Overseerr vs Jellyseerr vs Ombi: Self-Hosted Media Request Management 2026

If you run a Plex, jellyfin, or Emby server for your family, friends, or community, you know the problem: someone always wants something new to watch, and coordinating requests through group chats or text messages quickly becomes unmanageable. You end up playing detective — checking what they mean by “that Marvel movie,” searching your library to see if you already have it, and manually downloading content. It’s a friction-filled experience that makes running a media server feel like customer support.

Self-hosted media request managers solve this problem elegantly. They provide a polished, Netflix-style discovery interface where users can browse upcoming releases, search for specific titles, and submit requests with a single click. You, as the administrator, get a centralized dashboard showing all pending requests, auto-notifications when content is available, and integrations with your download stack. In this guide, we compare the three leading open-source options and show you howdockerploy each one with Docker.

Why Self-Host Your Media Request Manager

Running a request manager on your own server delivers concrete advantages over ad-hoc request methods:

Centralized workflow. Instead of scattered messages across multiple chat apps, every request lives in one place. You see what’s been requested, who requested it, whether it’s approved, and when it’s available — all from a single dashboard.

Better user experience. Your users get a beautiful, browsable interface with movie posters, TV show details, trailers, and ratings. It feels like using Netflix, not sending a text message to ask for something to watch.

Automation-ready. All three tools integrate with *arr applications (Radarr, Sonarr, Lidarr) to automatically route approved requests to your download pipeline. A user clicks “Request,” and the content flows from search to download to your media server with zero manual intervention.

Access control. Set permissions so some users can request everything, others only get TV shows, and kids are restricted to specific content ratings. No more worrying about who can request what.

No recurring costs. Every tool in this guide is free and open source. Your only cost is the server — which can be the same machine already running your media stack.

Quick Comparison Table

1. Jellyseerr — The Best Multi-Platform Media Request Manager

Jellyseerr is a fork of Overseerr that adds native support for Jellyfin and Emby while retaining all of Overseerr’s Plex functionality. It has become the most popular media request manager in the self-hosting community, with over 10,900 GitHub stars and 31 million Docker pulls as of April 2026.

Why Choose Jellyseerr

Jellyseerr is the clear choice if you run Jellyfin or Emby — it’s the only request manager with native support for both platforms alongside Plex. But even if you’re Plex-only, Jellyseerr has overtaken Overseerr in development velocity, with more recent commits, faster issue resolution, and a larger contributor base.

Key strengths include:

• Multi-platform backend support — connect to Jellyfin, Plex, and Emby simultaneously
• Beautiful Plex/Jellyfin-style UI — users browse content using the same visual language they already know
• Season and episode-level control — request specific seasons or individual episodes
• Custom request type — users can request content that isn’t in TMDB/TVDB (e.g., anime, niche content)
• Active development — forked from Overseerr in 2022, now more actively maintained

Docker Installation

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version: "3.8"

services:
  jellyseerr:
    image: fallenbagel/jellyseerr:latest
    container_name: jellyseerr
    restart: unless-stopped
    ports:
      - "5055:5055"
    environment:
      - TZ=UTC
      - LOG_LEVEL=info
    volumes:
      - ./config:/app/config
    networks:
      - media

networks:
  media:
    driver: bridge

Deploy with docker compose up -d, then navigate to http://your-server:5055 to begin setup. The initial wizard will guide you through connecting your media server (Plex, Jellyfin, or Emby), configuring TMDB for metadata, and setting up Radarr/Sonarr for automated downloads.

Docker Compose with Reverse Proxy

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services:
  jellyseerr:
    image: fallenbagel/jellyseerr:latest
    container_name: jellyseerr
    restart: unless-stopped
    environment:
      - TZ=UTC
    volumes[traefik](https://traefik.io/) - ./config:/app/config
    labels:
      - "traefik.enable=true"
      - "traefik.http.routers.jellyseerr.rule=Host(`requests.example.com`)"
      - "traefik.http.routers.jellyseerr.entrypoints=websecure"
      - "traefik.http.routers.jellyseerr.tls.certresolver=letsencrypt"
      - "traefik.http.services.jellyseerr.loadbalancer.server.port=5055"
    networks:
      - proxy
      - media

networks:
  proxy:
    external: true
  media:
    driver: bridge

2. Overseerr — The Plex-Native Request Manager

Overseerr was the original media request manager built specifically for Plex. While development has slowed (last commit February 2026), it remains a solid choice for Plex-only environments and offers the most polished user interface of the three tools.

Why Choose Overseerr

If you run exclusively Plex and don’t need Jellyfin or Emby support, Overseerr delivers a refined experience. Its Next.js-based architecture provides fast page loads, smooth animations, and a UI that closely mirrors Plex’s own design language. The project’s maturity means fewer bugs and a more stable experience out of the box.

Overseerr excels at:

• Plex-native integration — seamless sync with Plex libraries, users, and watch history
• Discover page — trending, popular, and upcoming content displayed in a beautiful card layout
• Request quota management — set limits on how many pending requests each user can have
• Issue reporting — users can report playback problems directly through the interface
• Mature codebase — fewer bugs due to years of stabilization

Docker Installation

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version: "3.8"

services:
  overseerr:
    image: linuxserver/overseerr:latest
    container_name: overseerr
    restart: unless-stopped
    environment:
      - PUID=1000
      - PGID=1000
      - TZ=UTC
    ports:
      - "5055:5055"
    volumes:
      - ./config:/config
    networks:
      - media

networks:
  media:
    driver: bridge

The LinuxServer.io image uses standard PUID/PGID environment variables for permission management. After deployment, access the setup wizard at http://your-server:5055 and connect your Plex server. Overseerr will automatically sync your Plex users, so they can log in with their existing Plex accounts.

