LazyWork vs IdleBuster, compared
A dated, sourced look at how LazyWork and IdleBuster line up on size, platforms, price and features — with Stayaway alongside both.
Last checked 2026-10-06.
IdleBuster has a free tier and a one-time lifetime licence; LazyWork is a monthly subscription with more presets and live chat. Stayaway sits alongside both as a smaller, Windows-only, honestly-marketed option.
| Stayaway | IdleBuster | LazyWork | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Installer | About 4 MB — a Tauri build (exact size on the download page) | 105.8 MB (version 2.0.0) — an Electron build | 69.9 MB (3.1 beta; 79.8 MB for 3.0 stable) — a PyInstaller build |
| Platforms | Windows 10 and 11 | Windows, macOS | 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) | $7.99 / $14.99 / $49.99 per month |
| Free plan | Yes — mouse activity, free for good | Yes — Starter, mouse movement only | No — 7-day trial |
| Free trial | 7-day Pro trial, no card | Not stated | 7 days |
| Auto Detect (starts when you go idle) | Yes (Pro) | Yes | Not in the published feature list |
| Smart Resume (stops when you return) | Yes (Pro) | Yes | Not documented |
| Emergency Stop | Yes — Alt+X, from any app | Not documented | Not documented |
| Code signing | Not yet signed — Windows shows a SmartScreen warning; the SHA-256 is published | Not verified | Not verified |
| Download | Direct download and GitHub releases, with a published SHA-256 | Direct download | Direct download |
| Refund | 30-day full refund | Not published | Not published |
Where LazyWork and IdleBuster are stronger
IdleBuster
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.
LazyWork
LazyWork is a Windows and macOS activity simulator with mouse, keyboard, scroll and app switching, sold as a monthly subscription.
- Runs on macOS as well as Windows (Stayaway is Windows-only today).
- A lower entry price to start ($7.99/month Personal).
- Offers live chat support.
Questions
Is LazyWork or IdleBuster the better choice?
- It depends on what you need. IdleBuster has a free tier and a one-time lifetime licence; LazyWork is a monthly subscription with more presets and live chat support. The table above compares them on the facts, with sources and the date each was checked.
Which one is cheapest?
- IdleBuster's one-time lifetime licence is cheapest over time if you keep using it; LazyWork's $7.99 a month Personal plan is the lowest to start. Stayaway's lifetime licence is $178, once.
Does an activity simulator stop a tracker from seeing my work?
- No. It keeps the computer registering as active; it does not change screenshots, app or website logs, or the activity a time tracker records. None of these three tools can promise otherwise.
Do these run on a Mac?
- IdleBuster and LazyWork offer macOS builds. Stayaway runs on Windows 10 and 11 only for now.
Sources
Competitor facts were read from each vendor's own pages on the dates shown. Installer sizes are our own measurement; the exact bytes, versions and method are here.
- IdleBuster (checked 2026-10-06): orientminds.com, orientminds.com/pricing, Installer size: measured by Stayaway (method and exact bytes)
- LazyWork (checked 2026-10-06): lazywork.xyz, lazywork.xyz/pricing, Installer size: measured by Stayaway (method and exact bytes)
Try the lighter one.
Stayaway is a small Windows app with a free plan and an honest answer about what a tracker can still see.