Watcharr
Watcharr is a self-hosted, open-source application for tracking movies, TV shows, anime, and video games with user authentication and a modern web interface. Built in Go and Svelte, it allows individuals or teams to manage watched content across devices without relying on external services.
Key facts
Objective fields from the source. Values we can't verify are shown as “Unknown” rather than guessed.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Repository | sbondCo/Watcharr |
| Owner | sbondCo |
| Primary language | Go |
| License | GPL-3.0 — OSI-approved |
| Stars | 1.4k |
| Forks | 69 |
| Open issues | 163 |
| Latest release | v3.0.1 (2026-03-09) |
| Last updated | 2026-07-05 |
| Source | https://github.com/sbondCo/Watcharr |
What Watcharr is
Go backend with Svelte/SvelteKit frontend, SQLite database, and Docker deployment support. Provides user authentication, content status tracking, ratings, and discovery features with optional IGDB integration for game support.
Get the Watcharr source
Clone the repository and explore it locally.
git clone https://github.com/sbondCo/Watcharr.gitcd Watcharr# follow the project's README for install & configurationNeed it deployed, integrated, or customized instead? DEV.co ships production installs.
Best use cases
Implementation considerations
- Deploy via Docker Compose for fastest time-to-value; bare-metal setup requires Go runtime and Node.js build toolchain.
- SQLite is single-file, suitable for small-to-medium deployments; scale or high-concurrency scenarios may require migration to PostgreSQL or MySQL.
- Optional IGDB configuration needed for video game tracking; requires external API key and additional setup steps.
- User authentication built-in but consider reverse-proxy (nginx/Caddy) with TLS termination for production security.
- Data residency and backup strategy essential for self-hosted; no built-in replication or disaster recovery.
When to avoid it — and what to weigh
- Large-Scale Multi-Tenant SaaS — GPLv3 license restricts proprietary SaaS deployment; commercial multi-tenant hosting requires source code release or licensing negotiation.
- Enterprise Integration Heavy Lifting — Limited integration ecosystem (only Kodi plugin mentioned); no documented enterprise connectors (LDAP, SSO, advanced API). Not designed for complex organizational workflows.
- Zero-Maintenance Requirements — 163 open issues and modest community tooling suggest ongoing maintenance needs; self-hosting infrastructure expertise required.
- Proprietary Derivative Products — GPLv3 copyleft requires any modifications or derived works to remain open source; cannot be closed-source without explicit relicensing.
License & commercial use
GPLv3 (GNU General Public License v3.0). Strong copyleft: derivative works, modifications, and network deployment (SaaS) must publicly release source code. Redistribution permitted under same license terms.
Internal/private use permitted. Selling Watcharr SaaS, closed-source forks, or proprietary derivatives prohibited without explicit dual licensing from maintainer. Requires legal review for custom deployments intended for revenue-generating products.
DEV.co evaluation signals
Editorial assessment — not user reviews. Directional, with an explicit confidence level.
| Signal | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Maintenance | Active |
| Documentation | Adequate |
| License clarity | Clear |
| Deployment complexity | Low |
| DEV.co fit | Good |
| Assessment confidence | High |
User authentication present but security audit status not stated. Self-hosting responsibility: TLS/HTTPS termination, firewall rules, and data encryption at rest not configured by default. SQLite stores sensitive data (user credentials, watch history); ensure file permissions and regular backups. No CVE or security advisory data provided.
Alternatives to consider
Trakt.tv / IMDb
Cloud-hosted, widely used but proprietary; closed data silos and external dependency. No self-hosting option.
Letterboxd
Proprietary SaaS focused on film curation and social features; not self-hostable. Strong community but locked ecosystem.
Jellyfin + Plugins
Open-source media server with optional tracking plugins. Better for media library management but steeper setup; different use case (streaming vs. tracking external content).
Build on Watcharr with DEV.co software developers
Review the license terms, deployment requirements, and security posture. For production SaaS or enterprise needs, consult legal on GPLv3 copyleft implications. Start with the Docker Compose demo to assess fit.
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Watcharr FAQ
Can I run Watcharr on Windows/Mac?
Is Watcharr suitable for a business?
What data does Watcharr collect?
How do I back up or migrate my data?
Work with a software development agency
DEV.co helps companies turn open-source tools like Watcharr into production software. Our software development services cover the full lifecycle — architecture, web development, integration, and maintenance — delivered by software developers and web developers who ship. Engage our software development agency to implement or customize it for your open-source devops stack.
Evaluate Watcharr for Your Use Case
Review the license terms, deployment requirements, and security posture. For production SaaS or enterprise needs, consult legal on GPLv3 copyleft implications. Start with the Docker Compose demo to assess fit.