Stretchly vs Time Out (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, Stretchly grades higher than Time Out: 3.0 against 2.8 out of 4.0.
Checked Nov 13, 2026 · graded Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
Stretchly grades higher on the free plan and platforms. Time Out grades higher on ease of use. They get the same grade on value for money and features.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
Time Out
Mac break reminder with customizable break screens
Which one is for you
Pick Stretchly if
- Fits if you sit at a Mac, Windows or Linux computer all day and forget to rest
- Works for people who want a free reminder with no account
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you want it on a phone, as no mobile version is listed
- Watch out: the Mac build is unsigned and needs a Gatekeeper workaround to open
- Watch out: Mac needs macOS Monterey (12) or later
- Tight if you want preference sync, since Sync Preferences goes to sponsors
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
| 3.0GPAStretchlyVery good | 2.8GPATime OutGood | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | AFree and open source, with optional sponsorship on GitHub or Patreon. | 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 | AThe full app is free; sponsors only get contributor and sync preferences. | BThe core features are free for good, but premium features released later need a Supporter term. |
| Features | BMini and long breaks, break ideas, idle and do-not-disturb awareness, postpone and strict mode and command-line control, with no gap the listing names. | BNormal and micro breaks, scheduling, rules, themes and natural breaks, with nothing missing from the break-reminder job. |
| Ease of use | CNo rating on record. The Mac build is unsigned, so first launch needs a Gatekeeper workaround. | BNo rating on record, but it installs and runs with nothing to set up. |
| Platforms and integrations | CMac, Windows and Linux, a program for computers only, with no phone version. | DMac only, and version 4.0 requires macOS 26.0 or later. |
| Best for | break reminders on Mac, Windows and Linux | 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: Stretchly and Time Out. How we grade
Price against what you get
Stretchly has no paid plan and scores 2.3 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. Time Out starts at $1.66 a month and scores 2.3.
They score the same, and Stretchly starts $1.66 a month lower. Of the other focus apps on the chart, none scores higher than Stretchly for less, and 8 score higher than Time Out for less.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
Where they differ
- Stretchly is open source, according to its own site.
- Time Out can be bought with a one-time purchase.
At a glance
| Stretchly | Time Out | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free plan |
| Starts at | Free | $4.99 for 3 months of Supporter, paid once with no renewal |
| Free plan | Free app. Optional sponsorship on GitHub or Patreon unlocks contributor preferences and preference sync. | Core features are always free. Supporter terms add premium features released during the term. |
| Free trial | None listed | Supporter and premium features can be tried for a trial period; length not stated on the page. |
| macOS | ||
| Windows | ||
| Linux | ||
| Made by | Jan Hovancik | Dejal Systems, LLC |
| Price read from | hovancik.net | dejal.com |
| Checked | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 |
Worth knowing
Stretchly
- Desktop only; no phone version is listed.
- The Mac build is unsigned, so first launch needs a Gatekeeper workaround.
- Mac needs macOS Monterey (12) or later.
- Sync Preferences and Contributor Preferences go to sponsors and contributors.
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
Stretchly
- Mini and long breaks
- Defaults to a 20-second mini break every 10 minutes and a 5-minute long break every 30 minutes; all intervals are adjustable.
- Break ideas
- Each reminder window carries a suggestion for the break.
- Idle and Do Not Disturb awareness
- Pauses breaks after 5 idle minutes and while Do Not Disturb is on.
- Postpone and strict mode
- A break can be postponed once, and strict modes can stop skipping.
- Command-line control
- A stretchly command talks to the running app.
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
Stretchly
Free$0
The full app; sponsors also get Contributor Preferences and Sync Preferences.
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
Stretchly
No public discounts listed.
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, Stretchly or Time Out?
As of Nov 13, 2026, Stretchly is cheaper to start with: it is free, against $1.66 a month for Time Out. Stretchly is free, and Time Out starts at $4.99 for 3 months of Supporter, paid once with no renewal.
Which has a free plan, Stretchly or Time Out?
As of Nov 13, 2026, both Stretchly and Time Out have a free plan.
Which platforms do Stretchly and Time Out run on?
As of Nov 13, 2026, only Stretchly lists Windows and Linux apps. Both list a macOS app. A platform missing from a listing is one its maker's pages did not mention.
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.