Idle Pilot vs Presence Scheduler Extensions

Compare Idle Pilot to browser extensions for Slack presence. Cloud-based scheduling vs browser-dependent tools.

Quick Verdict

Idle Pilot wins for users who need presence to work when their browser is closed or laptop sleeps.

Browser extensions require your browser to stay open and active. If you close Chrome, your laptop sleeps, or the tab gets suspended, the extension stops working. Idle Pilot runs from the cloud independently of your browser.

Feature Comparison

FeatureIdle PilotPresence Scheduler (Chrome Extension)
Works with browser closed Yes No
Works with laptop closed Yes No
Schedule-aware YesLimited
Cross-device sync Yes No
Setup time2 minutes1 minute
Cost$4/monthFree

Idle Pilot Advantages

  • Works when browser is closed
  • Works when laptop sleeps
  • No browser extension to install
  • Consistent across all devices
  • Includes lunch breaks and vacation mode

Presence Scheduler (Chrome Extension) Advantages

  • Free (most extensions)
  • No account creation needed
  • Works immediately after install

Which Should You Choose?

If you frequently close your browser or laptop

Use: Idle Pilot

If you work from multiple devices

Use: Idle Pilot

If you need scheduled work hours

Use: Idle Pilot

If you always keep chrome open and want a free solution

Use: Browser Extension

What is Presence Scheduler (Chrome Extension)?

Browser extensions that try to keep your Slack tab active by preventing the browser from suspending it.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why don't browser extensions work when the laptop sleeps?
Browser extensions run inside your browser. When your laptop sleeps, the browser stops executing JavaScript, and the extension can no longer send presence signals to Slack.
Is Idle Pilot a Chrome extension?
No. Idle Pilot is a cloud service. You connect your Slack account once, and our servers maintain your presence according to your schedule. No browser extension required.
Can I use both together?
You could, but it's unnecessary. Idle Pilot handles presence completely from the cloud, so a browser extension would be redundant.

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Idle Pilot wins for remote workers who need reliable, schedule-based presence without hardware dependencies.

Idle Pilot vs Caffeine App for Mac

Idle Pilot wins for Slack presence; Caffeine is better for preventing system sleep during downloads or presentations.

Cloud Scheduler vs Browser Extension for Slack Presence

Cloud schedulers are more reliable; browser extensions are simpler to start but have significant limitations.

Idle Pilot vs Status Scheduler Slack App

Different tools for different needs: Status Scheduler is for status text automation; Idle Pilot is for presence (online/away) scheduling.

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