Time Out vs Vitamin-R (2026): which should you pick?

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

Pick Vitamin-R if

• Fits if you keep postponing vague or intimidating tasks and work on a Mac
• Works for people who want light time tracking by project or client, with CSV export

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you're not on a Mac, as no iPhone, Windows or web version is offered, and it needs macOS 13
• Not for you if you want something free, because the trial stops working after 14 days
• Too light for anyone hoping it replaces their to-do app, since it isn't a task manager
• Not for you if you want sites and apps blocked while you work, which it doesn't do
• Pricey if you want every future version, since the license stops before 5.0 and the Forever Upgrade is $29.95 more

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.

Vitamin-R

• Mac only: the current version needs macOS 13 Ventura or later. No iPhone, Windows or web version is offered.
• There is no free plan: the trial stops working after 14 days until an unlock code is bought.
• The standard license stops before version 5.0; covering all future upgrades costs a further $29.95 for the Forever Upgrade.
• It is not a task manager. The vendor positions it alongside to-do apps such as OmniFocus and Things.

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.

Vitamin-R

Objectives and time slices

Each session starts with one specific, reachable objective and a time slice of 15 to 25 minutes. Visual, audio and spoken prompts keep it in view, and the app can shrink to a menu-bar countdown.

Now & Later Board

A stray thought, such as an email to send or an errand, is written down as one line on the board so you can return to the task and pick it up afterwards.

Log book and analytics

Every completed time slice is recorded. Charts show a week of focused time and the hours when you focus best, and slices can be tagged by project or client and exported to CSV.

Breaks and Pomodoro timing

Time slices alternate with timed breaks, which can lock the screen. The timing and rhythm of the classic Pomodoro Technique are built in as an option.

Keyboard command window

A global shortcut opens a command window from any app, where a time slice can be set up and controlled by typing instead of using the mouse.

Focus soundscapes

White noise and ambient soundscapes, from busy coffee shops to quiet beaches, can play while you work to mask distractions.

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.

Vitamin-R

• Single User$29.95

  one-time purchase

  Any number of installations for one person, minor updates up to but not including version 5.0, and a free Noise Machine license.

• Family$59.95

  one-time purchase, up to 5 people

  Any number of installations for up to 5 people in the same family. The order page lists it as $30.00 on top of the Single User price.

• Small Business$149.95

  one-time purchase, up to 20 people

  Up to 20 people in the same family or organization, listed as $120.00 on top of the Single User price.

• Business$299.95

  one-time purchase, up to 50 people

  Up to 50 people in the same organization, listed as $270.00 on top of the Single User price.

• Enterprise$749.95

  one-time purchase, unlimited people

  An unlimited number of people in the same organization, listed as $720.00 on top of the Single User price.

Time Out

• Lifetime license

  Lifetime purchase

  Dejal lists a one-time Lifetime option at $59.99 that includes all current and future premium features.

Vitamin-R

• Lifetime license

  Forever Upgrade for a further $29.95

  Adding the Forever Upgrade option on the order page costs $29.95 on top of the license and includes all future product upgrades.

• Other savings

  Upgrade pricing for existing owners

  Owners of any earlier version can buy the Single User upgrade to version 4 for $19.95, and anyone who bought after 1 January 2021 gets version 4 free.