StandUp vs Stretchly: a native Stretchly alternative for Mac
Last verified against Stretchly's README on GitHub and Stretchly's website.
Stretchly is a free, open-source break reminder for macOS, Windows and Linux. If those things matter to you, it may be the better fit. StandUp is for a narrower case: you only use a Mac and want a native menu-bar app that counts only active work time and handles calls in supported apps without any setup.
Quick verdict
Keep Stretchly if you want free and open source, if you also use Windows or Linux, or if you like its break ideas, themes and strict mode.
Consider StandUp if you're Mac-only and want a native menu-bar app that counts only the time you're actually working and holds a due break until your call or fullscreen app is done, with nothing to configure for supported call apps.
Feature comparison
| Feature | StandUp | Stretchly |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $14.99 lifetime, one-time purchase (launch price $9.99 with code LAUNCH). 7-day free trial. | Free. Contributors and sponsors get Contributor Preferences and preference sync |
| License | Proprietary | Open source (BSD-2-Clause) |
| Platforms | macOS 14 Sonoma or later (Apple silicon and Intel) | macOS (Ventura 13 or later), Windows, Linux |
| Built with | Native Swift menu-bar app, no Dock icon | Electron (cross-platform) |
| Calls and meetings | Automatic: 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 | Pauses breaks while Do Not Disturb is on. You can list programs under appExclusions in the preferences file to pause breaks while they run |
| Idle and away | Counts only active time; a long enough pause counts as a completed break (Idle Threshold 5–60 s, Natural Break 5–300 s) | Natural breaks: pauses breaks after 5 minutes idle |
| Default rhythm | 35 minutes of work, 40-second breaks, a 2-minute long break every 2nd break | 20-second Mini break every 10 minutes, 5-minute Long break every 30 minutes |
| 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). | Notice 10 seconds before a Mini break (30 seconds before a Long break); postpone once, skip after a while; optional strict mode |
| Updates | StandUp checks for updates automatically (at launch and every 3 hours) using Sparkle. | Checks for new versions and notifies you (checkNewVersion/notifyNewVersion preferences). Install from GitHub Releases or its Homebrew tap |
Where Stretchly is stronger
- Free and open source. No purchase, and the code is on GitHub under the BSD-2-Clause license.
- Cross-platform. The same app on macOS, Windows and Linux. StandUp is Mac only.
- Break ideas and themes. Stretchly suggests things to do during a break, and has themes, sounds and a fullscreen option.
- Strict mode. If you want breaks you can't skip, Stretchly has it. StandUp always lets you snooze or skip.
- More macOS versions. Stretchly runs on macOS 13; StandUp needs macOS 14.
Where StandUp fits better
Native menu-bar app. StandUp is a native Swift app that lives in the menu bar, with no Dock icon. Releases are signed with an Apple Developer ID and notarized by Apple. StandUp checks for updates automatically (at launch and every 3 hours) using Sparkle.
Calls handled by default. For supported call apps, StandUp doesn't need Do Not Disturb or a list of programs. It notices when your camera or mic is in use with 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. If you use another call app, add it under Settings.
Active time only. StandUp uses macOS's idle timer and screen-lock events to notice when you step away, and stops counting until you're back.
No Input Monitoring or Accessibility permission. StandUp only checks whether the camera or mic is in use and never asks for access to them.
Migrating from Stretchly
Stretchly's Mini and Long breaks map onto StandUp's break and long break settings:
- Mini break, 20 seconds every 10 minutes → Work Duration 10 minutes, Break Duration 20 seconds.
- Long break, 5 minutes every 30 minutes → Long breaks are already on (2 minutes after every 2nd break by default); set the length to 5 minutes, after every 3rd break (3 × 10 minutes = 30).
- appExclusions → 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 don't need an entry.
- Notice before a break → StandUp shows a heads-up card with Start Now / Snooze / Skip before every break; set the Snooze length (10–300 seconds) to taste.
One difference to expect: StandUp counts only active time, so "every 10 minutes" means 10 minutes at your Mac, not 10 minutes on the clock.
Download the free 7-day trial, or see how StandUp compares with other Mac break reminder apps.
Frequently asked questions
Should I switch from Stretchly to StandUp?
Only if it solves a problem you have. Keep Stretchly if you want a free, open-source app or you also use Windows or Linux. StandUp is worth a look if you only use a Mac and want a native Mac app that handles calls in supported apps without setup.
Is StandUp free like Stretchly?
No. StandUp is a one-time purchase: a lifetime license is $14.99, or $9.99 with the launch code LAUNCH. There's a 7-day free trial and a 14-day money-back guarantee. Stretchly is free and open source under the BSD-2-Clause license.
How does StandUp handle calls compared with Stretchly?
StandUp detects a call on its own: 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. Stretchly pauses breaks while Do Not Disturb is on, and you can list programs under appExclusions in its preferences file.
Can I keep Stretchly's 20-second breaks every 10 minutes?
Yes. Set Work Duration to 10 minutes and Break Duration to 20 seconds. Long breaks are on by default (2 minutes after every 2nd break); for Stretchly's 5-minute long break every 30 minutes, set them to 5 minutes after every 3rd break.
Does StandUp run on Windows or Linux?
No. StandUp is a Mac-only app and needs macOS 14 Sonoma or later. Stretchly runs on macOS, Windows and Linux.