Comparison

Varys for Plex vs Smart

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Varys for Plex

Monitor your Plex Media Server's activity and health. View current streams, running conversions, and detailed media information. Manage users, libraries, and server updates with advanced features available in the Pro version.

Highlights
  • Monitor current streams and conversions
  • View detailed media information
  • Manage users and libraries
  • Server update monitoring
  • Real-time server resource monitoring (Pro)
  • Cross-linking to IMDb, TMDb, TVDb
  • Apple Watch app
Features
Read full description

Plex Dash? Compare both apps on features.varys-app.com! Varys for Plex connects to your existing Plex Media Server and gives you easy access to several data. This app requires your own Plex Media Server with remote access recommended for use away from home. Please note that most of the features require an active Plex Pass subscription. This app works with servers you are logged in as admin only. Latest version of Plex Media Server is recommended. Free trial of Varys Pro is available! FEATURES - Universal app for iPhone and iPad - App for Apple Watch - Easy app linking with Plex Media Server (incl. two-factor auth support) - List of current streams incl. details like user, player, quality, eta - List of running conversions incl. details like transcoding speed and remaining time - Option to terminate streams with optional message - All details to streamed media e.g. summary, file size, bitrate, resolution, audio/video/subtitle tracks, duration, release date, rating, related media and more - Watch history for media items - Cross linking between related media, track/album/artist, episode/season/tv show - Cross linking to the official Plex app (if installed) - Cross linking to IMDb, TMDb and TVDb - Fast server switching (if you own multiple Plex Media Servers) - Plex Media Server console - Dark Mode / Light Mode - Compact mode - Face ID/Touch ID support ADDITIONAL FEATURES OF PRO VERSION - Realtime server CPU / RAM / bandwidth monitoring - Complete user management incl. sending/accepting invites and granting/revoking access to libraries, allow/deny sync, and live tv - Plex Media Server update monitoring incl. release notes - Playback history (optionally choose Tautulli as source) - Playback history details (requires separate Tautulli server) - Recently added media - User list incl. playback statistics and filter option - Top played movie/tv show/artist - Statistics graphically represented as charts - List and details of all libraries incl. search and filters with access to all media details without having those streamed - Library size and total duration info - Library statistics - Manual update of libraries - List and manage collections - Change covers and artwork on the go - Authorized devices management - Plex Dance™ - Live TV & DVR guide refresh - Number of current streams as app icon badge - Siri Shortcuts - Huge number of Widgets - Lockscreen Widgets - Dynamic tabs - Multiuser support - Overview over all your servers Varys for Plex is not affiliated with Plex Inc.

About

Smart

Read full description

Smart‑Pocket is your all‑in‑one utility suite to focus, discover, and create — packed with smart tools for everyday life and productivity. Core tools include: Pomodoro Timer, Notes, To‑Do, and Password Generator Currency, Weather, World Clock, and Unit Converter Calculator, Tip Calculator, and Mortgage Overpayment Voice Recorder, Image to Text (OCR), Image to SVG, and Background Remover Movie Watchlist + Movie Player, QR Tools, Compass, Battery Info, Ruler Quick Translator, Wi‑Fi Scanner, Crypto tracker, and more Now with refined navigation, modern themes, and faster access to your most‑used tools, Smart‑Pocket keeps everything you need in one place.

Screenshots

Varys for Plex4 screens
Smart4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Varys for Plex at Free against Smart's $2.99. Varys for Plex also leads on device support (3 vs 1). Smart's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). On ads and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Varys for Plex is free to download; Smart costs $2.99 up front. Varys for Plex sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Smart asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Varys for Plex ships an update every 3 weeks, Smart weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Varys for Plex versus Smart: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVarys for PlexSmart
PriceFree — better$2.99
Rating4.8 (1.5K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews89.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.5K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.5
Further details — not scored
Size65 MB8 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTobias FonfaraWaqar Chaudhry

Bugs and requests

Varys for Plex

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Restore purchase window keeps appearing
  • Connectivity issues when not on local network
  • Incorrect audio channel detection

Requested features

6 requests
  • GPU usage monitoring
  • DVR recording status
  • Ability to manage users and devices
  • Ability to edit metadata
  • Ability to rate watched content
Show 1 more
  • Support for multiple servers

Smart

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Varys for Plex

One-time4
  • Coffee Tall$0.99
  • Coffee Grande$2.99
  • Varys Pro$3.99
Show 1 more
  • Coffee Venti$4.99
None

Smart

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Varys for Plex free?
Varys for Plex is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Smart free?
Smart costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Varys for Plex or Smart have ads?
Neither Varys for Plex nor Smart shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Varys for Plex or Smart?
Varys for Plex ships an update every 3 weeks, and Smart weekly. Most recently, Varys for Plex was updated on November 2, 2026 and Smart on November 5, 2026.

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