BreakTimer
Focus: rsi and wellbeing. Shares break reminder and eye strain with Time Out. A desktop app, not a Mac app. Free (Time Out: Freemium). Adds Windows and Linux. Same 4.5 rating.
Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
4.5Visit
Mac App
Time Out
A Mac break reminder with free Normal and Micro breaks.
Rating
4.5 / 5
Pricing
Freemium
Difficulty
Beginner
Works on
macOS
Built with love by Shushant Lakhyani. Building bestproductivityresources.com
What is Time Out?
Time Out is a Mac app that reminds you to step away from your computer to stretch, rest your eyes or take a breath. It has longer Normal breaks and short Micro breaks in between, and you can change their length and frequency, add custom breaks or turn them off. The core features are always free, and optional supporter purchases or subscriptions unlock premium features. Version 4.0 needs macOS 26 or later, and an older version is offered for macOS 10.15 or later.
Pros: what Time Out does well
- Core break features are always free
- Normal and Micro breaks you can tune
- Custom breaks can be added
Cons: where it falls short
- Mac only
- Premium features need a supporter purchase
Who Time Out is for
Mac users who want gentle reminders to rest during long work sessions.
Who can skip it
People on Windows or Linux.
Time Out alternatives
Not sold on Time Out? These do a similar job, and each card says what it has in common.
Stretchly
Focus: healthy habits, desktop app and open source. Shares break reminder and eye strain with Time Out. A desktop app, not a Mac app. Free (Time Out: Freemium). Adds Windows and Linux. Rated 4.6 (Time Out: 4.5).
Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
4.6Visit
Workrave
Focus: rsi prevention, healthy work and open source. Shares break reminder with Time Out. A desktop app, not a Mac app. Free (Time Out: Freemium). Adds Windows, Linux and Offline. Rated 4.4 (Time Out: 4.5).
Desktop AppFreeWindows, Linux
4.4Visit
hop
Focus: macos, menu bar and utilities. Also in Time Management and Focus, like Time Out. Free (Time Out: Freemium). Same 4.5 rating.
Mac AppFreemacOS
4.5Visit
Focusmate
Focus: accountability, body doubling and coworking. Also in Focus and Habit Building, like Time Out. A website, not a Mac app. Adds Web. Rated 4.7 (Time Out: 4.5).
WebsiteFree planWeb, Cross-Platform
4.7Visit
Insight Timer
Focus: meditation, mindfulness and sleep. Also in Focus and Habit Building, like Time Out. A mobile app, not a Mac app. Adds iOS, Android and Web. Rated 4.7 (Time Out: 4.5).
Mobile AppFree planiOS, Android
4.7Visit
Free alternatives to Time Out
Want to spend nothing? These free picks cover similar ground.
Medito
Focus: meditation, mindfulness and sleep. Also in Habit Building and Focus, like Time Out. A mobile app, not a Mac app. Free (Time Out: Freemium). Adds iOS and Android. Rated 4.7 (Time Out: 4.5).
Mobile AppFreeiOS, Android
4.7Visit
How to Rewire Your Brain to Enjoy Discipline
Focus: discipline, habits and dopamine. Also in Habit Building and Focus, like Time Out. A YouTube Video, not a Mac app. Free (Time Out: Freemium). Adds Web. Rated 4.6 (Time Out: 4.5).
YouTube VideoFreeWeb, Cross-Platform
4.6Visit
Pomotroid
Focus: pomodoro, focus timer and desktop app. Also in Focus and Time Management, like Time Out. A desktop app, not a Mac app. Free (Time Out: Freemium). Adds Windows and Linux. Rated 4.6 (Time Out: 4.5).
Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
4.6Visit
Smiling Mind
Focus: meditation, mindfulness and sleep. Also in Focus and Habit Building, like Time Out. A mobile app, not a Mac app. Free (Time Out: Freemium). Adds iOS and Android. Rated 4.6 (Time Out: 4.5).
Mobile AppFreeiOS, Android
4.6Visit
Cuckoo
Focus: pomodoro, focus timer and remote teams. Also in Focus and Time Management, like Time Out. A web app, not a Mac app. Free (Time Out: Freemium). Adds Web. Same 4.5 rating.
Web AppFreeWeb
4.5Visit
SelfControl
Focus: website blocker, focus and open source. Shares mac with Time Out. Free (Time Out: Freemium). Same 4.5 rating.
Mac AppFreemacOS
4.5Visit
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