HazeOver vs Time Out (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, Time Out grades higher than HazeOver: 2.8 against 2.2 out of 4.0.
Checked Oct 9, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 · graded Oct 10, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
Time Out grades higher on the free plan and features. They get the same grade on value for money, ease of use and platforms.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
HazeOver
Mac utility that dims every window except the active one
Time Out
Mac break reminder with customizable break screens
Which one is for you
Pick HazeOver if
- Fits if you work on a large screen or two and keep losing the active window
- Works for people who want background windows dimmed in Dark Mode or for screen recordings
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you're not on a Mac, as it's Mac only, and the current version needs macOS Ventura 13
- Not for you if you need apps or websites blocked, since it only dims windows
- Too light for anyone who wants timed work sessions, as there's no timer in it
- Watch out: there's no free plan, and the site doesn't say how long the free trial lasts
- Watch out: close or minimize every window of the app you're in and the whole screen dims until you switch
Pick Time Out if
- Fits if you work at a Mac and want breaks scheduled by rules
- Works for people who want break screens you can change
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you are not on a Mac, since there is no Windows, Linux or phone version
- Watch out: version 4.0 needs macOS 26.0 or later, and an older 2.9.7 build is for macOS 10.15+
- Watch out: premium features added later need a Supporter term or Lifetime at $59.99
- Watch out: the trial length is not stated, and Mac App Store premium prices were not read
How we grade them
| 2.2GPAHazeOverFair | 2.8GPATime OutGood | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A$4.99 once, from the vendor's store or the US Mac App Store, against a category where a year of a subscription runs to about $48. Tips of $5, $7 or $15 are optional at checkout, and there's a student discount. | ACore features are always free, which counts as free and substantial; paid terms run from $4.99 for 3 months to $59.99 lifetime. |
| Free plan and trial | CNo free plan. There's a free trial you download from hazeover.com, but the site never says how long it lasts, so you're buying on trust that it's long enough. | BThe core features are free for good, but premium features released later need a Supporter term. |
| Features | DIt dims the windows behind the one you're in, with settings for strength, colour, multi-display modes, separate Light and Dark settings, and Shortcuts and AppleScript control. That's the whole of it, though. One trick. No blocking, no timer, nothing tracked. | BNormal and micro breaks, scheduling, rules, themes and natural breaks, with nothing missing from the break-reminder job. |
| Ease of use | BNo store rating on record, but there's nothing to set up: it sits in the menu bar, you scroll the icon to change the strength and double-click to switch it off. One quirk is that the whole screen dims when every window of the current app is closed. | BNo rating on record, but it installs and runs with nothing to set up. |
| Platforms and integrations | DMac alone, and the current version wants macOS Ventura 13 or later. One operating system. It does hook into Shortcuts, AppleScript, Raycast, Alfred, BetterTouchTool and Keyboard Maestro. | DMac only, and version 4.0 requires macOS 26.0 or later. |
| Best for | dimming everything but the window you're in, on a Mac | break reminders on a Mac |
The GPA is the average of the five grades: an A is 4 points, an F is none. The full reasons are on each tool's page: HazeOver and Time Out. How we grade
Where they differ
At a glance
| HazeOver | Time Out | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free trial | Free plan |
| Starts at | $4.99 one-time purchase | $4.99 for 3 months of Supporter, paid once with no renewal |
| Free plan | None | Core features are always free. Supporter terms add premium features released during the term. |
| Free trial | Free trial download from hazeover.com; no length is stated | Supporter and premium features can be tried for a trial period; length not stated on the page. |
| macOS | ||
| Made by | Maxim Ananov | Dejal Systems, LLC |
| Price read from | hazeover.com | dejal.com |
| Checked | Oct 9, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 |
Worth knowing
HazeOver
- Mac only: the current version needs macOS Ventura 13 or later, with older builds offered for earlier systems.
- It only dims background windows; it does not block apps or websites or time work sessions.
- There is no free plan, and the site does not say how long the free trial lasts.
