Media request managers for privacy focused self hosters

A comparison of media request managers that helps privacy focused self hosters weigh requests, access, and limits.

By VLClean · 2026-10-21

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

Privacy focused self hosters often want people to request titles without handing over control of their media apps. Askarr lets you search for a movie or show on a website and request it, and your own Radarr or Sonarr adds it. ^[1]

Option	Request approach	Cost details
Overseerr	Request management and media discovery tool that works with Plex servers. ^[2]	Free. ^[2]
Jellyseerr	Application for managing requests for a media library. ^[3]	not published
Doplarr	Discord request bot for *arr services, meaning apps like Radarr and Sonarr that handle movie and show requests. ^[4]	not published
Requestrr	Requestrr's current platform is Discord only. ^[5]	not published
Oscarr	Media request interface for Radarr and Sonarr that encrypts stored service credentials. ^[6] ^[6]	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 privacy focused self hosters need from media request managers

Privacy focused self hosters usually run their own media server and want requests to come in without weakening that setup. The main jobs are letting people ask for titles, showing what happens after a request, and keeping control of the media apps. A useful request manager should not add connections to the server that the owner did not choose, and should not widen who can reach the media tools. Some owners prefer a website where people search and request titles, while others prefer chat based requests or a mobile app. Owners should check what the tool does with its connection to the media apps, what data it collects, and where that data goes. The right choice depends on how requests are made, who can request, and how much the owner wants to keep inside the home network. Owners should also check how each tool handles its own storage, whether it needs an account, and whether any fee applies. A tool that keeps its link to the media apps small and controlled tends to match a privacy minded setup.

Overseerr for privacy focused self hosters

Seerr is a free request management and media discovery tool that works with Jellyfin, Plex, or Emby servers. ^[2] Seerr scans Plex, Jellyfin, or Emby libraries at regular intervals to know which items are already available. ^[2] Seerr supports both PostgreSQL and SQLite databases. ^[2]

Jellyseerr for privacy focused self hosters

Seerr is a free application for managing requests for a media library. ^[3] Seerr supports watchlisting and blocklisting media. ^[3] Seerr supports PostgreSQL and SQLite databases. ^[3]

Doplarr for privacy focused self hosters

Doplarr is a request bot for Discord for *arr services, meaning apps like Radarr and Sonarr that handle movie and show requests. ^[4]

Requestrr for privacy focused self hosters

Requestrr's current platform is Discord only. ^[5] Requestrr is fully configurable via a web portal. ^[5] Requestrr's web portal listens on port 4545 by default. ^[5]

Oscarr for privacy focused self hosters

Oscarr is a lightweight, plugin-first media request interface for Radarr and Sonarr. ^[6] Oscarr provides quality selection for users with SD, HD, 4K, and 4K HDR options. ^[6] Oscarr encrypts stored service credentials with AES-256-GCM encryption at rest. ^[6]

Askarr for privacy focused self hosters

Askarr is made by the team that publishes this site. Askarr is a hosted website that works with existing Radarr and Sonarr. ^[1] You search for a movie or show on the Askarr website and request it, 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] You can try the dashboard with a throwaway demo account and sample data without signing up. ^[1]

Matching the tool to the job

For knowing which items are already available, Seerr scans Plex, Jellyfin, or Emby libraries at regular intervals. ^[2] For Discord requests, Doplarr is a request bot for *arr services, meaning apps like Radarr and Sonarr that handle movie and show requests. ^[4] Requestrr lets users request content via Discord using slash commands and buttons. ^[5] Oscarr is a lightweight, plugin-first media request interface for Radarr and Sonarr. ^[6] Oscarr encrypts the service passwords it saves, using AES-256-GCM, so they are encrypted when stored. ^[6] For requests on a website, Askarr lets you search for a movie or show and request it, and your own Radarr or Sonarr adds it. ^[1]

Questions to ask before you choose

Before choosing, consider how people will submit requests and how much control is needed over the media apps. Check whether the tool matches the current Plex setup, how it handles permissions, and whether it shows request progress. Check what data the tool collects and where that data is held, and whether requests happen through a website, chat service, or mobile app. Ask which connections the tool makes to the media apps and whether those connections can be switched on and off from the owner's side. Check what notifications or connected services are supported, and whether the tool needs an account or a payment service. Also check the cost structure and request limits, and compare them against how the requests are made.

Frequently asked questions

Which media request manager should privacy focused self hosters compare first?

Privacy focused self hosters can compare tools based on how people submit requests, how access is managed, and how each option works with the existing media workflow. Options differ in whether requests happen through a website, chat service, or another interface, and in what connection each keeps to the media apps. The right choice depends on the setup and on how much control the owner wants to keep.

Can privacy focused self hosters use Askarr without installing anything?

Askarr is a hosted website that works with your existing Radarr and Sonarr. ^[1] Nothing is installed; you add Askarr as an import list in Radarr and Sonarr, which lets those apps read your requests from Askarr. ^[1]

How does Askarr keep Radarr and Sonarr access separate?

Askarr never connects to your Radarr or Sonarr and never receives the passwords they use to be controlled (API keys). ^[1] You set it up once in Radarr and Sonarr, and they pick up your requests. ^[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] Plans list request history with live status. ^[1]

What should privacy focused self hosters check before paying for a request manager?

Privacy focused self hosters should check request limits, supported workflows, user controls, and pricing details. Askarr's Free plan costs $0 and allows 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] The listed sources say Overseerr and Jellyseerr are free. ^[2] ^[3] For the other tools, check their pages for details the sources here do not give.

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

Try Askarr