on the data store. ^[3] Seerr currently integrates with Sonarr and Radarr to fulfill requests. ^[3]

Ombi for home server maintainers

Ombi offers native mobile applications for iOS and Android for request management. ^[4] Ombi has an optional approval system for admins. ^[4] Ombi integrates with Sonarr, Radarr, CouchPotato, SickRage and more to fulfill requests. ^[4]

Doplarr for home server maintainers

Doplarr is an *arr request bot for Discord. ^[5] The Doplarr repository was archived by its owner on Jun 15, 2026 and is read-only. ^[5]

Requestrr for home server maintainers

Requestrr's current platform is Discord only. ^[6] Requestrr lets users request content via Discord using slash commands and buttons. ^[6]

Askarr for home server maintainers

Askarr is made by the team that publishes this site. Askarr works with existing Radarr and Sonarr. ^[1] You request a movie or show on Askarr, and your own Radarr or Sonarr adds it. ^[1] You add Askarr to Radarr and Sonarr once as an import list, and they read your requests from it. ^[1] Askarr never connects to your Radarr or Sonarr and never receives the passwords they use to be controlled (API keys). ^[1] Radarr and Sonarr tell the site when a title is added and downloaded. ^[1] You can paste a link from TMDB, IMDb or TVDB, which are movie and show info sites, to find the title. ^[1] Plans list request history with live status. ^[1] Each friend who signs up through your link adds 10 requests a month to your limit. ^[1] You can try the dashboard with a throwaway demo account and sample data without signing up. ^[1]

Matching the tool to the job

For requests on Askarr, you request a movie or show there, and your own Radarr or Sonarr adds it. ^[1] For limiting how much people can ask for, Seerr restricts the number of movies or TV seasons a user can request over a configurable time period. ^[2] For running several media services, you can add as many servers as you need in Seerr, including separate 4K servers. ^[2] For chat requests, Doplarr is an *arr request bot for Discord. ^[5] Requestrr lets users request content via Discord using slash commands and buttons. ^[6] For mobile requests, Ombi offers native mobile applications for iOS and Android. ^[4] For a maintainer who wants approval control, Ombi has an optional approval system for admins. ^[4]

Questions to ask before you choose

Before choosing a media request manager, consider how people will submit requests and how much control the maintainer wants. Check whether the tool matches the current media setup, how it handles permissions, and whether it shows request progress. Ask whether requests happen through a website, chat service, or mobile app, and what that means for who can use it. Check what other services are supported, how the tool connects to the media apps, and how hard it is to keep. Also check the cost structure, any request limits, and whether the way the option handles access fits the way the home server is shared. When a tool does not publish the facts you need, check its own page before choosing.

Frequently asked questions

Which media request manager should home server maintainers compare first?

Home server maintainers can compare tools based on how people submit requests, how access is managed, and how each option works with the existing media setup. Options differ in whether requests happen through a website, chat service, or mobile app, so the right choice depends on the setup and who will be requesting. It also helps to check request limits and how the tool connects to the media apps.

Can Askarr add requests to Radarr and Sonarr without reach into them?

Askarr never connects to your Radarr or Sonarr and never receives the passwords they use to be controlled (API keys). ^[1] You add Askarr to Radarr and Sonarr once as an import list, and they read your requests from it. ^[1] Nothing is installed; you add Askarr as an import list in Radarr and Sonarr. ^[1]

Does Askarr show what happens after a request is made?

Radarr and Sonarr tell the site when a title is added and downloaded. ^[1] Askarr's plans include a request history with live status. ^[1]

How does Askarr find a title a user cannot type correctly?

You can paste a link from TMDB, IMDb or TVDB, which are movie and show info sites, to find the title. ^[1]

What should home server maintainers check before paying for a request manager?

Home server maintainers should check request limits, supported workflows, access controls, and pricing details. Askarr costs $0 for 10 requests a month. ^[1] Plus costs $3.99 a month for 50 requests a month. ^[1] Pro costs $6.99 a month for unlimited requests. ^[1] Each friend who signs up through your link adds 10 requests a month to your limit. ^[1] Fees for the other tools are not published here, so check their pages.

The Free plan costs $0 and allows 10 requests a month. ^[1]

Try Askarr