Compare / RunLater vs a crontab on your own server
RunLater vs a crontab on your own server
A crontab line on a VPS costs nothing extra if you already have the server, and it can run any command, not only HTTP calls. What it doesn't do is retry, keep a log of responses or tell you when the box was down. RunLater is that same schedule without the machine, for jobs that are really "call this URL".
a crontab on your own server details are from man7.org/linux/man-pages/man5/crontab.5.html, checked October 9, 2026. Prices change; check their page before you decide.
| RunLater | a crontab on your own server | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $15/mo: 250 scheduled requests, 25,000 runs/mo; $39/mo: 1,000 scheduled requests, 100,000 runs/mo; $149/mo: 5,000 scheduled requests, 500,000 runs/mo | Free on a server you already run; the server itself is the cost |
| What it can run | HTTP requests only | Any command or script on that machine |
| Retries | Up to 10 retries with exponential backoff, set per request | None unless you write them into the script |
| Run history | Every run logged with status, timing and response body; kept 7, 30 or 90 days by plan | Whatever your script writes; cron mails output to the local user if mail is set up |
| Timezone | Timezone per request, daylight saving handled | The server clock (often UTC), or CRON_TZ where supported |
| When the machine is down | Not your machine: runs keep going | Jobs scheduled during downtime are skipped |
| One-time job at an exact time | Yes: exact date and time, or a cron expression | Not in crontab (use at, if installed) |
| Who can change a schedule | Anyone with a dashboard login | Someone with SSH access |
Pick a crontab on your own server if
- The job is a shell command or script, not a URL.
- You already run a server you keep patched and monitored, and a missed run now and then is fine.
- You need to pay nothing beyond the server.
Pick RunLater if
- The job is "call this URL" and you would rather not keep a server alive just for it.
- You want retries and a log of every status code and response body without writing them yourself.
- People who don't have SSH access need to see or change the schedules.
Try it on your own endpoint
The fastest way to compare is to point both at a real URL. RunLater's trial lasts 14 days and you can cancel from the billing page before it ends.
Start a 14-day trialStarter is $15/month for 250 scheduled requests and 25,000 runs. Cancel before day 14 and you pay nothing.