3. Ombi — The Veteran with Mobile Apps

Ombi is the oldest of the three tools, with a long track record in the self-hosting community. It’s built in C# (.NET 8), supports all three major media servers, and is the only option with official mobile apps for iOS and Android. With over 971 million Docker pulls through LinuxServer.io, it has the widest user base.

Why Choose Ombi

Ombi’s standout feature is its mobile app ecosystem. If your users primarily make requests from their phones, Ombi’s native iOS and Android apps provide a significantly better experience than responsive web interfaces. Additionally, Ombi supports music requests via Lidarr integration — the only tool of the three with this capability.

Ombi’s advantages include:

• Official mobile apps — native iOS and Android apps for on-the-go requests
• Music request support — integrate with Lidarr for music library management
• Multiple media servers — connect to Plex, Jellyfin, and Emby simultaneously
• Telegram bot — receive request notifications via Telegram
• Newsletter feature — email users a weekly summary of new content
• Lightweight — lowest RAM footprint of the three (~150 MB)

Docker Installation

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version: "3.8"

services:
  ombi:
    image: linuxserver/ombi:latest
    container_name: ombi
    restart: unless-stopped
    environment:
      - PUID=1000
      - PGID=1000
      - TZ=UTC
      - BASE_URL=/ombi
    ports:
      - "3579:3579"
    volumes:
      - ./config:/config
    networks:
      - media

networks:
  media:
    driver: bridge

Ombi runs on port 3579 by default. The BASE_URL environment variable is useful when running behind a reverse proxy. After deployment, navigate to http://your-server:3579 and follow the setup wizard to connect your media server and download applications.

Integration with Your Download Stack

All three request managers work by integrating with your existing *arr applications. Here’s how the typical flow works:

1. A user browses the request manager and clicks “Request” on a movie
2. The request appears in your admin dashboard for approval
3. Once approved, the request manager sends the TMDB ID to Radarr via API
4. Radarr searches indexers, grabs the torrent/NZB, and sends it to your download client
5. When the download completes, Radarr imports the file into your media library
6. The request manager marks the request as “Available” and notifies the user

Radarr API Configuration

All three tools require the Radarr API URL and key. You can find these in Radarr under Settings → General → Security:

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# Example Radarr configuration
radarr:
  url: http://radarr:7878
  api_key: your-radarr-api-key-here
  quality_profile: HD-1080p
  root_folder: /movies

Sonarr API Configuration

For TV show requests, the same pattern applies:

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sonarr:
  url: http://sonarr:8989
  api_key: your-sonarr-api-key-here
  quality_profile: HD-1080p
  root_folder: /tv
  language_profile: English

Which One Should You Choose?

Choose Jellyseerr if: You run Jellyfin or Emby, or want the most actively developed option. Jellyseerr has overtaken Overseerr in GitHub activity and community engagement, and its multi-platform support makes it the most versatile choice.

Choose Overseerr if: You run exclusively Plex and want the most polished, stable UI. Overseerr’s Next.js foundation provides the smoothest browsing experience, and its Plex-native features (user sync, watch history) are unmatched.

Choose Ombi if: Your users need mobile apps or you want music request support. Ombi’s native iOS/Android apps and Lidarr integration make it unique, and its lower resource footprint is ideal for resource-constrained servers.

For related reading, see our Jellyfin vs Plex vs Emby media server comparison for choosing your media server, our TDarr vs Unmanic vs HandBrake transcoding guide for automated media optimization, and our Yamtrack media tracker guide for tracking what you’ve watched.

FAQ

Can Jellyseerr connect to both Plex and Jellyfin at the same time?

Yes, Jellyseerr can connect to multiple media servers simultaneously. You can configure one primary server and add additional servers as secondary options. This is useful if you’re migrating from Plex to Jellyfin or run multiple servers for different user groups.

Do I need Radarr and Sonarr installed for these tools to work?

Radarr and Sonarr are not strictly required — users can still submit requests without them. However, without Radarr/Sonarr integration, requests must be processed manually. The full automation workflow (request → auto-download → notify when available) requires both applications.

Can I restrict what content users are allowed to request?

All three tools support user role management. You can set permissions by user or group to control who can request movies, TV shows, or music. Jellyseerr and Overseerr also support content rating restrictions (e.g., only allow PG-13 and below for certain users), while Ombi allows you to set genre-based restrictions.

How do users log in? Do they need separate accounts?

Jellyseerr and Overseerr can sync directly with your media server’s user list (Plex, Jellyfin, or Emby), so users log in with their existing media server credentials. Ombi also supports this but additionally offers standalone local accounts and third-party OAuth providers. For external users who don’t have media server access, all three tools support invitation-based registration.

What happens if the request manager goes down?

The request manager is purely a coordination layer — it doesn’t affect your media server or download applications. If it goes offline, your Plex/Jellyfin server continues working normally, and Radarr/Sonarr keep processing existing jobs. Users simply won’t be able to submit new requests until the service is restored. All configuration data is stored in SQLite (or PostgreSQL for Overseerr), so nothing is lost during downtime.

Can I customize the look and branding of the request interface?

Jellyseerr and Overseerr both support custom CSS themes and allow you to change the application name, logo, and color scheme. Ombi offers more extensive theming options, including multiple built-in themes and granular control over page layout and content display.