Glimt
Glimt
Glimtvs
Glimt vs Stretchly

Stretchly suggests a break. Glimt breathes with you.

Stretchly is a well-loved, free and open-source break timer. Every few minutes it suggests a stretch, an eye exercise or a few deep breaths. Glimt focuses on breathing: a paced, guided session floats over your work and holds off while you're on a call.

One-time purchase — no subscription

A break timer vs. a breathing practice

Both run quietly in the background on Mac and Windows. What happens when they appear is different.

Stretchly

An idea for your break

Stretchly shows a short mini break every 10 minutes and a longer break every 30 by default, each with a suggestion. Some are about breathing ("close your eyes and count your breaths"), most are stretches, eye exercises and movement. It's very configurable and works on Linux too.

Glimt

A guided breath, start to finish

Glimt shows an animated orb that paces each inhale, hold and exhale through Box, 4-7-8 or your own pattern, for as many rounds as you like. Micro reminders guide a few breaths in a corner of the screen without a click.

Feature by feature

Glimt
Stretchly
Animated, paced breathing sessionStretchly's break ideas include breathing suggestions as text
Box, 4-7-8 & custom breathing patterns
Reminders at intervals you set
Detects mic/camera use and holds remindersStretchly can pause during Do Not Disturb, or while apps you choose are running
Statistics, streaks & a daily goalNot listed in Stretchly's documentation
Stretch, eye & movement break ideas
Strict mode (breaks can't be skipped)
macOS & Windows
Linux
Free & open source

Which one is right for you?

Stretchly is a great app. If it already fits your day, keep it.

Choose Stretchly if…

  • You want general break reminders: stretching, eyes, movement, water.
  • You'd like it free and open source.
  • You use Linux.
  • You want strict mode to make breaks non-negotiable.

Choose Glimt if…

  • You want to be guided through the breathing, not only reminded to do it.
  • You want named patterns like Box or 4-7-8, or your own timings.
  • You want reminders that hold off automatically when your mic or camera is on.
  • You'd like to see your sessions, streaks and daily goal.

Free vs. a one-time purchase

Stretchly is free and genuinely good. If general break reminders are what you need, start there. Glimt costs money because it's a dedicated breathing practice.

GlimtGlimt
$39one time
  • Guided breathing — Box, 4-7-8, custom
  • Pay once, keep it
  • No account needed
Stretchly
$0free & open source

Optional sponsorship unlocks extra contributor preferences.

  • Mini & long breaks with stretch and eye ideas
  • Windows, macOS & Linux
  • Open source (BSD-2)

Competitor prices and features checked against their official sites and App Store listings in October 2026. They may have changed since. If something here is out of date, let us know and we'll fix it.

Glimt

Don't just take a break. Breathe.

$39, once. No subscription. No account. A breathing practice that fits into your workday without getting in the way.

One-time purchase — no subscription — mac & windows

Learn more about Glimt