For most people, Stretchly is the right break reminder app for Windows. It's free and open source, it sits in the tray, and it shows short and long break reminders through the day. If you'd rather install nothing, the built-in Clock app's Focus sessions can include breaks. If you also want a notes window, clipboard history and a timer, Gubb adds full-window breaks to that set.
Quick picks (as of November 2026):
- Stretchly: best free, dedicated break reminder that runs in the background.
- Windows Clock (Focus sessions): best if you want nothing to install and only need breaks during planned work blocks.
- Gubb: best if you want break reminders in the same window as your notes, to-dos, clipboard history and timers.
We make Gubb, so weigh our view accordingly. We've tried to be fair to every option here, and for many readers a free option is all they need.
Why use a break reminder at all
When you're focused, you stop noticing time. A break reminder interrupts you on a schedule, so you look away from the screen, stand up or stretch before an hour turns into three.
Most apps use two kinds of break:
- Short (micro) breaks: a few seconds to rest your eyes. A common habit is the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds). See what the 20-20-20 rule is and what a micro break is.
- Long breaks: a few minutes to move around, usually after several short breaks.
Break reminders and Pomodoro timers overlap, but they are different tools. A Pomodoro timer structures a work session you start on purpose. A break reminder runs in the background and interrupts you whether or not you planned anything. If you want the Pomodoro side, see the best Pomodoro timers for Windows.
How we chose
We only included options that run on Windows today. Several well-known break and focus apps are Apple-only as of November 2026 (Time Out, Session, Flow, Be Focused), so they're covered in our break reminder apps for Mac page instead.
We compared the options on what matters for this job:
- Does it run on its own, or do you have to start a session?
- How strict it is: how hard the break is to ignore, and whether you can skip or postpone.
- Setup: what you have to install and switch on before the first reminder.
- Short and long breaks: whether it handles both.
- Price: free or paid.
- What else it does: whether you want a single-purpose tool or something that replaces other apps.
Break reminder apps for Windows compared
| Option | Best for | Price (as of November 2026) | Free option | Standout limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stretchly | Background break reminders, free | Free, open source | Yes, fully free | Some preferences are for contributors only; Electron app with large downloads |
| Windows Clock (Focus sessions) | No install, breaks during planned work blocks | Free, comes with Windows | Yes | Built around sessions you start; not a background reminder |
| Gubb | Breaks plus notes, to-dos, clipboard and timers in one window | See the Microsoft Store listing for the Windows price | No free tier | Breaks can always be skipped and only fill the Gubb window |
Stretchly: best free, dedicated break reminder
Stretchly is a free, open-source app that reminds you to take breaks while you work at your computer. It runs on Windows, macOS, Linux and FreeBSD, and on Windows you can install it from the Microsoft Store or through winget.
What it's good at
- It runs in the background. Stretchly stays in the tray and shows a reminder window from time to time, with an idea for what to do during the break.
- Short and long breaks. Both are built in, so you get quick eye breaks and longer move-around breaks from one app.
- You can make breaks less intrusive. An advanced preference makes breaks behave like regular windows, with a title bar, no always-on-top, and the ability to minimize them. That helps if a break popping over a video call would be a problem.
- Free. The core app costs nothing and has no subscription.
- Actively maintained. The official releases page lists v1.22.1 as the latest, with release files dated August 13, 2026.
What it lacks
- Some extras are for contributors only. People who contribute code, translations or money get "Contributor Preferences" (for example, showing the current time during breaks or hiding the tray icon) and preference sync.
- It's built on Electron, and some release downloads are around 127–128 MB.
- It only does breaks. No notes, clipboard or timer tools. That's a plus if you want a single-purpose tool.
Price
Free (as of November 2026). Supporting the project through code, translations or money (GitHub or Patreon) unlocks the contributor extras.
Who should pick it
Anyone who wants break reminders running in the background and doesn't want to pay. If you only need breaks, this is probably all you need.
Windows Clock (Focus sessions): built in, nothing to install
Windows has no dedicated break reminder of its own, but the built-in Clock app has Focus sessions, which can include breaks. Focus sessions are part of the Clock app in Windows 11 and Windows 10.
How to start a focus session with breaks
- Open the Clock app from the Start menu.
- Go to Focus sessions.
- Choose how long the session should last.
- Choose whether you want breaks in it.
- Start the session.
If you can't find Focus sessions, search the Start menu for "Focus". If you uninstalled the Clock app, reinstall it from the Microsoft Store, because Focus needs it. Microsoft's Focus support page covers the details for your version.
What it's good at
- Nothing to install on most PCs, and it's free.
- Linked to Do Not Disturb (formerly Focus Assist), so notifications stay quiet while you work.
- Also has alarms, timers and reminders, so you can set a one-off "stand up" timer from the same app.
What it lacks
- It's built around sessions you start. You pick a length and start it. If you forget to start one, nothing reminds you to take a break. That makes it closer to a Pomodoro timer than to a background break reminder.
- Windows only, with no notes, clipboard or keyboard-sound tools.
Price
Free, part of Windows (as of November 2026).
Who should pick it
People who already plan their day in focused blocks and want breaks built into those blocks, without installing anything. If you want reminders even on days you forget to plan, use Stretchly or Gubb instead.
Gubb: break reminders inside a notes and timer app
Gubb is a small desktop app for Windows and Mac that puts several everyday tools in one window: markdown notes with checklists and Kanban boards, voice-to-text into notes, clipboard history, a countdown/stopwatch timer, and Break Time reminders. On Windows it's available from the Microsoft Store.
