# Workrave review (2026): is it any good? > Free RSI-prevention break reminder with daily usage limits Checked Nov 13, 2026 ยท graded Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA. 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. - **Category:** Focus Apps - **Made by:** Raymond Penners and Rob Caelers (since 2001) - **Website:** https://workrave.org - **Runs on:** Windows, Linux - **Who should skip it:** Skip it if you use a Mac, as that port exists only in the untested development version. - **Facts last checked:** Nov 13, 2026 ## Pricing As of Nov 13, 2026, Workrave is free to use. - **Pricing model:** 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 https://workrave.org/download/ on Nov 13, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Workrave before buying. ## 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. ## Good for - People managing or preventing repetitive strain - Windows and Linux desk workers wanting a no-cost reminder ## 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. ## ToolGPA grades **GPA: 3.0 out of 4**, graded Nov 13, 2026. 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. - **Value for money: A.** Free software with no paid plan, source code public. - **Free plan and trial: A.** The full program is free with no ads or tier. - **Features: C.** Microbreaks, rest breaks, a daily limit and statistics. The basics, with a feature set that dates from its long history. - **Ease of use: B.** No rating on record, but it is a program you install and start using. - **Platforms and integrations: C.** Windows and Linux desktop only, with no phone app and Mac only in an untested build. These are ToolGPA's own grades. 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. ## Where it 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. The category's chart of price against score: https://toolgpa.com/charts/focus ## Keep it, 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. - You could make: Time tracking: an app builder makes this well. - You could not: A real app for Windows and Linux. Something home-made would be a web page. 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, Time tracking ## Alternatives - [Stretchly](https://toolgpa.com/tools/stretchly): Open-source break reminder for Mac, Windows and Linux. [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/time-out-vs-workrave) - [Focus Timer](https://toolgpa.com/tools/gnome-pomodoro): Free Pomodoro timer for Linux, formerly GNOME Pomodoro. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/gnome-pomodoro-vs-workrave) - [Tomighty](https://toolgpa.com/tools/tomighty): Free Pomodoro timer for the browser, Windows and Mac. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/tomighty-vs-workrave) - [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-workrave) ## Sources The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Nov 13, 2026: - https://workrave.org - https://workrave.org/download/ Page: https://toolgpa.com/tools/workrave Listed by ToolGPA (toolgpa.com).