Workrave

Free plan LinuxWindows

What Workrave is

Workrave monitors keyboard and mouse use and reminds users to take breaks, with the stated aim of supporting recovery and helping prevent repetitive strain injury. Its typical schedule is a 30-second microbreak every three minutes and a 10-minute rest break every 45 minutes; users can configure both durations and intervals. It can track computer use and prompt users to stop when they reach a configured daily limit.

Reminders can enforce a break or try again a few minutes later if ignored for more than 30 seconds. Workrave can show configurable exercises at the beginning of a rest break, each taking about 30 seconds. Its statistics cover breaks taken, ignored, or postponed, and computer use by day, week, and month. The software is free for GNU/Linux and Windows, and source code is available. The Windows release supports ARM64, auto-updates, and per-user or system-wide installation. Linux integrations include a StatusNotifierItem tray, a GNOME Shell extension, and a Cinnamon applet. The maker offers community support through a mailing list and directs bug reports and feature requests to its GitHub issue tracker.

Who it suits

Workrave suits GNU/Linux and Windows users who want configurable reminders and activity statistics. It may also suit people who want reminders to enforce breaks or include short exercises.

What it does well

Configurable microbreaks and longer rest breaks.
Tracks daily computer use and can enforce a limit.
Reports breaks taken, ignored, or postponed.
Free software with source code available.
Windows release supports ARM64.

What to know first

Stable platform listings cover GNU/Linux and Windows.
Networking functionality was removed in version 1.11.
The macOS port is in a less-tested development version.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Workrave	Free software · GNU/Linux and Windows · source code available	Free

As workrave.org lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Visit the Workrave website.
Choose the GNU/Linux or Windows release for your platform.
Install the software; Windows supports per-user or system-wide installation.
Configure break timing, enforcement, and any daily usage limit.

Verdict

Workrave offers adjustable break reminders, usage tracking, and short exercises at no cost on GNU/Linux and Windows. Note that networking has been removed, and the maker describes its macOS port as a less-stable development version.

Questions

Is Workrave free?

Yes. The Workrave plan is free, and source code is available.

Which platforms does it support?

Workrave is listed for GNU/Linux and Microsoft Windows. The maker says its macOS port is in a development version that may be less stable than the stable version.

Does Workrave offer a free trial?

No free trial is listed.

What does Workrave track?

It reports breaks taken, ignored, or postponed, along with computer use by day, week, and month.

How can users get support?

Community support is available through a user mailing list. Bug reports and feature requests can be sent through its GitHub issue tracker.

Facts from Workrave's own pages

Break enforcement: Break reminders can be configured to enforce a break or try again a few minutes later if ignored for more than 30 seconds. · workrave.org, 11 Oct 2026
Daily limit: It tracks computer use and prompts the user to stop when the configured daily usage limit is reached. · workrave.org, 11 Oct 2026
Development build limitation: The maker says the macOS port is in the development version, which is less thoroughly tested and may be less stable than the stable version. · workrave.org, 11 Oct 2026
Exercises: At the start of a rest break, Workrave can show configurable exercises that take about 30 seconds each. · workrave.org, 11 Oct 2026
Linux desktop integrations: The release announcement lists StatusNotifierItem tray support, a redesigned GNOME Shell extension, and Cinnamon applet support. · workrave.org, 11 Oct 2026
Microbreaks: It typically prompts for a 30-second microbreak every three minutes, with configurable duration and frequency. · workrave.org, 11 Oct 2026
Privacy and security: The maker pages reviewed describe local activity monitoring and statistics but make no security certification or compliance claim. · workrave.org, 11 Oct 2026
Purpose: Workrave monitors keyboard and mouse use and prompts users to take breaks to help with recovery and prevention of repetitive strain injury. · workrave.org, 11 Oct 2026
Removed networking: Workrave's networking functionality was removed in version 1.11. · workrave.org, 11 Oct 2026
Rest breaks: It typically prompts for a 10-minute rest break every 45 minutes, with configurable duration and frequency. · workrave.org, 11 Oct 2026
Settings: Users can configure break duration, intervals, enforcement strictness, and other settings. · workrave.org, 11 Oct 2026
Support: Community support is available through a user mailing list, and the maker directs bug reports and feature requests to its GitHub issue tracker. · workrave.org, 11 Oct 2026
Usage statistics: It reports breaks taken, ignored, or postponed, plus computer use by day, week, and month. · workrave.org, 11 Oct 2026
Windows features: The Windows release has an auto-update feature, ARM64 support, and can install per-user or system-wide. · workrave.org, 11 Oct 2026

Where Workrave stands on Freedom251

Time Management Apps#16 of 35