StandLock vs Stretchly: Which macOS Break Reminder Is Right for You?
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Both are free, open-source break reminders with screen lock features. StandLock is a native macOS app with calendar integration and meeting awareness. Stretchly runs on Electron and works on macOS, Windows, and Linux. If you only use macOS and want your breaks to respect your meeting schedule, StandLock is the better fit. If you need one app across multiple operating systems, Stretchly is the obvious choice.
| Feature | StandLock | Stretchly |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| License | MIT | BSD-2-Clause |
| Platform | macOS only | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Runtime | Native (Swift/AppKit) | Electron |
| Screen lock | Yes, 3 discipline levels | Yes, fullscreen window |
| Meeting awareness | Yes (calendar + mic/camera) | Do Not Disturb only |
| Calendar integration | Yes | No |
| Pomodoro mode | Yes | No |
| Idle detection | Yes | Yes |
| Custom themes/sounds | No | Yes |
StandLock
StandLock is a free, MIT-licensed macOS menu bar app built natively with Swift and AppKit. It uses minimal memory because there is no bundled browser engine. It reads your calendar and detects active mic/camera use to defer breaks during meetings.
Three discipline levels (Gentle, Firm, Strict) let you choose how forcefully breaks are enforced. No account, no cloud, no data collection. Learn more on the homepage.
Stretchly
Stretchly is an open-source (BSD-2-Clause) break reminder built on Electron. It runs on macOS (Monterey 12+), Windows, and Linux, so you can use the same app on every computer you own. Breaks come in two sizes: micro-breaks and full breaks, each with configurable intervals and durations.
In strict mode, Stretchly shows a fullscreen break window with no close button. It pauses when Do Not Disturb is active, and resets its timer when you have been idle. You can customize break ideas, themes, sounds, and keyboard shortcuts. The tradeoff for cross-platform support is higher memory usage: Electron bundles a Chromium instance, so Stretchly typically uses 150-300 MB of RAM versus under 50 MB for a native app.
Stretchly does not read your calendar or detect active calls. If you are in a meeting, you need to either enable Do Not Disturb or manually pause the app.
Key Differences
- Native vs Electron: StandLock runs natively on macOS with low memory usage. Stretchly uses Electron, which costs more RAM but enables cross-platform support.
- Meeting awareness: StandLock reads your calendar and detects camera/mic activity. Stretchly only pauses during Do Not Disturb, which you must enable yourself.
- Discipline levels: StandLock has three (Gentle, Firm, Strict) with different enforcement behaviors. Stretchly has two modes: standard and strict, where strict removes the close button.
- Platform reach: Stretchly works on macOS, Windows, and Linux. StandLock is macOS only.
- Customization: Stretchly supports custom themes, sounds, and break idea text. StandLock focuses on scheduling and enforcement over visual customization.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose StandLock if you use macOS exclusively and want your break reminders to automatically pause during meetings. The native runtime keeps memory low, and three discipline levels give you fine control over how forcefully breaks are enforced.
Choose Stretchly if you work across macOS, Windows, and Linux and want a single break tool on all of them. Stretchly also has better theme and sound customization. The higher memory footprint is the cost of cross-platform compatibility.
Learn More
Compare all macOS break reminder apps · Download StandLock free · Stretchly website