A lighter IdleBuster alternative for Windows
What IdleBuster does, where it is strong, and how Stayaway compares as a smaller Windows app with a free plan.
Last checked 2026-10-06.
IdleBuster is a capable Windows and macOS activity simulator with a free mouse-only tier and a one-time lifetime licence. Stayaway is a smaller, Windows-only alternative with the same core — Auto Detect and Smart Resume — a free plan, and honest marketing.
| Stayaway | IdleBuster | |
|---|---|---|
| Installer | About 4 MB — a Tauri build (exact size on the download page) | 105.8 MB (version 2.0.0) — an Electron build |
| Platforms | Windows 10 and 11 | Windows, macOS |
| Price | Free, or Pro $9.99/mo, $99/yr or $178 once | Free Starter plus a one-time lifetime Pro licence (exact figure not shown on a readable pricing page) |
| Free plan | Yes — mouse activity, free for good | Yes — Starter, mouse movement only |
| Free trial | 7-day Pro trial, no card | Not stated |
| Auto Detect (starts when you go idle) | Yes (Pro) | Yes |
| Smart Resume (stops when you return) | Yes (Pro) | Yes |
| Emergency Stop | Yes — Alt+X, from any app | Not documented |
| Code signing | Not yet signed — Windows shows a SmartScreen warning; the SHA-256 is published | Not verified |
| Download | Direct download and GitHub releases, with a published SHA-256 | Direct download |
| Refund | 30-day full refund | Not published |
Where IdleBuster is the better pick
IdleBuster, from OrientMinds, is a Windows and macOS activity simulator with a free mouse-only tier and a one-time lifetime Pro licence.
- Runs on macOS as well as Windows (Stayaway is Windows-only today).
- An established product with a longer track record.
Comparing the paid tools too? See LazyWork vs IdleBuster vs Stayaway.
Questions
Is there a free IdleBuster alternative?
- Yes. Stayaway has a free plan that covers mouse activity for good, plus a 7-day trial of every Pro feature with no card. IdleBuster also has a free, mouse-only Starter tier.
What is the main difference between Stayaway and IdleBuster?
- Size and platform. Stayaway's installer is about 4 MB and runs on Windows only; IdleBuster's is 105.8 MB, an Electron app that also runs on macOS. Both have Auto Detect, which starts a run when you go idle, and Smart Resume, which stops when you return.
Does switching to Stayaway stop a tracker from seeing my work?
- No. Like IdleBuster, Stayaway keeps the computer registering as active; it does not change screenshots, app or website logs, or the activity a time tracker records. Neither tool can promise otherwise.
Does Stayaway run on a Mac like IdleBuster?
- Not yet. IdleBuster runs on Windows and macOS; Stayaway is Windows 10 and 11 only for now.
Sources
IdleBuster facts were read from the vendor's own pages (checked 2026-10-06), except where a source below says otherwise.
Try the lighter one.
Stayaway is a small Windows app with a free plan, Auto Detect, Smart Resume, and an honest answer about what a tracker can still see.