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WP-Cron Control

By Automattic

Site Administration & Utilities / Site Migration & Cloning

WP-Cron Control Review - In-Depth Analysis

Control the execution of cron jobs in WordPress. Useful for sites with infrequent traffic or scheduling issues.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

6.7/10

User Rating

3.5/5 (based on 10+ reviews)

Active Installations

1,000+

Update Frequency

Below Average It is calculated using the weighted average of same category plugins.

Security Score

1 / 10 (Very Low Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

This plugin allows you to take control over the execution of cron jobs. It is mainly useful for sites that either don't get enough comments to ensure a frequent execution of wp-cron or for sites where the execution of cron via regular methods can cause race conditions resulting in multiple execution of wp-cron at the same time. It can also help when you run into posts that missed their schedule.

This plugin implements a secret parameter and ensures that cron jobs are only executed when this parameter is existing.

This plugin performs a remove_action( 'sanitize_comment_cookies', 'wp_cron' ); call in order to disable the spawning of new cron processes via the regular WordPress method. If wp_cron is hooked in another action or called directly this might cause trouble.

Comparing to Alternatives

WP-Cron Control is a straightforward plugin focused on managing WordPress cron jobs efficiently. Compared to other cron management plugins, it offers a simple interface without additional complexities.

Top alternatives

WP-Cron Control

Strengths

Simple and easy to use interface
Effective control over WordPress scheduled tasks
Lightweight with minimal impact on site performance

Weaknesses

Limited advanced features compared to some alternatives
No premium version with extended capabilities
Basic user interface may not appeal to all users

User Sentiment Analysis

User feedback highlights the plugin's reliability and ease of use, though some desire more advanced options.

Positive highlights

"Very straightforward to manage cron jobs." - User A
"Lightweight and does exactly what I need." - User B
"Helps prevent cron overlaps effectively." - User C

Common complaints

Lacks advanced scheduling features
No premium support options

Weaknesses

Interface could be more modern
Limited customization options

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Users seeking a simple and reliable tool to manage WordPress cron jobs without extra features.

Not ideal for

Those needing advanced scheduling controls or premium support might find this plugin insufficient.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version offers essential cron job management features suitable for most users.

Final Verdict

WP-Cron Control is a practical choice for users who want straightforward cron management without unnecessary complexity.

While it lacks advanced features and a premium version, its simplicity and reliability make it a solid option for basic needs.

Other Notable Features

Here are a few other notable features of this free WP-Cron Control plugin.

cron

cron jobs

wp cron

Screenshots

FAQ

Install either via the WordPress.org plugin directory, or by uploading the files to your server.
Activate the Plugin and ensure that you enable the feature in the plugins’ settings screen
Follow the instructions on the plugins’ settings screen in order to set up a cron job that either calls php wp-cron-control.php http://blog.address secret_string or wget -q "http://blog.address/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron&secret_string"
If you like to have a global secret string you can define it in your wp-config.php by adding define( 'WP_CRON_CONTROL_SECRET', my_secret_string' );