The KeepingYouAwake Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about KeepingYouAwake in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
KeepingYouAwake
The Insider’s Guide
Menu bar utility that stops a Mac from going to sleep
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among desktop utilities, read from KeepingYouAwake’s own pages.
Made by Marcel Dierkes · checked Oct 9, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from KeepingYouAwake’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on KeepingYouAwake’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 9, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.6
GPA, above 36 of the 94 other desktop utilities we grade
KeepingYouAwake is a small open-source menu bar utility that prevents a Mac from entering sleep mode, either for a preset duration or for as long as it is switched on. It is a wrapper around caffeinate, the command line tool Apple ships with macOS, and it can turn itself off when the battery level is low. Its developer, Marcel Dierkes, built it in 2014 as a replacement for the Caffeine app and publishes it under the MIT license.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about KeepingYouAwake, taken from its own pages and our grades.
It only wraps Apple's own caffeinate tool, comes with no guarantee from the developer, and won't keep a MacBook awake with the lid closed.
- 1
Best for keeping a Mac awake with one click
KeepingYouAwake is a free, open-source menu bar switch that keeps a Mac awake for a set time or until you turn it off.
- 2
It is free
KeepingYouAwake has no paid plan at all. The whole app is open source under the MIT license, downloaded from the website or GitHub or installed with Homebrew. Its pages show no price, purchase step or paid edition.
- 3
It runs on macOS
macOS.
- 4
One-click activation
One click on the menu bar icon stops the Mac from going to sleep, and it stays that way until the app is deactivated or a chosen duration ends.
- 5
Activation durations
Sleep can be blocked for a pre-defined length of time instead of indefinitely, and the list of durations can be customized in the settings.
- 6
Battery safeguards
The app can deactivate itself when the battery level is low, and its Battery settings support Low Power Mode on compatible Macs.
- 7
A 2.6 GPA, above 36 of 94
That is against the other desktop utilities we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
KeepingYouAwake is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
KeepingYouAwake at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS
- Made by
- Marcel Dierkes, since 2014
- Category
- Desktop Utilities
- Our grade
- 2.6 GPA, good
The report card
Best for keeping a Mac awake with one click
KeepingYouAwake is a free, open-source menu bar switch that keeps a Mac awake for a set time or until you turn it off. It only wraps Apple's own caffeinate tool, comes with no guarantee from the developer, and won't keep a MacBook awake with the lid closed. It's Mac only, and the changelog says the next release drops everything before macOS 12.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | Free and open source under the MIT licence, a download anyone can run. Its pages show no price, no purchase step and no paid edition. |
| Free plan and trial | A | The complete utility, every setting included, is a free download with no account or licence key. You can install it with Homebrew too. |
| Features | D | This is one switch. It wraps caffeinate, the sleep-blocking tool Apple already ships, and adds timed durations, a low-battery cut-off and a URL scheme for scripts. It won't even hold a MacBook awake with the lid shut. |
| Ease of use | B | No store rating on record, but there is genuinely nothing to set up: click the menu bar icon and your Mac stays awake. The rest is a handful of settings you may never open. |
| Platforms and integrations | D | Mac only. Version 1.6.8 supports macOS 10.13 and newer, and the changelog says 1.6.9 will raise that to macOS 12. No integrations are listed beyond its own URL scheme. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who KeepingYouAwake is for
- Fits if sleep keeps cutting off a long download or a slideshow
- Works for anyone who wants Apple's caffeinate behind a menu bar icon, at no cost
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you want a MacBook to stay awake with the lid closed, which it doesn't do
- Not for you if you're on Windows or Linux, as it's macOS only
- Tight if your Mac runs something older than macOS 12, which the changelog says version 1.6.9 will stop supporting
- Too light for more than stopping sleep: it wraps Apple's caffeinate, and the developer says you use it at your own risk
Good to know
Good for
- Mac users who need the computer to stay awake for a set time
- People who used Caffeine and want a maintained replacement
- Anyone who wants a small single-purpose utility at no cost
Worth knowing
- macOS only. Version 1.6.8 supports macOS 10.13 and newer, and the changelog says the next release, 1.6.9, raises the minimum to macOS 12.
- It does not keep a MacBook awake with the lid closed: it works on desktop Macs and on portable Macs with an open lid.
- It only prevents sleep, by wrapping Apple's caffeinate tool; the developer says it is provided with no guarantee and used at your own risk.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
Free
No paid plan at all
KeepingYouAwake is free to use.
Free and open source under the MIT licence, a download anyone can run.
KeepingYouAwake
$0
The complete utility with every setting, as a direct download with no account or license key. MIT licensed.
The free plan
The whole app is open source under the MIT license, downloaded from the website or GitHub or installed with Homebrew. Its pages show no price, purchase step or paid edition.
