Sickrage Review
Last Updated: Jul 02, 2025
| Rating |  |
| Price | free |
| Retention | 500 Days |
| Free Trial | None |
| Features | Automatic Video Library Manager |
| Python Script | |
| Integrable With SABnzbd and NZBGet |
If you are a fan of Sickbeard, then Sickrage is a must-try. This advanced video library manager actively monitors and manages your desired video files, seamlessly integrating with popular downloaders like SABnzbd and NZBGet, which are among the top NZB downloaders available today.
Sickrage supports both Usenet and Torrent downloaders, catering to a diverse user base. While it often draws comparisons to CouchPotato, Sickrage distinguishes itself with a more intuitive interface and an impressive automatic subtitle feature.
Editor's Tip: : Easynews is our top choice for quality Usenet search. It is an all-in-one service that includes everything needed to get up and running with Usenet:
- Unlimited Usenet access
- Highest quality retention (and growing)
- Built-in search interface with fast, accurate results and search previews
- Search Usenet without NZBs
- No software needed
Highlighted Features
Sickrage boasts a robust array of features. In addition to its video content monitoring capabilities, it can automatically upgrade your existing files when higher-quality versions become available. The software also downloads poster art, general information about the video files, and more.
- Comprehensive support for Usenet and Torrent providers
- Anime support
- Automatic subtitle downloading from Addic7ed, OpenSubtitles, Podnapisi, TVSubtitles, and more
- Multi-platform compatibility
- Integration with Kodi/XBMC for library updates, poster/banner/fanart downloads, and NFO/TBN generation
- Configurable automatic episode renaming, sorting, and processing
- Clear visibility of missing episodes, upcoming airings, and more
- Automatic torrent/NZB searching, downloading, and processing at your preferred quality
- Notifications to Kodi, XBMC, Growl, Trakt, Twitter, and more when new episodes are available
- Searches TheTVDB.com and AniDB.net for shows, seasons, episodes, and metadata
- Episode status management allows for mass failing seasons/episodes to force retries
- DVD order numbering for returning results in DVD order instead of air-by-date order
- Customizable indexer selection for show info during import
- Automatic XEM scene numbering/naming for seasons/episodes
- Available on any platform with a simple HTTP interface
- Support for specials and multi-episode torrents/NZBs
- Enhanced handling of automatic subtitle matching and downloading
- Improved failed download management
- DupeKey/DupeScore support for NZBGet 12+
- Real SSL certificate validation
Plans & Pricing
Sickrage is free software, but its developers encourage users to support the project through OpenCollective. You can make a one-time or recurring contribution, with various contributor levels ranging from $2 to $25 per month.
Usage Overview
Sickrage is user-friendly once you have configured the necessary settings. If you are familiar with Sickbeard or CouchPotato, you will find Sickrage easy to navigate. However, new users may require some time to familiarize themselves with the interface. Fortunately, a forum is available on the Sickrage website, offering guides, FAQs, news, updates, and general support.
Installation
You can download Sickrage from several sources:
- GIT repository
- Docker repository
- Synology repository
Sickrage also provides packages for:
- Qnap
- ReadyNas
- Windows
To install Sickrage on Windows, simply download the installer from their website and follow the setup wizard. If you encounter issues accessing Sickrage via http://localhost:8081, you may need to reinstall the requirements with the following command:
- pip3 install –no-deps -r c:\sickrage\requirements.txt
You might need to restart the Sickrage service afterward.
For macOS, you will need a Python extension library and should follow a process that involves installing command-line tools in your terminal. Linux users will also need to install Sickrage dependencies via Python. For complete installation details, refer to the forums on the Sickrage website.
Configuration
To effectively use Sickrage, you must configure the provider options within the program. You can enable or disable daily searches and backlog searches, and the provider priorities section allows you to select and arrange the providers you wish to use.
Scheduling & Automation
The core feature of Sickrage is its ability to automatically download video files as soon as they become available, whether they are new files or improved quality versions. Users can set the frequency of searches for specific providers and can halt searches once a complete season has been downloaded.
Usability
Sickrage may not be ideal for those unwilling to invest time in learning how to use the program. Installation on platforms other than Windows requires some technical knowledge of Python and command-line tools. While the interface is more user-friendly compared to similar applications, significant configuration is necessary to unlock the full potential of Sickrage.
However, with a wealth of FAQs, guides, and a supportive community, this program can be invaluable for users engaged in extensive video downloading.
To add files to your library, navigate to “shows” and select your preferred options for adding files.
Conclusion
Sickrage remains a valuable tool for users who want to stay updated on the latest video files available on Usenet. It not only monitors new files but also searches for higher-quality replacements for your existing videos. Although there is a learning curve involved in installing, configuring, and using this application, Sickrage continues to be a popular choice among Usenet and Torrent users who are serious about video content downloading.
However, it’s worth noting that the original SickRage project is still maintained on GitHub, with the latest release being v9.4.77, which includes fixes for anime and provider issues. Users, especially those on TrueNAS or FreeNAS, have reported challenges with auto-updates leading to startup errors, necessitating manual interventions. For those seeking a more actively developed alternative, SickChill, a well-known fork of SickRage, offers improved compatibility with modern systems, including better Docker and FreeBSD support. Users are often encouraged to migrate to SickChill for a more stable experience, with migration tools available for a smoother transition. If you choose to stay with SickRage, it’s advisable to manage updates carefully by backing up your configuration and database to avoid potential failures.
