Cron runs a lot of useful functions in the background for us, but WordPress Cron can sometimes be limiting for us. So here are a few plugins that help take cron to the next level and make things easier to manage.

WP-Cron Crontrol

This plugin allows you to take control over the execution of cron jobs. It’s 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.

Download WP-Cron Crontrol

Easycron

EasyCron (http://www.easycron.com) provides reliable online cron job service worldwide. Its insanely easy-to-use webcron have helped thousands of users who’re fastidious on task scheduling perfectly configure cron jobs.

Features

Support Standard Cron Expression

Email Notification

Cron Job Execution Logs

Run Time Prediction

Random Cron Jobs

Timezone Adaptable

Download Easycron

Run External Crons

This plugin enables using WordPress as a cron system that would hit external URLs (ie. any URL) on a scheduled basis. User can submit URL and interval in which that URL should be opened by WordPress.

This can be used, for example, for other WordPress sites that are on hosts that don’t have native cron system or where it’s complicated to set it up.

Download Run External Crons

Cron Debug Log

When active, this plugin logs unsuccessful results of wp_remote_post calls from wp-cron to a sites’s options table with an option name of ra_http_WP_Http_Streams + timestamp. The option_value contains the results of the call.

This plugin is intended to be enabled only on sites that are experiencing cron issues as a troubleshooting aid. Once the cron issue had been identified and corrected, the plugin should be deactivated. When finished troubleshooting you should also remove the option records created by this plugin using your database management tool.

Download Cron Debug Log

Simple Cron

Simple Cron Plugin for WordPress is a tool to Manage and Monitor WordPress Cron Scheduling System.

Download Simple Cron

Improved Cron

Cron not running when you expect? This plugin may help. Also provides insight into WP Cron exactly like the Cron View plugin.

This plugin will visit your site every minute and thereby ensure that your cron jobs run on time. It is mostly intended for people who can’t use real cron for some reason.

Download Improved Cron

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About Jean Galea Jean Galea is a WordPress developer, entrepreneur and padel player. He is the founder of WP Mayor, the plugins WP RSS Aggregator and EDD Bookings, as well as the Mastermind.fm podcast. His personal blog can be found at jeangalea.com.