Comparison

Varys for Plex vs Kestrel

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

Kestrel

Features
Read full description

Take total control of your infrastructure from anywhere. Kestrel is a premium, server management client designed for developers, sysadmins, and power users who demand performance, security, and smart features on the go.. Privacy Policy: Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Varys for Plex4 screens
Kestrel4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Varys for Plex at 14.0 against Kestrel's 17.0. On price, update cadence, 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 Kestrel sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Varys for Plex ships an update every 3 weeks, Kestrel fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Varys for Plex versus Kestrel: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVarys for PlexKestrel
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (1.4K ratings) — better
Positive reviews89.5% of reviews
Number of ratings1.4K — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS14.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size69 MB37 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTobias FonfaraMichael Wright

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

Kestrel

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
4 purchases

Kestrel

Subscriptions3
  • Kestrel Pro$3.991 Month
  • Kestrel Pro Yearly7 Days trial$24.991 Year
  • Kestrel Suite$39.991 Year
One-time1
  • Kestrel Pro Lifetime$49.99

Questions

Is Varys for Plex free?
Varys for Plex is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Kestrel free?
Kestrel is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Varys for Plex or Kestrel have ads?
Neither Varys for Plex nor Kestrel shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Varys for Plex or Kestrel?
Varys for Plex ships an update every 3 weeks, and Kestrel fortnightly. Most recently, Varys for Plex was updated on September 24, 2026 and Kestrel on September 19, 2026.

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