VLClean Plain comparisons of self-hosted media tools

Overseerr vs Searcharr in 2026

Overseerr and Searcharr compared for Plex users who run Radarr or Sonarr: what each does, what it costs, and what to check first.

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

Overseerr and Searcharr are two ways to handle requests for a home media library, and this page compares them with Askarr. Overseerr's pages describe a free request and discovery tool for Jellyfin, Plex or Emby servers. [1] Searcharr's pages suggest running it with Docker. [2] Askarr is a hosted website that works with your existing Radarr and Sonarr. [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] No price for Searcharr appears in its facts, so that part is covered under pricing below.

OptionPriceRequest limitWorks withAlso stated
OverseerrFree [1]Configurable limits per user over a time period [1]Jellyfin, Plex, or Emby servers [1]Request management and discovery [1]; each user can be assigned their own permissions [1]; separate 4K servers [1]; over 25 languages [1]
Searcharrnot publishednot publishedRadarr and Sonarr, through Telegram [2]Adds movies to Radarr and series to Sonarr through Telegram [2]; Docker is the suggested way to run it [2]; data folder maps to /app/data [2]; separate sign-in for administrators [2]; needs Python 3.8.3 or later from source [2]
Askarr Free$0 [3]10 requests a month [3]Your existing Radarr and Sonarr [3]Request history with live status [3]
Askarr Plus$3.99 a month [3]50 requests a month [3]Your existing Radarr and Sonarr [3]Request history with live status [3]
Askarr Pro$6.99 a month [3]No monthly limit [3]Your existing Radarr and Sonarr [3]Request history with live status [3]

The short answer

Radarr and Sonarr are the apps that add movies and shows to a home media library, and this page is for people who run them. Overseerr's pages describe a free request and discovery tool that works with Jellyfin, Plex or Emby servers. [1] Searcharr's pages suggest running the tool in a container, a packaged setup that Docker manages, and it keeps its settings and database in a folder on the computer. [2] [2] Askarr is a hosted website where you search for a title and request it, and your own Radarr or Sonarr adds it. [3]

Overseerr's pages say each user can be assigned their own permissions. [1] Searcharr's pages describe a separate way for administrators to sign in. [2] With Askarr nothing is installed; you add Askarr as an import list in Radarr and Sonarr. [3] You can also try a throwaway demo account without signing in. [3]

What each tool is built for

The pages for Overseerr describe it as a free request management and discovery tool that works with Jellyfin, Plex, or Emby servers. [1] Its pages say each user can be assigned their own permissions. [1] Its pages also say it has been localized into over 25 languages. [1] Beyond these points the sources give little detail here, so check its own pages for anything else you need.

Searcharr's pages describe a tool you run on your own computer, packaged so that Docker, a program that runs apps in self-contained bundles, can start it. [2] It keeps its settings and database in a folder on the computer. [2] Its pages also describe a separate way for administrators to sign in, using the administrator password. [2] How Searcharr handles requests is shown in the table, along with other points its pages list; its sources give little beyond that here.

What Askarr is built for

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

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

Askarr says it 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]

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 up. [3]

Pricing and fees

Overseerr's pages describe the tool as free. [1] No hosting price or paid plan appears in the facts for Overseerr, so any cost of running it is not published there.

The facts for Searcharr give no price, so its cost is not published here.

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.

Setting it up with your server

For Overseerr, the facts say it works with Jellyfin, Plex, or Emby servers. [1] The facts say nothing more about the steps, so check its own pages for how to connect Plex, Radarr or Sonarr.

For Searcharr, its pages suggest running it in a container, a sealed bundle that Docker, a program that runs apps in self-contained bundles, starts for you. [2] It keeps its settings and database in a folder on the computer. [2] The facts say nothing more about connecting to Radarr or Sonarr, so check its own pages for the steps.

For Askarr, nothing is installed; you add Askarr as an import list in Radarr and Sonarr. [3] That is a list Radarr and Sonarr read your requests from, and you add it once. [3]

A bookmark you run on your Radarr or Sonarr page saves the list and webhook there for you. [3] After that, you request a title on the site and your own Radarr or Sonarr adds it. [3] The claims for Askarr do not mention Plex, so check how your library fits.

Things to check before you choose

Start with how you want to make requests. Overseerr's pages describe a request and discovery tool for Jellyfin, Plex, or Emby servers. [1] Askarr is a hosted website where you search and request on the page. [3] The facts for Searcharr cover how it is run and who can sign in, so check its own pages for how a request is made.

Ask how many people will make requests. Askarr's Free plan allows 10 requests a month, and Plus allows 50. [3] [3]

Ask whether a demo is available before you commit. Askarr offers a demo account. [3]

How to choose

If you want a free tool that works with a Jellyfin, Plex or Emby server, Overseerr's sources say it meets that. [1] If you want per-user permissions, its sources say it offers that. [1] For more of what Overseerr's pages state, see the table.

If you want to run the tool with Docker, Searcharr's pages suggest that. [2] If you want a separate sign-in for administrators, its pages describe one. [2] Function details for Searcharr are in the table, since its prose sources give little more.

If you want nothing installed, Askarr's claims say you only add a list in Radarr and Sonarr. [3] If you want to know what the site can reach, Askarr says it never connects to your Radarr or Sonarr. [3] If you want a request page with status that shows when a title was added and downloaded, its claims cover that. [3]

If you want to look first without signing up, Askarr has a demo account. [3] If you want no monthly request limit, Pro has none and costs $6.99 a month. [3] [3]

Frequently asked questions

Is Overseerr free?

Overseerr's pages describe it as a free request and discovery tool that works with Jellyfin, Plex, or Emby servers. [1] The facts give no hosting price, so what it costs you to run is not published there. Check its own pages before you plan around a total cost.

How is Searcharr run?

Searcharr's pages suggest running it in a container that Docker starts for you. [2] It keeps its settings and database in a folder on the computer. [2] The facts give no price for Searcharr, so what it costs to run is not published here. Check its own pages for the full setup steps.

Does Askarr need anything installed?

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] The claims do not describe any other setup step.

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 is stated for Askarr, so that part is not published.

Can Askarr see your Radarr or Sonarr?

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] Your own Radarr or Sonarr adds the title. [3]

Can each user of Overseerr have their own permissions?

Overseerr's pages say each user can be assigned their own permissions. [1] The facts give little more about how those permissions are set, so check its own pages for the exact options before you rely on them.

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

Try Askarr

Sources

  1. Overseerr, overseerr.dev, 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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