# Run External Crons vs WP Crontrol

> Run External Crons vs WP Crontrol compared on installs, downloads, ratings, updates, compatibility and support. WP Crontrol comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Run External Crons.

**WP Crontrol comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Run External Crons.** Choose Run External Crons if you care most about download trend. Choose WP Crontrol if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.

| | Run External Crons | WP Crontrol |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 50+ | 300K+ ✅ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 66 | 382.2K ✅ |
| Download trend | +53.5% ✅ | +34.8% |
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Reviews | 2 | 166 ✅ |
| Health score | 32/100 | 85/100 ✅ |
| Last updated | 14 years ago | 1 week ago ✅ |
| Tested up to | WP 3.4.2 | WP 7.1.3 ✅ |
| Support resolved | — | 40% |
| Requires PHP | Any | 7.4+ |
| First released | Aug 2012 | Jan 2008 |

## Frequently asked questions

### Which is better, Run External Crons or WP Crontrol?
WP Crontrol comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Run External Crons. Choose Run External Crons if you care most about download trend. Choose WP Crontrol if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.

### Is Run External Crons more popular than WP Crontrol?
WP Crontrol is the more popular of the two with 300K+ active installs, compared with 50+ for Run External Crons.

### Can I use Run External Crons and WP Crontrol together?
Both plugins cover cron, 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 Run External Crons and WP Crontrol 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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Source: live WordPress.org data · HTML version: https://pageforge.pro/directory/compare/run-external-crons-vs-wp-crontrol/ · Generated 2026-10-22 14:33 UTC by PageForge