Head-to-head · October 2026
FastCron vs Run External Crons
FastCron comes out ahead, winning 5 of 7 head-to-head checks against Run External Crons.
FastCron – Run WP Cron for free
This plugin will set up a free cronjob to run your wp-cron.php file automatically. Completely free, no…
| Metric | FastCron | Run External Crons |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 100+ | 50+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 124 | 67 |
| Download trend | +17% | +63.4% |
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Reviews | 1 | 2 |
| Health score | 47/100 | 32/100 |
| Last updated | 8 months ago | 14 years ago |
| Tested up to | WP 6.9.10 | WP 3.4.2 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | Any | Any |
| First released | Aug 2024 | Aug 2012 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
FastCronRun External Crons
Choose FastCron if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and health score.
- Small user base (100+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.9 (latest is 7.1)
Choose Run External Crons if…
You care most about download trend and reviews.
- 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
FastCron 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, FastCron or Run External Crons?
FastCron comes out ahead, winning 5 of 7 head-to-head checks against Run External Crons. Choose FastCron if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and health score. Choose Run External Crons if you care most about download trend and reviews.
Is FastCron more popular than Run External Crons?
FastCron is the more popular of the two with 100+ active installs, compared with 50+ for Run External Crons.
Can I use FastCron and Run External Crons together?
Both plugins cover cron job 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 FastCron 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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