How Gubb's breaks work
While Gubb is open, it counts down a work period and then starts a break:
- Micro break (20 seconds by default), headed "Rest Your Eyes".
- Long break (5 minutes by default), headed "Long Break Time". It replaces a micro break after every few micro breaks (3 by default).
When a break starts, Gubb first sends a notification ("Time for a micro break" or "Time for a long break"). Then the Gubb window goes full screen and stays on top, showing a circular countdown, an eye-health tip (such as the 20-20-20 rule) and two buttons: +1 Minute and Skip Break.
How to turn it on
Break Time is off until you switch it on.
- Move the pointer to the right edge of the Gubb window to show the button column.
- Click Settings.
- Open Break Time.
- Turn on Enable Break Timer.
- Adjust the durations if you want (see the table below).
- Click Save Break Settings.
| Setting | What it does | Default and range |
|---|---|---|
| Work Duration Before Break | Work time before each break | 60 minutes (5–120, in steps of 5) |
| Enable Micro Breaks | Short eye-rest breaks on or off | On when the timer is on |
| Duration (micro) | Length of a micro break | 20 seconds (10–60, in steps of 5) |
| Enable Long Breaks | Longer move-around breaks on or off | On when the timer is on |
| Duration (long) | Length of a long break | 5 minutes (1–30) |
| Frequency: After N micro breaks | How many micro breaks come before a long one | 3 (1–10) |
Long breaks are triggered by micro breaks, so if you turn micro breaks off, long breaks won't happen automatically. The full guide is in the help center's timer and breaks section.
What it's good at
- Hard to miss. The Gubb window goes full screen and stays on top for the countdown, instead of showing a small notification only.
- Fewer apps. If you'd otherwise run a break reminder, a notes app, a clipboard manager and a timer, Gubb covers all four in one window.
What it lacks
Know these before you buy:
- Breaks can always be skipped. Skip Break is always there, so Gubb won't force you to stop.
- Only the Gubb window goes full screen. Other monitors aren't covered.
- It only runs while Gubb is open. Closing the Gubb window may quit the app, which also stops the break timer. There is no idle detection, so it doesn't pause when you step away.
- Some settings don't stick yet. Only the overall on/off switch is saved. The separate Enable Micro Breaks and Enable Long Breaks switches are not. A changed work interval may not take effect until you turn Enable Break Timer off and on again, or restart Gubb.
- Pinned windows get unpinned. If you use Pin window on top, a break turns "always on top" off afterwards, so you'll need to pin the window again.
- The Pomodoro timer doesn't cycle. Gubb's Timer has a Pomodoro mode, but it's a single countdown (25:00 by default) with no automatic work/break cycles. Break Time is the feature that repeats on its own.
Price
Gubb has no free tier. On Windows, check the Microsoft Store listing for the current price (as of November 2026). The direct Mac download from gubb.net is $59 one-time for a lifetime license.
Who should pick it
People who want break reminders as part of a single quick-capture window they already keep open for notes, lists and clipboard history. If breaks are the only thing you need, Stretchly does that job for free.
How strict each option is
The three options differ in how hard a break is to ignore:
- Gubb puts its window into full screen and keeps it on top for the countdown. You can still click +1 Minute or Skip Break, and other monitors stay usable.
- Stretchly shows a reminder window with a break idea. If that's too intrusive, an advanced preference turns breaks into regular windows you can minimize.
- Windows Clock Focus sessions builds breaks into a session you start and pairs them with Do Not Disturb. It's the easiest of the three to forget, because nothing happens unless you start a session.
Setup compared
| Stretchly | Windows Clock | Gubb | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Install | Microsoft Store, winget or GitHub | Usually already installed | Microsoft Store |
| Runs in the background | Yes, from the tray | No, per session | Yes, while Gubb is open |
| Short and long breaks | Yes | Breaks within a session | Yes (micro and long) |
| What you switch on | Install and let it run | Start a session each time | Enable Break Timer in Settings |
| Other tools in the same app | None | Alarms, timers, world clocks | Notes, to-dos, Kanban, clipboard history, timer |
How to choose
- Pick Stretchly if you want reminders through the day, for free, with no other features.
- Pick Windows Clock Focus sessions if you already work in planned blocks and don't want to install anything.
- Pick Gubb if you want breaks that take over a window you already keep open for notes and lists, and you'd like to replace several small apps with one.
- Use none of them if a phone timer or calendar block already gets you up from your desk. A break reminder only helps if you'd otherwise forget.
FAQ
Is there a built-in break reminder in Windows?
Not a dedicated one. The closest built-in option is Focus sessions in the Clock app, which lets you include breaks in a session you start. The Clock app's timers and alarms can also remind you to stand up.
Which break reminder app for Windows is free?
Stretchly is free and open source, and Windows Clock Focus sessions come with Windows. Gubb is a paid app with no free tier.
Does Gubb remind me to take breaks when the app is closed?
No. Break Time only runs while Gubb is open, so keep Gubb running during the hours you want reminders.
Can I make breaks impossible to skip?
Not in Gubb: Skip Break is always available, and only the Gubb window is covered. If you need a stricter setup, check Stretchly's current preferences before relying on it.
If you're on a Mac as well, see our guide to break reminder apps for Mac, where Mac-only tools like Time Out are covered.