DeskRest weaves smart 20-second eye breaks and 3-minute stretch breaks into your Mac workday — automatically held back during calls, meetings and Focus sessions. One purchase from $24.99 with lifetime updates, built natively for macOS 14.2 and later.
On the Mac App Store since 2025 · updated every few weeks · built by an indie developer in Germany
Streaks & stats your break habit, made visible
DeskRest is a native break reminder app for macOS 14.2 and later. It schedules two kinds of pauses: 20-second micro-breaks that follow the 20-20-20 rule for your eyes, and 3-minute movement breaks that reset your posture and focus. Unlike a plain timer, DeskRest detects video calls, meetings and macOS Focus sessions and quietly reschedules — so breaks stay out of your Zoom calls.
Beyond breaks, DeskRest flashes gentle posture reminders while you work, tracks your streaks and daily statistics, and rings a Clock Out ritual at the end of your working hours so the day actually ends. Detection happens on your Mac: by design, the app can't record audio or see your screen content.
There's a 7-day free trial — no credit card, it simply ends on its own — and afterwards a lifetime license costs $39.99 once (2 Macs, updates included). See the download options, and the version history for how actively the one-developer team ships.
Why DeskRest
Most timers fire on a fixed clock and interrupt whatever you're doing. DeskRest reads the room: it senses video calls, meetings and Focus, waits its turn, and keeps your streak honest in the background.
Short eye-rest breaks and longer movement breaks on a schedule you control.
Breaks step aside automatically during Zoom, Meet and other calls — Arc included.
Subtle screen flashes prompt you to sit up straight without breaking flow.
Daily streaks and break history keep the habit visible and motivating.
Download the .dmg straight from the developer, or install through the Mac App Store — both run the same DeskRest, version 1.19.1, and both start with the 7-day free trial. Afterwards, the direct version activates with a license key from the developer's store, while the App Store version unlocks through an in-app purchase.
Lifetime licenses start at $24.99 — and the official code WELCOME40 takes 40% off everything, bringing the most popular 2-Mac plan to $23.99.
These plans never renew — one payment, done — and EU customers keep their 14-day right of withdrawal through the Lemon Squeezy checkout.
Questions first? Read Is DeskRest safe or browse the FAQ.
7-day free trial · one-time purchase · 40% off with code WELCOME40