A cloud-only Distill alternative
Distill can run checks on your own computer through its browser extension and desktop app, as well as in its cloud. Web Change Monitor only runs in the cloud, with no extension. That difference decides which one fits you.
Distill is a web monitoring tool that runs checks through a browser extension, a desktop app, or its cloud.
Side by side
| Feature | Distill | Web Change Monitor |
|---|---|---|
| Where checks run | Your browser, the desktop app, or Distill’s cloud | Our servers only: no extension or app |
| Free plan | 25 monitors (5 in the cloud), cloud checks at most every 6 hours | 5 monitors, checked every 6 hours or daily |
| Cheapest paid plan | $15/month: 50 monitors, cloud checks every 10 minutes | $4/month: 10 monitors, as often as hourly |
| Next paid plan | $35/month: 150 monitors, cloud checks every 5 minutes | $8/month: 25 monitors, every 15 minutes |
| Fast local checks | Local monitors can run as often as every 5 seconds | Not offered |
| SMS alerts | On paid plans | Not offered |
Distill details come from the Distill pricing page as of October 2026 and may have changed since. Check it for current plans and prices.
Choose Distill if…
- You want checks to run in your own browser, or as often as every few seconds.
- You need many more monitors than 25.
- You want SMS alerts.
Choose Web Change Monitor if…
- You do not want an extension or desktop app, and want all checks to run on a server.
- You want a lower price for a small number of pages: 25 monitors every 15 minutes for $8 a month.
- You want a simple setup without macros or extra configuration.
Questions
Do I need a browser extension for Web Change Monitor?
No. Checks run on our servers, so they keep running when your computer is off. Distill can run checks through its extension and desktop app, which is useful for very fast local checks but needs your computer on.
Which free plan is better?
Distill’s free plan allows more: 25 monitors, of which 5 run in the cloud. Web Change Monitor’s free plan allows 5 monitors, all in the cloud.
Which is cheaper?
For a small number of pages, Web Change Monitor: $4 or $8 a month, against $15 or $35 for Distill’s first paid plans. Distill’s plans include more monitors, and its local checks are not limited by plan.