Comparison

Varys for Plex vs Unraid Deck

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
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 Plex Media Server v1.15.3 or higher with remote access enabled and working. 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 (requires watchOS 6 or higher) - 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 (requires iOS 13) - 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, camera upload, plugins, 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 (requires iOS 13) - Huge number of Widgets (requires iOS 14) - Lockscreen Widgets (requires iOS 16) - Today widget for an easy and fast overview of current streams and updates - Dynamic tabs - Multiuser support - Overview over all your servers Varys for Plex is not affiliated with Plex Inc.

About

Unraid Deck

Manage and monitor your Unraid server remotely from your iOS device. Control Docker containers, VMs, and receive instant alerts with a secure, native experience. Features include an SSH terminal, real-time dashboards, and home screen widgets for quick access.

Highlights
  • SSH Terminal access
  • Real-time push notifications
  • Smart Connect for network switching
  • Home Screen Widgets
  • Dashboard monitoring
  • Docker & VM management
  • Biometric lock
Features
Read full description

Securely control your Unraid server from your iPhone and iPad. Unraid Deck is a native iOS client for monitoring dashboards, managing files, Docker containers and Compose stacks, controlling VMs, receiving server alerts, streaming Docker logs, and accessing your server through a built-in SSH terminal. Built for direct server connections, privacy-first workflows, and a fast native iOS experience. Key Features: Built-In File Manager • Browse, upload, download, move, rename, preview, copy paths, view details, and delete files. • Secure direct access over SSH/SFTP. SSH Terminal • Open an SSH terminal in the app for remote access and command-line workflows. • Run Docker log shortcuts with one tap when SSH is configured. Real-Time Push Notifications • Receive critical Unraid server notifications through Apple APNs. • Archive, restore unread, and manage notifications in batches. Smart Connect & Built-In Tailscale • Automatically select Local, Public, or Tailnet routes for your current network. • Use built-in Tailscale for secure remote access through your Tailnet. Plugin Marketplace • Browse Community Applications plugins and install supported HTTPS .plg plugins. BT Download Manager • Manage qBittorrent and Transmission tasks, including status and common actions. Home Screen Widgets • Monitor CPU, memory, and array usage at a glance. • Start, stop, and restart Docker containers from your Home Screen. Dashboard • Monitor CPU, memory, network traffic, and storage array usage in real time. • View CPU temperature, power telemetry, network throughput, array health, parity status, and disk temperatures. Docker Management • Group containers by Compose project and choose stack icons. • Search and filter containers to find services quickly. • View container status, port mappings, and volume mounts. • Start, stop, restart, pause, resume, and update containers. • Run batch actions, stream live logs, and set custom container icons. Virtual Machine Control • Search, start, pause, resume, and force stop VMs. • Run batch operations across multiple VMs. • Monitor VM status instantly. Security & Privacy • The app connects directly to your Unraid server and does not route traffic through its own servers. • API keys are encrypted and stored in the iOS Keychain. • Protect access with Face ID or Touch ID. • Access servers behind authenticated reverse proxies such as Authelia. • Securely sync configuration across your Apple devices with iCloud. API Key Access Control • Create API keys with custom permission groups. • Use the Unraid Deck preset to fill required permissions. • View and copy API key details in the app. REQUIREMENTS • Unraid OS v6.12 or later; v7.2+ recommended • Unraid API enabled on your server • Valid API key for authentication • Network access to your Unraid server • SSH access for Terminal, Docker log shortcuts, and File Manager features Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://unraid.mccray.app/privacy/

Screenshots

Varys for Plex4 screens
Unraid Deck4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Varys for Plex at 1.4K against Unraid Deck's 24. Varys for Plex also leads on device support (4 vs 2) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 18.1). Unraid Deck's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks) and review sentiment (100% vs 89%). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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

Both are free to download. Varys for Plex sells 4 one-off in-app purchases and Unraid Deck sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Varys for Plex against 4.8 for Unraid Deck. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Varys for Plex has 1.4K ratings behind it against 24, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 89% of Varys for Plex's written reviews are positive against 100% of Unraid Deck's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Varys for Plex ships an update every 3 weeks, Unraid Deck weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Varys for Plex versus Unraid Deck: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVarys for PlexUnraid Deck
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (1.4K ratings) — better4.8 (24 ratings)
Positive reviews89.5% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.4K — better24
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS14.0 — better18.1
Further details — not scored
Size69 MB64 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTobias Fonfara祥瑞 谢

Customer experience

Varys for Plex

All ratings1,417 ratings
Positive97.2%
Neutral0.9%
Negative1.8%
Written reviews256 reviews
Positive89.5%
Neutral4.7%
Negative5.9%

Unraid Deck

All ratings23 ratings
Positive95.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative4.3%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

Unraid Deck

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
1 purchases

Unraid Deck

One-time1
  • Pro Lifetime$9.99

Questions

Is Varys for Plex free?
Varys for Plex is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Unraid Deck free?
Unraid Deck is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Varys for Plex or Unraid Deck?
Varys for Plex is rated higher. Varys for Plex averages 4.8 out of 5 from 1.4K ratings, while Unraid Deck averages 4.8 from 24 ratings.
Do Varys for Plex or Unraid Deck have ads?
Neither Varys for Plex nor Unraid Deck shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Varys for Plex or Unraid Deck?
Varys for Plex ships an update every 3 weeks, and Unraid Deck weekly. Most recently, Varys for Plex was updated on September 24, 2026 and Unraid Deck on September 10, 2026.

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