Prowlarr – built on the popular arr stack – offers an all-in-one solution for easy management of Usenet and torrent indexers on various operating systems, boasting robust integrations with popular PVR apps. u003cbru003eu003cbru003eDespite its slight learning curve and dependency on download clients, its user-friendly interface and extensive support for indexers make it an efficient tool for media enthusiasts.
Features
Prowlarr simplifies indexer management by centralizing control of Usenet and Torrent indexers.
It integrates with your various PVR apps, offering full management of your indexers with no per-app indexer setup needed. You can even directly search and download in Prowlarr with your favorite NZB client.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Price | Free and open-source |
| Platform Availability | Native support on Windows, compatible with OSX and Linux |
| Connection Support | Supports Usenet and Torrent Indexers, Per Indexer proxy support (SOCKS4, SOCKS5, HTTP, Flaresolverr) |
| User Engagement | Regular updates by developers, community contributions through opencollective |
| PVR apps | Integrates seamlessly with LazyLibrarian, Lidarr, Mylar3, Radarr, Readarr, and Sonarr |
| Download Clients | Integrates seamlessly with NZBGet, Sabnzbd, uTorrent, BitTorrent, qBittorrent, Transmission, Deluge |
| Search | Manual searching of Trackers & Indexers at a category level |
| Indexers | Usenet support for 24 indexers natively, and any Newznab compatible indexer; Torrent support for 500+ trackers and any Torznab compatible tracker |
| Dashboard | Indexer History and Statistics, Indexer health and status notifications |
| Health and Status | Provides notifications about the health and status of indexers |
Interface
Prowlarr’s interface delivers an intuitive and streamlined experience, making it effortless for users to navigate and configure their media management settings. There’s no need for technical expertise—everything is logically laid out with clear menus and options.
Think of the dashboard as your command center, providing quick access to all your indexers and configurations. Adding a new indexer or adjusting settings is as simple as a few clicks. The seamless integration with Radarr and Sonarr allows you to manage everything from a single location, eliminating the hassle of complicated setups.
Take, for instance, the ease with which you can configure indexers. Whether you’re setting up an audio archive or managing video collections, Prowlarr centralizes and simplifies the process. Unlike other tools that require multiple steps and a steep learning curve, Prowlarr minimizes the time spent on configuration.
Comparing it to alternatives like Jackett, Prowlarr stands out with its user-friendly interface and better integration capabilities. Prowlarr’s interface ensures that you can focus on enjoying your media rather than getting bogged down by managing it.
Prowlarr can be used alongside NZB360. NZB360, a mobile app that allows for remote control of your downloads and media server software. Combining both provides a comprehensive solution for managing media collections from both desktop and mobile devices.
Setting up Prowlarr
To kick off your Prowlarr experience, download the application from GitHub and install it on your preferred operating system. Once installed, access it by navigating to http://localhost:9696. You’re already halfway to a more organized digital life!
Next, add and configure your indexers. Think of it as setting up a personalized search engine for the content you crave.
Synchronize Prowlarr with media automation apps like Radarr or Sonarr to streamline your setup further. This integration aims to make your media management as smooth as possible.
Unlike other tools, its seamless integration capabilities give you unparalleled control. Ready to explore and take charge?
Here’s a concise step-by-step guide for setting up Prowlarr:
- Download Prowlarr: Obtain the latest version from Prowlarr’s GitHub page.
- Install Prowlarr: Execute the installer for your system (Windows, OSX, Linux).
- Access Prowlarr: Open your web browser and go to http://localhost:9696.
- Navigate to Indexers: Select the ‘Indexers’ option on the left menu.
- Add Indexer: Click ‘Add Indexer’ at the top of the page.
- Choose Indexer: Select an indexer from the list or use ‘Generic Newznab’/’Generic Torznab’.
- Configure Indexer: Enter the necessary details for your chosen indexer.
- Save Configuration: Save your settings to apply changes.
- Test Indexer: Ensure the indexer is properly set up and functioning.
- Sync with Apps: Optionally, synchronize Prowlarr with media automation apps under Settings > Applications.
The YouTube video below demonstrates its use.
Best indexers for Prowlarr
NZBGeek, DrunkenSlug, and NZBPlanet are among the most popular Usenet indexers for Prowlarr, renowned for their extensive libraries and update frequency. Also pay attention to my favorite NZB sites of today, where I share my personal experience and recommendations.
