You must manually enter your hours into the timer software Balance for Mac

There are numerous time-tracking Mac applications that automatically record the hours spent logged in. Some even provide detailed information, such as how much time you spend using a specific program. A brand-new app called Balance uses a slightly different method of timekeeping by allowing users to manually log in and log out of their screen time.

Instead of providing users with detailed information on their productivity, Balance wants to help them develop a set of positive work habits. It won’t tell you how long Slack, Microsoft Teams, Chrome, or any other application was open on your computer, but it will give you a rough idea of how you use the system as a whole and how much time you spend in different sessions each week.

If your machine has been on for more than five minutes without you clocking in, Balance will send you a reminder in order for the system to function. Locking your Mac makes it easy to clock out as well. Sadly, Balance doesn’t record a clock-out if your system goes to sleep.

 

The program cannot determine if you have taken a break even when you walk away from the computer because there is no automatic tracking. As a result, it will remind you to stop after 60 minutes. Such options are simple to adjust to your preferences.

Through the Focus mode option, Balance also provides you with a Pomodoro timer (25 minutes on, 5 minutes off). Your Mac’s menu bar is where the software is located, allowing you rapid access to all the options. By default, it displays the active time of the current session, but you may also modify it to display the overall session duration, including breaks, or the amount of time that has passed since the last break.

The creator of Balance, Alexander Sandberg, claims that he needed a timer that understood work-life balance, so he created the app. He told TechCrunch in an interview that while working from home, he frequently stayed in front of his computer much past his normal working hours, which is when he had the idea for Balance.

“I decided on a manual clocking method for Balance because I think it promotes the development of a “ritual” for reporting to and leaving from work. It’s crucial to have something that helps you distinguish between work and non-work time, especially if you work from home. For instance, even if their office is at home, I’ve heard of people who take a quick stroll to and from “the office” at the start and conclusion of each workday. This will make it easier for the body and mind to distinguish between work and life, he explained in an email to TechCrunch.

While Balance is useful for creating the habit of clocking in and out, getting acclimated to it could take some time. It’s possible that you forget to begin or end a lot of sessions. As a result, both ends may provide false positives.

Everyone can access Balance for free, with the Pro edition initially costing $2.49 per month (or $24.99 annually). Customers who have paid will have access to services like session history with trend data. Users of Balance have the option to export their logs if they wish to quit using the app or just want to use them for another type of data analysis.

In order to assist customers focus more, Sandberg said he is adding more pro features, such as a richer session history overview with month and year, session categorization and labeling, and app and website restriction.