Sublarr fits better when …
- Anime is involved: absolutely numbered episodes, AniDB resolution, ASS with its styling instead of SRT.
- Part of the library isn't managed by Sonarr or Radarr — Sublarr manages folders directly too.
- Files carry tracks in languages you don't need, or several English tracks of which only one matches the original.
- You want to fix timing against the audio by hand, in a waveform editor.
Bazarr fits better when …
- Your library is mostly live-action and Bazarr finds what you need. Swapping a working setup for a younger tool buys you little.
- You need many sources with a long track record: Bazarr lists 59 providers. Sublarr has 28 built-in adapters; its 43 catalog sources only arrived in version 1.16 and have to be switched on one by one.
- You want to install without Docker — Bazarr ships installers for Windows, Linux, macOS and the Raspberry Pi.
- A large community matters to you: Bazarr has been around since 2017 and has far more people behind it.
Side by side
| Topic | Sublarr | Bazarr |
|---|---|---|
| Libraries without Sonarr/Radarr | Yes — standalone folders, also mixed with *arr instances | No — per its README it only manages what Sonarr and Radarr have indexed |
| Sonarr / Radarr | Multiple instances, import webhooks | Built for it: picks up new series, episodes and movies automatically |
| Providers | 28 built-in provider adapters, plus 43 opt-in catalog sources from the Bazarr+ provider catalog — off by default, many of them for a single language | 59 listed in its README |
| ASS and format preference | ASS bonus in scoring, anime preset; format upgrade removes the SRT once an ASS exists | Can ignore embedded ASS tracks and strip formatting with a mod; its docs describe no ASS preference in scoring |
| Anime (AniDB, absolute numbering) | Four-tier AniDB resolution for absolutely numbered episodes | Uses AniDB for the Animetosho provider (needs your own AniDB API client) |
| Sync | ffsubsync in the image, alass optional as a second engine, waveform editor for manual work; auto-sync applies only the measured shift, so signs and karaoke keep their full length | ffsubsync, optionally automatic after download with a score threshold |
| Translation | Optional, off by default: locally through Ollama or through cloud services | Google Translate, Gemini or Lingarr |
| Foreign-language tracks | Removes embedded subtitle tracks in unwanted languages by remuxing; original kept in the trash for 7 days | Can hide embedded tracks in other languages from view; its docs describe no removal from the file |
| Installation | One Docker container (GHCR) | Docker (e.g. linuxserver/bazarr) and native installs on Windows, Linux, macOS, Raspberry Pi |
| Jellyfin / Emby / Plex | Targeted refresh after every subtitle: the item on Jellyfin/Emby, the episode's or film's folder on Plex; Kodi and Shoko too | Plex (refresh, playback webhooks with Plex Pass) and Jellyfin (refresh) |
| Migration | Bazarr import with a preview: Sonarr/Radarr, OpenSubtitles login, language profiles, blacklist | — |
| Maturity and community | Young, maintained by one person | On GitHub since 2017, around 4,300 stars, regular releases |
Bazarr details are taken from Bazarr's own README and wiki as of 2026-10-01. What isn't described there isn't claimed here either. README · Wiki
Common questions
Should I switch from Bazarr to Sublarr?
If Bazarr is working for you, probably not. Bazarr is more mature, has more people behind it and covers live-action well. The switch pays off when anime is in the library or parts of it aren't managed by Sonarr and Radarr.
Can I run Sublarr and Bazarr at the same time?
Yes, but not on the same series. Both write subtitle files next to the videos and would overwrite each other. A common split: live-action stays with Bazarr, the anime library goes to Sublarr.
What does Sublarr take over from Bazarr?
The Sonarr and Radarr connection, the OpenSubtitles login, language profiles and the blacklist — from Bazarr's config.yaml and bazarr.db, with a preview before anything is written. Download history and other provider settings are not imported. Your subtitle files are left untouched.
Switch without starting over
Sublarr reads Bazarr's configuration and shows what it would take over before importing anything. You can also move just your anime library first.