Compare / RunLater vs GitHub Actions scheduled workflows
RunLater vs GitHub Actions scheduled workflows
A scheduled workflow is handy when the job already lives in a repository: it runs your workflow on the default branch on a cron schedule. GitHub documents that runs can be delayed or dropped at busy times and that schedules in inactive public repos get disabled. RunLater is for jobs that come down to "call this URL", on time, with retries and a response log.
GitHub Actions scheduled workflows details are from their own pages (listed under the table), checked October 27, 2026. Prices change; check their page before you decide.
| RunLater | GitHub Actions scheduled workflows | |
|---|---|---|
| What it runs | Any public URL, any method, your headers and body | A workflow in the repository, on the latest commit of the default branch |
| Minimum interval | 1 minute | 5 minutes |
| Timing | Within the minute | Can be delayed at busy times (the start of every hour); some queued jobs may be dropped |
| Inactive repositories | Schedules keep running | Public repos: schedules are disabled after 60 days without activity |
| Timezone | Timezone per request, daylight saving handled | UTC by default, with an optional IANA timezone |
| Retries | Up to 10 retries with exponential backoff, set per request | No retry option for scheduled runs |
| One-time run at an exact time | Yes: exact date and time, or a cron expression | No: cron schedules only |
| Run length | Configurable per request, 1 to 300 seconds | Up to 6 hours per job on GitHub-hosted runners |
| Changing a schedule | Edit it in the dashboard, takes effect right away | Commit the new cron to the workflow file on the default branch |
| Price | $15/mo (25,000 runs), $39/mo (100,000 runs), $149/mo (500,000 runs) | Private repos use the plan's included minutes (2,000/mo on GitHub Free), then $0.006/min on Linux |
Sources for the GitHub Actions scheduled workflows column, read October 27, 2026:
Pick GitHub Actions scheduled workflows if
- The job is a script that needs your repository checked out, not a URL to call.
- Runs a few minutes late, or an occasional dropped run, are fine for this job.
- You want the schedule reviewed in pull requests next to the code.
Pick RunLater if
- The job is "call this URL" and it has to run on time, every time.
- You need runs more often than every 5 minutes, or one run at an exact date and time.
- You want retries and the status code and response body of every run.
- The repo is quiet for months and the schedule must keep running.
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.