# Stretchly review (2026): is it any good? > Open-source break reminder for Mac, Windows and Linux Checked Nov 13, 2026 ยท graded Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA. Stretchly is a free, open-source desktop app that lives in the tray and reminds you to take breaks. By default it sets a 20-second mini break every 10 minutes and a 5-minute long break every 30 minutes, with a break idea in each reminder. Preferences are customizable and saved in a JSON file. - **Category:** Focus Apps - **Made by:** Jan Hovancik - **Website:** https://hovancik.net/stretchly - **Runs on:** macOS, Windows, Linux - **Who should skip it:** Skip it if you want it on a phone, as no mobile version is listed. - **Facts last checked:** Nov 13, 2026 ## Pricing As of Nov 13, 2026, Stretchly is free to use. - **Pricing model:** Free - **Free plan:** Free app. Optional sponsorship on GitHub or Patreon unlocks contributor preferences and preference sync. - **Free trial:** None listed. | Plan | Price | What you get | | --- | --- | --- | | Free | $0 | The full app; sponsors also get Contributor Preferences and Sync Preferences. | Read from https://hovancik.net/stretchly/sponsor/ on Nov 13, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Stretchly before buying. ## Key features - **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. ## Good for - Desk workers who want regular eye and posture breaks - People who prefer open-source software on Linux ## Worth knowing - 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. ## ToolGPA grades **GPA: 3.0 out of 4**, graded Nov 13, 2026. Stretchly is a free open-source break reminder with mini and long breaks and idle awareness. It is desktop only, the Mac build is unsigned so first launch needs a workaround, and sponsors get a few extra preferences. - **Value for money: A.** Free and open source, with optional sponsorship on GitHub or Patreon. - **Free plan and trial: A.** The full app is free; sponsors only get contributor and sync preferences. - **Features: B.** Mini 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. - **Ease of use: C.** No rating on record. The Mac build is unsigned, so first launch needs a Gatekeeper workaround. - **Platforms and integrations: C.** Mac, Windows and Linux, a program for computers only, with no phone version. These are ToolGPA's own grades. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Jan Hovancik's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. ## Where it stands among focus apps - Stretchly's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 60 of the 83 other focus apps we grade, and level with 15. - It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 64 of 83) and worst on ease of use (C, above 1). - Stretchly has no paid plan. - On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.3 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price. The category's chart of price against score: https://toolgpa.com/charts/focus ## Keep it, or make your own? **Keep it.** Stretchly is free, so making your own would save you nothing. And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces. It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 3.0 is higher than 60 of the 83 other focus apps we grade. - You could not: A native app living in the menu bar. - You could not: Apps for macOS, Windows and Linux that stay in step with each other. - You could not: The depth: we grade its features B, which means it covers the whole job. A judgement by ToolGPA from this listing, by rules that are the same for every tool. Nothing was built to test it. **Tags:** Open source, Menu bar app, Works offline ## Alternatives - [Workrave](https://toolgpa.com/tools/workrave): Free RSI-prevention break reminder with daily usage limits. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/stretchly-vs-workrave) - [Time Out](https://toolgpa.com/tools/time-out): Mac break reminder with customizable break screens. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/stretchly-vs-time-out) - [TomatoBar](https://toolgpa.com/tools/tomatobar): Free open-source Pomodoro timer for the Mac menu bar. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/stretchly-vs-tomatobar) - [Focus Timer](https://toolgpa.com/tools/gnome-pomodoro): Free Pomodoro timer for Linux, formerly GNOME Pomodoro. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/gnome-pomodoro-vs-stretchly) - [Focus Bear](https://toolgpa.com/tools/focus-bear): Distraction blocker and guided routines built for ADHD brains. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/focus-bear-vs-stretchly) ## Sources The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Nov 13, 2026: - https://hovancik.net/stretchly - https://hovancik.net/stretchly/downloads/ - https://hovancik.net/stretchly/about/ - https://hovancik.net/stretchly/sponsor/ Page: https://toolgpa.com/tools/stretchly Listed by ToolGPA (toolgpa.com).