Time Out review (2026): is the free plan enough?
Mac break reminder with customizable break screens
Black Friday: is there a Time Out sale?
Time Out report card
Good · out of 4.0 · graded Nov 13, 2026
Best for break reminders on a Mac
Time Out is a Mac break reminder with scheduling, rules and break themes, and core features that stay free. Version 4.0 needs macOS 26 or later, it runs on Mac only, and newer premium features need a Supporter term or the $59.99 lifetime.
Who Time Out is for
- Fits if you work at a Mac and want breaks scheduled by rules
- Works for people who want break screens you can change
Who Time Out is not for
- 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
Why Time Out gets a 2.8
Five grades, each with its reason. The GPA is their average: an A is 4 points, an F is none.
- AValue for moneyCore features are always free, which counts as free and substantial; paid terms run from $4.99 for 3 months to $59.99 lifetime.
- BFree plan and trialThe core features are free for good, but premium features released later need a Supporter term.
- BFeaturesNormal and micro breaks, scheduling, rules, themes and natural breaks, with nothing missing from the break-reminder job.
- BEase of useNo rating on record, but it installs and runs with nothing to set up.
- DPlatforms and integrationsMac only, and version 4.0 requires macOS 26.0 or later.
What these grades rest on. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Dejal Systems, LLC's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. How we review and grade.
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Paste this where you want the badge. It links here and follows the grade if it changes. About badges
<a href="https://toolgpa.com/tools/time-out#review"><img src="https://toolgpa.com/badge/time-out.svg" alt="Time Out: 2.8 GPA on ToolGPA" width="196" height="56"></a>Where Time Out stands among focus apps
Time Out's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 49 of the 83 other focus apps we grade, and level with 10.
It stands best on value for money (A, above 47 of 83) and worst on platforms and integrations (D, above 0).
Its paid plans start at $1.66 a month, against a middle price of $2.96 for the category: 5 of the 49 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.3 out of 4. 8 tools score higher and cost less.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 84 focus apps we grade, cut by the letter each got. Time Out’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 47 of 83, level with 36
- BFree plan and trialAbove 44 of 83, level with 19
- BFeaturesAbove 62 of 83, level with 20
- BEase of useAbove 22 of 83, level with 40
- DPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 83, level with 10
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 70 focus apps. Further left costs less, and higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Point at a dot to see which tool it is.
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
Keep Time Out, or make your own?
Your call
A focus timer at its plainest counts down 25 minutes and keeps a log.
Time Out sits between: not beyond making, and not a weekend's work either. What you would give up is listed below. Whether that is worth the price is your call. At $19.96 a year it costs less than the weekend it would take to replace, which is the argument for keeping it.
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.
- The depth: we grade its features B, which means it covers the whole job.
What this rests on. Time Out’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.
What is Time Out?
Time Out is a Mac app from Dejal that reminds you to step away with Normal and Micro breaks. Breaks can follow fixed times or calendar events, and rules postpone them during calls or fullscreen apps. Core features are free; supporter and premium options add more.
Worth knowing
- 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.
Key features
- 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.
Time Out pricing
As of Nov 13, 2026, Time Out has a free plan, and paid plans start at $4.99 for 3 months of Supporter, paid once with no renewal.
- Starts at
- $4.99 for 3 months of Supporter, paid once with no renewal
- Free plan
- Core features are always free. Supporter terms add premium features released during the term.
- Free trial
- Supporter and premium features can be tried for a trial period; length not stated on the page.
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Core break features, always free. |
| 3-Month Supporter | $4.99for 3 months, paid once, with no renewal | Adds premium features added during the 3 months. |
| 6-Month Supporter | $9.99for 6 months, paid once, with no renewal | Adds premium features added during the 6 months. |
| 12-Month Supporter | $19.99for 12 months, paid once, with no renewal | Adds premium features added during the 12 months. |
| Lifetime | $59.99one-time | All current and future premium features. |
Read from dejal.com on Nov 13, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Time Out before you buy.
Ways to pay less
- Lifetime licenseLifetime purchase
Dejal lists a one-time Lifetime option at $59.99 that includes all current and future premium features.
Stated on dejal.com
Works with
- Setapp
- FaceTime
- Microsoft Teams
- Zoom
Time Out alternatives
- Time Out vs HazeOver
Free trial · from $4.99 one-time
- Time Out vs Vitamin-R
Free trial · from $29.95 one-time
- Time Out vs Focus Bear
Free plan · from $9.99/mo
Common questions
Does Time Out have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Time Out is listed for macOS.
Does Time Out have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Time Out is listed for macOS.
Is Time Out open source?
Time Out is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 13, 2026.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Nov 13, 2026.