Mac utilities3 picks

The best apps to keep your Mac awake

KeepingYouAwake is the app most Mac users should use to stop sleep, and it is free and open source.

The Useful TechResearched and written with AI under our rulesUpdated 14 Oct 2026

Our pickKeepingYouAwake app iconKeepingYouAwakePick it if you run long downloads or renders and come back to find your Mac asleep.Free, open source
Also greatCaffeine app iconCaffeinePick this if you want a free, simple coffee cup switch for movies and presentations.Free, open sourceAlso greatLungo app iconLungoPick it if you want the Mac awake for a set length of time, started with a hotkey.$4 once

KeepingYouAwake stops your Mac from sleeping with 1 click in the menu bar, free and open source. Caffeine does the same job for free with a coffee cup icon. Lungo is worth $4 once if you want the screen kept on for a set time and started with a hotkey, and Terminal users can skip all 3 for the built-in caffeinate command.

How we chose

  1. 11-click on and off from the menu bar
  2. 2Timers that let the Mac sleep again
  3. 3Hotkey control during presentations

Compare at a glance

Tap a name to jump to its write-up.

AppPriceHow you payMacApp StoreDeveloperSetappRating
KeepingYouAwake app iconKeepingYouAwakeFree, open sourceFreeToo few ratings
Caffeine app iconCaffeineFree, open sourceFreeToo few ratings
Lungo app iconLungo$4 oncePay onceToo few ratings

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The picks, in order

  1. 1KeepingYouAwake app icon

    KeepingYouAwake

    Free, open sourceOur pick

    Pick it if you run long downloads or renders and come back to find your Mac asleep.

    If you keep coming back to a sleeping Mac halfway through a big download or a slideshow, this free, open source menu bar app is the fix. A single click keeps the Mac awake for good or for a set time, and it can switch itself off when the battery runs low. It can't keep a MacBook awake with the lid closed, and Amphetamine adds triggers if you want it to switch on by itself.

    Prices and full verdictDeveloper's site
  2. 2Caffeine app icon

    Caffeine

    Free, open source

    Pick this if you want a free, simple coffee cup switch for movies and presentations.

    Your Mac dims and locks halfway through a long download, a movie or a slide deck you are presenting. Caffeine stops that with 1 click on a coffee cup in the menu bar, and it can switch itself off after a set time. It is free and open source, but the caffeinate command already built into Terminal does the same job if you are comfortable typing it.

    Prices and full verdictDeveloper's site
  3. 3Lungo app icon

    Lungo

    $4 once

    Pick it if you want the Mac awake for a set length of time, started with a hotkey.

    If you present slides, follow a recipe on your Mac or watch videos in a small window, Lungo keeps the screen from dimming for a set time or until you switch it off. It starts from a right-click, a keyboard shortcut, Shortcuts or the terminal, and turns itself off when you unplug. At $4 it costs more than the free KeepingYouAwake, and the App Store version can't stop sleep when you close the lid.

    Prices and full verdictMac App Store

Head to head

Stuck between 2 of these? Each comparison lines up price, devices and who should pick which.

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