VLClean Plain comparisons of self-hosted media tools

How to organize viewer requests for media library managers

Set up one clear way for viewers to send requests, review each one, and report back, with tool-neutral steps and an example option, Askarr.

By VLClean ยท

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

Organize viewer requests by choosing one place for submissions, deciding who reviews each request, and telling viewers what happens next.

OptionRequest methodCost details
AskarrViewers search for a movie or show on Askarr and request it, and the owner's own Radarr or Sonarr adds it. [1]The 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]
Request formPeople submit titles through the chosen form.not published
Shared request listPeople add titles to the chosen shared list.not published

What you need before you start

Start with the library itself. Know which movies and shows are already in it, and write down which kinds of titles the library is meant to hold, such as films, series, or a particular genre. That gives reviewers a standard to check each request against.

Decide who may send requests. It can be a fixed group of family members, a set of regular viewers, or anyone with a link. Write that decision down before requests open, so the rule stays the same from day to day.

Radarr and Sonarr are helper programs that many media library managers run to find and add movies (Radarr) and shows (Sonarr). If they are part of how titles reach the library, check that they are running and that you know where they are set up, so an approved request can be acted on.

Choose one intake place, such as a request website, a form, or a shared list. Having one place keeps requests from spreading across chats and emails. Name the person who reviews requests and how often that person checks the list.

Step by step

  1. Pick one intake place and tell every viewer to send requests only there.
  1. Write a short rule for what can be requested, such as titles that fit the library's purpose and titles not already in it.
  1. Decide who reviews each request and whether anything is added without approval.
  1. Set a fixed day each week to review the list, approve what fits, and remove what does not.
  1. Write a note for viewers that explains who can request, what kinds of titles are accepted, and how they will hear that a title was added.
  1. Send the note and the intake place to the viewers you want to allow, with two lines on how to search for a title and how to submit it.
  1. After the first week, ask a few viewers what was unclear, and update the note to fix those points.
  1. Keep a simple record of each request and its outcome, so repeat requests can be answered quickly and no title is lost.

When a request is added, tell the person who asked. A short reply closes the loop and shows viewers that the process works. Review the rules again from time to time, since the library and its viewers change over time.

Tools that can do it

Askarr is made by the team that publishes VLClean. It 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. [1]

Viewers search for a movie or show on Askarr and request it, and the owner's 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 their API keys. [1] A bookmark run on your Radarr or Sonarr page saves the list and webhook there for you. [1]

A webhook, which is an automatic message, from Radarr and Sonarr reports back so the site shows when a title was added and downloaded. [1] Askarr also allows title searches by pasting a TMDB, IMDb or TVDB link. [1] Askarr's plans include a request history with live status. [1]

The 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 Pro plan has no monthly request limit. [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 in. [1] Askarr's project file marks its code as private. [1]

Other tools are not named here, because no source facts about them are available for this page. Before choosing any tool, check how it handles title searches, approvals, updates, and how requests move into the library.

Common mistakes to avoid

Avoid sharing an intake place without explaining the rules. Viewers need to know what kinds of titles can be requested and who decides what gets added.

Avoid letting requests pile up unreviewed. An old, unanswered list is harder to manage, and viewers stop trusting a process that never answers.

Avoid choosing a tool before checking how it fits the way titles reach the library. A request method that looks simple can still clash with the way the library is actually managed.

Avoid skipping privacy checks. Look at what information a tool asks for and what access it uses before sharing the request place with the people you invite.

Avoid changing the rules without telling viewers. A rule that changes quietly leaves people guessing about why a request was refused.

Frequently asked questions

How can a media library manager organize viewer requests?

Start by choosing one intake place and telling viewers to use only that place. Then decide who reviews each request, write a short rule for what can be asked, and send a regular reply when a title is added. Keeping the process the same each week makes it easier for viewers to follow and for reviewers to keep up with the list.

Can Askarr work with Radarr and Sonarr?

Askarr is a hosted website that works with your existing Radarr and Sonarr. [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 their API keys. [1]

Does Askarr need anything installed on the media server?

Nothing is installed. [1] Askarr is a hosted website that works with your existing Radarr and Sonarr. [1]

How do viewers find a title to request on Askarr?

Viewers can search for a movie or show on Askarr and request it, and the owner's own Radarr or Sonarr adds it. [1] A TMDB, IMDb or TVDB link can also be pasted to find the title. [1] The site also shows when a title was added and downloaded, through a webhook from Radarr and Sonarr. [1]

What should be checked before choosing a request tool for a media library?

Check how the tool handles title searches, approvals, updates, and the path a request takes into the library. For Askarr, the plans include a request history with live status, so check the plan page for which plan includes it. [1] The Free plan costs $0 and allows 10 requests a month. [1] Compare these details with how your library is managed before choosing.

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

Try Askarr

Sources

  1. Askarr's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)

Related comparisons