Workrave review (2026): is it any good?
Free RSI-prevention break reminder with daily usage limits
Workrave report card
Very good · out of 4.0 · graded Nov 13, 2026
Best for RSI break reminders on Windows and Linux
Workrave is a free program that prompts microbreaks and rest breaks and enforces a daily limit. It runs on Windows and Linux only, the Mac version exists only as an untested development build, and its site describes it only briefly.
Who Workrave is for
- 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
Who Workrave is not for
- 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
Why Workrave gets a 3.0
Five grades, each with its reason. The GPA is their average: an A is 4 points, an F is none.
- AValue for moneyFree software with no paid plan, source code public.
- AFree plan and trialThe full program is free with no ads or tier.
- CFeaturesMicrobreaks, rest breaks, a daily limit and statistics. The basics, with a feature set that dates from its long history.
- BEase of useNo rating on record, but it is a program you install and start using.
- CPlatforms and integrationsWindows and Linux desktop only, with no phone app and Mac only in an untested build.
What these grades rest on. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Raymond Penners and Rob Caelers's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. How we review and grade.
Make Workrave? Put this grade on your site
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<a href="https://toolgpa.com/tools/workrave#review"><img src="https://toolgpa.com/badge/workrave.svg" alt="Workrave: 3.0 GPA on ToolGPA" width="196" height="56"></a>Where Workrave stands among focus apps
Workrave'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 features (C, above 5).
Workrave 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.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 84 focus apps we grade, cut by the letter each got. Workrave’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 47 of 83, level with 36
- AFree plan and trialAbove 64 of 83, level with 19
- CFeaturesAbove 5 of 83, level with 56
- BEase of useAbove 22 of 83, level with 40
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 11 of 83, level with 42
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 Workrave, or make your own?
Keep it
Workrave is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
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.
What you could make
- Time tracking: an app builder makes this well.
What you could not
- A real app for Windows and Linux. Something home-made would be a web page.
What this rests on. Workrave’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 Workrave?
Workrave is a free program that watches keyboard and mouse use and prompts for microbreaks, longer rest breaks and a daily computer-use limit. It is aimed at preventing repetitive strain injury and keeps statistics on breaks taken, postponed and ignored. The site is licensed under the GPL.
Worth knowing
- 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
- 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.
Workrave pricing
As of Nov 13, 2026, Workrave is free to use.
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- Free software with no paid plan.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | The full program; source code is public. |
Read from workrave.org on Nov 13, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Workrave before you buy.
Workrave alternatives
- Workrave vs Time Out
Free plan · from $4.99/mo
- Workrave vs Focus Bear
Free plan · from $9.99/mo
Common questions
Does Workrave have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Workrave is listed for Windows and Linux.
Does Workrave have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Workrave is listed for Windows and Linux.
Is Workrave open source?
Yes. Workrave is open source, according to its own site.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Nov 13, 2026.