Read from github.com on Oct 9, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
1
Place it runs: macOS
Menu bar utility that stops a Mac from going to sleep. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, menu bar app.
It won't even hold a MacBook awake with the lid shut.
- One-click activation
- One click on the menu bar icon stops the Mac from going to sleep, and it stays that way until the app is deactivated or a chosen duration ends.
- Activation durations
- Sleep can be blocked for a pre-defined length of time instead of indefinitely, and the list of durations can be customized in the settings.
- Battery safeguards
- The app can deactivate itself when the battery level is low, and its Battery settings support Low Power Mode on compatible Macs.
- Automatic activation rules
- Advanced settings activate it when an external display is connected, deactivate it while another user account is active, or quit the app when a duration ends.
- URL scheme
- Links such as keepingyouawake:///activate and keepingyouawake:///toggle switch it on or off from scripts and other apps.
- Display sleep and notifications
- An option lets the display sleep while the Mac itself stays awake, and on macOS 11 or newer the app can post notifications.
Where it runs
- macOS
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
KeepingYouAwake is made by Marcel Dierkes, and has been around since 2014.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
36/94
Other desktop utilities it is graded above
KeepingYouAwake's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 36 of the 94 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 20.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 49 of 94) and worst on features (D, above 0).
KeepingYouAwake has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 1.7 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 95 desktop utilities we grade, cut by the letter each got. KeepingYouAwake’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 24 of 94
- AFree plan and trialAbove 49 of 94
- DFeaturesAbove 0 of 94
- BEase of useAbove 33 of 94
- DPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 94
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 55 desktop utilities. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. KeepingYouAwake is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
KeepingYouAwake is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
What you could not
- A native app living in the menu bar.
- A real app for macOS. Something home-made would be a web page.
What this rests on. KeepingYouAwake’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Microsoft PowerToys, AlDente and Hammerspoon
The 3 tools KeepingYouAwake is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.8GPA
Microsoft PowerToys
Free
Free Microsoft utilities for customizing Windows 10 and 11.
- Only KeepingYouAwake lists a macOS app.
- Only Microsoft PowerToys lists a Windows app.
- KeepingYouAwake also covers menu bar app.
- 2.4GPA
AlDente
Free plan · from $13.99/yr
Charge limiter and battery care app for MacBooks.
- KeepingYouAwake is open source, according to its own site.
- AlDente can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- AlDente also covers system monitor.
- 2.6GPA
Hammerspoon
Free
Free, open-source macOS automation scripted in Lua.
- KeepingYouAwake also covers menu bar app.
- Hammerspoon also covers workflow automation and window management.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
11
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is KeepingYouAwake free?
Yes. KeepingYouAwake is free to use.
How much does KeepingYouAwake cost?
KeepingYouAwake lists one plan. KeepingYouAwake: $0.
What platforms does KeepingYouAwake work on?
KeepingYouAwake is available on macOS.
Does KeepingYouAwake have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. KeepingYouAwake is listed for macOS.
Does KeepingYouAwake have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. KeepingYouAwake is listed for macOS.
Is KeepingYouAwake open source?
Yes. KeepingYouAwake is open source, according to its own site.
Who makes KeepingYouAwake?
KeepingYouAwake is made by Marcel Dierkes. It dates from 2014.
What are the alternatives to KeepingYouAwake?
The closest alternatives to KeepingYouAwake in our directory are Microsoft PowerToys, AlDente and Hammerspoon.
How does KeepingYouAwake compare with other desktop utilities?
KeepingYouAwake's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 36 of the 94 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 20.
Is KeepingYouAwake good value for money?
ToolGPA grades KeepingYouAwake A for value for money. KeepingYouAwake has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of KeepingYouAwake?
KeepingYouAwake is free, so making your own would save you nothing. What you could not make: A native app living in the menu bar.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from KeepingYouAwake’s own pages on Oct 9, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 10, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from KeepingYouAwake's own pages on 9 October 2026. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-08-13.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Marcel Dierkes. Prices change, so check keepingyouawake.app before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
3,189
Tools graded, in 94 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
3,189
tools graded
94
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- KeepingYouAwake, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/keepingyouawake
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "KeepingYouAwake: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 9, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/keepingyouawake
Know someone choosing between desktop utilities?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/keepingyouawake/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded desktop utilities after KeepingYouAwake, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Desktop Utilities Insider's GuideEvery one of the 95 desktop utilities we grade, compared
- LocalSend Insider's GuideOpen-source file sharing between nearby devices, no cloud3.2 GPA
- Ninite Insider's GuideInstalls and updates many Windows apps at once3.2 GPA
- 7-Zip Insider's GuideFree, open-source file archiver with the 7z format3.0 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what KeepingYouAwake’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. KeepingYouAwake is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Marcel Dierkes. Prices and plans change: check keepingyouawake.app before you buy.