VLClean Plain comparisons of self-hosted media tools

Doplarr vs Searcharr in 2026

Compare Doplarr, Searcharr and Askarr for movie and show requests, with known setup steps, published plan details and questions to check first.

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

Doplarr is an *arr request bot for Discord. [1] Searcharr lets users add movies to Radarr and series to Sonarr through Telegram. [2] Askarr is a hosted website that works with your existing Radarr and Sonarr. [3] The available facts describe Doplarr's purpose but do not establish its current setup steps or pricing. Searcharr's documentation describes its bot, connection settings and running requirements. [2] Askarr lets you request a movie or show on a website, then your own Radarr or Sonarr adds it. [3] The choice depends on whether you want to make requests through Discord, Telegram or a website, and which setup and plan details you need to confirm.

OptionPriceRequest method or purposeSetup details statedOther stated facts
Doplarrnot publishedAn *arr request bot for Discord [1]Setup steps not published in the available factsRepository archived on June 15, 2026, and read-only [1]
Searcharrnot publishedAdds movies to Radarr and series to Sonarr through Telegram [2]Bot password, Telegram bot token, and Radarr and Sonarr connection details with quality profile IDs [2]Docker is the suggested running method [2]; Python 3.8.3 or later when run from source [2]
Askarr Free$0 [3]Website requests for movies and shows [3]Add Askarr as an import list in Radarr and Sonarr [3]10 requests a month [3]; request history with live status [3]
Askarr Plus$3.99 a month [3]Website requests for movies and shows [3]Add Askarr as an import list in Radarr and Sonarr [3]50 requests a month [3]; request history with live status [3]
Askarr Pro$6.99 a month [3]Website requests for movies and shows [3]Add Askarr as an import list in Radarr and Sonarr [3]No monthly request limit [3]; request history with live status [3]

The short answer

Doplarr is an *arr request bot for Discord. [1] Searcharr allows users to add movies to Radarr and series to Sonarr through Telegram. [2] Askarr provides a website where you request a movie or show and your own Radarr or Sonarr adds it. [3]

The available facts for Doplarr establish that it is a Discord bot for requests, but they do not describe its full setup, supported servers or current pricing. Its repository was archived on June 15, 2026, and is now read-only. [1]

Searcharr's instructions cover Telegram authentication and connection details for Radarr and Sonarr. [2] Askarr uses an import list that you add to Radarr and Sonarr, so nothing is installed. [3]

If the request method matters most, compare Discord, Telegram and a website. If setup matters more, check the connection steps and running requirements before choosing.

What Doplarr, Searcharr is built for

Doplarr's page describes it as an *arr request bot for Discord. [1] That establishes its request method, but the available facts do not explain the full user flow, server compatibility, configuration steps or pricing. Its repository was archived by its owner on June 15, 2026, and is now read-only. [1] Anyone considering Doplarr should check its available documentation for the details needed to run it.

Searcharr lets users add movies to Radarr and series to Sonarr through Telegram. [2] Its instructions describe authentication through a private message containing the `/start` command and a configured password. [2] Its documentation also describes a separate way to authenticate for administrator access. [2]

Searcharr's instructions identify settings for the bot password, Telegram bot token, and Radarr and Sonarr connection details, including quality profile IDs. [2] The documentation also recommends Docker as the way to run Searcharr. [2] These details give a prospective user a starting point for estimating the setup involved, although the available facts do not establish its price.

The documented functions are different from a website-based request flow. Check the current instructions for each option to confirm the complete workflow and the other features needed for your media library.

What Askarr is built for

Askarr is made by the team that publishes this site, VLClean. It is a hosted website that works with your existing Radarr and Sonarr. [3]

You request a movie or show on Askarr, and your own Radarr and Sonarr add it. [3] If you already have a title link, you can paste a TMDB, IMDb or TVDB link to find it. [3]

Askarr never connects to your Radarr or Sonarr and never receives their API keys. [3] A webhook from Radarr and Sonarr reports back so the site shows when a title was added and downloaded. [3] You can see your request history with live status. [3]

Nothing is installed; you add Askarr as an import list in Radarr and Sonarr. [3] A bookmark run on your Radarr or Sonarr page saves the list and webhook there for you. [3]

Each friend who signs up through your link adds 10 requests a month to your limit. [3] You can try the dashboard with a throwaway demo account and sample data without signing in. [3] The available plans range from a free monthly request allowance to a paid plan with no monthly request limit. [3] [3] [3]

Pricing and fees

The available Doplarr facts do not publish a price, so its price is not established here. The repository's archived status is relevant when checking whether its documentation and instructions remain suitable for your intended use. [1]

The available Searcharr facts describe its features and setup, but do not publish a price. Searcharr's price is therefore not published in the facts available for this comparison.

Askarr has three plans. [3] [3] [3] The Free plan costs $0 and allows 10 requests a month. [3] Plus costs $3.99 a month for 50 requests a month. [3] Pro costs $6.99 a month for unlimited requests. [3]

The Pro plan has no monthly request limit. [3] No card fee or other charge from a payment service is stated for Askarr, so that part is not published here. For Doplarr and Searcharr, check their current project documentation for pricing or any costs associated with running them before comparing total costs.

