Alternatives to Lingon
A macOS app for scheduling apps, scripts, shortcuts and commands to run at set times or at login. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Lingon
A macOS app for scheduling apps, scripts, shortcuts and commands to run at set times or at login.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Lingon.
Cronie
The standard UNIX cron daemon, crond, for running programs at scheduled times on Linux.
Cronie is the standard free open-source cron daemon for Linux and UNIX systems, with no graphical interface and no macOS support listed.
Outset
A macOS utility that automatically runs scripts and packages at boot, at user login or on demand.
Outset is a free open-source macOS utility running scripts and packages at boot or login, aimed at administrators comfortable with scripts.
Keyboard Maestro
Visual macro builder for automating apps, files, and workflows on macOS.
Keyboard Maestro is a paid macOS macro builder that can trigger macros from almost any event, so scheduling becomes part of broader visual automation rather than launchd editing.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
Automator
The macOS app for building workflows that automate repetitive tasks on a Mac.
Apple Shortcuts
Apple's built-in drag-and-drop automation app for Mac, iPhone, and iPad.
Hazel
A macOS app that watches folders and files documents automatically according to rules you create.
Cronicle
A self-hosted, distributed task scheduler and runner with a web interface.
Pueue
A command-line task manager that queues shell commands and runs them in the background.
Hammerspoon
A bridge between macOS and Lua that lets a short script move windows, bind hotkeys and react to system events.
