In the world of automated media downloading, two tools stand out when it comes to indexer aggregation and integration with applications like Radarr, Sonarr, and Lidarr: Jackett and Prowlarr. Both tools serve a similar purpose—connecting your media automation apps to torrent and Usenet indexers—but they do so in different ways and offer varying experiences in terms of ease of use, performance, and future-proofing. Choosing the right tool can significantly impact the efficiency and reliability of your home media server setup.
TLDR
If you’re setting up a new system or want an all-in-one, modern solution with active development and robust features, go with Prowlarr. If you’re already using Jackett and it’s working well, you might not need to switch, though it’s worth exploring Prowlarr. Overall, Prowlarr offers better integration, a cleaner interface, and future scalability. Jackett, while functional and widely compatible, is starting to show its age in terms of user experience and manageability.
Understanding What Each Tool Does
Jackett and Prowlarr both function as indexer aggregators that make it possible for media automation tools to search and fetch content from dozens or even hundreds of torrent and Usenet indexers. Simply put, they act as bridges between indexers and tools like Sonarr and Radarr, translating API calls into something those services understand.
- Jackett: A mature, stable solution with support for hundreds of private and public torrent trackers. It’s a favorite among long-time users and offers reliability but less polish.
- Prowlarr: A newer, modern alternative developed by the same team behind Radarr and Sonarr. Built with better integration and a future-forward architecture in mind.
User Interface and Usability
Possibly the most striking difference between the two tools lies in the user experience.
Jackett has a functional but dated interface. Performing simple tasks such as adding or modifying an indexer can feel cumbersome, especially when you’re managing multiple media apps. It doesn’t provide much in the way of integrated feedback or logging about how well indexers are performing.
Prowlarr, on the other hand, boasts a modern, clean graphical interface that matches the aesthetic and navigational layout of Radarr and Sonarr. It supports automatic error notifications, test indexing, and more seamless integration across multiple apps.
This upgraded interface makes managing a large number of indexers feel intuitive and efficient, especially in setups with several automation tools. Prowlarr’s UI not only looks better but actively contributes to a more reliable media pipeline by showing real-time system statuses, indexer failures, and even custom statistics.
Setting Up and Configuration
For users without extensive technical backgrounds, setting up Jackett can sometimes be challenging. Each indexer usually has to be configured manually, and then URLs or Torznab settings need to be copied into Sonarr, Radarr, or other apps. Jackett doesn’t offer automatic updates or syncing between applications, so you’ll need to manually repeat steps when you make updates or changes.
With Prowlarr, setup is far more streamlined. One of its standout features is auto-sync across multiple applications. You connect Prowlarr to your Sonarr, Radarr, or Lidarr instances, and it automatically imports indexers into them. This drastically reduces the effort required to scale or maintain your system.
Additionally, Prowlarr can check the status of each indexer and notify you when something breaks, a feature that’s missing (or less refined) in Jackett.
Features and Functionality
Here’s how Jackett and Prowlarr stack up in terms of capabilities:
| Feature | Jackett | Prowlarr |
|---|---|---|
| Indexer Support | Extensive (Torrent only) | Extensive (Torrent + Usenet) |
| Auto-Sync with Sonarr, Radarr | No | Yes |
| Modern Interface | No | Yes |
| API Management | Manual | Centralized |
| Error Reporting | Basic | Advanced |
| Multiple Application Support | Yes (manual) | Yes (automatic) |
Compatibility and Ecosystem Integration
Jackett is compatible with a wide range of media automation tools, including lesser-known projects outside the main *arr family. This makes it a suitable option for users with unconventional or hybrid setups.
Prowlarr, while slightly narrower in scope regarding third-party compatibility, is tightly integrated within the *arr project ecosystem—Sonarr, Radarr, Lidarr, Readarr. If you’re building a media server strictly around these, the cohesive experience is a clear benefit.
Performance and Maintenance
Another key difference lies in how the two handle performance and updates. Jackett requires more frequent manual updates of indexers and doesn’t always handle failed indexers gracefully. And with many indexers being community-maintained, some may degrade over time without notice.
Prowlarr simplifies this greatly by centralizing indexer updates through its own system. It’s capable of checking and applying changes automatically, which cuts down on downtime and broken connections. Plus, Prowlarr developers frequently push enhancements, making it the better candidate for long-term reliability.
Community and Support
Jackett has been around longer, and as a result, it benefits from a large user community and a vast archive of forum posts, guides, and troubleshooting resources.
Prowlarr, though newer, is backed by the same dedicated developers working on the *arr projects, meaning it’s actively maintained and benefits from tight coordination with those apps. Additionally, the rate of bug fixes and feature integrations is higher—something that reflects a lively dev and user community.
When You Should Choose Jackett
Despite its age, Jackett remains a viable choice in certain scenarios. Consider using Jackett if:
- You rely on non-*arr automation tools that aren’t fully compatible with Prowlarr yet.
- You’re deeply entrenched with a Jackett setup that’s stable and don’t see a need for modern UI or automation features.
- You prioritize torrent indexer diversity and rely on unique scripts or configurations.
When You Should Choose Prowlarr
Prowlarr becomes the clear favorite if your media stack includes any of the modern *arr tools since it enhances and simplifies their functionality. Use Prowlarr if:
- You want centralized indexer management across Radarr, Sonarr, and others.
- You prefer an intuitive, attractive UI with better performance monitoring.
- You want new features, community support, and consistent long-term development.
Final Thoughts
If you’re starting out on your media automation journey today, Prowlarr is the better choice in most scenarios thanks to its modern architecture, seamless syncing, and strong developer support. It simplifies the often complex world of indexer management, making it more accessible even to semi-technical users. For those already using Jackett, especially in custom setups, there’s no urgent need to switch unless you’re ready for a more streamlined and scalable experience.
Whatever your decision, ensure it’s aligned with not just your current needs but also your future plans for your home media ecosystem. Choosing the right tool helps ensure your automated downloads remain smooth, accurate, and uninterrupted.