Idle Pilot vs Status Scheduler Slack App

Compare Idle Pilot to Status Scheduler from the Slack marketplace. No admin approval vs workspace app installation.

Quick Verdict

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

Status Scheduler focuses on changing your custom status text and emoji on a schedule. Idle Pilot focuses on your presence status (the green/yellow dot). If you need both, you might use them together.

Feature Comparison

FeatureIdle PilotStatus Scheduler (Slack App)
Controls presence (green dot) YesNo (status text only)
Controls status text No Yes
Admin approval needed No Yes
Works with laptop off YesN/A (different function)
Setup time2 minutes5 minutes + approval
Cost$4/monthFree tier + paid plans

Idle Pilot Advantages

  • No admin approval required
  • Controls presence (active/away), not just status text
  • Works when laptop is off
  • No workspace bot installation
  • Simpler for just staying green

Status Scheduler (Slack App) Advantages

  • Native Slack integration
  • Controls status text and emoji
  • Free tier available
  • Team-wide scheduling options

Which Should You Choose?

If you want to stay online/active during work hours

Use: Idle Pilot

If you can't get admin approval for slack apps

Use: Idle Pilot

If you want to automate status text ("in meetings", "lunch")

Use: Status Scheduler

If your team wants coordinated status updates

Use: Status Scheduler

What is Status Scheduler (Slack App)?

A Slack marketplace app that lets you schedule custom status messages and emoji in Slack.

Ready to try Idle Pilot?

Set up in 2 minutes. No credit card required.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between presence and status?
Presence is the green/yellow dot showing active or away. Status is the custom text and emoji you can set (like '🍕 Lunch' or '🎧 Focus time'). Idle Pilot controls presence; Status Scheduler controls status text.
Why does Status Scheduler need admin approval?
Slack marketplace apps install at the workspace level and require admin approval. Idle Pilot connects via your personal Slack credentials and doesn't install any workspace app.
Can I use both tools together?
Yes. You could use Idle Pilot to stay active/online and Status Scheduler to automatically update your status text. They control different aspects of your Slack profile.

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