Stretchly vs Workrave (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, Stretchly and Workrave share a 3.0 GPA, both are free, so the choice depends on whether you care more about features, where Stretchly grades higher, or ease of use, where Workrave does.
Checked Nov 13, 2026 · graded Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
They get the same grade on value for money, the free plan and platforms.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
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 Workrave if
- Fits if you want RSI breaks and a daily limit on Windows or Linux
- Works for people who want free software with public source code
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you use a Mac, as that port exists only in the untested development version
- Skip it if you want a phone version, since none is listed
- Watch out: the site describes the features only briefly
- Too light for coaching or exercises beyond the break prompts
How we grade them
| 3.0GPAStretchlyVery good | 3.0GPAWorkraveVery good | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | AFree and open source, with optional sponsorship on GitHub or Patreon. | AFree software with no paid plan, source code public. |
| Free plan and trial | AThe full app is free; sponsors only get contributor and sync preferences. | AThe full program is free with no ads or tier. |
| 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. | CMicrobreaks, rest breaks, a daily limit and statistics. The basics, with a feature set that dates from its long history. |
| 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 is a program you install and start using. |
| Platforms and integrations | CMac, Windows and Linux, a program for computers only, with no phone version. | CWindows and Linux desktop only, with no phone app and Mac only in an untested build. |
| Best for | break reminders on Mac, Windows and Linux | RSI break reminders on Windows and Linux |
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 Workrave. 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. Workrave has no paid plan and scores 2.3.
On this chart the two sit in the same place: the same score for the same starting price. Of the other focus apps on the chart, none scores higher than Stretchly for less, and none scores higher than Workrave 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 also covers menu bar app.
- Workrave also covers time tracking.
At a glance
| Stretchly | Workrave | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Starts at | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Free app. Optional sponsorship on GitHub or Patreon unlocks contributor preferences and preference sync. | Free software with no paid plan. |
| Free trial | None listed | None listed |
| macOS | ||
| Windows | ||
| Linux | ||
| Made by | Jan Hovancik | Raymond Penners and Rob Caelers |
| Price read from | hovancik.net | workrave.org |
| 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.
Workrave
- The download page lists Windows and GNU/Linux; a macOS port exists only in the untested development version.
- No phone version is listed.
- The interface and feature set date from the project's long history and are described only briefly on the site.
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.
Workrave
- Microbreaks
- Typically a 30-second break every 3 minutes; duration and frequency are configurable.
- Rest breaks
- Typically 10 minutes every 45 minutes, also configurable.
- Daily limit
- Prompts you to stop once a set amount of computer time is reached.
- Statistics
- Counts breaks taken, postponed and ignored, plus daily, weekly and monthly use.
Plans
Stretchly
Free$0
The full app; sponsors also get Contributor Preferences and Sync Preferences.
Workrave
Free$0
The full program; source code is public.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, Stretchly or Workrave?
As of Nov 13, 2026, both Stretchly and Workrave are free to use.
Which has a free plan, Stretchly or Workrave?
As of Nov 13, 2026, both Stretchly and Workrave have a free plan.
Which platforms do Stretchly and Workrave run on?
As of Nov 13, 2026, only Stretchly lists a macOS app. Both list Windows and Linux apps. 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.