How the two compare
These details are from each product's site on . BreakTimer's contact page is breaktimer.app/contact.
BreakTimer
- Free and open source under GPL-3.0, for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Maintained by Tom James Watson (GitHub account tom-james-watson). The contact page email is contact@breaktimer.app. The README is looking for contributors.
- The site and README do not list a price, a paid plan, an account, or ads. The README says monetary donations are not needed. Settings are stored in a local folder on each system.
- Windows is an unsigned .exe from GitHub releases. The site says to choose more info, then run anyway. The README says that Windows build will not auto-update. macOS is a universal DMG.
- Linux downloads are Snap, AppImage, .deb, .rpm, and .tar.gz. The README calls Snap preferred and also available in the Ubuntu App Store. The homepage marks Snap, .deb, .rpm, and AppImage as auto-updating, and .tar.gz as manual updates. The README marks Snap and AppImage as auto-updating, and lists .deb, .rpm (untested), and .tar.gz as not auto-updating.
- You can set break frequency and duration, working hours, and the colors and messages shown during a break. The README also offers a simple notification or a fullscreen break window, and an option to restart the countdown when the computer is unused. The site says you can skip or snooze when a break is about to start.
- The site and README say there is no support for enterprise or commercial deployment, and no warranty or guarantee of support.
CapyBreaks
- Mac and Windows. CapyBreaks does not run on Linux. Windows installs from the Microsoft Store. The Mac download is an Apple-silicon DMG.
- $14.99 once for up to 3 devices. Team is $9.99 per seat. 7-day trial.
- Reminders for eyes, hydration, stretching, and posture, with Cappy.
- Idle detection, custom schedules, and working hours.
- A reminder that comes due while the microphone is in use, or while a fullscreen app is active, is skipped and the timers start over. On Windows, reminders also pause when Windows reports presentation mode. On Mac, a presentation in a window that does not fill the screen does not by itself pause reminders. Default idle detection skips a due reminder after 5 minutes without keyboard or mouse and starts the timers over. A screen share by itself does not pause reminders. An optional lock screen is available.
- The premium break reminder for Windows and Mac.
What is the same
Both are desktop break reminders for Windows and Mac. Both let you set how often breaks happen and how long they last, and both have working hours.
What is different
BreakTimer is free and also runs on Linux. CapyBreaks does not run on Linux, and it is paid. CapyBreaks is the premium break reminder for Windows and Mac. Personal is $14.99 once for up to 3 devices, with a 7-day trial. Team is $9.99 per seat. Windows installs from the Microsoft Store. The Mac download is an Apple-silicon DMG. BreakTimer is open source under GPL-3.0, maintained by Tom James Watson (GitHub account tom-james-watson). Its Windows download is an unsigned .exe from GitHub releases. The site says to choose more info, then run anyway. The README says that Windows build will not auto-update. macOS is a universal DMG. Linux downloads are Snap, AppImage, .deb, .rpm, and .tar.gz. The README calls Snap preferred and also available in the Ubuntu App Store. The homepage and the README group auto-updating Linux packages differently: the homepage marks Snap, .deb, .rpm, and AppImage as auto-updating, and .tar.gz as manual updates. The README marks Snap and AppImage as auto-updating, and lists .deb, .rpm (untested), and .tar.gz as not auto-updating. BreakTimer can use a simple notification or a fullscreen break window, lets you change colors and messages, and can restart the countdown when the computer is unused. The site says you can skip or snooze when a break is about to start. The README is looking for contributors. The site and README say there is no support for enterprise or commercial deployment, and no warranty or guarantee of support. A reminder that comes due while the microphone is in use, or while a fullscreen app is active, is skipped and the timers start over. On Windows, reminders also pause when Windows reports presentation mode. On Mac, a presentation in a window that does not fill the screen does not by itself pause reminders. Default idle detection skips a due reminder after 5 minutes without keyboard or mouse and starts the timers over. A screen share by itself does not pause reminders. CapyBreaks reminds you about eyes, hydration, stretching, and posture, with Cappy.
Who should pick which
CapyBreaks
Pick CapyBreaks if you want the premium break reminder for Windows and Mac. Personal is $14.99 once for up to 3 devices, with reminders for eyes, hydration, stretching, and posture. CapyBreaks does not run on Linux.
BreakTimer
Pick BreakTimer if you want the free, open-source app, or you need Linux. It also runs on Windows and macOS. Its site does not list a paid plan.
CapyBreaks is the premium break reminder for Windows and Mac.
It runs on Windows and Mac, and it does not run on Linux. It reminds you about your eyes, water, stretching, and posture, and costs $14.99 once for up to 3 devices. There is a 7-day trial. On Windows it installs from the Microsoft Store. The Mac homepage download is an Apple-silicon DMG.