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Glimt

Glimt

Glimtvs
Glimt vs DeskRest

Break reminders remind you. Glimt reconnects you.

DeskRest is a polished break timer — it tells you to stand up, stretch, rest your eyes. Glimt is different. It floats a guided breathing session over your screen and brings you back to yourself, not just back from your desk.

One-time purchase — no subscription

Same model. Different philosophy.

Both apps live in your menu bar and pause during calls. What they do with your attention is completely different.

DeskRest

It stops you

A full-screen overlay blocks your work and tells you to stand up, stretch, or look away. Great for correcting your posture and protecting your eyes. But it doesn't teach you anything — when the timer ends, you go right back to where you were.

Glimt

It brings you back

A floating orb guides you through a breathing pattern — Box, 4-7-8, or your own — right over your work. It doesn't interrupt with a full-screen block. It settles you, reconnects you to your breath, and fades away. You return to work calmer, not just rested.

Feature by feature

Glimt
DeskRest
Guided breathing patternsDeskRest offers customizable exercises but no named breathing patterns
Floating prompt — doesn't block your workDeskRest uses a full-screen overlay
Animated breathing orb
Box Breathing & 4-7-8 patterns
Custom breathing pattern
Smart pause — won't interrupt callsGlimt: mic/cam detection. DeskRest: Zoom, YouTube, Focus modes, idle
Menu bar integration
Native macOS app
macOS Shortcuts integrationGlimt fires Shortcuts on breathing events (start/end). DeskRest: generic start/stop controls
Zero data collection
One-time purchase
Posture & eye break reminders
Break statisticsDeskRest has a full-year activity calendar

Similar price. Different value.

Both apps are one-time purchases at nearly the same price. The question is what you get for it.

GlimtGlimt
$28one time
  • Guided breathing — Box, 4-7-8, custom
  • Pay once, own forever
  • No account, no card saved
DeskRest
$24.99one time

or $9.99/year — also $39.99 (2 Macs), $74.99 (5 Macs)

  • Break reminders with posture & eye exercises
  • 7-day free trial, no credit card required
  • No guided breathing at any price
Glimt

Don't just take a break. Breathe.

$28, once. No subscription. No account. A breathing practice that fits into your workday without getting in the way.

One-time purchase — no subscription — macOS only

Learn more about Glimt