For torrent lovers, see the Public Trackers table down below, showcasing some of my favorites due to the diverse type of content.
Usenet – Private Indexers
| Indexer | Platform |
|---|---|
| abNZB | Newznab |
| altHUB | Newznab |
| AnimeTosho (Usenet) | Newznab |
| DOGnzb | Newznab |
| DrunkenSlug | Newznab |
| Generic Newznab | Newznab |
| GingaDADDY | Newznab |
| Headphones VIP | Newznab |
| Miatrix | Newznab |
| Newz69 | Newznab |
| NinjaCentral | Newznab |
| Nzb.su | Newznab |
| NZBCat | Newznab |
| NZBFinder | Newznab |
| NZBgeek | Newznab |
| NZBNDX | Newznab |
| NzbNoob | Newznab |
| NzbPlanet | Newznab |
| NZBStars | Newznab |
| Tabula Rasa | Newznab |
Torrents – Public Trackers
Best public torrent indexers for Prowlarr – no registration needed.
| Indexer | Type of content |
|---|---|
| 1337x | 1337X is a Public torrent site that offers verified torrent downloads |
| Badass Torrents | Badass Torrents is a Public torrent site for VIDEOS / TV / GENERAL |
| BitSearch | BitSearch is a Public torrent meta-search engine |
| BT.etree | BT.etree is a Public Tracker dedicated to Bootleg FLAC AUDIO |
| BTMET | BTMET is a Public magnet indexer |
| BTSOW | BTSOW is a Public torrent indexer |
| CrackingPatching | CrackingPatching is a Public tracker for Software and Apps |
| EBookBay | EBook Bay (EBB) is a Public Torrent Tracker |
| EXT Torrents | EXT Torrents is a Public torrent site for VIDEOS / TV / GENERAL |
| ExtraTorrent.st | ExtraTorrent.st is a Public tracker for VIDEOS / TV / GENERAL magnets |
| EZTV | EZTV is a Public torrent site for TV VIDEOS |
| GloDLS | GloDLS is a Public Torrent Tracker for VIDEOS / TV / GENERAL |
| iDope | iDope is a Public torrent search engine presenting direct magnet links |
| Internet Archive | Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library offering free universal access to books, VIDEOS & AUDIO, as well as 406 billion archived web pages |
Looking for private torrent trackers? Check all the 600+ officially supported torrent trackers and NZB indexers.
Usage
Now, you’ll learn how to use Prowlarr for conducting searches and integrating it with other applications like Sonarr and Radarr. First, you’ll see how easy it is to add indexers for both torrents and NZBs. The setup process is straightforward, making it simple for you to get started.
Once your indexers are added, you can use Prowlarr’s search functionality to find content directly within the application. You have the flexibility to filter your searches by specific categories and indexers, making it easier to find exactly what you’re looking for.
However, it’s important to note that download clients are only needed in Prowlarr if you intend to do searches directly within Prowlarr itself. For searches initiated from apps like Sonarr, Radarr, etc., the download clients configured in those apps are used instead.
Prowlarr does not sync the download client settings to the arr apps like Sonarr and Radarr. It only syncs the indexer settings. So you still need to configure the download clients separately in each arr app.
In summary, while Prowlarr supports a wide range of popular Usenet and BitTorrent download clients, you only need to add them in Prowlarr if you plan to do manual searches from within Prowlarr. For automated searches via the arr apps, the download clients should be configured in each respective app.
The results of your searches and the usage statistics for your indexers are displayed in the ‘Stats’ section. This section provides a clear overview of your indexer activity and efficiency, helping you manage your downloads more effectively.
Prowlarr acts as a central hub for managing your indexers, streamlining the downloading process and enhancing integration with other PVR applications.
Performance
The performance? It’s slick. Whether you’re adding custom indexers or syncing with Sonarr, Prowlarr handles it all without breaking a sweat. You want freedom? You got it. With Prowlarr, you’re not just getting an app; you’re unlocking a smoother, hassle-free way to manage your downloads.
Whether you’re on Windows, OSX, or Linux, Prowlarr operates smoothly without gobbling up your system resources. Imagine replacing a clunky, resource-hogging app with one that runs efficiently and keeps your system snappy.
