Break reminder apps compared
Several good apps remind you to take breaks. Each has its strengths. The table lists what we could check on the official sites. Where we couldn't confirm something, the cell is empty.
| Feature | Unslouch | Stretchly | LookAway | BreakTimer | Time Out | DeskBreak |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free, donations welcome | From $19 one-time on the site; in the Mac App Store a free download with subscription or lifetime options | Free | Free, optional supporter purchases from $4.99 | $39 one-time or $19 a year, 14-day trial; the Chrome extension is free |
| Source code | Open source, MIT | Open source, BSD-2-Clause | not checked | Open source, GPL-3.0 | Closed source | not checked |
| Platforms | macOS, Windows, Linux, plus free tools in the browser | macOS, Windows, Linux | macOS 13 or later (Windows announced), iPhone and iPad companion | Windows, macOS, Linux | macOS only | macOS, Windows, Linux, extension for Chrome, Edge and Brave |
| Eye breaks | Every 20 min one small exercise, then look more than 6 m (20 ft) away for 20 s | Mini breaks of 20 s every 10 min, long breaks of 5 min every 30 min (defaults, adjustable) | Eye breaks every 20 minutes, short and long breaks | Configurable interval and length, as a notification or a fullscreen break | Micro breaks of 15 s every 15 min, Normal breaks of 10 min every hour, your own types | Preset for eye breaks every 20 minutes |
| Exercises | Animated exercises by body part: eyes, neck, back, hands, legs, breathing. With sources and when to see a doctor | Text break ideas, you can add your own | not checked | not checked | Break themes: HTML, websites, video, images, including desk exercise themes | Desk exercise library |
| Posture, blink, water | Gentle cues without windows: screen edges darken to blink, a posture banner, a water card | not checked | Posture and blink reminders | not checked | not checked | Hydration among break activities |
| Calls and meetings | Waits while another program uses the camera or microphone | not checked | Smart Pause during meetings and calls | not checked | Rules for apps, calendar events and video meetings | Calendar integration so meetings are not interrupted |
| Fullscreen, Do Not Disturb | Waits in fullscreen and Do Not Disturb, outside work hours, during Focus 25/50 | Pauses in fullscreen, in Do Not Disturb and when idle | Pauses for fullscreen games and apps, works with Focus Filters | Working hours; the timer resets when you are idle | Rules for fullscreen | Manual Focus Mode |
| Statistics | Time at the computer, longest sitting stretch, streaks, year heatmap, achievements, time per program. All on your computer | Break Health indicator for skipped breaks | Screen time dashboard, break history, app and website usage | not checked | Activity charts: breaks, app usage, time away | Activity streaks, yearly graphs, analytics |
| Languages | 15 | Many, translated by the community | 8 | not checked | English | not checked |
| Data collection | Nothing is collected | not checked | Anonymous analytics (Mixpanel) that can be turned off | not checked | App Store label: contact info and diagnostics linked to you | not checked |
Checked on 27 September 2026 against official sites and app store pages. Prices and features change: if something is out of date, write to us and we'll fix it.
Side by side
Alternative to Stretchly
Stretchly is a well-known free and open-source break reminder for macOS, Windows and Linux. It has mini and long breaks, a strict mode and support for several monitors.
Alternative to LookAway
LookAway is a polished paid break reminder for Mac by Mystical Bits. It has posture and blink reminders, Smart Pause for meetings and a screen time dashboard.
Alternative to BreakTimer
BreakTimer is a simple free and open-source app for Windows, macOS and Linux. You set how often and how long, and it shows a notification or a fullscreen break with your own text and colours.
Alternative to Time Out
Time Out by Dejal is a long-standing break reminder for Mac. It has micro and normal breaks, flexible rules, themes and automation with AppleScript and Automator.
Alternative to DeskBreak
DeskBreak is a paid desktop break reminder for macOS, Windows and Linux with a free browser extension. It has an eye break preset, a desk exercise library, calendar integration and streaks.