fswatch Alternatives

Alternatives list

1. 

   

   entr

    3 likes

   Run arbitrary commands when files change.

   Cost / License

   • Free
   • Open Source

   Application type

   • Task Automation

   Platforms

   • Linux

   

   Good alternative?Is entr a good alternative to fswatch?

    
2. A

   A

   Anacron

    3 likes

   Anacron is a periodic command scheduler. It executes commands at intervals specified in days. Unlike cron, it does not assume that the system is running continuously. It can therefore be used to control the execution of daily, weekly and monthly jobs (or anything with a period...

   Cost / License

   • Free
   • Open Source

   Platforms

   • Linux

   A

   

   Good alternative?Is Anacron a good alternative to fswatch?

    

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   1comment

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   Anacron vs fswatch Comments

   Negative comment by Guest · Feb 12, 2026

   Anacron is a scheduler, not a file watcher.

   1 of 1 comments

   

   A

   • Anacron is Free and Open Sourcefswatch is also Free and Open Source
4. I

   I

   incron

    2 likes

   This program is an "inotify cron" system. It consists of a daemon and a table manipulator. You can use it a similar way as the regular cron. The difference is that the inotify cron handles filesystem events rather than time periods.

   Cost / License

   • Free
   • Open Source

   Origin

   • Czechia
   • EU

   Platforms

   • Linux

   I

   

   Good alternative?Is incron a good alternative to fswatch?

    
5. 

   

   mcron

    1 like

   mcron is GNU's implementation of cron. It is a 100% compatible replacement for Vixie cron.

   Cost / License

   • Free
   • Open Source

   Platforms

   • Linux

   

   Good alternative?Is mcron a good alternative to fswatch?

    
6. 

   

   fcron

    1 like

   Fcron is a periodical command scheduler which aims at replacing Vixie Cron, so it implements most of its functionalities.

   Cost / License

   • Free
   • Open Source

   Platforms

   • Linux

   

   Good alternative?Is fcron a good alternative to fswatch?

    
8. 

   

   Guard (CLI Tool)

    Like

   Guard automates various tasks by running custom rules whenever file or directories are modified.

   Cost / License

   • Free
   • Open Source (MIT)

   Platforms

   • Mac
   • Windows
   • Linux

   

   Good alternative?Is Guard (CLI Tool) a good alternative to fswatch?