Mac Break Reminder Apps Compared (2026): 6 Options

There are a lot of break reminder apps for the Mac, and most of them are good at something. This page compares six of them: what they cost, where they run, what a break looks like, how they deal with video calls, and who each one suits.

How we compared

• Criteria: price, platforms, what the break looks like, how the app handles calls and fullscreen apps, whether it's open source, and where you can get it.
• Sources: each app's own website, pricing page or GitHub repository, linked at the top of this page. We didn't use third-party reviews or benchmarks.
• Date checked: October 29, 2026. Prices and features change, so check the app's own site before you buy.
• Disclosure: StandUp is made by Gil Gottlieb, the author of this site. It's included because it's one of the options, not because it wins every category.

Summary table

“—” means the app's own site doesn't describe it as open source. Scroll the table sideways on small screens.

StandUp

A native Swift menu-bar app with no Dock icon that counts only the time you're actually working. It notices when you step away or lock the screen and stops counting. StandUp is built not to interrupt calls in supported apps: Zoom, Microsoft Teams, FaceTime, Slack, Webex, Discord, or a web browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Edge) for browser-based calls such as Google Meet. You can edit the list in Settings. When your camera or mic is in use with one of them, call time still counts as work time and a due break waits until the call ends. Fullscreen apps work the same way. A heads-up card appears at the top of your main display before every break (60 seconds by default), with Start Now, Snooze and Skip. A small countdown also follows your cursor for the last few seconds (10 by default; adjustable or off in Settings). A full-screen overlay covers every display. The countdown, prompt, Skip and Lock Screen buttons are on your main display; the others are blurred and dimmed. It doesn't need the Input Monitoring or Accessibility permission.

Best for: Mac users who spend part of the day on calls and want a break app that works without setup.

Not for: anyone who needs Windows or Linux, iPhone sync, automations, or a free app.

LookAway

A native Mac app with a long feature list. It gives you a heads-up before a break with snooze and a floating countdown that follows your cursor, and its site lists meetings or calls, screen recording, video playback, deep focus apps and fullscreen gaming as times it pauses automatically. It adds posture and blink reminders, custom timers, sounds, backgrounds and messages, Planned Breaks at fixed times, AppleScript and Shortcuts when a break starts or ends, Focus Filters, and breaks mirrored to your iPhone and iPad.

Best for: people who want iPhone/iPad mirroring, automations, Planned Breaks, or to get it via Setapp or the Mac App Store.

Worth knowing: the $19 Single License covers one Mac with one year of updates; other tiers and Mac App Store/Setapp options exist.

StandUp vs LookAway in detail →

Time Out

Around since 2003 and highly configurable: themes, Normal and Micro breaks, breaks at fixed times or around calendar events, and Rules to postpone or skip breaks for apps, calendar events, Focus or fullscreen. Meeting scripts can recognize calls in FaceTime, Teams and Zoom, and it recognizes time away as a natural break. The core features are free.

Best for: people who like to configure everything, and anyone who wants free core features from a long-established Mac app.

Worth knowing: much of its call handling is rules and meeting scripts you set up. Version 3.1 needs macOS 26; older Macs get 2.9.7.

StandUp vs Time Out in detail →

Stretchly

A free, open-source break reminder for macOS, Windows and Linux. By default it gives you a 20-second Mini break every 10 minutes and a 5-minute Long break every 30 minutes, with a notice beforehand. It has break ideas, themes, sounds, a strict mode, and natural breaks when you're idle. It pauses breaks while Do Not Disturb is on, and you can add app exclusions in its preferences file. On macOS its README recommends installing from its own Homebrew tap.

Best for: anyone who wants free and open source, or the same app on several operating systems.

Worth knowing: it is an Electron app; for calls it pauses with Do Not Disturb or appExclusions you configure.

StandUp vs Stretchly in detail →

BreakTimer

A free, open-source (GPL-3.0) break app for Windows, macOS and Linux. You set the break length and frequency, choose a simple notification or a fullscreen break window, set working hours and custom break messages, and get a notice before each break with skip or snooze. It can restart the countdown when you haven't been using the computer. On the Mac it ships as a universal .dmg and as a Homebrew cask.

Best for: people who want a simple, free, cross-platform break timer.

Worth knowing: its site doesn't describe call detection.

Pandan

A free menu-bar app by Sindre Sorhus that shows how long you've been actively using your Mac. It notices when you step away, can remind you when it's time for a break, and has Shortcuts actions; its FAQ shows using it as an eye-break reminder. It isn't a full-screen break app.

Best for: people who want a gentle, free reminder of how long they've been at the computer, without anything taking over the screen.

Worth knowing: Pandan describes itself as "a time awareness tool, not a traditional time tracker or break reminder" (App Store). The latest version needs macOS 26, with older versions back to macOS 11.

Which should I choose?

• You want free: Stretchly, BreakTimer or Pandan. Time Out's core features are free too.
• You want open source: Stretchly (BSD-2-Clause) or BreakTimer (GPL-3.0).
• You also use Windows or Linux: Stretchly or BreakTimer.
• You're on calls a lot and don't want to set anything up: StandUp or LookAway (both describe automatic call handling). Time Out and Stretchly use rules or settings you configure.
• You want iPhone sync or automations: LookAway.
• You want deep configuration: Time Out.
• You want a paid one-time purchase: StandUp ($14.99) or LookAway (from $19).
• You just want to see how long you've been at it: Pandan.

Try StandUp free for 7 days, or browse all StandUp comparisons.

Frequently asked questions

What's the 20-20-20 rule?

Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. It's a simple habit for screen-related eye strain, and it's easy to forget without a reminder. StandUp can be set to 20 minutes of work and 20-second breaks. Read more about the 20-20-20 rule.

Do I need a break app if macOS has Screen Time?

Maybe not. Screen Time is about seeing how you spend time on your devices and setting limits on it. If that already gets you to step away regularly, you may not need anything else. A break reminder does a narrower job: it prompts a short break after a set stretch of work.

Which Mac break reminder apps are free?

Stretchly and BreakTimer are free and open source. Pandan is free. Time Out's core features are free, with optional supporter purchases. LookAway and StandUp are paid one-time purchases.

Which break reminder apps handle video calls?

StandUp is built not to interrupt calls in supported apps: it detects them automatically and holds a due break until the call ends, while still counting call time as work time. If you use another call app, add it under Settings. LookAway's site says it pauses automatically for meetings or calls. Time Out can postpone or skip breaks with rules and meeting scripts you set up, and Stretchly pauses while Do Not Disturb is on or while programs you list are running.

Is this list biased towards StandUp?

StandUp is made by the author of this site, so read it with that in mind. We've tried to stick to facts each app publishes about itself, and to say where the other apps are stronger.