The 9 Best Work Break Timers (All Free!)

Taking a break sounds like the easiest thing in the world…

…until it comes to break time.

While we’re working, so many of us consistently forget to take a break, and end up sitting in the same spot, doing the same movements, for 8-9 hours a day.

And that can end up having big consequences for both your body and mind.

So, for the sake of your physical and mental health, here is why you need to break and the top 10 work break timer apps for doing it.

Why use an Online Break Timer?

Breaks are probably more important than you might think.

Taking a break is not dodging work or fraternising with co-workers, it’s satisfying the very real human needs for variety, socialising and fun.

Breaking from work can…

• Preserve your physical and mental wellbeing.
• Help you manage fatigue better to get more done throughout the day.
• Prevent eye strain from screen overuse.
• Reduce muscle stiffness from repeating the same movements.
• Reduce stress by giving variety and a social aspect.
• Prevent burnout by helping you avoid monotony.

The best break reminder apps ensure that we’re taking the breaks we’ve all got the right to take at work, and making the most of the benefits that provides.

The 9 Best Work Break Timers

Here are the hottest break timers online, all of which you can grab for free.

1. BreakTimer

• Platform: Windows, macOS, and Linux.

• Pricing: Free and open-source.

• Features:
  • Allows break schedules depending on how long and how often you want to break.
  • Customisable options for colour and message customisation.
  • It also has an intelligent countdown to restart timer based on user activity.

2. Stand Up! The Work Break Timer

Image source

• Platform: iOS

• Pricing: Free, with in-app purchases for additional alert tones, such as premium sounds for notifications.

• Features:
  • This app allows users to set reminder intervals from 5 minutes to 2 hours, ideal for those needing flexible break schedules.
  • It includes location-based alerts to ensure reminders only trigger when you’re at work, multiple alert tones (some requiring purchase), and different color schemes for personalisation.

3. Stretchly

• Platform: Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it highly versatile.

• Pricing: Free and open-source, with no additional costs, supported by community contributions.

• Features:
  • Stretchly offers customisable schedules for short and long breaks, with a strict mode to prevent skipping, ensuring adherence to break routines.
  • It provides break ideas and exercises to keep users engaged, and its cross-platform nature ensures accessibility.

4. Time Out

• Platform: Exclusive to macOS.

• Pricing: Free with no in-app purchases.

• Features:
  • Time Out provides two break types: normal breaks (10 minutes every hour) and micro breaks (15 seconds every 15 minutes), both customisable in duration and frequency.
  • It includes break themes for visual variety and tracks usage, offering statistics for better break management.

5. Workrave

• Platform: Supports GNU/Linux and Windows, focusing on desktop environments.

• Pricing: Free and open-source.

• Features:
  • Designed to prevent RSI (repetitive strain injuries), Workrave alerts users to take micro-pauses, rest breaks, and enforces daily limits on computer use.
  • It’s highly configurable, allowing users to set break schedules, and tracks statistics for usage analysis.

6. EyeLeo

• Platform: Windows users only.

• Pricing: Free.

• Features:
  • EyeLeo specifically focuses on preventing eye strain through eye breaks and quick exercises.
  • It pops up regularly to block you from using your screen over long periods.
  • It offers customisable settings for break intervals, making it suitable for Windows users spending long hours on screens, as described on EyeLeo.

7. Move – Daily Activity to Stay Healthy

• Platform: iOS

• Pricing: Free, with no in-app purchases,.

• Features:
  • This app reminds users to stand up and perform tiny exercises throughout their workday.
  • It has a library of over 300 random workouts to keep routines exciting.
  • Users can customise reminder frequencies and sounds, ideal for iOS users wanting to integrate small movements into their day.

8. Minimalist Pomodoro Timer by Flocus

• Platform: Windows and macOS.

• Pricing: Free.

• Features:
  • A simple, clean interface for enacting the Pomodoro method, a short break or a long break.
  • Customisable backgrounds, sounds and even a lo-fi Spotify playlist for productive work.
  • It’s perfect for users preferring a simple tool with minimalist design.

9. Focus To-Do

• Platform: iOS, macOS, and Windows.

• Pricing: Free with in-app purchases for additional features, such as advanced analytics or premium task management tools.

• Features:
  • Combines a Pomodoro timer with task management, syncing across devices for seamless use.
  • It includes customisable timers, task organization, reminders, and habit tracking, making it an all-in-one solution for productivity.

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Movement is one of the most important things you can do at work for your health, wellbeing and energy levels.

With or without these apps, try to move for 5 minutes at least once every hour.

The results might surprise you.

Contact Ergo Global for ergonomics assessments, training and education for your company!