StandUp vs LookAway: a LookAway alternative for Mac
Last verified against LookAway's website and LookAway's pricing page.
LookAway is a native Mac break app with a long feature list: iPhone and iPad sync, automations, custom break screens, and availability on the Mac App Store, Setapp and Homebrew. StandUp is smaller and simpler. It counts only the time you're actually working, holds a due break until your call ends, and gives you a full-screen break across every display.
Quick verdict
Choose LookAway if you want: breaks mirrored to your iPhone or iPad, AppleScript and Shortcuts when a break starts or ends, Focus Filters, Planned Breaks at fixed times, or the option to get it through Setapp or the Mac App Store.
Choose StandUp if you want a lower one-time price, a full-screen break on every display, and call time counted as work time with a due break held until the call ends.
Feature comparison
| Feature | StandUp | LookAway |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Mac users who want a simple break reminder that works out of the box | Mac users who want a feature-rich break app with iPhone sync and automation |
| Price | $14.99 lifetime, one-time purchase (launch price $9.99 with code LAUNCH). 7-day free trial. | Single License $19 once (1 Mac, one year of free updates, optional $10 renewal). Personal $29 (2 Macs), Believer $99 (5 Macs, lifetime updates). 30% education discount on personal licenses. Mac App Store pricing differs. |
| Minimum macOS | macOS 14 Sonoma or later (Apple silicon and Intel) | macOS 13 or later |
| Where to get it | Direct download from getstandup.io | Direct download, Homebrew, Mac App Store, Setapp |
| Before the break | 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). | Heads-up notifications with snooze, and a floating countdown that follows your cursor |
| Break screen and customization | 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. | Custom backgrounds, sounds and messages for your breaks |
| Calls and fullscreen | A call is camera or mic in use plus one of these 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. Call time still counts as work time and a due break waits until the call ends. Fullscreen apps work the same way. (Settings toggles; on by default) | Its site lists screen recording, meetings or calls, video playback, deep focus apps and fullscreen gaming as times it pauses automatically |
| Idle and away | Counts only active time. Notices when you step away or lock the screen, and counts a long enough pause as a completed break | Smart Pause. Its site says it waits for the right moment; its changelog describes idle-time prediction and pausing while you type or dictate (2.1–2.3). |
| Wellness reminders | Optional reminders between breaks, off until you turn them on, plus reminders you create yourself | Posture and blink reminders |
| iPhone and iPad sync | No, Mac only | Yes: LookAway Mirror, and Live Activities on Mac and iPhone (version 2.4) |
| Automation | No AppleScript or Shortcuts support | Runs AppleScripts or Shortcuts when a break starts or ends; global keyboard shortcuts; Focus Filters |
| Customization | Work and break length, long breaks, snooze length, apps that pause breaks, wellness reminders | Custom timers, sounds, backgrounds and messages; Planned Breaks at fixed times |
Where LookAway is stronger
LookAway does more than StandUp, and it's worth saying plainly:
- iPhone and iPad. LookAway Mirror and Live Activities show your breaks on your other devices. StandUp is Mac only.
- Automation. LookAway can run AppleScripts or Shortcuts when a break starts or ends, and supports global keyboard shortcuts and Focus Filters. StandUp has none of that.
- Scheduling and looks. Planned Breaks at fixed times, plus custom timers, sounds, backgrounds and messages.
- More ways to get it. Direct download, Homebrew, the Mac App Store and Setapp. If you already pay for Setapp, LookAway is included. StandUp is a direct download only.
- Multi-Mac licenses. LookAway sells 2-Mac and 5-Mac licenses.
Where StandUp fits better
Lower one-time price. StandUp's lifetime license is $14.99 ($9.99 with code LAUNCH at launch). LookAway's Single License is $19 for one Mac with a year of free updates. LookAway's Mac App Store price differs.
Calls count as work. When your camera or mic is in use with a supported call app, StandUp keeps counting your work time and holds a due break until the call ends. You get the break afterwards, rather than losing it. There's nothing to set up for supported apps; if you use another call app, add it under Settings.
A full-screen break on every display. 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. The prompt is a short line like "Look away from the screen". A heads-up card at the top of your main display comes first, with Start Now, Snooze and Skip, so you can finish your sentence.
No Input Monitoring or Accessibility permission. StandUp doesn't need the Input Monitoring or Accessibility permission. It uses macOS's idle timer to see whether you're active, and only checks whether your camera or microphone is in use. It never asks for access to them.
Menu-bar only. A native Swift menu-bar app with no Dock icon.
Which app should you choose?
Choose StandUp if…
- You want a LookAway alternative for Mac with a lower one-time price
- You want call time to count as work time, with breaks waiting until the call ends
- You want a full-screen break on every display
- You only use a Mac and don't need iPhone sync or automations
Choose LookAway if…
- You want breaks mirrored to your iPhone or iPad
- You want AppleScript or Shortcuts to run around your breaks
- You want Planned Breaks at fixed times
- You'd rather get it through the Mac App Store, Setapp or Homebrew
Switching from LookAway
- Download StandUp and open its Settings.
- Set Work Duration (1–120 minutes) to the interval you used in LookAway, and Break Duration (10–180 seconds) to your break length.
- Long breaks are on by default (2 minutes after every 2nd break). Match what you used in LookAway: a length of 1–15 minutes, after every 1–10 breaks, or turn them off.
- Set the Snooze length (10–300 seconds) for when you need a little more time.
- If you used LookAway's posture and blink reminders, turn on wellness reminders and add reminders you create yourself, such as "Check your posture".
- To pause breaks while certain apps run, turn on Pause when specific apps are running in Settings (Smart Focus tab) and add the apps. Calls in supported apps and fullscreen apps are already handled.
Download the free 7-day trial, or see how StandUp compares with other Mac break reminder apps.
Frequently asked questions
Is StandUp cheaper than LookAway?
StandUp is a one-time purchase: a lifetime license is $14.99, or $9.99 with the launch code LAUNCH. LookAway's Single License is $19 once for one Mac with a year of free updates and an optional $10 renewal, per its pricing page. LookAway also has 2-Mac and 5-Mac licenses.
Does StandUp interrupt Zoom or Teams calls?
StandUp is built not to interrupt calls in supported apps. It detects a call when your camera or microphone is in use and one of these apps is running: 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. Call time still counts as work time, and a due break waits until the call ends. Fullscreen apps are handled the same way. If you use another call app, add it under Settings.
Which macOS versions do StandUp and LookAway support?
StandUp needs macOS 14 Sonoma or later and runs natively on Apple silicon and Intel Macs. LookAway lists macOS 13 or later.
Can I try StandUp before buying?
Yes. StandUp has a 7-day free trial, and if you buy and change your mind there's a 14-day money-back guarantee.
Does StandUp sync with my iPhone like LookAway?
No. StandUp is a Mac-only app. If seeing your breaks on your iPhone or iPad matters to you, LookAway is the better fit.