The right Plex companion app depends on what you want Plex to do: Plexamp specializes in music, Prologue is built for audiobooks, Tautulli tracks server activity, and Varys puts server information and controls on an iPhone or iPad. They are not four interchangeable replacements for Plex’s official app—and one, Plexamp, is published by Plex itself.
Which Plex companion app fits your needs?
| App | Best suited to | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Plexamp | Listening to a personal music library | Plex’s dedicated music player for Plex Media Server libraries. Some advanced features require Plex Pass. Plexamp feature details |
| Prologue | Listening to audiobooks | A self-hosted audiobook player for Plex and Audiobookshelf. Prologue |
| Tautulli | Monitoring streams, history, notifications, and analytics | A separately installed web application for Plex Media Server; it does not play media. Tautulli project site |
| Varys | Checking and managing a server from an Apple mobile device | An iPhone and iPad app with server activity and management features. Its App Store listing says it is not affiliated with Plex Inc. Varys on the Apple App Store |
There is no overall winner because these apps address different jobs. Choose based on whether you need a specialized player, an activity dashboard, or mobile server oversight.
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For music: Plexamp
Plexamp is the clearest choice here if your goal is to listen to music from a personal Plex library. Plex describes it as a custom music player and says a Plex Media Server is required for personal music content. It is a Plex product, not an independent alternative to Plex’s official app.
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Plex lists features available without Plex Pass such as gapless playback, loudness leveling, smart playlists and stations, unlimited streaming, Android Auto and CarPlay, and Chromecast and AirPlay support. Downloads, lyrics, autoplay, additional radio functions, and other advanced capabilities are listed as Plex Pass features. Check the current Plexamp feature page before relying on a particular feature, since the feature split can change.
#1 Best Overall
- Stunning 4K and Dolby Vision streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Breathtaking picture quality: Stunningly sharp 4K picture brings out rich detail in your entertainment with four times the resolution of HD. Watch as colors pop off your screen and enjoy lifelike clarity with Dolby Vision and HDR10+.
- Seamless streaming for any room: With Roku Streaming Stick 4K, watch your favorite entertainment on any TV in the house, even in rooms farther from your router thanks to the long-range Wi-Fi receiver.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- Compact without compromises: Our sleek design won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, so you can switch from streaming to gaming with ease. Plus, it’s designed to stay hidden behind your TV, keeping wires neatly out of sight
For audiobooks: Prologue
Prologue is described by its maker as a self-hosted audiobook player for Plex and Audiobookshelf. That makes it a purpose-built option to investigate if you want an audiobook-focused listening app connected to one of those services.
The available product description establishes that core use case, but not current platform availability, pricing, or a detailed feature-by-feature comparison with Plex’s own app. Confirm those details on Prologue’s official site before choosing it for a particular device or workflow.
For server activity and analytics: Tautulli
Tautulli is a Python-based web application for monitoring, analytics, and notifications for Plex Media Server. It is useful when you want to see what is happening on the server rather than start playback in another client.
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Rank #2
- Our fastest-ever streaming media player - Brings lightning-fast app starts with an octa-core processor and is 2X as powerful as Fire TV Stick 4K Max.
- The newest Fire TV experience (2026) – Our biggest update to Fire TV has a new, modern design that gets you to your entertainment fast. Browse dedicated content categories, pin more of your favorite apps, and get personalized recommendations from Alexa+. Spend less time scrolling, and more time watching.
- Smarter picks with Alexa+ – Getting to what you love has never been easier. Press the voice remote button and talk naturally to find what to watch across your apps, manage your smart home, or dive into virtually any topic.
- Hands-free Alexa with built-in mic and speakers - Control your compatible TV, soundbar, and receivers with your voice, even from across the room.
- Seamlessly navigate between your entertainment - Connect compatible devices and easily go from streaming to your cable box, game console, or webcam.
- Monitor current activity and review viewing history.
- Set customizable notices about streams or newly added media.
- Inspect user, library, and file information.
- Use analytics to understand server activity.
Tautulli is installed separately from Plex Media Server. Its documentation describes several installation approaches, including installers and Docker, so the setup process depends on your environment. See the Tautulli documentation for installation and configuration details.
For iPhone and iPad server oversight: Varys
Varys is an Apple mobile app for checking a Plex server away from its main interface. The App Store listing describes a current-stream list, transcoding details, media metadata, watch history, a server console, and the ability to switch between servers.
The listing also identifies optional Pro features, including CPU, RAM, and bandwidth monitoring; user management; server update monitoring; playback-history details; library statistics and management; collections; and artwork changes. Check the App Store listing for current feature and purchase details. The cited listing is for iPhone and iPad, so it does not establish Android availability. Varys explicitly says it is not affiliated with Plex Inc.
Rank #3
- Ask to control your TV with your voice, and quickly cast your photos, videos, music and more from your phone, tablet, or PC to your TV with Chromecast built in
- Built-in Virtual Assistant – just press the mic button on the remote to get what you want
- Built-in content and entertainment including YouTube, Play Movies & TV, and more
- Support for thousands of Apps on the Play Store
- 2K resolution TV streaming
“Plex Companion” can mean something more specific
In ordinary app recommendations, “Plex companion app” can mean a separate tool that works alongside Plex. Plex also uses Plex Companion as a technical term for controller and receiver roles: one app can control playback in another. Those terms are not a general label for the four products above.
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Plex’s Supported Plex Companion Apps support page carries a version caveat: it does not apply to Plex mobile apps version 2025.10 or higher. It should not be treated as a complete guide to current mobile-app behavior.
Quick Recap
Choose by the task, not by a single ranking
- Choose Plexamp for a dedicated music experience, and check which features require Plex Pass.
- Consider Prologue if you specifically want an audiobook player for Plex or Audiobookshelf; verify device support and terms for your setup.
- Use Tautulli when the need is server activity, playback history, notifications, or analytics.
- Look at Varys if you want the listed server dashboard and controls on an iPhone or iPad.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
