Time Out vs Workrave (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, Workrave grades higher than Time Out: 3.0 against 2.8 out of 4.0.
Checked Nov 13, 2026 · graded Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
Time Out grades higher on features. Workrave grades higher on the free plan and platforms. They get the same grade on value for money and ease of use.
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 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 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
| 2.8GPATime OutGood | 3.0GPAWorkraveVery good | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | ACore features are always free, which counts as free and substantial; paid terms run from $4.99 for 3 months to $59.99 lifetime. | AFree software with no paid plan, source code public. |
| Free plan and trial | BThe core features are free for good, but premium features released later need a Supporter term. | AThe full program is free with no ads or tier. |
| Features | BNormal and micro breaks, scheduling, rules, themes and natural breaks, with nothing missing from the break-reminder job. | CMicrobreaks, rest breaks, a daily limit and statistics. The basics, with a feature set that dates from its long history. |
| Ease of use | BNo rating on record, but it installs and runs with nothing to set up. | BNo rating on record, but it is a program you install and start using. |
| Platforms and integrations | DMac only, and version 4.0 requires macOS 26.0 or later. | CWindows and Linux desktop only, with no phone app and Mac only in an untested build. |
| Best for | break reminders on a Mac | 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: Time Out and Workrave. How we grade
Price against what you get
Time Out starts at $1.66 a month and scores 2.3 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. Workrave has no paid plan and scores 2.3.
They score the same, and Workrave starts $1.66 a month lower. Of the other focus apps on the chart, 8 score higher than Time Out 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
- Time Out can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Workrave is open source, according to its own site.
- Time Out also covers menu bar app.
- Workrave also covers time tracking.
At a glance
| Time Out | Workrave | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free plan | Free |
| Starts at | $4.99 for 3 months of Supporter, paid once with no renewal | Free |
| Free plan | Core features are always free. Supporter terms add premium features released during the term. | Free software with no paid plan. |
| Free trial | Supporter and premium features can be tried for a trial period; length not stated on the page. | None listed |
| macOS | ||
| Windows | ||
| Linux | ||
| Made by | Dejal Systems, LLC | Raymond Penners and Rob Caelers |
| Price read from | dejal.com | workrave.org |
| Checked | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 |
Worth knowing
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.
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
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.
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
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.
Workrave
Free$0
The full program; source code is public.
Ways to pay less
Time Out
- Lifetime license
Lifetime purchase
Dejal lists a one-time Lifetime option at $59.99 that includes all current and future premium features.
Workrave
No public discounts listed.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, Time Out or Workrave?
As of Nov 13, 2026, Workrave is cheaper to start with: it is free, against $1.66 a month for Time Out. Time Out starts at $4.99 for 3 months of Supporter, paid once with no renewal, and Workrave is free.
Which has a free plan, Time Out or Workrave?
As of Nov 13, 2026, both Time Out and Workrave have a free plan.
Which platforms do Time Out and Workrave run on?
As of Nov 13, 2026, only Time Out lists a macOS app and only Workrave lists 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.