Comparison
Respite vs Stretchly
Stretchly is a popular open-source, cross-platform break reminder built on Electron. Respite is a break reminder app for macOS with intelligent meeting detection and accountability features that Electron apps cannot match.
| Feature | Respite | Stretchly |
|---|---|---|
| Native macOS app | ||
| Cross-platform (Windows, Linux) | ||
| Configurable break intervals | ||
| Multiple break types | ||
| Strict mode | ||
| Idle detection | ||
| Do Not Disturb support | ||
| Microphone detection | ||
| Calendar event suppression | ||
| Video playback detection | ||
| Focus app whitelisting | ||
| Financial accountability | ||
| Streak tracking | ||
| Break automations (Shortcuts, URLs, shell) | ||
| Privacy-first (no accounts, all local) | ||
| Open source | ||
| Pricing | Free trial + $36 (1yr updates) | Free |
Why choose Respite
Native performance
Built in Swift for macOS, Respite uses minimal CPU and memory. No Chromium runtime running in the background -- just a lightweight menu bar app.
Smart suppression
Native access to CoreAudio, EventKit, and macOS APIs lets Respite detect meetings, video playback, and focused apps. Electron apps lack this deep system integration.
Accountability that works
Financial accountability adds real consequences to skipping breaks. Combined with streak tracking, it creates a system that actually changes behavior.