Head-to-head · October 2026
Cronjob Scheduler vs Run External Crons
Cronjob Scheduler comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Run External Crons.
Cronjob Scheduler
Cronjob Scheduler allows you to create custom WordPress tasks that are automatically triggered on a schedule…
| Metric | Cronjob Scheduler | Run External Crons |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 900+ | 50+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 172 | 67 |
| Download trend | +31.3% | +63.4% |
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 5/5 |
| Reviews | 14 | 2 |
| Health score | 37/100 | 32/100 |
| Last updated | 6 years ago | 14 years ago |
| Tested up to | WP 5.4.24 | WP 3.4.2 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | Any | Any |
| First released | May 2014 | Aug 2012 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Cronjob SchedulerRun External Crons
Choose Cronjob Scheduler if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.
- Small user base (900+ active installs)
- No update in 6 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 5.4 (latest is 7.1)
Choose Run External Crons if…
You care most about download trend.
- Small user base (50+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in 14 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 3.4 (latest is 7.1)
FAQ
Cronjob Scheduler vs Run External Crons: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 21, 2026
Which is better, Cronjob Scheduler or Run External Crons?
Cronjob Scheduler comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Run External Crons. Choose Cronjob Scheduler if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews. Choose Run External Crons if you care most about download trend.
Is Cronjob Scheduler more popular than Run External Crons?
Cronjob Scheduler is the more popular of the two with 900+ active installs, compared with 50+ for Run External Crons.
Can I use Cronjob Scheduler and Run External Crons together?
Both plugins cover cron and cronjob, so most sites only need one. Running two plugins that do the same job can cause conflicts and slow your site down — pick the one that fits best and remove the other.
Are Cronjob Scheduler and Run External Crons free?
Yes. Both are free to download from the official WordPress.org plugin directory. Either may also offer paid upgrades from its developer.
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