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Run Sonarr and Radarr Without Docker or a Home Server

Updated

If you've ever tried to set up Sonarr and Radarr on your own, you know the drill:

  • Find a guide (there are dozens, all slightly different)
  • Install Docker (or Docker Compose, or Portainer, or unRAID, or...)
  • Get the paths wrong the first three times
  • Figure out why your containers can't see each other
  • Keep everything updated and running when you'd rather just be watching something

ElfHosted runs your media automation apps in the cloud, provisioned for you and ready to connect to your chosen storage and provider accounts. The apps are already running when you subscribe; you configure them through their normal UIs.

What ElfHosted gives you

With an ElfHosted personal stack, you get:

  • Sonarr - TV library management, running 24/7
  • Radarr - movie library management, running 24/7
  • Prowlarr - indexer management, provisioned alongside your Arr apps
  • Decypharr - handles the connection between your Arr apps and your cloud storage backend
  • Your choice of media server - Plex, Jellyfin, or Emby
  • First-class storage integrations - purpose-built for bring-your-own Real-Debrid, Usenet via NzbDAV, and rclone-compatible storage paths

Get your $1, 7-day trial!

How it compares

Self-hosted (Docker/NAS) ElfHosted
Setup time Hours to days Minutes
Hardware required Yes (NAS, server, or VPS) No
Maintenance Manual updates, backups, monitoring Handled for you
Availability As good as your home internet 24/7 cloud uptime
App path defaults Famously painful Provisioned with ElfHosted defaults
Monthly cost Hardware + electricity + VPS From $39/month for the Arrs stack, or AIOMagic if you'd rather stream than manage a library (Rex if you want Plex)

What the stack looks like

Here's how the pieces fit together for a cloud media stack on ElfHosted:

flowchart TD
    User --> |"Configure library rules"| Arrs["Sonarr / Radarr"]
    Arrs --> |"Use synced indexers"| Prowlarr
    Prowlarr --> |"Return available candidates"| StorageBridge["Storage integration layer"]
    StorageBridge --> |"Connect to your provider account"| Provider["Real-Debrid / Usenet / rclone storage"]
    StorageBridge --> |"Expose library paths"| MediaServer["Plex / Jellyfin / Emby"]
    Provider --> |"Back your library"| MediaServer
    MediaServer --> |"Serve your clients"| You

All of this runs on ElfHosted's infrastructure, not your home connection or a VPS you have to manage. The stack is designed to connect to your own storage and provider choices, including Real-Debrid and Usenet (via NzbDAV).

Choosing your setup

The exact configuration depends on your choice of media server. All personal stacks use Real-Debrid for cloud storage. ElfHosted has step-by-step guides for each combination:

Not sure which media server to pick? Jellyfin is free and open-source and a good starting point. Plex has a larger ecosystem. Emby sits somewhere between the two.

Getting started

  1. Pick your stack - choose a personal stack bundle that includes Sonarr, Radarr, and your preferred media server
  2. Subscribe - 7-day trials start at $1
  3. Connect your storage/provider accounts - bring your own Real-Debrid, Usenet, or rclone-compatible cloud storage as appropriate for your stack
  4. Follow the guide - detailed setup instructions are linked above for each combination
  5. Tune your automation - configure Sonarr, Radarr, Prowlarr, and your media server through their normal UIs

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to keep my computer on? No. Everything runs on ElfHosted's servers. Your computer, phone, or TV just needs the relevant app to stream.

What storage does this work with? Real-Debrid and Usenet via NzbDAV are both first-class integrations - the stack is designed to work with either. You can also attach any rclone-compatible cloud (Hetzner Storage Box, Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, etc.), but that's a secondary use case requiring more manual configuration.

What if I already have a Docker setup at home? ElfHosted can run alongside it or replace it. Your existing media library can be migrated if it's on compatible cloud storage. If you're evaluating the broader move away from home-server maintenance, see Avoid media server maintenance.

Is there a free trial? Yes, 7-day trials for $1, no commitment required.

Get started

What users say..

We're rocking some excellent ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ TrustPilot Reviews, and here's what some of our usersfriends say..

Excellent tutorials, works like a charm, very available customer service in case any issue arises.

★★★★★ Theo (Trustpilot)

It's a configure-once-and-enjoy platform. Even if you want to modify anything you almost always not need to do anything else for your changes to reflect.

★★★★★ Eris S. (Trustpilot)

Wonderful and so easy to set up the product & its service

★★★★★ Gareth D. (Trustpilot)

This was the best experience ever. I am so thankful that Elfhosted provides a white glove experience to setup your service for you. Togx90 was amazing.

★★★★★ Randall M. (Trustpilot)