With top-tier Usenet providers, you benefit from robust server stability and excellent retention rates, ensuring your downloads are reliable and consistent.
Donation Plans
Prowlarr is a free service but you can donate to support development. Here’s a table of the donation plans available for Prowlarr via OpenCollective:
| Donation Type | Contribution Mode | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Backer | Recurring Contribution | $2/month |
| Sponsor | Recurring Contribution | $10/month |
| Mega Sponsor | Recurring Contribution | $25/month |
| Donation | Custom Contribution (1 time) | Your choice |
Recognizing the immense value Prowlarr brings to media management enthusiasts, supporting the project through donation plans not only ensures its ongoing development but also promises continuous enhancements and feature updates. Imagine the ease of a system that evolves and adapts to your needs without interruption. Supporting Prowlarr isn’t merely an act of kindness; it’s a smart investment in a seamless media experience.
Consider this: forgoing a single coffee can contribute to a tool that saves you countless hours managing your media library. Your generosity directly translates to quicker problem-solving and innovative new features. By supporting Prowlarr, you help it stay ahead of the curve, making your media organization effortless and pristine.
Support & Community
Engaging with Prowlarr’s dynamic support and community network ensures you maximize your media management experience. Why go it alone when a treasure trove of knowledge awaits? Prowlarr’s community forums and Discord channels are bustling with enthusiasts eager to assist. Encounter a tricky issue? Chances are someone has already cracked it.
The official documentation is top-notch, offering step-by-step guides for every feature. If you ever hit a snag, the active developers are just a message away. Imagine troubleshooting in real-time with people who’ve navigated the same challenges. Plus, the camaraderie is infectious—who doesn’t love geeking out over the latest tech finds?
Prowlarr Alternatives
Exploring alternatives to Prowlarr can help you find the best tool to suit your specific media management needs.
Prowlarr is a unique tool in the ecosystem, but users looking for alternatives might consider checking out Prowlarr vs Jackett or NZBHydra2 vs Jackett, which also act as meta-search engines for Usenet indexers and torrent trackers, respectively.
While NZBHydra2 specializes in consolidating searching and managing multiple NZB indexers, Jackett is geared more towards integrating with numerous torrent trackers and providing an API to be used by other software.
If Prowlarr doesn’t meet your expectations, consider Radarr or Sonarr. These tools excel in automating your video collections, making it simple to manage your favorite long-form and short-form videos.
If you want a hassle-free setup, Ombi provides a user-friendly interface for media requests.
Why settle for one tool? Experiment with different options to discover the perfect media management setup for you.
Prowlarr Review | Simplify Your Usenet and Torrents in 2024
4.5
Pros
- Open-Source and Free
- Centralized Control
- Cross-Platform Support
- User-Friendly Interface
- Wide Indexer Support
- Regular Updates
- App Integration
- Advanced Search
Cons
- Setup Complexity
- Requires Download Client
- Limited Native Indexer Support
- Dependence on Community Contributions
Frequently Asked Questions
u003cstrongu003eWhy Should I Use Prowlarr?u003c/strongu003e
Use Prowlarr for efficient management, u003cbu003eautomationu003c/bu003e, u003cbu003ewide compatibilityu003c/bu003e, u003cbu003eeasy setupu003c/bu003e, enhanced u003cbu003econtent discoveryu003c/bu003e, u003cbu003escalabilityu003c/bu003e, and strong u003cbu003ecommunity supportu003c/bu003e.
u003cstrongu003eShould Prowlarr Be Behind a VPN?u003c/strongu003e
It is recommended, using a VPN enhances privacy, u003cbu003esecurityu003c/bu003e, and allows for anonymous browsing by hiding your location.
u003cstrongu003eWhy Does Prowlarr Need a Download Client?u003c/strongu003e
Prowlarr requires a download client to manage the actual downloading of content from the sources it indexes. While Prowlarr excels in finding and organizing torrent and Usenet content, it doesn’t download files directly. Instead, it sends the found content to a download client
u003cstrongu003eWhat Port Does Prowlarr Use?u003c/strongu003e
Prowlarr, like many similar services, doesn’t have a specific default port it operates on; instead, it allows users to specify the port during setup. This means you can choose a port that suits your network configuration and security preferences.
