Purrch
Purrch vs Stretchly vs Time Out
Three ways to take breaks on a Mac. Stretchly and Time Out are established, well-liked break timers. Purrch is a newer movement coach. Here is how they differ, and when each one is the better fit.
| Purrch | Stretchly | Time Out | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Menu-bar movement coach with a desk-cat guide | Open-source break timer | Customizable break timer for Mac |
| How breaks start | Counts active work time, waits while you are busy, then invites you; start, postpone or mute | Fixed intervals for mini breaks and longer breaks | Scheduled “Normal” and “Micro” breaks; postpone and skip rules |
| During the break | A 1–2 minute guided movement for neck, shoulders, wrists or eyes | Break screen with a short suggestion | Break screen with themes, including desk exercises, images or video |
| Checks you moved | Optional, on-device with Apple Vision; camera image never shown, saved or uploaded | No | No |
| Platforms | macOS 14+ | macOS, Windows, Linux | macOS |
| Price | Free; Lifetime Pro US$9.99 one-time | Free, open source | Free, with optional supporter purchases |
Competitor details were checked against their public App Store and project pages in September 2026 and may change. Spot something out of date? Email purrch.support@gmail.com.
Which one should you choose?
Choose Purrch if…
you already ignore break timers and want something that tells you exactly what to do for a minute or two: a guided neck, shoulder, wrist or eye movement, with optional private confirmation that you actually did it.
Choose Stretchly if…
you want a free, open-source timer that also runs on Windows and Linux, and you are happy to decide what to do during each break yourself.
Choose Time Out if…
you want fine control over break schedules, durations, skip limits and automation, and prefer a timer to a guided coach.
Is Purrch a posture corrector?
No. Purrch is an everyday movement companion. It does not diagnose, treat or prevent any medical condition, and it does not watch your posture while you work. The camera is off by default and is only used, if you choose, during a break.
Get Purrch on the Mac App Store