Unmanic

What Unmanic is

Unmanic automates file processing across monitored libraries, using worker groups and plugin sequences that you configure for each library. It can handle video transcoding, audio conversion, subtitle-track removal and file organization. Files can enter the workflow through scheduled library scans, real-time file-system monitoring or an API queue. Batch conversion and hardware acceleration are supported.

You can install plugins from the official repository or add custom plugin repositories. Multiple Unmanic installations can share processing tasks, with completed results returned to the local installation for post-processing. Unmanic Central gathers metrics and logs in a datastore that you host and control yourself. Linux and Windows are listed among its platforms; the Windows installer bundles Unmanic, Python and FFmpeg, then opens the web interface at localhost:8888. The documented software requirement is Python 3.10 or higher; Docker and FFmpeg are optional depending on configuration. Unmanic has no built-in authentication, and its linking guide recommends a reverse proxy when authentication is needed. The free plan allows two libraries and three linked installations; supporter access is listed at $36 a month, with a plan note describing a one-time $36 USD payment for permanent access to supporter features.

Who it suits

Unmanic suits people who want to automate recurring media-file tasks across one or more monitored libraries. It may also fit users who can host the system themselves and want to link installations or collect their metrics and logs in a self-hosted dashboard.

Limits

The free plan permits a maximum of two libraries and three linked installations, and limits some supporter-only plugin settings. The Supporter plan lists unlimited libraries and linked installations.

Getting started

1. Open the Unmanic documentation website.
2. Choose a Linux or Windows setup; the Windows installer bundles Unmanic, Python and FFmpeg.
3. Meet the Python 3.10-or-higher software requirement; add Docker or FFmpeg if your configuration needs them.
4. Create a monitored library and configure its worker groups and plugin sequence.
5. Add plugins from the official repository or a custom repository, then choose scanning, real-time monitoring or API queueing.
6. Use a reverse proxy if authentication is needed.

Verdict

Choose Unmanic if you want plugin-configured automation for media libraries, with options for distributed processing and a self-hosted dashboard. Look elsewhere if you need built-in authentication or the free plan’s limits are too restrictive. Supporter access is listed at $36 a month, while the plan note describes a one-time $36 USD payment for permanent access.