- When every window of the current app is closed or minimized, the whole screen dims until you switch to another app.
Time Out
- Mac only; version 4.0 needs macOS 26.0 or later (an older 2.9.7 build is for macOS 10.15+).
- The Mac App Store edition also offers monthly and yearly Premium subscriptions; their prices were not read.
- Premium features added later need a Supporter term or Lifetime.
- Also included in Setapp.
Key features
HazeOver
- Automatic window dimming
- HazeOver highlights the frontmost window or app as you switch and fades everything behind it. The desktop is revealed automatically when you use it.
- Adjustable intensity and color
- Dimming runs from a light shade to a fully opaque background, with a custom color and a fade lasting up to 5 seconds. Scrolling over the menu bar icon changes the intensity.
- Multiple display modes
- It can highlight the front window on each connected screen or dim the displays without keyboard focus, and dimming can be turned off for a specific display.
- Light and Dark appearance settings
- Separate dimming settings are saved for the Light and Dark system appearance, so dimming can switch on, or change strength, along with Dark Mode.
- Shortcuts, Focus filters and AppleScript
- Dimming state and settings can be automated with the Shortcuts app, Focus filters that revert when a Focus mode ends, and AppleScript. A Raycast extension adds quick commands.
- Quick toggles
- A keyboard shortcut or a double-click on the menu bar icon turns dimming on or off, and holding the Fn key pauses it while you drag between apps.
Time Out
- Normal and Micro breaks
- Built-in breaks with adjustable length and frequency, plus custom breaks.
- Scheduling
- Breaks at fixed times or around calendar events, limited to chosen hours and days.
- Rules
- Postpone or skip breaks when certain apps are in use, during Focus or a fullscreen app, or on a recognized call.
- Break themes
- Break screens can show scenes, videos, messages, photos, YouTube videos or HTML pages.
- Natural breaks
- Counts time away from the Mac and adjusts the next reminder.
Plans
HazeOver
HazeOver$4.99
one-time purchase
A license from the vendor's store at $4.99 USD, or the app on the US Mac App Store at the same price. Optional tips of $5, $7 or $15 can be added at checkout.
Time Out
Free$0
Core break features, always free.
3-Month Supporter$4.99
for 3 months, paid once, with no renewal
Adds premium features added during the 3 months.
6-Month Supporter$9.99
for 6 months, paid once, with no renewal
Adds premium features added during the 6 months.
12-Month Supporter$19.99
for 12 months, paid once, with no renewal
Adds premium features added during the 12 months.
Lifetime$59.99
one-time
All current and future premium features.
Ways to pay less
HazeOver
- Education
Student discount
The buy page says HazeOver is available with a student discount and links to Student App Centre for it. The page does not state the amount.
- Other savings
Also available through Setapp
The buy page says HazeOver is available to Setapp subscribers, and the download page lists a Setapp Subscription option next to the Mac App Store and direct download.
Time Out
- Lifetime license
Lifetime purchase
Dejal lists a one-time Lifetime option at $59.99 that includes all current and future premium features.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, HazeOver or Time Out?
As of Nov 13, 2026, HazeOver starts at $4.99 one-time purchase, and Time Out starts at $4.99 for 3 months of Supporter, paid once with no renewal.
Which has a free plan, HazeOver or Time Out?
As of Nov 13, 2026, only Time Out has a free plan. HazeOver does not, though it has a free trial.
More comparisons
How this page was made
- The verdict at the top follows a fixed rule. When both tools are in the same category and either is in our top three for it, the verdict follows that ranking: the higher-placed tool is our pick. The top three weigh who each tool suits as well as its grades, so a pick can go against the GPA. Otherwise the page does not pick one and says which grades higher: the higher GPA first; on a tie, the one with a free plan, then the one that starts cheaper in dollars a month, counted the same way for both; if they are still level, what the choice depends on.
- The grades are our own, from each tool’s review or report card. The GPA is their average.
- Prices, plans and platforms come from each tool’s listing. The table above says where each price was read and when.
- The differences and the answers to the questions are worked out from those listings.