AlwaysUp vs AutoRun Manager
AlwaysUp
coretechnologies.comAutoRun Manager
github.comSide by side
| Figure | AlwaysUp | AutoRun Manager |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 10 | 1 |
| Spec score · Startup Manager Software | 8.2 (#3) | 8.2 (#4) |
| Integrations | The maker lists compatibility guides for more than 160 applications, including Dropbox, Google Drive for desktop, Java applications, Python scripts, and Plex Media Server. | The project page does not list integrations. |
| Purpose | AlwaysUp runs applications as Windows Services so they start at boot and continue running when no user is logged in. | AutoRun Manager manages programs that run at startup on a Windows system. |
Plans
AlwaysUp
- Individual (25+ licenses)$37.49, paid once
- Individual (10–24 licenses)$39.99, paid once
- Individual (2–9 licenses)$44.99, paid once
- Individual (single license)$49.99, paid once
- Limited Site License$999, paid once
- Limited Enterprise/Multi-Site License$1,999, paid once
- Site Plus License$1,999, paid once
- Enterprise/Multi-Site Plus License$2,799, paid once
- Unlimited Site License$2,999, paid once
- Unlimited Enterprise/Multi-Site License$4,999, paid once
In their own words
AlwaysUp
AlwaysUp runs applications as Windows Services so they can start at boot and keep running without a user logged in. It supports executables, batch files, Java applications, Python scripts and other application types. Monitoring can trigger restarts if an application crashes, hangs or uses too much memory; email alerts and Windows Event Log reporting provide activity details. Scheduling options include application restarts and computer reboots, alongside custom sanity checks and automation for dialogs and forms. The maker lists compatibility guides for more than 160 applications, including Dropbox, Google Drive for desktop and Plex Media Server. The current release supports Windows 11 and 10, and Windows Server 2025, 2022, 2019 and 2016; earlier releases are available for some older versions. The maker says core functionality needs no internet access, configuration stays local, and installations do not transmit personal data or telemetry. A free Web Service add-on provides browser or HTTP API control, with HTTPS support. An unrestricted 30-day trial is available. An individual single-PC license costs $49.99 as a one-time purchase; additional volume and site license options are listed.
AutoRun Manager
AutoRun Manager is a free Windows command-line utility for viewing and changing programs configured to run at startup. It can list startup entries, add a program, and remove one. It can also save and restore the startup configuration, though that backup does not include the programs themselves. A separate command clears all programs from the startup list. The utility manages entries through the Windows Registry and records actions and errors in timestamped text files in My Documents\AutoRunManager. The instructions say to open Command Prompt as an administrator and run AutoRunManager.exe; the command-line interface displays its available commands when started. The project uses the MIT License, which permits free use and distribution and provides the software without warranty. The README invites community contributions through pull requests. The listed plan is free.