Setting it up with your server

Doplarr is described as an *arr request bot for Discord. [1] The available facts do not specify its installation steps, connection details or supported media server arrangements. Its repository is archived and read-only, so check the existing documentation for the instructions that remain available. [1]

Searcharr's documented setup includes a bot password, a Telegram bot token, and Radarr and Sonarr connection details with quality profile IDs. [2] Its instructions recommend Docker for running the application. [2] The documentation also specifies a data folder location and a log folder location for its Docker container. [2] [2] If running Searcharr from source, its instructions specify Python 3.8.3 or later. [2]

For Askarr, nothing is installed; you add Askarr as an import list in Radarr and Sonarr. [3] Radarr and Sonarr read your requests from that list after you add it once. [3] A bookmark run on your Radarr or Sonarr page saves the list and webhook there for you. [3]

After that, you request a title on the website and your own Radarr or Sonarr adds it. [3] A webhook reports when a title was added and downloaded, so the site can display that status. [3] The available Askarr claims do not mention Plex, so check how your existing library fits before choosing.

Things to check before you choose

Start with the way people will request movies and shows. Doplarr is described as a Discord bot, while Searcharr uses Telegram and Askarr uses a website. [1] [2] [3]

Ask what setup your current server requires. Searcharr documents bot credentials and Radarr and Sonarr connection settings. [2] Askarr uses an import list and a bookmark-based setup. [3] [3] The available Doplarr facts do not specify installation steps, so check its existing instructions.

Ask how much each option costs to run and whether a published price covers everything you need. The available facts do not establish prices for Doplarr or Searcharr. Askarr's plans have stated monthly prices and request limits. [3] [3] [3]

Also check which media server arrangements are supported, how requests are tracked, what authentication options are available and whether the available documentation covers your setup. Do not assume a feature is present when its source does not describe it.

How to choose

If requests through Discord are your main requirement, Doplarr's description identifies it as an *arr request bot for Discord. [1] Its repository is archived and read-only, so review the existing instructions before depending on it. [1]

If you want people to request movies and series through Telegram, Searcharr's documented function covers adding movies to Radarr and series to Sonarr through Telegram. [2] Its setup instructions cover bot credentials and Radarr and Sonarr connection details. [2] Check those requirements against your current setup.

If you prefer a website for requests, Askarr lets you search for a movie or show and request it for addition by your own Radarr or Sonarr. [3] It provides request history with live status and shows when a title was added and downloaded. [3] [3]

If a known monthly request allowance matters, Askarr's Free plan includes 10 requests a month, Plus includes 50, and Pro has no monthly request limit. [3] [3] [3] If you want to look at the request dashboard before signing up, Askarr provides a throwaway demo account with sample data. [3]

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Doplarr and Searcharr?

Doplarr is described as an *arr request bot for Discord. [1] Searcharr allows users to add movies to Radarr and series to Sonarr through Telegram. [2] Their documented request methods differ, and Searcharr's available instructions describe its bot credentials and connection settings. [2] The available facts do not provide a complete feature comparison, so check the current documentation for any additional requirements.

Is Doplarr still maintained?

Doplarr's repository was archived by its owner on June 15, 2026, and its page says it is now read-only. [1] This establishes the repository's archived status, but it does not establish whether separate forks or other projects are available. Check the repository and any related project pages for current instructions before deciding whether to use it.

Does Searcharr work with Radarr and Sonarr?

Searcharr allows users to add movies to Radarr and series to Sonarr through Telegram. [2] Its setup instructions list connection details for both applications, including quality profile IDs. [2] Check the documentation against the versions and settings in your own setup before proceeding, particularly if your configuration differs from the one described in its instructions.

How much does Askarr cost?

The Free plan costs $0 and allows 10 requests a month. [3] Plus costs $3.99 a month for 50 requests a month. [3] Pro costs $6.99 a month for unlimited requests. [3] No card fee or other payment service charge is stated in the available Askarr claims, so that part is not published here.

Does Askarr need to be installed?

Nothing is installed; you add Askarr as an import list in Radarr and Sonarr. [3] Radarr and Sonarr read your requests from the list after you add it once. [3] A bookmark run on your Radarr or Sonarr page saves the list and webhook there for you. [3]

Can Askarr show whether a requested title was downloaded?

A webhook from Radarr and Sonarr reports back so Askarr shows when a title was added and downloaded. [3] Askarr also includes request history with live status. [3] Your own Radarr or Sonarr adds the requested title. [3] These details let you check the progress shown on the site without assuming that a request has completed before its status reports it.

The Free plan costs $0 and allows 10 requests a month. [3]

Try Askarr

Sources

  1. Doplarr, github.com/kiranshila/Doplarr, read 2026-10-07
  2. Searcharr, github.com/toddrob99/searcharr, read 2026-10-22
  3. Askarr's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)

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