Comparison

Untimely vs FastCron

FastCron is the one classic cron service that noticed random timing: it supports an R token in cron expressions (R R * * *) and a Random option in its UI, framed as a way to spread load. Untimely goes further — random windows are the whole scheduling model, not a single randomized field — and it can deliver email as well as call your endpoint.

Answer first

Choose by the work you are scheduling.

Best when

  • Randomness is the default, not an exception: you describe a window and a frequency instead of writing a cron expression and randomizing one field of it.
  • The same event should be able to email a person or call an HTTPS endpoint, rather than only firing an HTTP request.
  • An agent or script should create and inspect the schedule over an API, with run history and a published reliability page behind it.

Tradeoff

  • FastCron is the better pick when you want a classic, dependable cron service with familiar cron syntax and only need to randomize a field occasionally — plus team seats, sub-minute intervals on paid tiers, and failure alerts.
  • Untimely is the better pick when unpredictable timing is the point of the schedule and you want email delivery, an event history, and an API and MCP surface built for agents.

Side by side

The practical comparison.

Scheduling model

Untimely
Recurring events inside a flexible window: choose an interval, a frequency, and a time window, and every trigger time is picked unpredictably inside it. Fixed-time schedules are also supported.
FastCron
Classic cron expressions, optionally using an R token (for example R R * * *) or a UI Random option to randomize a field, documented as a load-spreading feature.

Delivery actions

Untimely
Untimely supports Email and Webhook actions for recurring events, so it can send human-facing prompts or call your own HTTPS endpoint on schedule.
FastCron
HTTP requests to a URL you configure, with failure alerts by email, Slack, or webhook.

Operations

Untimely
Event UI, run history, API keys, idempotent creation, and an MCP server for agents. Free tier of 3 events; unlimited on Pro at $6/month.
FastCron
Cron job dashboard with team seats, execution history, and failure alerts. Free tier around 5 jobs; paid tiers (as of July 2026, roughly $6/month Starter and $20/month Pro) add sub-minute intervals and more jobs.

Best when

Untimely
Random, human-feeling timing is the product and delivery may be email.
FastCron
You want a classic cron service and only need to randomize a field now and then.

FAQ

Questions about FastCron

Doesn't FastCron already do random times?

Partly — it can randomize a field of a cron expression with its R token or UI option, mainly to spread load. Untimely is built the other way around: you define a window and a frequency, and unpredictable timing is the default rather than an add-on to a fixed cron line.

Is Untimely a FastCron alternative?

For random-window scheduling and email delivery, yes. FastCron remains a strong pick when you want familiar cron syntax, team seats, sub-minute intervals, and failure alerting on classic jobs.

How does pricing compare?

As of July 2026, FastCron lists a free tier around 5 jobs with paid plans near $6/month and $20/month for more jobs and shorter intervals. Untimely has a free tier limited to 3 events and a Pro plan with unlimited events at $6/month. Check both pricing pages before deciding.

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