Workrave
198 likes
Workrave is a free application designed to prevent and recover from Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs) by encouraging regular breaks and micro-pauses during computer use.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Windows
- Linux
- PortableApps.com
Features
Workrave News & Activities
Highlights • All activities
Recent activities
POX added Workrave as alternative to Micro-Break- spqe reviewed Workrave
I tried about 10 apps, and this classic app suits me the best:
- There are both long and short breaks.
- You can remove the icon from the tray, so there’s no temptation to close the app.
- The counter does not reset when the screen is locked.
- justarandom added Workrave as alternative to 20-20-20 Eyebreak
justarandom added Workrave as alternative to 20 20 20: Eye Break Reminder
Workrave information
Developed by
Rob Caelers, Raymond PennersLicensing
Open Source (GPL-3.0) and Free product.Written in
Rating
Average rating of 4.5Alternatives
64 alternatives listedSupported Languages
AlternativeTo Categories
Sport & Health, Office & ProductivityGitHub repository
- 1,643 Stars
- 204 Forks
- 176 Open Issues
- Updated Apr 7, 2025
Comments and Reviews
I tried about 10 apps, and this classic app suits me the best:
It is Open-source and highly configurable. You can blacken out the whole screen and also block keyboard and mouse inputs. I recently discovered 'Reading mode' feature in it which does not consider natural breaks.
Pros:
The app offers many options and variables to customize your breaks. If you know you will keep "pausing" your breaks - to your own bad health - you can tell it to put a limit on the number of times you can put off taking a break. The app shows pictures of stretches you can do for stretch breaks - which helps a lot for all the keyboarding and mousing we do. I can tell a difference even with a few stretches a day. Plus: the sheep icon is super cute. The developers have resumed updating the app
Cons: Caveat: These might have changed; I'm not running the most recent version. The look and feel doesn't look modern and sleek for a more business-like impression if I'm screen-sharing or a colleague walks by. The graphics look a little cheesy. The sheep icon is cute but risks giving a frivolous impression. OTOH it makes me smile, which reduces stress!
I use this app all the time, it is simple, yet useful. But it seems abandoned (last update was in 2014), so I give it only 4 stars...
In case anyone is concerned: The app has been updated several times since MSXfan posted. As of today, WorkRave was last updated in March 2021, and the developers have created a new website.
Any plans to port this app on Qt framework?
You can check my Workrave alternative - Resto (see http://just-code.org/applications/resto/). It's not as complex as Workave itself, but it's written entirely in Qt.
I have been using EyeLeo, but it's almost stopped working. Went out to find a replacement. And Workrave is working just fine. Someone below said it was memory hungry. I didn't notice. Only eats 20MB of RAM. It's nothing these days. Don't make me laugh. The design is fine and I like it for now. Will be checking out others to see if there is still something better. Save your eyes. Be no fool.
[Edited by PeterSavin, September 15]
Workrave is too memory hungry for such a simple app.
Its also way too complicated. All you need is something which pops up every 20 mins to remind you to take a break.
Dont waste your time with this - try Eyedefender which is 20 times smaller and is simple to use.