AlwaysUp vs Service+
AlwaysUp
coretechnologies.comService+
activeplus.comSide by side
| Figure | AlwaysUp | Service+ |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 7.5 (#14) |
| Founded | 2004 | 1997 |
| Headquarters | Oakland, California, USA | Brive la Gaillarde, France |
| Purpose | AlwaysUp runs applications as Windows Services so they start at boot and continue running when no user is logged in. | Service+ is a graphical console for administering Windows services. |
| Support | The maker offers free technical support by email or phone and says it responds to company inquiries within one business day. | Active+ provides Service+ documentation, an FAQ and a support form. |
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.
Service+
Service+ is a graphical console for administering Windows services. It can start, stop, or pause multiple services together, edit properties such as startup settings, account, dependencies, name, and path, and terminate a nonresponsive service process without rebooting. Administrators can permit authenticated users to start services while preventing users, including administrators, from stopping critical ones. Service configurations can be imported and exported as XML for duplication, backup, or mirroring across computers. The tool also manages services on remote computers and can attach a debugger to a service process in one click. It is freeware, listed at free, and the plan specifies Windows only and x86/x64 support through version 4.5.60. The listed system requirements span Windows NT 4 through Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025. Service+ is a native Unicode application available in English and French. The download page states that the application is provided without transmission of personal data. Active+ provides documentation, an FAQ, and a support form.