Run as Service vs WinSW

Struggling to choose between Run as Service and WinSW? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Run as Service is a Os & Utilities solution with tags like service, background-process, developer-tool.

It boasts features such as Run any executable file, batch file, or script as a Windows service, Full control over the service - install, start, stop, restart, delete, Set custom service name, description, startup type, account to run the service, View and manage services through a GUI interface, Automate service operations using command line options, Configure recovery options in case the service fails, Supports running multiple program instances as different services, Lightweight and portable - no installation required and pros including Easy way to create a Windows service from any app, More control and flexibility over background processes, Avoid modifying application code to run as service, Manage services without accessing Windows Services console, Portable and easy to deploy on multiple machines, Free and open source.

On the other hand, WinSW is a Os & Utilities product tagged with windows, service, wrapper, opensource.

Its standout features include Allows wrapping executables as Windows services, Provides a simple configuration file for service settings, Supports setting start mode, dependencies, account, and logging options, Open source and free to use, and it shines with pros like Easy way to create Windows services from executables, Flexible configuration for controlling service behavior, Actively maintained open source project, Free with no licensing costs.

Feature	Run as Service	WinSW
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Os & Utilities	Os & Utilities

Product Overview

Run as Service

Description: Run as Service allows users to run any application as a Windows service. It gives more control and flexibility over apps to work seamlessly in the background. Useful for developers and power users.

WinSW

Description: WinSW is an open-source Windows service wrapper that allows users to run any executable as a Windows service. It provides a simple configuration file for setting things like start mode, dependencies, account to run the service as, and logging options.

Key Features Comparison

Run as Service Features

• Run any executable file, batch file, or script as a Windows service
• Full control over the service - install, start, stop, restart, delete
• Set custom service name, description, startup type, account to run the service
• View and manage services through a GUI interface
• Automate service operations using command line options
• Configure recovery options in case the service fails
• Supports running multiple program instances as different services
• Lightweight and portable - no installation required

WinSW Features

• Allows wrapping executables as Windows services
• Provides a simple configuration file for service settings
• Supports setting start mode, dependencies, account, and logging options
• Open source and free to use

Pros & Cons Analysis

Run as Service

Pros

• Easy way to create a Windows service from any app
• More control and flexibility over background processes
• Avoid modifying application code to run as service
• Manage services without accessing Windows Services console
• Portable and easy to deploy on multiple machines
• Free and open source

Cons

• Limited to running executables, batch files and scripts only
• Does not work for complex server applications like databases
• Requires some knowledge of Windows services to configure properly
• No official support offered
• Some advanced service features not available

WinSW

Pros

• Easy way to create Windows services from executables
• Flexible configuration for controlling service behavior
• Actively maintained open source project
• Free with no licensing costs

Cons

• Limited to Windows platforms only
• Less control compared to writing a custom Windows service
• Requires some familiarity with configuration files

Pricing Comparison

Run as Service

• Free
• Open Source

WinSW

• Open Source
• Free